Music & Culture
Classical Music Posts
Why We’re Drawn To Billie Holliday’s Story
All the lights in the house would go dark. The wait staff would turn still. The audience, often largely white, would either wait, in discomfort, or leave, knowing what was to come. On stage, a single spotlight illuminated the jazz artist’s face. And then Holiday, the glamorous jazz singer, would end her set with “Strange Fruit,” a song of protest against lynchings. There would be no encore. Continue Reading Why We’re Drawn To Billie Holliday’s Story
Now We Sob, Forever He Sings: Jazz Great Chick Corea Remembered
In 1968, Chick Corea entered our lives with two albums under his name: Tones for Joan’s Bones and Now He Sings, Now He Sobs. And on Feb. 9, the pianist, composer and bandleader departed from this realm after a fast-moving cancer. Continue Reading Now We Sob, Forever He Sings: Jazz Great Chick Corea Remembered
Past As Prologue: End Times Preaching In Seattle And The Politics Of The Apocalypse
During the early decades of the 20th century, Mark Matthews became one of the most powerful religious leaders in the United States. His Seattle congregation was the largest Presbyterian church in the world with more than 10,000 members at its peak. Continue Reading Past As Prologue: End Times Preaching In Seattle And The Politics Of The Apocalypse
In New Song, Black Violin Focuses On The Light As They’re ‘Not Supposed To’ Play Violin
Race and challenging assumptions about race is central to what Black Violin does: Outside of playing for fun or for creative expression, Marcus finds it particularly satisfying to disarm people who don’t expect him to be a violin scholar. “The number-one reason I play violin,” he says, “is because I’m not ‘supposed to.’ ” Continue Reading In New Song, Black Violin Focuses On The Light As They’re ‘Not Supposed To’ Play Violin
Immanuel Wilkins Highlights Struggle And Triumph Of Black Experience In Tiny Desk (Home) Concert
Candles and books rest on a trunk at the bottom right corner of the wide shot. There, too, are special photographs of alto saxophonist Immanuel Wilkins with family in his childhood home in Philadelphia. “One of the brightest things about this pandemic was going home to spend time with my mother, father and grandmother after being on the road for a while,” Wilkins told NPR recently. Continue Reading Immanuel Wilkins Highlights Struggle And Triumph Of Black Experience In Tiny Desk (Home) Concert
Remembering The Legacy Of Maestro Armando Manzanero
We lost Armando Manzanero this past December in Mexico City to COVID-19 complications at the age of 85. This week, we present our tribute for Valentine’s Day, a day when his profound words can help us express the inexpressible. Continue Reading Remembering The Legacy Of Maestro Armando Manzanero
