Book Review:
This is a review from my friend Alice Griffin. She is one of the smartest people that I know. We agree on many things and I trust her taste so I am sure that you will find this great reading.
I recently read "Singing in a Strange Land", the biography of C. L. Franklin. Loved it. This book debunks some of the fiction allegedly in Aretha's "From These Roots" but, more importantly, depicts the extraordinary surroundings nurturing Aretha. (Mahalia said that her mother, Barbara Siggers Franklin, was one of the best singers in the U.S.) "Singing in a Strange Land" prompted me to read about some of its supporting characters; to wit, Clara Ward and Mahalia. I just finished "How I Got Over" Willa Ward-Royster's (Clara's sister) biography of her sister. What a read. I finished it in a day. Finally I read "Got to Tell It" Jules Schwerin's bio of Mahalia.
Despite the dismaying personal lapses, the narratives about these icons' struggles were compelling and the insights into the Black church's politics and influence on 20th-century music are priceless.
Booksignings:
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar has written a book, “On the Shoulders of Giants.”
There will be two signings by Kareem on January 29 and on January 31. I plan to attend the one at Hue-Man but I wish that I could go to both.
New York Historical Society
170 Central Park West
New York, NY 10024
212-873-3400
Date: Monday, January 29
Time: 6:30 PM
Pricing:
Full Price Ticket (Nonmembers): $15.00
Member Cost: $8.00
Student/Senior/Educator Cost: $10.00
Speaker Bio(s)
Ordering Information
Tickets for this program are sold through SmartTix. To order online visit www.smarttix.com. To order by phone please call SmartTix at 212-868-4444. The SmartTix Call Center is open 9am-8pm Monday through Friday, 10am-8pm Saturday and 10am-6pm Sunday. For more information on programs: Please call the N-YHS Public Programs Department at 212-485-9205.
Hue-Man Bookstore and Cafe
2319 Frederick Douglass Blvd
Between 124th and 125th Streets
New York, NY 10027
Tel: 212-665-7400
Date: Wednesday, January 31st
Time: 6:00 PM
Background information:
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar is the all-time leading scorer in NBA history and a member of the Basketball Hall of Fame. He is also the author of several books, including Giant Steps, Kareem, Black Profiles in Courage, A Season on the Reservation, and Brothers in Arms. On the Shoulders of Giants is currently in production as a documentary film.
I remember Kareem when he was known as Lew Alcindor when he played for the Milwaukee Bucks later to be traded to the Los Angeles Lakers. He along with Wilt Chamberlain were the two who I marveled at the most because I could not fathom anyone being as tall as they were.
According to Inside Hoops, during the summer of 1970-71, the Bucks traded for Oscar Robertson from the Cincinnati Royals. Robertson, an NBA legend nicknamed The Big O, was 31 at the time. He, Alcinder, Bobby Dandridge and a terrific supporting cast won 66 games that season and swept their way to an NBA championship, beating the Baltimore Bullets. That season, Alcinder won MVP, with averages of 31.7 points and 16.0 rebounds per game, and Finals MVP as well. That summer, before the start of the 1971-72 season, Alcinder converted from Catholicism to Islam and changed his name to Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, which translates to "noble, powerful servant." (That was a big deal for me because I was raised Catholic so I felt that was a big change and Muslim's were considered to be radical then.)
Soon to be released as a major documentary directed by Spike Lee, this autobiography documents Kareem Abdul Jabbar’s personal journey to becoming the man he is today. Kareem Abdul Jabbar has been an African-American icon. Known world wide as a basketball superstar, historian, and jazz enthusiast Mr. Jabbar continues to dazzle the public with his talent.
From 1920 to 1940, the Harlem Renaissance produced a bright beacon of light that paved the way for African-Americans all over the country. Journey with indomitable basketball star, author and historian Kareem Abdul-Jabbar back to his birthplace, through one of the greatest political, cultural, literary, and artistic movements in our history, revealing the tremendous impact the Harlem Renaissance had on both American culture and his own life.
P.S.
Kareem is also a lover and supporter of jazz music. If, for no other reason, I love him for that!
Gibson/Baldwin Showroom
421 West 54th Street
New York, NY
Yusef Lateef
“The Gentle Giant- The Auto Biography of Yusef Lateef" with Herb Boyd.
Publisher: Morton Books, Inc.
Date: Friday, January 26th
Time: 5:30PM -8PM
IMPORTANT!
RSVP by January 20th - space is limited.
bossanovamusic@comcast.net
or call (973) 324 9274
Yusef Lateef is a Grammy Award-winning composer, performer, recording artist, author, educator and philosopher who has been a major force on the international musical scene for more than six decades. He is universally acknowledged as one of the great living masters and innovators in the African-American tradition of autophysiopsychic music — that which comes from ones spiritual, physical and emotional self.
Performance by the innovative "Jazz + Bossa Nova group” led by Paul Abler featuring:
Yashmin Charnet-Abler-vocal
Paul Abler-guitar
Allen Farnham-piano
Sean Smith-bass
Leonard King-drums
Ze Mauricio-percussion
(I plan to attend this as well...can't wait!)
