Musician, educator and historian Bruce Conforth introduces us to the real Robert Johnson.
Far from the one-dimensional “native genius” he is often portrayed as, Robert Johnson was a well read, well traveled, versatile artist whose genius was no accident.
Dead at the age of 26, in his short life Johnson’s art left an indelible mark on American and world music.
Conforth, a guitarist and harmonica player, has been studying Johnson’s life and work for 40 years.
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More information about Steve Coleman is available at M-Base.com including a detailed biography, upcoming gigs and projects, music (which you can download for free), scores, essays and interviews.
You can register here for free at m-base.net and watch the trailer for the film “Elements of One” that Steve and I talked about.
The complete film is also available for online streaming from the site for $18.00 and is well worth it.
Mongo Mangue, the piece Steve and I discussed in the interview that features Charlie Parker playing with Machito and his Afro-Cubans
– Ken McCarthy
Jazz on the Tube
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I say our beloved Bronx because the Bronx is a cultural treasure that all Americans can be proud of.
In this wide-ranging and fascinating conversation, Bobby Sanabria talks about the state of jazz education, the historic and ongoing contribution to jazz by Latin music and musicians, and the history of the Bronx, one of the most important centers of musical innovation in the modern world.
“The soul of the people of the Bronx is one of resilience, resistance, and pride,” Mr. Sanabria said. “It really is a majestic history.” (New York Times)
BMHC just broke ground last month, on January 13th, on what will be a 300-seat theater as part of a massive housing complex of over 300 apartments on E. 162nd St. and Elton Ave in the Melrose section of the South Bronx. It will open in December of 2018. This will be the permanent home of the Bronx Music Heritage Center.
From Mambo to Hip Hop
Before the Fires: An Oral History of African American Life in the Bronx from the 1930s to the 1960s by Mark Naison and Bob Gumbs Info about the book “Before the Fires”
The Clave – The Key: Africa, the Caribbean and New Orleans
What New York City sounded like when Bobby was 15. The Puerto Rican community gathers at at the Bandshell in Central Park.
From South Carolina to Ghana to New York City, Frank Malloy IV and his family have been on a remarkable journey.
After inspiring trips to Ghana, Frank’s parents founded the Harambee Dance Company in Charleston, South Carolina and later brought it to New York City.
Frank, in addition to being a West African Drumming instructor for United Palace of Creative Arts (UPCA) – a stunningly beautiful former movie “palace” at 4140 Broadway (near the A Train stop at 175th Street) – is also the music director of the Harambee Dance Company.
On Saturday, June 25, he’s putting together a showcase at UPCA featuring Les Nubians, Chargeux, the Harambee Dance Company, and ADH.
New York-based composer and bassist Matt Geraghty, Brazilian producer and saxophonist Zé Luis, and filmmaker/director Laura Newman are visiting major music hubs on the old trade routes – New York, New Orleans, San Juan, Cuba (and soon Brazil and West Africa) – to document and make music with local musicians.
They arrive in a place and create 21 bands in 21 days being guided by the local musicians themselves.
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