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From: Ms. Kathy
Email: k
Headline: Salif Keita Brings 'La Difference' to Dar Es Salaam
Link: http://allafrica.com/stories/201010130598.html
Showing posts with label music. Show all posts
Showing posts with label music. Show all posts
Wednesday, October 13, 2010
Saturday, May 29, 2010
Full Circle: Sending the Music Forward
I remember the Batiste's from school. When Mr. Alvin started working at Southern University his son, also named Alvin, became a part of our fifth grade class at the Lab School. We used to give the younger Alvin a ribbing about some of his New Orleans pronouniciations like using "ER" in "OI" words--for instance saying "erl" instead of "oil."Younger brother Maynard was in my sister Carol's class and a year ahead of us was Marcia, whom I thought was one of the most talented young ladies I'd ever met. I truly enjoyed talking with her and appreciated the time she would take to talk with me. At that time, we saw more of Mrs. Batiste because she stayed involved in school activities, accompanying us as a chaperon on our junior high trip to the World's Fair.
Fast forward. After moving back to Louisiana from Florida I had a class of children--preemie-borns between three and six years old. All visually impaired with multiple disabilities due to premature birth. Music was very important and therapeutic for my babies. Some of them were nonverbal and music turned on many lights--no pun intended. We did music and movement for circle time because it made more sense for my kids. Nap time meant all types of music. Once I even had Japanese kabuki and Irish folk songs when songs during a unit on world peoples!
One little boy who came to me with the ability to say only two syllables was particularly affected by music. He went from asking "Booshic?" to request music to saying, "I want bukee (kabuki) music" to "Miss Kaffy may you please can play my jazz music?"
Fast forward some more. I call to check on one of my kids who is now about ten. His mother gets him on the phone so he can give me his Sunday WBRH program line up. It ends up with "And then at four-o'clock it smooooth jazz in the city with MISTER Alvin Batiste! I LOVE MISTER, Alvin Batiste!" Then he starts to rattle off the titles of some music by Alvin Batiste and some music by other artists MISTER Batiste played on his radio show.
Fast forward again. I'm at a program at the sorority house for showing off and encouraging young talent and Mr. and Mrs. Batiste are there. He's walking slowly on a stick because he'd been ill. She's staying close by his side. Students stop by to speak as they walk around the room to view the exhibits. I go over to speak and I ask how Alvin, Marcia and Maynard are doing. I have to tell them of the story of one of my babies and how he loves MISTER Alvin Batiste.
"Edith, don't we have some CDs in the trunk of the car?" Mr. Batiste said. "Get one for the little boy an get one for Kathy, too."
There were copies of two different CD's in the car that day.
The following school day, I made a special trip during my lunch break to hand deliver those CD's to the school for the visually impaired for young Mr. D who just loved MISTER Alvin Batiste. A few day later I received a call, thanking me for bringing the CD's and asking me to thank MISTER Alvin Batiste...and if he ever gets any more CDs...
Fast forward. After moving back to Louisiana from Florida I had a class of children--preemie-borns between three and six years old. All visually impaired with multiple disabilities due to premature birth. Music was very important and therapeutic for my babies. Some of them were nonverbal and music turned on many lights--no pun intended. We did music and movement for circle time because it made more sense for my kids. Nap time meant all types of music. Once I even had Japanese kabuki and Irish folk songs when songs during a unit on world peoples!
One little boy who came to me with the ability to say only two syllables was particularly affected by music. He went from asking "Booshic?" to request music to saying, "I want bukee (kabuki) music" to "Miss Kaffy may you please can play my jazz music?"
Fast forward some more. I call to check on one of my kids who is now about ten. His mother gets him on the phone so he can give me his Sunday WBRH program line up. It ends up with "And then at four-o'clock it smooooth jazz in the city with MISTER Alvin Batiste! I LOVE MISTER, Alvin Batiste!" Then he starts to rattle off the titles of some music by Alvin Batiste and some music by other artists MISTER Batiste played on his radio show.
Fast forward again. I'm at a program at the sorority house for showing off and encouraging young talent and Mr. and Mrs. Batiste are there. He's walking slowly on a stick because he'd been ill. She's staying close by his side. Students stop by to speak as they walk around the room to view the exhibits. I go over to speak and I ask how Alvin, Marcia and Maynard are doing. I have to tell them of the story of one of my babies and how he loves MISTER Alvin Batiste.
"Edith, don't we have some CDs in the trunk of the car?" Mr. Batiste said. "Get one for the little boy an get one for Kathy, too."
There were copies of two different CD's in the car that day.
The following school day, I made a special trip during my lunch break to hand deliver those CD's to the school for the visually impaired for young Mr. D who just loved MISTER Alvin Batiste. A few day later I received a call, thanking me for bringing the CD's and asking me to thank MISTER Alvin Batiste...and if he ever gets any more CDs...
Friday, May 29, 2009
Rap Ain't Nothin' New
I wrote this for a church historical musical. The children loved it as much as the adults. My purpose was a history and heritage lesson. It was not meant to be critical of the music the kids enjoy, but to serve as an entertaining teaching too. It's from 2002 so pardon the reference to some rappers who are no longer as in vogue as they were then.
Now I'm gonna tell you what I'm to do
If you think that rap is so brand new.
You hear P-Diddy and Li'l Romeo
But many came first, a long time ago.
African-Americans traditionally
Have been poetic and very free
And artistic with words long before
Rap music came knockin' on anybody's door.
"Playin' the dozens" came from when
Young men had to be strong and not give in.
So they'd have a friendly banter with insulting chat
And the stronger one knew where it was at.
No one would get angry or fight his brother,
Even if the "signifier" spoke of his mother;
'Cause being strong to each in the end
Meant the two walk along home as friends.
About two-hundred years before Bow Wow,
Philis Wheatley was taken from Senegal.
She lived in the seventeen-zero-zeros
And wrote beautiful poetry we still read now.
"Li'l brown baby wit' spahklin' eyes..."
Came from a man who was small and wise.
Paul Lawrence Dunbar was his name
And Black dialect was his claim to fame.
Although he wanted to write in style so plain
The "establishment" drove him rather insane.
So his poems inclided "dem", "dat" and "dose."
Doe we's don't all talk like dat, ya know!
Now Marcus Garvey wanted a special song
"Cause America was treatin' Black folk wrong.
So he organized a trip back home
To the Mother Land, where he said we belonged.
Thus he had a flag made--red, black and green
And a whole lotta folks thought he was mean.
For a new Black country, he wanted a theme'
So James Weldon Johnson was brought on the scene
To write a song for the new nation to sing
With beautiful words that sang what they mean.
Beautiful words Mr. johnson did write.
His brother put music that fit just right!
Page four-fifty-seven (Baptist Hymnal) you should know
Lift Ev'ry Voice and Sing it just so.
Later, my children, there was Langston Hughes
Who wrote about dreams as well as the blues.
Claude McKay wrote "If we must die..."
Both of these men were filled with much pride.
Gwen Brooks, Sonya Sanchez and Nikki Giovanni
Let ev'ryone know what a woman can be.
Now I hope you've learned and I hope youi'll read
And expand your mind 'cause--yes, indeed--
Black Americans have always been on time
With arts and words and beats and rhymes.
Now I've only mentioned a few.
Crack open a book and learn of them, too.
Excuse my English--it's just for fun--
But rap ain't nothin' that ain't already been done.
The beat ain't nothin' to bring you down
It's just the words that can make me frown
'Cause young'uns you gotta be on guard
If the words don't glorify the Lord.
Now I'm gonna tell you what I'm to do
If you think that rap is so brand new.
You hear P-Diddy and Li'l Romeo
But many came first, a long time ago.
African-Americans traditionally
Have been poetic and very free
And artistic with words long before
Rap music came knockin' on anybody's door.
"Playin' the dozens" came from when
Young men had to be strong and not give in.
So they'd have a friendly banter with insulting chat
And the stronger one knew where it was at.
No one would get angry or fight his brother,
Even if the "signifier" spoke of his mother;
'Cause being strong to each in the end
Meant the two walk along home as friends.
About two-hundred years before Bow Wow,
Philis Wheatley was taken from Senegal.
She lived in the seventeen-zero-zeros
And wrote beautiful poetry we still read now.
"Li'l brown baby wit' spahklin' eyes..."
Came from a man who was small and wise.
Paul Lawrence Dunbar was his name
And Black dialect was his claim to fame.
Although he wanted to write in style so plain
The "establishment" drove him rather insane.
So his poems inclided "dem", "dat" and "dose."
Doe we's don't all talk like dat, ya know!
Now Marcus Garvey wanted a special song
"Cause America was treatin' Black folk wrong.
So he organized a trip back home
To the Mother Land, where he said we belonged.
Thus he had a flag made--red, black and green
And a whole lotta folks thought he was mean.
For a new Black country, he wanted a theme'
So James Weldon Johnson was brought on the scene
To write a song for the new nation to sing
With beautiful words that sang what they mean.
Beautiful words Mr. johnson did write.
His brother put music that fit just right!
Page four-fifty-seven (Baptist Hymnal) you should know
Lift Ev'ry Voice and Sing it just so.
Later, my children, there was Langston Hughes
Who wrote about dreams as well as the blues.
Claude McKay wrote "If we must die..."
Both of these men were filled with much pride.
Gwen Brooks, Sonya Sanchez and Nikki Giovanni
Let ev'ryone know what a woman can be.
Now I hope you've learned and I hope youi'll read
And expand your mind 'cause--yes, indeed--
Black Americans have always been on time
With arts and words and beats and rhymes.
Now I've only mentioned a few.
Crack open a book and learn of them, too.
Excuse my English--it's just for fun--
But rap ain't nothin' that ain't already been done.
The beat ain't nothin' to bring you down
It's just the words that can make me frown
'Cause young'uns you gotta be on guard
If the words don't glorify the Lord.
Tuesday, May 26, 2009
His Eye is on the Sparrow
I think I wrote earlier of one of my favorite Scriptures
having to do with "What, Me Worry?"
Well, the song I have playing here on this blog until
I get bored and am ready for another song is based
on just that Scripture.
An elderly deacon at my church used to be with
us on Wednesday night prayer meeting when we
would gather at prayer time in the pews near the
front of the church. This was his favorite song each
time he made a testimony. Later we found
he was very sick but he never complained. He
always said he was blessed and talked
about the ways he was so blessed. he was also
a blessing to all of us, so much so
that before we knew it his home going
celebration was about three hours long. So
many people had wonderful, happy stories to
tell about him. No one wanted to go
home!
At any rate, I have come to like this song also
as the words are awesome and they
have come to mean a lot to me. I share the
words here to the song that is playing:
1. Why should I feel discouraged?
Why should the shadows come?
Why should my heart be lonely
and long for heaven and home,
When Jesus is my portion?
My constant friend is he:
His eye is on the sparrow,
and I know he watches me.
Refrain:
I sing because I'm happy,
I sing because I'm free,
for his eye is on the sparrow,
and I know he watches me.
2. "Let not your heart be troubled,"
his tender word I hear,
and resting on his goodness,
I lose my doubts and fears;
though by the path he leadeth
but one step I may see:
His eye is on the sparrow,
and I know he watches me.
(Refrain)
3. Whenever I am tempted,
whenever clouds arise,
when song gives place to sighing,
when hope within me dies;
I draw the closer to him,
from care he sets me free:
His eye is on the sparrow,
and I know he watches me.
(Refrain)
Tuesday, May 19, 2009
Surrey Leader - Music with attitude
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Sunday, May 3, 2009
From Andalusia Star-News: Crosby made music for God
Ms. Kathy sent the following article from The Andalusia Star-News:
Crosby made music for God
http://www.andalusiastarnews.com/news/2009/may/01/crosby-made-music-god/
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Ms. Kathy says: Very interesting and inspiring!
-----
For more local news from The Andalusia Star-News, please visit http://www.andalusiastarnews.com/
Or for subscription information, go to http://www.andalusiastarnews.com/subscribe
Wednesday, March 25, 2009
Raul Midon Returns to Korea
Source Link
Singer/songwriter Raul Midon (For photo click HERE: )
By Cathy Rose A. Garcia
Staff Reporter
American singer Raul Midon returns to Seoul for another concert, as part of ``The Beautiful Singer-Songwriter Series at the Theater'' in April.
Midon, a blind guitarist whose deep, soulful voice invites comparisons to another blind musician Stevie Wonder, impressed Korean fans when he held a concert in Seoul last year.
In an email interview with The Korea Times, Midon shares fond memories of his concert in Seoul, as well as his guest appearance on the TV music show ``Love Letter with Yoon Do-hyun.''
``The Korean fans are special because they are so open and responsive to my music,'' he said.
Midon will perform April 26, at the M Theater, Sejong Center for the Performing Arts, Gwanghwamun, downtown Seoul. He promises some surprises for his upcoming concert, but declined to elaborate.
``I'll be playing songs from my previous two albums, `State of Mind' and `A World Within A World' and also previewing songs from my upcoming album. If I tell you, it wouldn't be a surprise,'' he said.
Midon attracted fans and impressed critics with his albums ``A State of Mind'' in 2005 and ``A World Within A World'' in 2007. He writes and composes his own music, often described as pop-jazz fusion.
Midon and his twin brother were born in Embudo, New Mexico, to his Argentinean father and African-American mother. Both babies became blind after being placed in an incubator without proper protection for the eyes.
At a young age, Midon learned to play the drums and guitar. He studied music under the jazz program of the University of Miami.
Midon does not think of his blindness as an obstacle to his music career, but rather as a way for people to remember him. ``I think that blindness is a way that people remember me and that's okay as long as they remember me,'' he said.
The 42-year-old singer-songwriter is currently busy writing songs and preparing to record a new album in Los Angeles. ``I'm so grateful for the fans. We're aiming to release the record internationally around September,'' Midon said.
In the past, Midon has collaborated with artists such as Wonder (who played the harmonica on Midon's track ``Expressions of Love''), Herbie Hancock, Roberto Fonseca and Jason Mraz (``Keep on Hoping'').
``I have my dreams of working with Paul Simon, James Taylor, and Joni Mitchell. Here's hoping dreams come true,'' he said.
Aside from Midon, foreign and Korean singer-songwriters will also be holding concerts at the M Theater from April 16 to 26. ``The Beautiful Singer-Songwriter Series at the Theater'' features Rachael Yamagata, Lasse Lindh, Jang Ki-ha & Faces, Jung Jae-hyung, Zitten, Yozoh, Cho Kyu-chan, Kim Gwang-jin and Bulnabang Star Sausage Club.
Tickets for the concerts range from 44,000 won to 77,000 won. Call 02-563-7110 or visit ticket.interpark.com. Email info@privatecurve.com for English inquiries
cathy@koreatimes.co.kr
http://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/news/art/2009/03/135_41860.html
Singer/songwriter Raul Midon (For photo click HERE: )
By Cathy Rose A. Garcia
Staff Reporter
American singer Raul Midon returns to Seoul for another concert, as part of ``The Beautiful Singer-Songwriter Series at the Theater'' in April.
Midon, a blind guitarist whose deep, soulful voice invites comparisons to another blind musician Stevie Wonder, impressed Korean fans when he held a concert in Seoul last year.
In an email interview with The Korea Times, Midon shares fond memories of his concert in Seoul, as well as his guest appearance on the TV music show ``Love Letter with Yoon Do-hyun.''
``The Korean fans are special because they are so open and responsive to my music,'' he said.
Midon will perform April 26, at the M Theater, Sejong Center for the Performing Arts, Gwanghwamun, downtown Seoul. He promises some surprises for his upcoming concert, but declined to elaborate.
``I'll be playing songs from my previous two albums, `State of Mind' and `A World Within A World' and also previewing songs from my upcoming album. If I tell you, it wouldn't be a surprise,'' he said.
Midon attracted fans and impressed critics with his albums ``A State of Mind'' in 2005 and ``A World Within A World'' in 2007. He writes and composes his own music, often described as pop-jazz fusion.
Midon and his twin brother were born in Embudo, New Mexico, to his Argentinean father and African-American mother. Both babies became blind after being placed in an incubator without proper protection for the eyes.
At a young age, Midon learned to play the drums and guitar. He studied music under the jazz program of the University of Miami.
Midon does not think of his blindness as an obstacle to his music career, but rather as a way for people to remember him. ``I think that blindness is a way that people remember me and that's okay as long as they remember me,'' he said.
The 42-year-old singer-songwriter is currently busy writing songs and preparing to record a new album in Los Angeles. ``I'm so grateful for the fans. We're aiming to release the record internationally around September,'' Midon said.
In the past, Midon has collaborated with artists such as Wonder (who played the harmonica on Midon's track ``Expressions of Love''), Herbie Hancock, Roberto Fonseca and Jason Mraz (``Keep on Hoping'').
``I have my dreams of working with Paul Simon, James Taylor, and Joni Mitchell. Here's hoping dreams come true,'' he said.
Aside from Midon, foreign and Korean singer-songwriters will also be holding concerts at the M Theater from April 16 to 26. ``The Beautiful Singer-Songwriter Series at the Theater'' features Rachael Yamagata, Lasse Lindh, Jang Ki-ha & Faces, Jung Jae-hyung, Zitten, Yozoh, Cho Kyu-chan, Kim Gwang-jin and Bulnabang Star Sausage Club.
Tickets for the concerts range from 44,000 won to 77,000 won. Call 02-563-7110 or visit ticket.interpark.com. Email info@privatecurve.com for English inquiries
cathy@koreatimes.co.kr
http://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/news/art/2009/03/135_41860.html
Sunday, March 8, 2009
It's Time for America to "Idolize" Scott MacIntyre
This article was also on Foundation Fighting blindness
It's time for America to "Idolize" Scott MacIntyre
Congratulations to Scott MacIntyre! His dynamic performance on Tuesday night secured him a place in the Top 13 on American Idol! Thank you to everyone who voted for Scott. Be sure to tune in again next Tuesday at 8:00 p.m. EST and cast your vote for Scott as he performs in the next round. With FFB’s support, Scott MacIntyre is destined to be the next American Idol!
Millions dream of making it to the final rounds of American Idol but for Scott MacIntyre, the dream has become reality. Born with severe vision loss from Leber congenital amaurosis (LCA), Scott is an incredibly gifted musical performer who has made it to the Top 12 on American Idol. With his remarkable talent, Scott is bound to make it far in the competition, and we need you to support him as he shoots his way to the top!
An Arizona State University graduate, a Marshall scholar, and a Fulbright scholar, Scott learned to play the piano at the age of three. His piano professor, Walter Cosand, said, "He's always been able to do what everyone else could do and many things no one else could do. A lot of things he does are very remarkable, even for someone without a disability."
Scott also has a sister, Katelyn, who has lost her vision to LCA. With their brother Todd, the three siblings have made a splash performing as the MacIntyre Family Singers. Scott even shared his talents with the FFB family when he performed at the opening luncheon of the 1998 VISIONS Conference in Chicago. Simon, Paula, Randy and Kara have brought him this far; now it’s up to us to make Scott MacIntyre the next American Idol! Scott will be performing live on Tuesday, March 10, as one of the Top 12 contestants to continue to compete.
Voting is free, so be sure to vote for Scott!Stay tuned to the Foundation Fighting Blindness Web site for more information about Scott’s progress and how your votes can help him reach the top and raise awareness of retinal degenerative diseases across the country.Learn
More About Scott MacIntyreVisit http://www.americanidol.com/videos/season_8/scott_macintyre to view Scott’s latest video interviews and hear about his passion and talent for music, his greatest musical influence, and what prompted him to try out for American Idol. You can leave comments and words of encouragement for Scott on this page too.
Click here to read an article about Scott on MSNBC.
Sunday, March 1, 2009
Music
I've added music to my blog page! I'm conscious of disabilities, especially visual impairments, which is why I never make frames on my main web site. One of my former students once told me they mess up the screereader making it difficult for the blind to access a web site.
This is why I have made the player visible so that the music can be turned off. If you don't want it playing while you read, you can just click the stop button.
I won't be adding music to my main site. Now in the words of Elvis: "Thank yew. Thank yew very much."
Ms. Kathy has left the building.
Monday, February 16, 2009
This Weekend: The Final Chapter
Perhaps I'm easily entertained. Besides the flowers, my Hunnee took me out to eat and to a movie. I bought Andrea Bocelli's latest CD. It was the perfect weekend to listen to that! THAT is a Valentine's Day soundtrack!
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