With the recent 50 year anniversary of Dr. Martin Luther King’s legendary “I Have A Dream” speech in Washington D.C. I thought it fitting that we should pay tribute to all the great black musicians that have contributed so much to the world of music. Their contributions were so remarkable, that several lasting genres were born. Be it gospel, blues,
rhythm and blues, jazz, soul or big band music.
Pick songs from your favorite black artists and genres. There are quite a few to choose from.
Louis Armstrong – When It’s Sleepy time Down South
Billie Holiday and Lester Young: Fine and Mellow
Mahalia Jackson MLK Washington March
In a Sentimental Mood – Duke Ellington and John Coltrane
Robert Johnson CrossRoads – Cross Road Blues
Cassandra Wilson You Don’t Know What Love Is
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0fUGDnd2Fwk
One of my favorite lady jazz singers. There really is no one else like her.
Aretha Franklin – Chain Of Fools
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gGAiW5dOnKo
Can’t leave out the Queen of Soul!
Charlie Parker – I Remember You
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mdIJ2mRvTGs
Gotta have some Bird on this thread too.
Why, KT my Buddy, we must have some Miles Davis!
Absolutely Sally. It would be a SIN to leave Miles out of a thread like this! Great pick.
September – Earth, Wind & Fire
I don’t know if Smokey has gotten the recognition that he deserves. I just know he wrote sooooo much music – not only for himself and the Miracles, but for so many others. His ex-wife, Claudette said that he has about 200 songs that have never been published.
Smokey Robinson & The Miracles – You Really Got A Hold On Me
Yusef Lateef – Nubian Lady
Wes Montgomery – A Day in the Life
Some great picks Sabreen. Thanks for contributing.
If they gave us no more than music, black people have earned a place that says they’ve contributed more than Monsanto, Dupont, and GE in $$ and enjoyment. (of course I haven’t run any numbers) Tina Turner, Otis Redding, I mean, really, where does one start?
So we sent our son back to China; these two songs he played two years ago on his way to the airport away from us:
I think this Dawes kid (white) has captured something.
Daws/ “All My Failures”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gqB9EyPlHsk
Dawes/Daytrotter “My Way Back Home”
Sorry, Nat King Cole introducing 11 yr old Billy Preston, “BlueBerry Hill”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tahjOLYiLs4
and Billy Preston a few years later
Kiglore Trout!! Fun to do and really great to here the picks. It’s so rich
A few to start:
Nat King Cole and 11 yr old BIlly Preston singing “Blueberry Hill”!!!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tahjOLYiLs4
Marvin Gaye:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U9BA6fFGMjI
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y-5c5o85SGo
Martha REeves and the Vandellas
Good ones FC.
Johnny Mathis – Chances Are
LADY LOVE~LOU RAWLS
Ike and Tina Turner – Proud Mary
The Supremes: You Can’t Hurry Love