Morgan Freeman Quote

I gravitate towards gravitas.

                             -- Morgan Freeman

Hushpuppy Quote: Beasts of the Southern Wild

"Sometimes you can break something so bad, that it can't be put back together. " -- Hushpuppy in Beasts of the Southern Wild

Got to Find My Joy

Here's one of those singers that would have me down in front of the stage with my head down and arms pumping in the air, perhaps even singing loudly along with her because she's singing MY song! Bettye Lavette puts her stamp on "Joy" like she wrote it, but actually Lucinda Williams penned this tune. Lucinda's version is country with a little blues mixed in, while Lavette's version is ALL Blues.

Every time I hear Bettye sing "Joy," I can't help but move, lift my hands in the air and sing right along with her because I know where she's coming from. Sing Bettye!

Alabama Shakes: Hold On

Just watch and listen to the lead singer, Brittany Howard -- that's all I'm gonna say.

True Love

"True Love" figurine and painting by Annie Lee

Here She Is: Miss Gigi

Annie Lee Thrift Store Find

I was looking for the novel, The Help, at the thrift store today, but instead I found this Annie Lee print. Not a bad find for $5.99, If I do say so myself!

"Ash" by Annie Lee

Places and Spaces of Donald Byrd

Donaldson Toussaint L'Ouverture Byrd II

              Dec. 9, 1932 - Feb. 4, 2013

Trumpeter Donald Byrd lent his intoxicating sounds to musicians as heady as John Coltrane to contemporary masters such as Tupac. And when you consider the artists that either sampled Byrd’s work or outright had him blow his trumpet on their creations, Byrd’s reach in hip hop, jazz, fusion, and funk is prolific.

I’m sad to say that this grand master of music, Donald Byrd has passed away. Byrd represented home to me. Every time I hear recordings like “You and Music,” “Change: Makes You Wanna Hustle,” “Places and Spaces,” “Wind Parade,” “Rock Creek Park” (this one takes me to D.C.), “Steppin’ Into Tomorrow,” I think of the faces and spaces of my friends and time in Delaware. And so it’s fitting I guess, that Byrd died in Delaware. In 2009, Delaware State University named Byrd as a distinguished artist-in-residence, and I know he lent his musical knowledge and passion to the music students at the school during his tenure there. He also developed a “Music is Math is Art” education program that he has introduced to young people across the country.

Dr. Byrd drew a parallel between his life and the life of world famous jazz trumpeter Clifford Brown, an influential 1950s Wilmington, Del.-born musician who attended Delaware State College.

“Like my father I never drank or smoked…. Clifford Brown didn’t drink or smoke,” Dr. Byrd said. “This school (Delaware State) is outstanding, and here I am just trying to follow in Brownie's footsteps.”

Dr. Byrd, thank you for your vivid and moving sounds that whirl around in my head from time to time and make me feel all the comforts of home.

Read more about Byrd in London’s The Guardian:

Legendary jazz trumpeter Donald Byrd has died, says nephew Influential musician's nephew reports that he died on Monday in Delaware, where he lived

Antonina's Story

This is more than an amazing story. This lady has been through some sad and rough times, but you will see by the end of her story that God can make a way when there seems there is no possible way. Thank you sister Camille for bringing this to my attention. I think Antonina's testimonry will speak to somebody out there, uplift them, and give them hope. I know it had that effect on me!

The Art of Rap

I'm watching "The Art of Rap: Something from Nothing", directed by Ice-T, on Netflix. They took the only thing in the "crib" that was making music and turned it into an instrument, because that's all they had. Now you know that's deep.