Black lives matter to me... a lot!
Not only that black lives matter, they matter to me on a very personal level. It’s no overstatement to say that they changed my world! As a musician, I’ll forever be indebted to the musical influences they have on me.. be it jazz, gospel, soul, R&B, or blues...
Nat King Cole taught me how to croon, while Ben Webster and Lester Young’s Sax playing helped me find my singing tone. Lady Day showed me how to express within one’s limits, while Ella inspired me to always challenge my limits. Miles and Herbie reminded me to stay ahead of my time, while Monk and Trane told me the importance of finding your own voice, no matter how eccentric, jagged, or avant-garde it may be. Bird n Diz showed me how to break new ground, while Erroll Garner, Art Tatum, and Oscar Peterson put me back on solid ground. Brother Ray, Sister Aretha and Stevie Wonder showed me how to connect to our human soul, while Mahalia Jackson and Sister Rosetta Tharpe brought me close to the Holy Ghost. Earth, Wind, Fire, Gamble and Huff gave me the ultimate definition of groove, while MJ made me boogie, dance, and move. Father Thomas A Dorsey paved the way for all gospel composers to come, Kirk Franklin demonstrated how to praise the Lord while being a badass, and Andrae Crouch, besides having the biggest influence on my gospel sound, discharged himself from the hospital to make his last official recording with me... literally!!
Yes, Black lives matter, because they shaped my voice, my crafts, my art, and my soul. Black lives matter, because racial inequality is still prevalent. Black lives matter, because all lives matter, but apparently some matter more and some matter less in our distorted world! Say no racism, whatever kind!
#Blacklivesmatter
