Hello All:
As you all know - or should - June is BLACK MUSIC MONTH! This is the time we come together to salute some of the most creative, talented and influential segment of our people - the musicians, composers, singers, technicians and performers who keep us entertained and inspired.
Some of us are born with the capacity to sing and get up in front of audiences without fear or trepidation, and manifest the wonderful gift God gave us. Others work tirelessly to perfect their performances. Some form music groups, others are part of music ensembles. Others are appreciators - or fans - who come out to support and enjoy the show; buy their albums, listen to them on the radio.
Regardless of whether it's Jazz, Gospel, Rhythm & Blues, HipHop, Rap, African, Caribbean - it's all our music!! And we get to enjoy and celebrate a double/triple dose of it for the entire month of June. There is practically no place - at least not in New York and other parts of the Eastern Seaboard, and California, that some kind of salute is not taking place. The very atmosphere is alive with music - as they come together to appreciate each other, learn new techniques, study the business, have jam sessions, and award each other for jobs well done.
Of course in the context of this month-long celebration, I salute the men in my life who were the consummate musicians - Lou Wilson (Love of My Life) of MANDRILL, INC., and his brothers, Ric, Carlos, and Wilfredo - who founded, and made up the nucleus of the group. I am also saluting another important man in my life - our Handsome Son (he hates it when I call him "Handsome," but he truly is) Rais Wilson, also known as The One Son Lion Ra, who is the founder of the group GARNIKA.
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| MANDRILL: LOU, CARLOS, RIC, AND WOLF WILSON - Founding members of the group, NYC 2011 |
Lou fairly oozed with music from every pore of his being. Everything he touched became a musical instrument - every sound a concept for a new song. Our son has the same DNA - and I'm fairly sure that some, if not all, of our Grands have some of that very same raw talent germinating inside them as well.
So during Black Music Month, I salute the music of MANDRILL - and the forty-plus years they performed, delighted and inspired people all over the world. The confluence of Panama, Jamaica, Barbados, New York, Africa, and all parts of the Caribbean, laced with jazz, R & B, is what took their music from great to sensational, and inspired Kanye West and others to adapt it to some of their signature work. I defy anyone to listen to FenceWalk, or Ape Is High, and remain seated in their chairs. It can't be done! Their fan base still remains, though, sadly Lou, who did 90% of the composing and lyrics, joined the Ancestor/Angels two and a half years ago. The integrity of the music still stands for all times - a treasure trove of some of the greatest music ever. Between the four Wilson Brothers alone, they played at least 60 instruments.
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| MANDRILL LOGO |
Like Mandrill, GARNIKA is definitely cutting its own swath, making its own mark - departing from the mundane and taking it to a new level. They have taken funk to a new level, synchopated rhythms emanating from four young men - who have filtered their contemporary lyrics through the tenor of the times - when things are much more fast paced and hyped. Looking for their own niche in the music industry, they're based in Philadelphia and have been performing in many of the local clubs in the area. Check them out and "LIKE" them on FaceBook!
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| RAIS WILSON a/k/a One Son Lion RA of GARNIKA |
Black Music Month is not just about accolades, as I mentioned earlier, but also about the business of music, which, like show business, requires specialized knowledge if you are going to survive, thrive, earn a living and manage your careers. In view of those imperatives, The New Music Seminar was formed. Friend, associate, and producer/promoter, Sparkie Martin, forwarded this information to me - and I'm sharing it with those who are either in the industry, or want to become a part of it.
Also occurring during BLACK MUSIC MONTH:
New Music Seminar 2015. Now for some good updates.
IAR seeks to develop graduates who are creative/technical problem solvers, effective collaborators, and life-long learners. They possess the knowledge, skills, and competencies necessary to join the audio and entertainment communities in entry-level capacities immediately following graduation or after further post-secondary study at IAR or another institution of higher education.
Atlantic Records, which celebrated its 60th Anniversary in 2008, grew from a one-room operation into one of the most preeminent and enduring companies in music history. Atlantic has had a profound impact on the course of modern culture, its rich catalog including such icons as Ray Charles, Aretha Franklin, John Coltrane, and Led Zeppelin.
The Atlantic Group today includes such high-profile artists as James Blunt, B.o.B, Death Cab for Cutie, Lupe Fiasco, Flo Rida, Cee Lo Green, Kid Rock, Bruno Mars, Matchbox Twenty, Janelle Monae, Jason Mraz, Paramore, Shinedown, Skrillex, Trey Songz, T.I., Zac Brown Band, and many more.Featuring:See You at the Seminar!
schedule/ In addition, the Conservancy has free concerts in the same location from 7-8:30PM on Wednesday, July 8: NATION BEAT performs. A mix of New Orleans and South America and Wednesday, July 22: Back again: SWINGTIME BIG BAND.
back to its former glory?
Real Business Issues!For three days and nights, NMS tackles key challenges and creates discussions on how to generate greater revenue and restore the music business back to its former glory.Want to see what everyone is talking about?See You at the Seminar!*Online Rates increase June 1st
For more information, visit www.SoundExchange.com or www.facebook.com/soundexchange.
If for any reason it says full, please contact:
Founded in 1977 on the principle of bridging the gap between "the street and the elite," Music Connection has grown from a print publication into a spectrum of products and services that address the wants and needs of the songwriter, producer, studio manager, agent, attorney, publicist, label executive and, of course, the musician looking for a resource of music industry information.
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ENJOY!
Stay Blessed &
ECLECTICALLY BLACK
Gloria
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