January 18, 2025
OUR TAKE: Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. & Jazz
On the eve of the annual celebration of the life and mission of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., it is appropriate to remember how important he viewed our music to…
January 13, 2025
OUR TAKE: A Potpourri of Activities, Emotions & Responses
2025 has begun with a bang. Some of it good. Some of it bad. Some of it great. Some of it tragic. Let’s start with the “good.” We are 17…
January 4, 2025
OUR TAKE: 2025 is Here. We are Ready!
Happy New Year! I trust that everyone had a fun and safe New Year’s Eve celebration and that we are ready to take on the challenge and excitement of a…
December 28, 2024
OUR TAKE: Seeing the Forest for the Trees
I often scoff at idioms. Generally, they appear when a more complex thought should be utilized. Reviewing some common idioms proves this point. Do the phrases “break a leg,” “better…
December 21, 2024
OUR TAKE: The Gift of Celebration
Later this week, folks will be celebrating Christmas, Hannukah and Kwanzaa. While these holidays do not cover the entire world, it is a very good start. Each holiday has its…
December 14, 2024
OUR TAKE: From “Divine Nine Challenge” to Homecoming: The Cruise
Homecoming: The Cruise is meant to produce education, entertainment and excellence in the tradition of HBCUs and the NPHC.
December 7, 2024
OUR TAKE: Jazz & World War II
Frequent readers of this column know my reverence for Winston Churchill and my interest in all matters surrounding World War II. Our world today has conflicts, but none of them…
November 30, 2024
OUR TAKE: The Gift of Jazz
They say that nearly 70% of all holiday gifts are purchased this weekend. My wife and I are part of that group, as we spend the weekend making our list, checking…
November 23, 2024
OUR TAKE: The Weekend Before Thanksgiving
For those who follow this column, you may remember that I love Thanksgiving. The menu is simple, known by all, but flexible enough to highlight individual and family heritage recipes. No gifts. No…
November 16, 2024
OUR TAKE: Roy Haynes – American Drummer
Talk about a legend. None bigger than Roy Haynes, a true original American drummer, who died this week at 99. He sailed with us twice on The Jazz Cruise years…