Celebrating the Artistry of Women in Jazz

Posted on April 21, 2017 by Dr. Regennia N. Williams, Founder, President, and Executive Director

Janine Gilbert Carter, Vocalist

April is Jazz Appreciation Month, and — in this centennial year for both Ella Fitzgerald and Lena Horne, I have discovered that there is no shortage of opportunities to celebrate the artistry of women in jazz.  Today, I invite you to join me in focusing on the work of two gifted musicians.

Vocalist Janine Gilbert Carter is known for her performances on both the domestic and international music scenes.  I had the pleasure of hearing her in an African American History Month presentation at the Woodrow Wilson Center in Washington DC.  She is one of the many members and friends of DC Legendary Musicians, Inc. who agreed to participate in the Washington DC Jazz Oral History Project.

Ms. Gilbert Carter will be included in the Washington DC  Jazz book that the Rev. Dr. Sandra Butler Truesdale and I are co-authoring for Arcadia Publishing’s

Mary Lou Williams

“Images of America” series.  I am looking forward to sharing more information about her work with our readers.

This month, I have also decided to treat myself to some of the keyboard artistry of the legendary Mary Lou Williams (1910 – 1981).  For a sample of her piano jazz (and blues!), check out this video:  https://www.youtube.com

/watch?v=DiKwZRMYvQ0#t=199.029854 .

This 1947 image of Williams is part of the William Gottlieb Collection at the Library of Congress.

Happy listening!

Save

 

Save

Save

Save

Save

Save

Save

Posted in Uncategorized | Leave a comment

Read All About It!

Posted on April 2, 2017 by Dr. Regennia N. Williams, Founder, President, and Executive Director

Print and digital publications prove that the “pen” still has power.  You are cordially invited to read all about RASHAD’s powerful first year in the Mid-Atlantic.

The latest edition of the Traditions & Beliefs newsletter is now available on ISSUU.  Just click on the link below the cover image and ENJOY!

— Dr. Regennia N. Williams

 

 

https://issuu.com/regennia.williams/docs/sg_traditions___beliefs_2016-2017_a_f72e5a40f61848

 

Save

Save

Save

Save

Save

Save

Posted in Uncategorized | Leave a comment

“Do All You Can . . .”

Posted on March 29, 2017 by Dr. Regennia N. Williams, Founder, President, and Executive Director

Sculpture on the United Nations plaza in New York.

Several years ago, an elderly woman at my Shaker Heights, Ohio church was engaged in the painful task of planning the funeral for one of her daughters.  On the Sunday before her daughter’s service, she paused in the church fellowship hall to talk to me, and she said, “Do all you can, while you can.”   Today, I want to share that mother’s message with you.  When so much of the news that we receive on a daily basis is bad, my hope is that you will find other people of goodwill, who will take the time to talk to you and, perhaps, struggle with you to make a positive difference in this world–through teaching, writing, preaching, praying, giving, voting, policy-making, or any other means that will transform our neighborhoods and promote health and healing in the global community.  PEACE.

Save

Save

Save

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

The Calm after the Most Recent Political Storms

Posted on March 27, 2017 by Dr. Regennia N. Williams, Founder, President, and Executive Director

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Last week, after joining millions of Americans in reading, thinking, discussing, and contacting elected officials about possible cuts to healthcare, arts, humanities, and other essential federal programs, I was pleasantly surprised to see the positive difference that a little sunshine and a few cherry blossoms can make in the mood of the Capital City.  Our budget struggles are not over, but it is good to know that Americans — including those who work or live on or near the National Mall, can still find common ground when they want / need to.

 

 

Save

Save

Save

Save

Save

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

The Music of Roger “Buck” Hill: Still Delivering Joy — In DC and Beyond!

Posted on March 24, 2017 by Dr. Regennia N. Williams, Founder, President, and Executive Director

This week, the Rev. Dr. Sandra Butler-Truesdale formally introduced me to the life story and musical legacy of saxophonist Roger “Buck” Hill (1927-2017), the “Wailin’ Mailman,” who spent decades delivering mail for the US Postal Service, even as he delivered joy-filled jazz in live performances and studio sessions. (*I really love this image that accompanied Michael J. West’s online article for Washington City Paper at http://www.washingtoncitypaper.com/arts/music/blog/20855826/buck-hill-obituary.)

I began by stating that I just received my “formal” introduction to Hill’s work, because I did not know that he was one of the incredible musicians performing on many of the Shirley Horn recordings that I’ve listened to this year.

As I join Hill’s relatives, colleagues, and friends in preparing to celebrate his life at an upcoming wake and memorial jam session, I must admit that it would have been great to experience one of his live performances at the Crystal Caverns or some other landmark Capital City jazz venue.

As an educator and a lifelong learner, however, I also have to say that I am grateful that Hill chose to be an artist, mentor, AND teacher–and that his artistry lives on in the music of his former students and in his rich body of recorded works. Thanks, Buck, for the music.  Thanks, Dr. Butler-Truesdale and DC Legendary Musicians Inc. (DCLM) for encouraging us to recognize and appreciate artistic genius every day.

According to a Facebook post by Dr. Sandra Butler-Truesdale, “The DC Music Community will celebrate the life and works of saxophonist Roger “Buck” Hill on Sunday, March 26th.  Wake, 2-3 p.m.; Memorial Service and Jam Session, 3 p.m., at Westminster Church, 400 I Street SW, Washington, DC.” 

Save

Save

Save

Save

Save

Save

Save

Save

Save

Posted in Uncategorized | Leave a comment

DC Preview Event for the Carter G. Woodson Home Site Attracts History-Lovers from Near and Far

Posted on March 1, 2017 by Dr. Regennia N. Williams, Founder, President, and Executive Director
Dr. Evelyn Brooks-Higginbotham

On Sunday, February 26, 2017, I was delighted to be part of the enthusiastic crowd that gathered for the much-anticipated preview event for the Carter G. Woodson Home National Historic Site.  Sponsored by the National Park Service and other program partners, special guests included members of the Woodson family and Dr. Evelyn Brooks-Higginbotham, President of the Association for the Study of African American Life and History and Victor S. Thomas Professor of History and of African and African American Studies at Harvard University.  Dr. Woodson and Dr. Higginbotham are two of my favorite scholar-heroes, and their works provide me with daily doses of hope and inspiration.  What a wonderful way to wrap up the 2017 Black History Month celebration!

For more information on the Woodson site, please visit www.nps.gov/cawo.

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Opening Soon in DC, The Carter G. Woodson Home National Historic Site

Posted on February 7, 2017 by Dr. Regennia N. Williams, Founder, President, and Executive Director
Detail of Carter G. Woodson Memorial, Washington, DC (Photo courtesy Regennia N. Williams)

Statue of Dr. Carter G. Woodson, Washington DC. (Photo courtesy Regennia N. Williams)

“History shows that it does not matter who is in power or what revolutionary forces take over the government, those who have not learned to do for themselves and have to depend solely on others never obtain any more rights or privileges in the end than they had in the beginning.”      — Carter G. Woodson, The Mis-Education of the Negro

 

Staff members at the National Park Service (NPS), the Association for the Study of African American Life and History (ASALH), and their many friends, supporters, and partner organizations can take pride in the fact that the Carter G. Woodson Home National Historic Site will open to the public soon.  Located in Washington DC’s historic Shaw community, the home promises to further enhance the abundant natural, cultural, and educational resources managed by NPS.

Until the much-anticipated opening, fans of Dr. Carter G. Woodson, the “Father of African American History,” can visit the Carter G. Woodson Memorial Park (pictured here), which is also located in the Shaw community.

For more information and project updates, please visit https://www.nps.gov/cawo/index.htm.

Save

Save

Save

Save

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

In the Spirit of Dr. Carter G. Woodson, Make and Celebrate African American History!

Posted on February 3, 2017 by Dr. Regennia N. Williams, Founder, President, and Executive Director

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Contemplating Beauty and Freedom in the Capital City

Posted on January 7, 2017 by Dr. Regennia N. Williams, Founder, President, and Executive Director
The Contemplative Court with its cascading waterfall. National Museum of African American History and Culture, Washington DC.

The Contemplative Court with its beautiful cascading waterfall. National Museum of African American History and Culture, Washington DC, January 4, 2017. (Photo: Regennia N. Williams)

Congress is back in session on Capital Hill, and the newly-elected representative for my community in Maryland’s 4th District, Congressman Anthony Brown, is also a member of the Congressional Black Caucus.  My classes at UDC’s Community College on North Capital Street will be back in session next Monday, vocalist Gladys Knight is the featured artist for an upcoming Kennedy Center tribute to the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.,  and the Presidential Inauguration — and related protests — are planned for the third weekend in January.  It appears that there will be no shortage of things for “We the People” to do in the Capital City this month.

In addition to the many  high-profile events, however, there will also be countless, more subtle reminders in our textbooks and our houses of worship, on concert stages, and on the National Mall–including those at the National Museum of African American History and Culture–of what freedom-loving people can accomplish, even in the most difficult times.  My hope is that we will take the time to contemplate and be inspired by these lessons from our shared past, even as we struggle to create a brighter future.

“I cherish my own freedom dearly, but I care even more for your freedom.” — Nelson Mandela

 

 

 

 

Save

Save

Save

Save

Save

Save

Save

Save

Save

Save

Save

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Museums, Marches, and More on My Mind

Posted on January 3, 2017 by Dr. Regennia N. Williams, Founder, President, and Executive Director

The National Museum of African American History and Culture and the Washington Monument.

 

flewellen_icabod_1964-edited-010317

Icabod Flewellen, 1964 (Cleveland Press Collection, CSU) .

As we prepare for the annual celebrations of the life and legacy of the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and African American History Month, I want to believe that  Icabod Flewellen, the son of an African Methodist Episcopal (AME) pastor, and founder of Cleveland, Ohio’s Afro-American Cultural & Historical Society in 1953, would be pleased with the progress that we as a nation have made–at least as far as race relations are concerned.  After all, the United States elected its first African American president in 2008, and, in 2016, President Barack Hussein Obama helped dedicate the  National Museum of African American History and Culture, when it opened on the Mall, the site of the historic 1963 March on Washington.

I suspect, however, that, as a veteran of many struggles, Flewellen might also remind us that, as Frederick Douglass –another member of the AME Church–often suggested, securing and protecting real progress in a free country requires continuous struggle:

“If there is no struggle, there is no progress. Those who profess to favor freedom, and yet depreciate agitation, are men who want crops without plowing up the ground. They want rain without thunder and lightning. They want the ocean without the awful roar of its many waters. This struggle may be a moral one; or it may be a physical one; or it may be both moral and physical; but it must be a struggle. Power concedes nothing without a demand. It never did and it never will.”

Save

“Tis always the season to understand our history.

Save

Save

Save

Save

Save

Save

Save

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment