There is no doubt that with the recent issues that have come to light as a result of the much publicized shootings and beatings on minorities (and yes I dare say black people) in the states have unearthed a big open sore that just won’t heal. This issue isn’t new and isn’t going away anytime soon.
So what do we do about it? That question has powerful urgencies and importance at all levels of society. From the highest reaches of government, political hierarchy and corporate empires right down to the starving children living on some of the poorest streets. And this issue is by no means confined to the United States of America or just black people. Take a quick look at what’s happening around the world racially and politically and you will see the question is bigger than us (and I include Canada in the mix).
I wish I could say that I have an answer to it all but I don’t. And though I sympathize and stand with those who need my support, I also believe we all have a part to play. We all have a responsibility not only to each other but to the people who serve and protect us. Let me say it now. Not all police officers are bad. Not all judicial systems are bad or corrupt. Let’s not lose sight of that and start spiraling into anarchy.
Having said that, this blog is about music and this post is about the music that has been surfacing as a result of that ‘Question’. Now, I sincerely hope that all of these offerings are truly genuine, heartfelt reactions, protests and concerns for the lives of not only those being oppressed but those who are subjected to it’s aftermath. In this day and age of fast everything, social networks, light speed information and video everywhere, there is always the lure to make a quick buck or take advantage and jump on the publicity bandwagon. Let’s hope this is not the case.
So without further ado or verbal diatribe from me, here are some of the music coming out of this important issue.
Normally I would write the article on the people I find fascinating and worth promoting but in this artist’s case I can’t do justice to his story. This singer, songwriter, poet and photographer has over 1300 songs alone on Fandalism and Youtube and he keeps spinning them out with no sign of slowing down. You probably wouldn’t believe all the things I would tell you about this gentleman. So I’ll let it come from the man himself. Here is Angelo ‘Papa’ Marinosci.
Angelo ‘Papa’ Marinosci
“I was born in 1947 so I’ll soon to be a thousand years old. I began making music, much like everyone, in my early teens on a cheap little folk guitar. My early experiences with making music were a mixed bag of Country-Western, and Bluegrass, and a touch of Folk… while I was still dancing to Rock & Roll and listening to progressive Jazz. I am unstudied in music but hold a number of degrees in Art and Art Education. I worked and traveled in (Photo) Journalism and other different areas of Photography throughout my life and exhibited Painting (Metaphysical-Surrealism) and Photography (Street Candids) as well as playing out as a Musician (solo folk performer).
As with many self-taught musicians, I lusted after most experiences in music. I liked sitting in on, or creating, Jam-sessions. I liked concerts, festivals, bars, coffee houses, open mics…you name it. That changed as I began writing/creating more original materials when I started seeking out true listening audiences. As with my other art forms and activities, I never wanted to be mainstream, but was always looking for my audience. Most of my painting is probably of little or no interest to most people, and the same can be said of my photography…and for my music as well. I have no interest in a commercial success, but rather, finding my audience that can enjoy what I do. I claim either very few influences but I know that probably every sound I’ve ever heard has had some sort of effect on my relationship to every sound I make. Personally, I enjoy most art and photography and music.
At Common Fence Point Concert
I believe that Art, all art, is like a mirror…. People see or hear what they want or need to see or hear in what they expose themselves to. I like to think that my work is universal in some meaningful and honest way. What I make or show or sing; renders me open and vulnerable…it exposes me completely. It’s truly a universal language… it’s not about fame or fortune or stardom… it’s about meaningful self expression.
My photography has mostly been about the world out there, my painting has mostly expressed my inner world, and my music has been the sum total of my philosophical glue, my religion, that holds it all together. It’s not about mixture of colors, or chord progressions or choice of lenses (that’s just nuts and bolts) …its about the inherent aesthetic that I hope to have “woven” throughout my life and have tried to present it in some meaningful and honest way.
Children of Nicaragua – 1987 Angelo on location with children of war
When I sing and play, I like to have small receptive audiences so that I can sing from the heart and play to my best ability… not to impress, but to share and hopefully be shared.
Most of my songs have been created spontaneously and straight from the heart without filter or scrutiny; with out overworking and wearing down the texture of the original idea.
A good piece of art should ask more questions that it answers. I use some of my experiences or even borrowed experiences, or lucid dreams, to feed my process. In the end I am only one small voice that I hope will be heard.
A few years ago I was invited to join a music site and began contributing my musical posts on-line and was thankfully well received. As my age stood out on this youth oriented new media, I soon affectionately acquired the nick-name “Papa”…which then caught on as “Papa Angelo.” I was honoured… having only just become a father a few years earlier, and having called my own father “Papa” …which means father in Italian and whose name was Angelo…I felt well prepared to use my new label.
Papa and Arca at NYC-2012
I’ve earned and learned the value of nicknames and titles in life. When I was a youngster I was called “Junior” by my friends and family, not to be confused with my father… later I was Sergeant Marinosci during my military service… and then Professor Marinosci in the classroom when I taught college, and even “Uncle Jay” when I was hosting on radio for several years. I’m sure I’ve been called worst by some folks but “Papa Angelo” is an honorary title and I use it proudly.
Today, my brand of music is considered Americana-folk-blues and I proudly make it and hope it is worthy of the traditions it represents. In my own estimation, I have a fair voice, some ability on guitar and related instruments and I write pretty good songs. I hope my honest delivery is what people enjoy the most…enough to share it as I have.”
Below are just a few examples of Angelos’s work. You can find more here and here
CAN YOU REALLY APPRECIATE HOW TALENTED THIS KID IS?
In a previous post I did on child prodigies I mentioned this young kid but didn’t really give you the full scoop on this little miracle of nature.
This kid literally came out of nowhere (Indonesia of all places) and is playing jazz piano that rivals the best today or any other period has offered. Now that’s a bold statement but seriously I’m not kidding. Ask Chick Corea, Herbie Hancock, Wynton Marsalis and counless other jazz masters who have played with or come in contact with this little guy.
Joey Alexander
This kid is unreal. He plays not only with highly tuned technique and knowledge but with finesse, feeling and soul. Damn, he’s only 13.
Whether you know anything about jazz or nothing at all about jazz, when you listen and watch this kid, it is mesmerizing and totally unbelievable what you are witnessing. The mental and physical toughness it takes to play this type of music is one thing but the emotionallity and mindful peace that the music demands is not for the light hearted, never mind a 13 year old (actually he was doing it at age 8…ya I said 8.
So who is this kid?
Indonesian, Josiah Alexander Sila, born June 25, 2003, taught himself to play the piano by age 6. His father bought him jazz records which he learned to play by ear on a miniature electric keyboard. He was already playing for Herbie Hancock at age 8. He and his parents moved to New York in 2014 and he released his first album in 2015 at age 11. Is that extraordinary or what?
Allen Morrison of Down Beat magazine said at a performance of Joey’s: “If the word ‘genius’ still means anything, it applies to this prodigy. He played his own solo variations on ‘Round Midnight’ with a breathtaking precocity and mastery of several decades of piano style.
Marsalis said of him, “There has never been anyone that you can think of who could play like that at his age. I loved everything about his playing – his rhythm, his confidence, his understanding of the music.”
Newport Festival producer George Wein said “Alexander distinguished himself with “the maturity of his harmonic approach”.
OK, I must admit I probably know more about jazz and rock than I do about R&B and Hip Hop. I believe the reasons for that are geographical and demo graphical. You see, I grew up in an area where there weren’t many people of colour. In my high school for example, I was the only black person in the entire school for the first two years. So I didn’t get the influences of the music my culture was listening to.
That’s not to say I didn’t listen. Even back then you couldn’t possibly avoid the lure of 70’s and 80’s R&B or emerging Hip Hop. For me, another reason I didn’t latch on to those types of music is that I’m not really a vocal music person. I love instrumental music (why I love jazz and classical so much). If you asked me the words to a popular song I’m sure I would stumble. A song may be popular and I may like it but I just don’t pay attention to the words. I’m all about the instruments and the interaction between them.
That said, there were some influences that were significant to me and for varying reasons (again most likely having to do with the music behind the vocalist) but really in this category it’s hard to miss the sound of a good singer or the power of a good rhyme. Here are the R&B and Hip Hop artists that shaped my musical me. Of course there were many, but these are the big one. (again the videos are just examples of their music).
One of the perks of doing volunteer work at a radio station is you get access to meet some pretty interesting people, both radio personalities and artists that drop by for interviews and live performances.
Danny Marks
One such character is the host of the blues program Bluz-FM, Danny Marks. A very talented blues artist and historian who could sing just about any blues song you throw at him. On Wednesday August 24, 2016, he hosted and participated in a live to air performance called blues SUPERHOUR. Now, hearing that title one might expect a huge band including drums, bass, guitars, keyboards and maybe even a horn or two. But that night it was just Danny and two very special guests, Paul James and Jack de Kyzer.
Paul James
Toronto native, Paul James started playing in the 60’s and has played in bands with Neil Young, with founding members of Steppenwolf, sat in with Muddy Waters, played in Bo Diddley‘s band and backed up Lightening Hopkins and Sunnyland Slim, John Hammond and even John Dylan. For decades the Paul James Band was a Toronto staple and highly sought after band.
Jack de Kyzer
Jack de Kyzer, is a highly recognized and awarded Canadian great who worked with Etta James, Ottis Rush, John Hammond, Robert Johnson and the band Blue Rodeo. jack also plays some fantastic jazz guitar.
The performance was as you would expect, very intimate but there was no lack of blues intensity or playful musical conversation between the three. Each took turns playing songs from their own repertoire with the others playing along and Danny threw in a few standard blues tunes like ‘Sweet Home Toronto’ (come on he just had to do it). Paul did a really great solo acoustic number that had a lot of Hammond influence and Jack did a great rendition of his tune ‘If You Were My Woman And I Were Your Man’. (see video below).
It was a fantastic performance by all three well seasoned musicians. And what a bunch of down to earth gentlemen they were. Here are a few clips from that night’s performance.
Part 3 of 4 – CLASSICAL MUSIC In the mid 80’s I was introduced to classical music through someone I was in a relationship with who was an art teacher and a lover of the ballet. Her department head was a big classical music fan and would often invite us to the symphony.
Even back then I had a great appreciation for music and would jump at the chance to see and hear anything musical (even musicals, of which I’m still not a big fan. But that’s another story). I was so intrigued by the enormity of the compositions and the variety of instruments that I just had to learn as much as I could about classical music.
So I started buying books and magazines, read up on the different periods and the composers affiliated with each. I bought huge amounts of CDs (which at the time was just becoming a popular media). I was almost as hooked as I was on jazz (did I just write that?).
I must say, I really do enjoy and have an huge appreciation for classical music. I wish I could say the same for it’s sub genre, the opera. I could never really get into it.
My favorite periods are the Baroque and the 20th century periods and my favorite pieces from each are Vivaldi‘s ‘The Four Seasons‘ and Stravinsky‘s ‘Rite of Spring‘. If you’ve heard my music, you will no doubt find a lot my tracks have some of that dramatic sense ingrained in me from listening to the likes of Mussorgsky, Prokofiev and Shostakovich.
Here are the composers that shaped my classical me. There are of course many others that I love but these are my major influences. To make things easy I’ve arranged them in their musical periods. I’ve also chosen pieces that are more popular that you may have heard at some point in your musical journey. Again I’ve chosen videos that show the music being performed. For me it’s the best way to really appreciate it other than being there yourself.
