African American musicians

Scope and Contents Raoul Abdul lectured at the University of Connecticut's Black Experience in the Arts course a total of 18 times between 1973 to 1990. Abdul spoke on 9/16/1975 (2015-0002/RR8), 2/13/1979 (2015-0002/RR57), 9/12/1978 (2015-0002/RR58), 4/5/1988 (2015-0002/RR67), 11/9/1976 (2015-0002/RR84), 9/6/1977 (2015-0002/RR85), 9/18/1973 (2015-0002/RR86), 2/11/1975 (2015-0002/RR87), 10/2/1979 (2015-0002/RR88), 2/12/1980 (2015-0002/RR89), 9/16/1980 (2015-0002/RR90), 2/17/1981 (2015-0002/RR91),...

Scope and Contents

Composer and pianist Muhal Richard Abrams lectured April 5, 1983 at the University of Connecticut (2015-0002/RR97).

RR 97 Hale Smith introduces jazz musician Muhal Richard Abrams. Mr. Abrams spoke about his personal background and continued on with the creation of the Association for the Advancement of Creative Musicians (AACM).

Scope and Contents Musician Abraham Adzenyah delivered lectures at the University of Connecticut on 10/9/1984 (2015-0002/RR98) and 9/17/1985 (2015-0002/RR99). RR 98 Edward O'Connor makes several class announcements and answers questions before introducing master drummer Abraham Adzenyah. Mr. Adzenyah speaks about African music in a lecture titled "In Africa music and life are inseparable."RR 99 Edward O'Connor makes several class announcements and answers questions before...

Scope and Contents

Composer and musical director Ed Bland lectured at the University of Connecticut on 9/28/1982 (2015-0002/RR105).

Scope and Contents Composer, singer, and pianist Patti Bown delivered 6 lectures at the University of Connecticut. She spoke on 10/1/1974 (2015-0002/RR106), 1/26/1982 (2015-0002/RR107), 1/21/1986 (2015-0002/RR108), 4/7/1987 (2015-0002/RR109), 1/26/1988 (2015-0002/RR110), 11/7/1989 (2015-0002/AC5). RR 106 Hale Smith introduces musician Patti Bown (jazz pianist) begins with her personal and family background. She discusses what it is to be a Black, female artist. RR 107 Hale Smith...

Scope and Contents

Lisa and Danny Calvo, respectively a harpist and flautist, lectured together on 4/12/1988 (2015-0002/RR114). The Calvos introduced the selections they planned to perform beginning with "Sonata in D."

Scope and Contents

Jazz and pop singer Inez Cavanaugh lectured on 11/14/1972 (2015-0002/RR116).

Scope and Contents Composer and musician Bill Cole delivered 3 lectures over an 13 year period: 11/15/1977 (2015-0002/RR120), 3/31/1987 (2015-0002/RR121), and 3/29/1988 (2015-0002/RR122).RR 120 Hale Smith introduces Professor Bill Cole. Cole's presentation focuses on what he does and performs his music. In the beginning the sound drops and skips but settles by the 1 minute mark.RR 121 Leon Bailey introduces and provides a description of the instruments Bill Cole plays and also...

Scope and Contents

Opera singer Hilda Harris spoke on 12/3/1974 (2015-0002/RR176). Harris is well-known for being one of the first African Americans to play “trouser” roles in the mezzo soprano repertoire. Harris has taught at Howard University (1991-1994), the Chautauqua Institute for sixteen years, maintained a private studio in New York City, and is currently teaching at Sarah Lawrence College as well as the Manhattan School of Music College.

Scope and Contents Composer and saxophonist Jimmy Heath lectured on 11/2/1976 (2015-0002/RR18). James Edward Heath (October 25, 1926 – January 19, 2020), nicknamed Little Bird, was an American jazz saxophonist, composer, arranger, and big band leader. He was the brother of bassist Percy Heath and drummer Albert Heath. At the time of his 1976 lecture, he had composed over 60 compositions and described himself as a "musician's musician" because he was more interested in writing and performing rather than fame...

Scope and Contents Composer Ahmad Jamal and poet Eugene Redmond delivered a lecture on 3/19/1974 (2015-0002/RR187). Ahmad Jamal (born Frederick Russell Jones, July 2, 1930) is an American jazz pianist, composer, bandleader and educator. For six decades, he has been one of the most successful small-group leaders in jazz. Eugene B. Redmond (born December 1, 1937, St. Louis) is an American poet, and academic. His poetry is closely connected to the Black Arts Movement and the city of East St. Louis, Illinois....

Scope and Contents Jazz poet, painter, and trumpeter Ted Joans delivered 7 lectures, ranging from the years 1971 to 1982. He spoke on 10/12/1971 (2015-0002/RR193), 9/13/1977 (2015-0002/RR194), 10/3/1978 (2015-0002/RR195), 9/11/1979 (2015-0002/RR196, 9/30/1980 (2015-0002/RR197), 2/16/1982 (2015-0002/RR198), and 9/19/1975 (2015-0002/RR325).RR 193  Ted Joans (Poet) shares his personal history followed by reading some of his poetry. RR 194  Unidenfitied speaker (presumably Ted Joans)...

Scope and Contents Ted Joans and Frederick King lectured together on 10/26/1976 (2015-0002/RR199). For more information on the lecturers, please see their individual profiles. RR199 Hale Smith introduces an unexpected guest--poet Ted Joans who is a member of the "Beat Generation." Joans speaks breifly and then reads some of his poems.  [~1:03:30] Frederick King (Percussionist) is the scheduled speaker for the evening. Mr. King picks on up the rhythm of Joans' last poem to discuss rhythm and...

Scope and Contents Writer, arranger, and saxophonist Budd Johnson spoke to the Black Experience in the Arts course only one time on 9/12/1972 (2015-0002/RR10 reel 1) (2015-0002/RR11 reel 2). From his lecture, Johnson spoke about learning the piano at age 8 and later convinced his mother to buy him a saxophone. As a child, Johnson performed in musical groups such as the Blue Moon Chasers. Johnson's participation in the Chasers was just the beginning of his journeymen career as a...