Randolph Denard Ornette Coleman was an American jazz saxophonist, violinist, trumpeter, and composer. In the 1960s, he was one of the founders of free jazz, a term he invented for his album Free Jazz: A Collective Improvisation. His "Broadway Blues" has become a standard and has been cited as an important work in free jazz. His album Sound Grammar received the 2007 Pulitzer … [Read more...] about Tuesday Open Thread: Black Geniuses That Inspire
African Americans
Monday Open Thread: Black Geniuses That Inspire
A genius is defined as someone who has an exceptional natural capacity of intellect. They are people whose lives and work have impacted the physical and cultural milieu of the world. This week's open threads will highlight some very intelligent people and their current and future contributions to society. Ronald Lawrence Mallett is an American theoretical physicist, … [Read more...] about Monday Open Thread: Black Geniuses That Inspire
Sunday Open Thread: Eric B and Rakim Musical Brunch
Eric B. & Rakim were an American hip hop duo, composed of DJ Eric B. (born Eric Barrier, November 8, 1965) and MC Rakim(born William Michael Griffin Jr., January 28, 1968). Hailing from Long Island, New York, the duo were referred to by the journalist Tom Terrell of NPR as "the most influential DJ/MC combo in contemporary pop music period," while the editors … [Read more...] about Sunday Open Thread: Eric B and Rakim Musical Brunch
Wednesday Open Thread: African American Sculptors
Samuel Sewall, a Boston-based abolitionist lawyer, was not expecting a delivery from Rome. So he was understandably shocked to find a three-foot-tall marble sculpture waiting for him at the city’s port one day in 1868. The accompanying $800 bill for the artwork came as a second, less welcome, surprise. … [Read more...] about Wednesday Open Thread: African American Sculptors
Wednesday Open Thread: Stand Up Comedy at the Movies
You So Crazy (1994) is a stand up comedy film starring Martin Lawrence. It was his first major film and stand up act. The film was directed by Thomas Schlamme. During the routine, Lawrence comments on various topics such as his success, growing up, sexual acts and racism. The concert was filmed at the Majestic Theatre in 1993 in New York City before a sold out crowd. Martin … [Read more...] about Wednesday Open Thread: Stand Up Comedy at the Movies