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Results for "Beauty, Love and Justice: Living A Coltranian Life"
Tony Bennett: A Hero's Journey in Authenticity
by Christine Passarella
This article was first published on All About Jazz on April 19, 2021. The Bennett Effect Jazz singer Tony Bennett always looms large in my mind because of the elegant way he artistically embraces humanity. Awareness of Tony Bennett came my way when his music greeted me as a child, especially on Sunday during ...
Harry Belafonte: Humanitarian, Social Justice Leader and Artist Extraordinaire
by Christine Passarella
Destiny Not many people from my old neighborhood of Old Mill Basin, Brooklyn get to go to the movies with Harry Belafonte, but I did. It was a September evening in 2015 and I went to see The Black Panthers: Vanguard of the Revolution at the Film Forum with philosopher Dr. Cornel West, and his friends ...
The Gift: Motown Unwrapped
by Christine Passarella
The Children Are Listening What are you listening to Christy?" my mother asked. Cousin Ray gave me this album, it is the group the Temptations," I replied. It was around 1968 and I was continuing to build my record collection at eleven years old. 'I Wish it Would Rain' was spinning on my record player. The ...
Javon Jackson: Finding Uplift in the Guiding Tradition of Sonny Rollins and John Coltrane
by Christine Passarella
It was a bitterly cold day in January 2013, I had endured a move from Long Beach, Long Island in October 2012 having to leave my beach house for good after the unsettling nature of Super Storm Sandy came down hard on the barrier island. I longed to get back into the city as the new ...
The Legacy of Mario Cuomo: A Force for Good
by Christine Passarella
I have been guided by the light of two world-renowned men in my lifetime, one I connected with through his music and spirit, the extraordinary John Coltrane. The other through his example as a man who served the people, the majestic Mario Cuomo. I did not know these men personally, but I learned about them through ...
Frank Sinatra: A Son of Immigrants Sings America's Heart
by Christine Passarella
Roots Sitting in my dining room, going through my childhood photos and mementos was like viewing a dream. I opened an envelope and pulled out a yellowed note in my father's sort of wild handwriting. The envelope said, written in my mother's exquisitely perfect handwriting, Dad saved this, it's Frank Sinatra's dentist." On the card was ...
Celebrating John Coltrane with Cultural Documentarian Steve Rowland
by Christine Passarella
Steve Rowland is a documentarian, educator, lover of music and humanity. Discussing his journey for this article was enjoyable, thought-provoking and informative. Steve is a humble man, and he wanted the focus of this article to be on the music, but I hope also to shed light on what goes into the development of a good ...
Barry Mayo Reframed: From Radio Mogul to Photographer and Award Winning Filmmaker Chasing Light
by Christine Passarella
Innovators always seek to revitalize, extend and reconstruct the status quo in their given fields, wherever it is needed...they are forever guided by the great and eternal constantthe creative urge. Let us cherish it and give all praise to God." John Coltrane My friend Barry Mayo, former radio industry mogul and innovator, now an ...
American Descendants of Slavery Empowered Through the Arts, Social Media #ADOS, and Activist Preaching
by Christine Passarella
The Arts, social media and activist preaching offer platforms for the American descendants of slavery in our times. Where some traditional societal structures have failed African Americans, these ever-evolving creative areas of empowerment and enlightenment can have a tremendous impact. This past December I arrived at New York City Center while waiting for the ...
Terence Blanchard: Music, Social Justice and Raising Awareness About Violence Against Black People
by Christine Passarella
A few years ago, I was applauding as the cast of Motown was taking their bows on Broadway when I recognized a mother's face sitting across my row. Without question or trepidation, I felt compelled to say something, hopefully comforting, to Sybrina Fulton, the mother of Trayvon Martin. In addition to my heartfelt condolences for the ...