Wanda's Picks

John Handy, a living jazz legend is being honored with the coveted SFJAZZ Beacon Award for Lifetime Achievement, Sunday, Nov. 1, 2009 at 7 PM at the Herbst Theatre in San Francisco. Sunday’s concert, like many of John’s rare appearances is going to be historic just for the personnel SFJAZZ has assembled for this tribute. I thought at one’s tribute the honoree is serenaded, but in this case John is working—there are four bands, the first three will perform first and the second set will be with a newer ensemble. This afternoon when I called I caught him at a good time, but then John is a talker and his memory is phenomenal, so our hour jaunt along the banks of his memory lane ended up being a stroll down his discography as John shared both old and new stories of the past 61 years of his professional career playing Indian music with the great sarodist/composer Ali Akbar Khan and others, along with his sojourn with the great bassist/composer Charles Mingus and Randy Weston, whom he called one of his favorite bosses. I open the program with a piece: Three in One recorded Visit http://www.sfjazz.org/concerts/2009/fall/artists/handy.php

Cast and crew from the films: "Townbiz," directed by Mario Bobino, and "Everyday Blackman," directed by Carmen Madden. Townbiz has a theatrical release Nov. 10, 6:30 and 10:00 PM at the Grand Lake Theatre in Oakland. David Roach, founder, Oakland International Film Festival where these two films debuted during its 8th Annual Season (10/8-14), join us also. You can catch this modern version of a Blaxploitation film tonight at 10 PM. The director and cast will be in the house 11/10. "Townbiz" exploits all the negative stereotypes re: black women, black men, black families. It's all about the sex, drugs and violence, but ultimately it's about a personal vendetta between a gang lord and his errant or dead beat father. The story has an interesting twist. It makes one see how much of the warring that happens is personal, yet the personal becomes bigger and people join the fight who have nothing to gain from the altercation, yet often loose their lives. Think about Bush Sr. and Sadam Hussain and George W Bush's vendetta against the Iranian president--all the lives lost and continuing to be lost (on the eve of Veteran's Day.) Chairman Fred Hampton Jr. speaks about his upcoming San Francisco Bay Area tour Nov. 7-13. His first stop is the Black Dot Cafe, 7 PM, 1195 Pine Street, West Oakland; Sia Amma, San Francisco African Drum and Dance Festival which begins Nov. 4-8, 2009 at various locations. The Gala Performance is Saturday, Nov. 7, 9 PM, at the African American Art and Culture Complex, 762 Fulton Street, San Francisco. Visit www.globalwomenintact.org.

Guests this morning are: San Francisco native, Damani Baker, Director/Producer/Cinematographer of the award winning film, "Still Bill" (2009). Still Bill has its theatrical debut at Sundance Kabuki, 1881 Post @Fillmore, in San Francisco, Nov. 11, 7 PM. A ticket to the movie gets one into a free afterparty at the Boom Boom Room, 9 PM to 1 AM. Visit www.stillbillthemovie.com Next on the show is Jackie Wright, founder and president of Wright Enterprises, a full service public relations film serving the corporate, non-profit and government sectors. Wright has 20 years of media and public relations. She is a graduate of the University of Georgia's Henry W. Grady School of Journalism, home of the Peabody Awards. We close with a conversation with L. Peter Callender, new Artistic Director of the African American Shakespeare Company. Visit http://www.african-americanshakes.org/

Cindy Blackman is in town Wednesday, October 28, 2009 for an SFJAZZ Tribute to Tony Williams, great drummer and composer (Dec. 12, 1945-Feb. 23, 1997). Blackman speaks about her friendship with the great musician, how he influenced her musical style and that of others to date, musicians who are not even aware of how much of his legacy lives on. The show is at the Great American Music Hall in San Francisco, 8 PM. Visit http://www.myspace.com/cindyblackmanmusic and www.sfjazz.org

We open with an interview with Kay Ellison-James, director/co-founder KayRod Productions for the Arts, Inc., and cast members of "A Dream Interrupted, A Life Reborn": Nzingha Dugas as “Marlene,” Achebe Hoskins (fiancé) as Isaiah and Aishya Earls as “Dr. Marshall,” on stage, Saturday, Oct. 24, 8 PM and Sunday, Oct. 25, 3 PM at the Malonga Theatre, 1428 Alice Street in Oakland. For information:(510)758-7884. Fly Away Productions honors 10 Women this weekend, Oct. 24, and we are pleased to have four on the show this morning: Susan Greene PhD, Break the Silence Mural Project, Karen Heisler, Co-owner, Mission Pie and Co-founder, Pie Ranch, Audrey Hudson, Pile Driver Journeyman, Pile Drivers Local #34, Mable Yee, Founder and CEO, EngageHer.org. The awards event is at ODC Commons, Studio B (351 Shotwell Street @ 17th Street, San Francisco), 6:30 PM cocktail reception and 8 PM ceremony. Call (415) 863-9834 or visit flyawayproductions.com Bay Area playwright, Imani Harrington, is back with a new work, "Bitter Fruit," directed by Susan E. Brown, in a preview, fundraiser Oct. 29, 7 PM, at Rasselas Jazz Club, 1534 Fillmore Street, San Francisco, CA. Visit www.imaniharrington.com We close the show with a conversation with Amos Paul Kennedy Jr., a journeyman letterpress printer living in rural Alabama. He is the subject of Laura Zinger’s feature documentary, "Proceed and Be Bold," at the SF Doc Festival, Oct. 16-29. “Proceed and Be Bold” screens Sat., Oct. 24, 9:15 PM at the Roxie Theater, 3117 16th Street, San Francisco. Visit www.sfindie.com and www.kennedyprints.com

We feature the music of Oxisa who perform at the Elbo Room, Saturday, Oct. 24, 9 PM. It is the first concert for this Latin/Rock group in three years following the recovery of lead singer, Rowan Jimenez. We play “Siemba” and “Cuando Era Un Niño.” The show has been cancelled.

Kembrew McLeod & Benjamin Franzen, directors of "Copyright Criminals," screening tonight, Oct.21, 6 PM at Oakland Asian Cultural Center, 2nd floor, 388 Ninth Street, Ste. 290, (between Franklin & Webster). It will be screened on ITVS in January 2010. Next week there is another community screening in San Francisco at the Main Library on Larkin Street. Next we have Mulamba is an independent artist and scientist based in the Research Triangle Park in North Carolina. He is joined by Rehema Bah. We close with an interview with Pedro Rosales and Gazania McCoy.

Today we will feature King Sunny Adé, musical ambassador who is known for a musical style he made popular, "JuJu." Born into a Nigerian royal family, the artist/entrepreneur told me about how he began his musical career, why he took the name, "Sunny" and the work he has done as a member of the cultural arts ministry in Nigeria. He was on a tour with his latest album, "Seven Degrees North," when I decided to celebrate my birthday at his concert. It was also a day of freedom and jubilation--Juneteenth, a day that honors the Emancipation of black people in America. Adé’s father was a church organist, while his mother was a trader. Adé left grammar school in Ondo under the pretense of going to the University of Lagos. There in Lagos his mercurial musical career started (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/King_Sunny_Ad%C3%A9).

As he spoke to me via phone in a conversation which was in two parts, as we got disconnected, I asked him about the legacy of slavery and how his family addressed the issue, how the Nigerian government addressed this issue. I recall his answer was that the "slavery" was complicated and most Africans were silent because if they were royal then perhaps they participated and benefited from the trafficking. Also, what did African descendants want from African nations they left behind: money, land, other resources...an apology? It was an interesting conversation, one I hope to have with others on both sides of the question: victims and perpetrators.

Similar to the Japanese interred in America during WW2 receiving reparations, the Africans in the Diaspora spread out because of the Transatlantic Slave Trade need justice on all sides of the TRIANGLE, so that perhaps the breath of our ancestors whom we name and honor each year at the Maafa Ritual, who rise up each fall during what is called "hurricane season," might finally find the peace their spirits deserve. But that's not happening as long as their children's children's children suffer.

Hamdiya Cooks, Legal Services for Prisoners with Children/All of Us or None Project Organizer, has over 25 years of experience working on issues facing women in prison. She is a former prisoner, having served 20 years in the federal prison system. Dorsey E. Nunn, Program Director for Legal Services for Prisoners with Children, He is the co-founder of All of Us or None, a civil and human rights organization comprised of formerly incarcerated people, prisoners and their allies. He is also a formerly-incarcerated person. They will speak about the Town Hall, Oct. 17, 2009, 10 AM-1 PM, at Metwest High School, 314 E-10th Street, Oakland, (510) 444-0484, (415) 255-7036 x308. Other guests include director, Uscla Johnny Desarmes, who will speak about his latest project, "Life Outside the Pearl;" he will be joined by Louis and Camille who will speak about Bellot Idovia Foundation and the fundraiser Monday, October 19, 2009, 6-9 PM at 2919-9 St. @Ashby Ave., Community Room, Berkeley. Call (510) 677-7886. The money raised goes to provide solar water pumps to Haitian residents of the rural area, La Valle, La Tortue. Of the 9.6 million Haitians, only 4 percent have access to clean water. Every 15 seconds a child (0-5 years) dies from diarrheal diseases. We also speak to Nicole Opper, director, and we hope Avery Klein-Cloud, subject, and Sharese Bullock, Producer, of "Off and Running," which is a part of SF Doc Fest at the Roxie Theatre screening, Sunday, Oct. 18, 7 PM http://www.sfindie.com/ (10/16-29). We close with a conversation with artists: Carla Oden and Patricia A. Montgomery. Their work is in the annual Dia de los Muertos at SOMArts Cultural Center, 934 Brannan Street (between 8th and 9th Streets), San Francisco, CA 94103. Free admission. Opening Reception for "Altars for the Spirits, Offerings for the Living" is at 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. tonight, Friday, Oct. 16, 2009. The exhibit continues through Nov. 7. Visit http://www.somarts.org

We will speak to women of the Black Panther Party: Sheba Makeda Haven and Majeedah Rahman. Visit www.itsabouttimebpp.com. Halima Yates, director of the film, "Saints Rising," recently screened at the Oakland International Film Festival, which closes today: http://www.anonamissproductions.com/index.html

We close with a conversation with Brother Omowale, Houston Black United Front, regarding its annual "Caravan to the Ancestors" this weekend, Saturday, October 17. Visit http://www.sankofacaravan.com/

Maafa 2009: Today we speak to Minister Mxolisi T. Sowell(aka Minister Mxolisi Ozo-Sowande)who is the Community Relations Chairman of the Amelia County Branch of the N.A.A.C.P. He is a 1975 graduate of California State University of the East Bay (formerly California State College, Hayward.), with a B.A. degree in Social Science, with a Journalism concentration. He is a graduate of Merritt Community College of Oakland, California, with an A.A. Degree in African American Studies. Bro. Mxolisi is Senior Minister, Emeritus, of the Wo’se Community of the Sacred African Way of Oakland and Sacramento, California. We will also be speaking to Alan Laird, M.Div., also at GTU Berkeley, CA. He is an artist and activist born in Oakland, CA. He was he said, a part ofthe "1960's Black enfranchisement movement and was blessed to serve the community as a member of BPP and was a friend to murdered Comrade Little Bobby Hutton. He is a Viet Nam disabled veteran, an ordained minister in the African Methodist Episcopal Church. He has and continues to provide outreach to those incarcerated and their families. We will close with an interview with Rwanda, African Women's Charity Organization and a prerecorded interview with King Sunny Ade recorded June 20, 2009. We didn't get to the prerecorded interview (smile). I will schedule a special broadcast for Monday, October 12, at 6 AM: "Indigenous People's Day."