It’s been quite a couple of weeks, and it don’t stop. There are still lots of great events ahead, but I wanted to take a moment to rewind the tape.
Let’s go back to June 20th and the Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture in Harlem. On that night a modified version of blaKbüshe played for the African Voices Literary Awards. Jeff and Jerome both had other gigs that night so Sharief Hobley sat in on guitar with Matsu, Ganessa, V. Jeff and I. Before we hit the stage Bonafied Rojas, Willie Perdomo, Asha Bandele and a host of others paid tribute to writer, poet, activist, and professor Tony Medina. It was such an amazing night and event. I got to reconnect with some of my spoken word poetry folks that I missed more than I even knew. But the highlight of my evening happened before I even hit the stage. Willie Perdomo was called up to speak about Tony he mentioned The Tea Party in his speech. For those of you who really know me, you know that The Tea Party for me is not an ultra right wing, hate mongering, group that has tried to take over the American political system, but instead a peace loving, ultra artistic organization that I helped run in the 90s and early 2000s. It was so wonderful to hear our name mentioned as part of the history of the black arts movement that happened during that time. We are not forgotten. We are here. Give thanks!
Me & Sharief Hobley
When we finally hit the stage at the end of the night we brought the fire as usual. The set was short, but really sweet. We performed “I Am American,” “In Your View” and “Power on the Floor.” By the end of the set we had people on their feet. I got to see some old friends and made some new. It was a really wonderful time and a reminder that I am part of an amazing group of people.
Me & Lorranie Currrelley
Me, Tony Medina, Caroyln Butts (Founder of African Voices), Maitefa Angaza, Ekere Tallie
After the show I headed back home to pack for my trip to Cleveland with Burnt Sugar. We were pulling out of NY early the next morning. Luckily the Schomburg show ended early so that I could get some rest before out long car ride.
Friday morning Ben, V. Jeff, Trevor and I hit the road for Cleveland. The rest of the Sugar crew was in the van ahead of us. Although the trip was long, we had such a great time laughing and talking along the way. I really love traveling with these guys. It's amazing some things you find on the road. Here are just a few examples of the delicacies and fine art that you can find in the good ole U.S. of A.
Just in case you can't see it these are Ruffles MAXX Limited Edition Flame Grilled Steak Flavored chips.
Fine Art at the rest stop. The great thing is I met a sweet woman who really loved this. There is something for everyone!
In case you can't see it, they say Intercourse, PA. Yes this is a real Amish town in PA that apparently has great shopping!
When we got to Cleveland, Flip’s (our trumpet player) family was kind enough to set up a whole feast for us. It was really a beautiful spread. True Ohio hospitality, but really just indicative of how black folks get down when they have people coming over and there is food involved. I know this scene well. My parents have an epic BBQ every year for the 4th of July; this was really not much different. Good food, good folks, good drink, good talk and all around good times. It was a long day and when we finally headed back to the hotel we were beat. On to tomorrow!
What I found in my hotel room. I added my crystals to make it a Game of Thrones!
The following day Paula, V. Jeff and I went in search of breakfast and come across a cool organic café in the Little Italy section of town. Just to be clear we were staying on the Case Western University campus, which was in a very cute area. After eating with Jeff and Paula I had to head back to the hotel to meet up with my friend Katrice and her family. I was so excited to see them because I had not met their baby girl who is now 2-years old. Time flies! I hadn’t seen Katrice is many years so the reunion was really great. After a short visit we had to go our separate ways because I had to head to sound check at the art museum.
Tomato "tree" found in Little Italy
I went back to the hotel, got my shaking things and headed to the venue. Although they had the band take a shuttle van to get to the museum, the venue was actually right down the street from the hotel. We could have walked there, which I wound up doing a couple of times after that.
I found out before we got to Cleveland that this event is really the party of the year. When I emailed my sands (for those of you who don’t know, I’m a Delta) to tell them I was coming to town, I was also apologetic that I didn’t have comps for them. Well as it turned out, I didn’t need them because they had already bought tickets before they even knew I was on the bill! That’s the kind of affair it was. The gig was sold out, which meant that they had sold about 5,000 tix! Burnt Sugar was sharing a bill that night with two bands from New York. One was Red Baraat and the other was the Crystal Ark. Turns out the Crystal Ark also had three singers in the band who we all knew including my friend Sokhna. Some of us also knew a few of the members of Red Baraat. Not to mention and Afrika Bambaataa and DJ Rekha were also spinning that night! So there was a huge musical New York contingent in the house that night. It was definitely one of those feelings like we were in the right place at the right time.
Stage
V. Jeff & Ben
V. Jeff & Mikel
Cleveland Art Museum
V. Jeff, Jared, Luqman, Greg
After sound check I headed back to the hotel for a nap! I was so tired and I had work to do for blaKbüshe. As I said, it don’t stop! I was trying to hook up with another Ohio friend, but I was just too beat. It’s great to see folks, but I always have to remember what I’m there for. I’m there to work, so I have to be at my best and that day it meant getting some sleep.
I got up in time to get dressed and head back to the venue to have a bite to eat before the show. I was over there chilling when I remembered that I left my lyric book in the hotel. Luckily the shuttle was there so I just hopped back on and headed to the hotel. All I had to do was run up and back, but the organizer of the event asked the shuttle driver to wait for the band members of the Crystal Ark. I didn’t think that would be a big deal, but soon I realized that I needed to get back in a hurry. So I ended up making my first walk back to the venue. As I mentioned, it wasn’t far and it was nice to see a bit more of the Case Western campus. When I got back to the museum, I finally caught up with my sands Shay. We talked for a while, I gave her an arm band so she could come backstage later, and then it was time to get ready to go on.
The set was a lot of fun. It’s always a little strange for me when the stage is so far away from the people. Sometimes it’s challenging to feel the energy, but the folks really liked it. They were dancing and singing so I think we pulled it off. LOL We did a little Chuck Brown, James Brown, David Bowie and Burnt Sugar originals. Fun all around for sure.
Taking in the Light
Me & Flip!
The People
After the set I hung with Shay and we went inside the museum to where Afrika Bambaataa was spinning in the atrium of the museum. Folks were dancing and having a great time. You know it’s good when people are dancing on benches and this one dude came up to me, started dancing, took my hand and rubbed his bald head with it! Party on! I also ran into my sands Layna’s sister and soror Consuela. It was so good to see her. It had been a long time.
Afrika Bambaataa on the wheels! I think he was actully spinning vinyl!
Me and my Sands Shay! #1 & #2!
Shay and I hung out with some of the rest of the band until they basically kicked us off the grounds. We said goodnight and went our separate ways. There has been talk of hitting another spot, but I was so tired. Also there was talk of some folks going to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in the morning so I knew if I had to get up for that then I had to go to bed.
Back at the hotel I hung out in the lobby for a bit with Greg and then headed up to bed. The post show high is so real that sometimes it’s so hard to go to bed. I have said it before and I’ll say it again. I can understand how people start using drugs in the entertainment industry. That show high is so palpable and if you don’t have a hold of yourself, it’s so easy to want to stay there. I get it. I really get it.
The next day I rose early to take advantage of the complementary breakfast that the festival set up for the artists at the hotel. Then I got ready to go to the Hall of Fame! I was so excited! Jared, V. Jeff, Paula and I were the only ones who made the journey. Andre, Greg and Mikel had gone the day before.
When we arrived at the Hall of Fame it looked like the Lourve in Paris. The façade was a glass pyramid just like Lourve and the Hall of fame sits right on Lake Erie, which is beautiful. When we got out of the cab the first thing we saw was Johnny Cash’s tour bus! What??!!! We tried to get on, but we had to get our tickets first. That’s how hyped we were.
Johnny Cash Tour Bus!
Jared has secured tix for us the night before with the Hall of Fame folks who came to the museum and then we went in. We started downstairs with the Hall of Legends. Mikel told me the day before that when you walk in the first thing you see if black people and now I understood what he meant. Before you walk into the hall, the archway has huge photos of James Brown, Chuck Berry and I think Little Richard. Buddy Holly is up there too, but really it was the black folks that caught my eye first. When you go downstairs there are also guitars from various people encased in glass and first touring van of Rage Against the Machine. That van was tiny to say the least. Humble beginning for sure.
When you walk into the Hall of Legends it’s really a history of Rock and Roll. It’s a timeline. So as Mikel said, it starts with black people. Now fundamentally I know, like most of you know, that Rock and Roll starts with black people, but to see it up there, plain as day and realizing that the people that go there can’t get to their beloved Elvis or the Beatles without walking by us, was really deep. I didn’t expect to be effected like I was. I really almost cried a few times up in there. There is so much energy in that space. Those items hold power. I kind of felt like I was in Warehouse 13 (check the TV show if you don’t know). LOL! There are things in there like Howlin’ Wolf’s money box that he carried with him on stage because he didn’t trust anyone with his money. Little Richard’s pink jumpsuit, James Brown’s SEX jumpsuit, Janis Joplin’s colorfully painted Porsche, a pair of George Clinton’s boots, twin ZZ Top guitars, a Sly Stone fringe beaded vest, John Lennon’s mellotron and Sgt. Peppers suit, Jimi’s hand painted (by him) flying V, Ray Manzarek’s organ that he wrote the into to “Light My Fire” on and the list goes on and on and on. Of the many things that touched me, the one that stands out the most is the CBGB awning. The actual awning that used to sit on Bowery at Bleeker street is now in the hall of fame. I played under that awning many times with my band and with others. I had seen so many shows there. Seeing that banner really solidified for me that I am a part of Rock and Roll history. No my name is not on the wall, yet, but me and the rest of the people who I have rode this musical wave with in NYC are part of this legacy. I am one of them. I am part of a continuum. I am still learning and growing, but that day it became just a little bit clearer who I am. I am so humbled and thankful for those who paved the way. I feel you. I am you. I know you are with me. Ashe.
Infamous 70s Elvis jumpsuit
Diana Ross dress & Jackie Jackson jumpsuit
Janis Joplin acid blotter (top right) and funeral program (left)
Little Richard pink jumpsuit
Bobby Blue Bland's shoes and sunglasses and Chris Jasper's (Isley Brothers) Moog Liberator keytar
The side of Otis Redding's plane that he died in. Deep...
Iconic Stevie Nicks witchy apparel
The essence of Run DMC. DMC's sneakers & glasses, Jam Master Jay gold chain and Run's hat!
Janis Joplin's Porche!
Sly Stone fringe vest
John Lennon's Sgt. Peppers suite
...and John's mellotron
Jimi's hand painted (by him) flying V!
Ray Manzarek's organ/harpsichord
Our time at the museum went by quickly. I didn’t get to see everything as the whole thing is six floors, but I saw enough. We make quick stop on the Johnny Cash tour bus and then got back in the cab to head back to the hotel and hit the road.
Back of the bus
Long hall
The van crew got in the van and V. Jeff, Trevor, Ben and I piled in the car and we were off. Cleveland was amazing. There is something about the Midwest that will always feel a little bit like home. Just a little bit.
I know it’s been over a month since the BAM show, but the wheels just keep on turning. Meaning, it can be challenging to find a spot in the day to write. Then before you know it a month has gone by. Of course I could have just posted some photos and let you all gaze upon them until I had time to write, but of course since I’m just sitting down to update you all, I just thought of that. SMH Well, that’s life, but I have to admit it’s pretty good.
The week of the BAM show was packed. I started off with a warm up show at RockbarNYC for Rick’s b’earthday. Rick is one of the owners of the bar and after seeing the band play there in November, he asked us to return for his 50th b’earthday extravaganza, Mamapalooza. The hairs in the büshe that night were Jeff, Matsu, Ganessa and I. Well, what I thought would be a good show, turned out to be a powerhouse show. Dare I say one of the best shows we’ve ever done. The four-piece was rockin’ for real and some kind of magic happened that night. I sang “Punanny Politixxx” during the set and got at least one republican to fall in love me. Now that’s pretty good considering the lyrical content. LOL!
The rest of the week was packed with rehearsals and outfit shopping and yoga classes. I was non-stop up to the day of the show. I think I got my hair cut Saturday morning and that was all I did that day besides perform. My haircut was the most chill time I had all week.
I decided to drop in a few new songs at the BAM show. One song was so new, that it wasn’t all the way finished, but I wanted to test the waters so to speak. The other songs weren’t totally new, but many people in the audience had never heard them before. Then of course there are those people who come to BAM every weekend because it’s free live music, who I know had never seen me before. So for them it was all new. You have to play for everyone and that’s what I do all the time. To me it doesn’t matter if you have heard the songs a million times or if I have played them as many times, I aim to make it feel new every time.
BAM Jumbotron/Outside of venue
Soundcheck went kind of slowly so we were kind of late getting upstairs to change, eat, etc. I was hoping to eat before the show, but I did not. Sadly that’s not the first time that has happened. I really can’t eat a whole lot before a show anyway, but I was looking forward to it. Oh well. On the up side, Risha did some awesome makeup for me. It was totally a Black Swan look for the night and I love Black Swan! Who knew it would be like that? I really loved it.
The show was supposed to start at 9pm sharp, but I wasn’t done with everything until about 9:10 or 9:15. Michele the production coordinator swooped me downstairs and then we hit the stage.
I know that folks said they were coming, but I’m still a little surprised when I see so many people. I know the show was free, but I’m not going to say that’s the only reason why the place was packed. I know it might sound strange coming from me, but I was saying that for a while. Kind of playing it down, but I’m not doing that anymore. As a friend said, “Shelley you sure do know how to sell out a free show!” LOL! I do indeed.
I did something this time with the set list I have never done before. I opened with “Go Head & Rise.” This has been my closing song for years and for good reason. It’s a huge number that people really get up for at the end of the show. It screams closer. But it was time to move the song over and make way for some new babies.
Photo by Jose Ivey
Back in the early days of the band I would close my show with “Release,” also a huge number. But when I wrote “Rise,” “Release” was moved to the top. It worked then so I thought I would try it again. Especially for those folks who have been to see me a bunch of times, I knew it would a switch to hear the song at the top.
After releasing that steamroller to open things up, we moved right into “Out of My Mind” without a break. That one I dedicated to my girl Hollie since she really loves that song. I’m also realizing that lot of people really love that song and I really love that song too if I do say so myself.
Photo by Patranila Jefferson
We took a short break after “Out of My Mind” to get a little sexy with “Give it to Me” and then we kept talking about the coochie, well at least the hot topic of who should be minding the coochie on “Punanny Politixxx.” That was a whole lot of fun. I know folks weren’t sure where I was going when I asked them to sing, “Stop playing politics with my punanny,” but soon everyone was on board. Even the men!
After that I dropped the brand new joint I mentioned above. As I said, the song isn’t finished, but I wanted to give it a twirl. Tentatively the song is called “Today is My Day,” but since it’s not all the way done, we dropped a bit of D’Angelo’s “Greatdayinthemornin’” in the middle. All the real D’Angelo heads got it. I think it went over the head of others, but people seemed to enjoy it. If you were there, do you remember? Have any feedback?
Photo by Patranila Jefferson
We rolled right out of “Today is My Day” into “I Am American” without a break. This is another crowd favorite and always a lot of fun to sing with the folks. Next stop, “In Your View.” Although we don’t close with this song, this is honestly my favorite joint at this time. I can’t wait to record this song. I can’t wait!
Finally we closed with “Power on the Floor” another sort of new one. I did it at DROM in November for the first time and it saw some light at Rockbar, but tonight I had a whole crowd to play with so it was really time for church. I’m really excited about this song too. The chorus of the song says, “If you recognize you’re on the ground/then you can get up!” The folks at BAM were really feeling it and the two young girls in the front sitting on the floor were the first people to get up! So I told the folks, “If the babies can stand up, then you got to get up!” Folks stood up and were dancing and chanting and it was beautiful.
Photo by Sara Zuiderveen
We came back for an encore with our #1 hit in Asia… No not really. But “blak Girls” is a hit. I don’t think I can really get away with not doing it in a show. It is the anthem for all kinds of women and I love when the boys sing it too.
Photo by Al Santana
This last run at BAM was great. I sold out of panties (yes I had panties) and even moved some of these good old CDs. I am really starting to feel like myself again. I am starting to see the light again. I’m starting to feel light again. It’s been a long two years, but I’m starting to talk about recording again…Finally. I’m not going to make any big declarations about when you will see the next album. I’m not going to give you any titles or special guest names. I’m not going to give you any specific info, but I will say this. The wheel is turning. The road has been bumpy, but the wheel is turning. Thank Goddess the wheel is turning. [Insert church style organ and walking bass! *wink*]
Hairs in the bushe @ BAM
Shelley Nicole - Lead Vox
Jerome Jordan - Lead Guitar
Jeff Jeudy - Rhythm Guitar
Matsu - Drums
Ganessa James - Bass
Shawn Banks - Percussion
V. Jeffery Smith - Horns
Achuziam Maha-Sanchez - BG Vox
Ki Ki Hawkins - BG Vox
Wednesday
The night before I left for Paris with Burnt Sugar I had a fever 101.4. I can't remember the last time I've had a fever. It's just not something I usually get. When I get sick it usually starts in my throat and this little sickness did just that. But while it was running it's course through my head, this time it decided to bring the heat.
So on Wednesday night before I head to leave, I woke up in the middle of the night with chills. I couldn't believe it. I'm not a pill popper so I didn't even know if I had anything in the house to break the fever. I needed something and fast. Luckily I had one last dose of sinus meds left so I promptly took that and tried to go back to sleep. My saving grace was that my flight on Thursday was at 9pm so at least I didn't have to rush to get up and be at the airport.
Thursday
When I woke the next morning my fever was gone, but my head cold was not. I was snotty to say the least and my head was killing me. I knew that would not make for a fun flight, but at least the fever was down. I went out to run my last few errands, mainly to get more sinus meds to keep my fever and headache at bay, and when I returned home I leaned that our flight had been canceled and the new flight was almost two hours earlier! OK, now I had to put the gas because I had to be at the airport two hours earlier than expected.
I got myself together, was able to grab a list minute something from T-Kali to give to LaRonda to take to Paris and I was off. T's husband Scott took me to the subway. I took the A train to the AirTrain to JFK. I made it in good time and saw some of the Sugar crew as I arrived at the terminal. I checked in easily, I was carrying on my luggage so I went through security with Micah, and soon we were at the gate where we found Greg, Flip and LaFrae waiting. Slowly the rest of the crew trickled in and we were off.
We never found out why they cancelled our first flight, but the plane was empty on the rescheduled flight. We all had room to spread out and even lay down if we wanted to. I was so glad because I was a walking commercial for Airborne. Anyone who would have had to sit next to me would have been mad about it because I was blowing my nose the whole way there and my head was killing me. I must have been up and down to the bathroom 5 or 6 times for all the tea and water I was drinking on the flight, but I was doing my best to push this cold out of me.
One downside of the flight change was that was had to switch planes in London at Heathrow, which meant going through security all over again. Well if you know Heathrow then you know it can be a bitch to get through. That day was no exception for me. They were concerned that I had to many liquids so even though they were the right size they went through everything. They ended up taking my saline solution for my contacts and my coconut oil. It's not in liquid form, but they said the container was too big. OK so now I'm sick and I'm going to have to be ashy??!! I was done. I watched TSA do some other things that were just ridiculous and inconsistent, but I won't go into my TSA rant right now. No time for that. Let's just jump ahead to us getting the hell out of there. Can you tell I wasn't feeling good. LOL.
Friday
When we got to Paris, a couple of vans were there to greet us at the airport and then we were off to the hotel. I was so done. I just felt like crawling under a rock. The cabin pressure made my head hurt so bad. So when I got to the hotel, I checked in, dropped my bags in my room, found pharmacy to get some lotion (no ash here), got a sandwich for lunch and then headed back to my hotel room to chill out. While some of my other band mates headed to see the sites, I headed to the tub and to bed. I was needed to shake off this sickness before the show the next day.
I can't remember what time I went to sleep, but I didn't get up until about 7 or 7:30pm. I knew I needed to get up to get some dinner or I would be hungry at some crazy hour of the night. I had contemplated going to see Vernon Reid play with his other group the Free Form Funky Freqs, but I just didn't have it in me. Luckily I saw Vernon in the lobby before I went to get some food for the evening. I wished him well and he jumped in a van with the crew and headed to the show. I got another sandwich for dinner and was going to head right back to bed when I spotted Vinia and Ben in the hotel restaurant. I joined them and they told me about their day site seeing. We were soon joined by V. Jeff and it was a nice dinner vibe. My head still hurt and I was still not all the way back so I headed back to my room, ate my sandwich, watched the Hunger Games in French (very cool) and went to bed.
Saturday
I got up the next day in time to have breakfast. We had to meet the van that day to go to the venue around Noon. I was feeling much better. I wasn't 100%, but I could sing so I knew I would make it though the show. Burnt Sugar was doing two sets that night and my set wasn't until about 8pm so I had a lot of time to chill and get myself together.
The Stage at Theatre Jean-Vilar
View from the Stage and Jason D. reading the paper.
We were doing the Steely Dan show conducted by Vernon and a part of the David Bowie show conducted by Mikel. Before that, another faction of the Sugar crew were performing a live soundtrack to Oscar Micheaux's Body & Soul starring Paul Robeson. That was off the hook! Really amazing. There was a brief break for a Q&A with Greg and then the rest of us were on for the Steely/Bowie hit.
It looks like pain, but it's really love. Lafrea Sci, Micah Gaugh and a little Olu on the side.
Me and the ever funky V. Jeffery Smith.
Me and the beautiful songbird Vinia Mojica
The obligatory percussion set up shot!
Lewis "Flip" Barnes, V. Jeff, & Ben Tyree getting ready.
Abby Dobson, Vinia & Mikel Banks getting the Steely Dan lyrics together.
The show was really amazing and as one french review stated, we all looked fabulous! This was one of those shows were I felt very present. There was a moment while we were on stage where I felt a little choked up at the thought of my life. It's surely not an easy road, but there I was in Paris, with my people, making music and having a magical time. I mean really and honestly magical. When these things are happening you have to be present because it goes by so quickly. Before you know it you are at the end of the set. I'm not saying I will never play Paris again, but it will never be like that again. Every time will look and feel different, but hopefully every time will be just as grand.
Ben warming things up and looking good doing it!
Latasha making sure Vernon is looking proper for the evening.
Abby tucking the braids under the wig for Micah. Sista love!
I kept my cold at bay and felt better with every song. I sang "Monkey in Your Soul" in Karma's absence, my usual "Haitian Divorce" and "Show Biz Kids" with Vinia. I also sang "Rebel Rebel" with Mikel and "Breaking Glass" with Abby & Vinia. There were so many highlights. I hope that Greg secretly taped the show. I would love to hear it all again.
After the show we hung out at the venue for a bit and then headed back to the hotel. Of course there is always the post-show high to contend with. So what do you do? You eat! Thankfully there was one restaurant open across the street. Greg, Vernon, Paula, Flip, Ben and Vinia headed over first. Soon I joined them along with Bruce, LaRonda, Latasha and Marc (for a brief moment). We toasted the show, ate and talked until the restaurant gave us the "you ain't got to go home, but you got to get the hell out of here" signal.
A little post-show chat with Ben, Paula Henderson & Dave "Smoota" Smith. A little Mike Ladd back there too.
My super post show Caesar salad!
Hanging with the cool kids!
There was a little after party happening at the hotel. I stopped through, but soon I headed back to my room to do some last minute packing and to head to bed. We had to be up early to catch our flight in the morning.
Sunday
I got up, checked out and caught the breakfast buffet. I had my last meal in Paris for this trip and soon we were all piling on the vans to head to the airport. Thankfully we were flying direct this time. No more Heathrow, at least on this trip. They did stop to look in my bag at Charles de Gaulle, but this time it was my instrument bag with my percussion. They didn't know what my vibraslap was. I assured them it would only make them happy.
It was a packed flight this time, but we were on our way home. I wish we could have stayed a little bit longer, but as I said, I know I will be back that way again and hopefully my stay will be a bit longer.
We're on our way home...
Au revior Paris.
When we arrived back in New York, thankfully Ben was able to give me and V. Jeff a ride home. I was so delirious between my sickness and the jet lag. I came home and crashed out.
Burnt Sugar does Paris 2013 is a wrap. Give Thanks!
Twenty-Twelve is over! Most times when I come to the end of a year I look back and think how fast it went by, but 2012 dragged its ass all the way to the end. Well maybe I felt a little speed in November, but really...November?? That’s damn near December. It was a long ass year.
As I looked back over the highlights I realized that I did a bit more than I thought. Some things were really obvious, but others I had kind of forgotten about. I overcame a lot in 2012. I really went thought the gauntlet and as it turns out I recorded an album aboutGauntlet the video game. So I guess it all makes sense after all.
To paraphrase my friend Des, I’ve never been so glad to see an odd number year in my life! Well actually 1993 was great. So if 2013 is half a good as 1993 was it’s going to be a hell of a year! But before we go there let’s look back at 2012 and all its glory.
January
I spent a lot of time with Burnt Sugar in 2012 so it make sense that the first show of the year was with them at Tammany Hall in NYC. It was the last show of our residency there. Shortly thereafter we would play at the Bitter End for the Winter Jazz Festival. It was that night that I saw a band called Ermaj that blew my mind! Sadly I haven’t seen them since, but I will never forget those brothas. Look them up for sure.
This month I also interviewed Norman Connors of “You Are My Starship” fame among other great hits. I talked to him for the Pharoah Sanders, Love Will Find a Way liner notes that I wrote. I met Norman in late 2011, but this was the first time we were really able to sit and talk. He produced Pharoah’s album so it was great to have his perspective in the absence of Mr. Sanders.
I think the most challenging part of January was losing my friend Anisa Fujah to cancer. I found out like most people that she passed before we even had a chance to say goodbye. That was a sad day, but I’m so blessed to have known and sang with Anisa. She was an angel before, but now she is really looking out.
Switching gears, at the end of January I went in for CAT Scan to see more clearly what was going on with my voice. It was after this CAT scan that I was told that I was alright and so I started to plot a course of have to really start singing again. A few months later I would learn that I actually did have a cyst on the tissue right near my vocal chords, which was causing my hoarseness. That is the short of a very long story. You can read all about it on my In Gratitude blog.
February
This month I got a very unexpected call to record a bass part on Josh Milan’s project. If you are not familiar with Josh is one half of the dance music duo Blaze. I have been a long time fan of their work so it was an honor for him to ask me. I have to admit that I was very nervous. I don’t really consider myself a bass player. What I mean is that I play for myself, but I really don’t play for a lot of other people. Well no time like the present.
This month also marked the return of blaKbüshe. Up until this point we hadn’t played a gig since August of 2011 at Michfest. That is where my whole voice journey began. We just did a small show at AM Studios with BR and Timebomb for their 10 year anniversary. That evening was just Jeff, Matsu, Shawn and I. I played bass on that hit and had a great time. We also covered Fleet Foxes’s, “Blue Ridge Mountains” and Blaze’s “Found Love.” The voice felt good so I thought I was on the road back. I thought...
On the writing front I submitted liner notes for the re-issue of the Pharoah Sanders album mentioned above and I also spoke to Cheryl Lynn and Ray Parker Jr. for the liner notes of the re-issue of her project “In the Night.”
American Candy was on the docket with "Love is Magic" and that same weekend I also facilitated the winter sweat lodge. I closed the month playing Kirtan with my friend Keith and then we were on to March.
March
This month marked the beginning of a Vernon Reid/Burnt Sugar/Steely Dan run that is still going today. But it all began at Lincoln Center the same scene of the crime where we unleashed David Bowie,Sugar-style the year before. The place was packed for the re-imagining of Steely Dan. You have to have some big balls to take on this music and Burnt Sugar has the biggest for sure. We really put our stamp on the music and even the biggest Dan fans couldn’t deny us. As I said, this Steely Dan train is still rolling. We are taking it and a bit of Bowie to Paris in February. Goddess bless Bowie, Fagen and Becker for keeping money is a girls pocket and taking me all over the world.
The full blaKbüshe experience returned for the first time in 2012 at the Purim Ball. This hit was at a warehouse in Sunset Park, Brooklyn and it was a hell of a time. Costumes, skits, comedy, dancing girls, fed up West Indian nannies and more! It seemed to be a triumphant return or at the very lest a rockin’ good time.
Later in the month Chuz, Jeff, Shawn were back at Tammany Hall for the Proud Music Series. That evening we shared the bill with some amazing artists that night including Jason Walker and Ki Ki Hawkins. Very cool!
Burnt Sugar wasn’t done yet. This month we also traveled to Brown University where we played on campus and at a cool club called Fete in Providence, RI. The funny thing is that club is owned by a cat named Don King. Turns out I had played a gig for an event he did years ago, with a band called Three Generations Walking. It’s such a small world.
The Sugars closed out March right back where we started, with Steely Dan. This time we were at Le Poisson Rouge (LPR) and it was another amazing show. As I said before, the Dan train keeps rolling.
April
This month was a bit quiet on the music front, but you can always count on American Candy if there is a break in the music action. So I hit with the Candy crew once again for a show called Men. The only music that happened was a very short, small acoustic gig at Insight Mediation Center in Manhattan for their Art Salon. It was so nice to perform where I had been meditating for the past 5 or 6 years.
I also turned in the James Brown, Gravityliner notes. For that I spoke to Greg Tate and Bow Legged Lou of Full Force for the scoop on the Godfather of Soul. It was cool to revisit that album.
May
I rallied the troops for what would be the last blaKbüshe show for quite some time. I was asked to play for Fierce Night Out at Sullivan Hall. It’s an annual fundraiser for an organization called Fierce, which is an LGBT Youth of Color activist organization.
The show went really well. I felt good and the people really enjoyed themselves. After the hit, Ian Friday was DJing at his party Libation, downastairs at the Sullivan Room. So Jeff and I went in through the back way and proceeded to continue to party over there.
A couple of weeks later Burnt Sugar was back at LPR doing Steely Dan...again! It almost sounds like a joke if you know what a Steely Dan is, but we were doing it again as they would say. This time we shared a bill with Melvin Van Peebles wid Laxative. That was a pretty busy weekend for me. This show was on a Thursday night and then I had to do the Black Rock Coalition Salute to Don Cornelius & Soul Train at BAM.
I had been doing a lot of rehearsing that week and I had a ton of material to learn for the Soul Train show. We did the music of the artists of Solar Records, the label that Don founded with Dick Griffey. Some of the folks to come from that hot time were Shalamar, The Whispers, Klymaxxx, Babyface and the list goes on. We heard before the show that there was a line around the corner to get in! I knew the show would be poplar, but I wasn’t expecting that. We had a blast! Folks were dancing and of course there was a Soul Train line. Don Cornelius was one of the many great losses of 2012.
After the Burnt Sugar show on Thursday and the Soul Train show on Saturday, I woke up Sunday and barely had a voice. That really put me on notice.
June
I went back to the doctor to get more answers about what was going on with my voice and learned that needed to have surgery. (See my In Gratitude blog for details)
In short, I postponed my June 28th gig at DROM, which was supposed the official, official come back and had surgery on my throat on June 21st, the summer solstice. But before all that I finished writing my last set of liner notes for the year on one of my favorite bands, Switch. They gave me, hands down, the best, “How we got signed” story I have ever heard. Sadly those notes have never been released and that’s another long story.
Before surgery I also was able to play two kirtans with Soul Sangha and we also recorded an album, on which I played bass and sang a little bit too. It would be the last things I would sing before surgery and to me it was so moving to be singing to God/dess before going under. Blessed Be.
July
I was recuperating most of this month. I headed home for the 4th of July weekend and then I flew from Boston to Michigan, where I spent 10 days in the country and 4 days in ceremony. It was so beautiful and just what I needed. It was the perfect place to regroup. I am so thankful to my friends Shirley and Sue for opening their home to me.
After my stay I flew back to Boston for my brothers wedding and then back to New York to get back on the grind. It was having such good travel karma until that bus ride back to New York. A bit after we entered the Bronx the bus decided it wanted to break down! So close. So close! Luckily another bus came quickly, but I took that as my welcome home.
I wasn’t singing when I returned, but I was playing. So I played my tambourine, shakers and such at the Stone with the Sugars. This time we were doing the music of Sun Ra. That hot ass evening was the gateway to another evening, which really showcased some hot bottoms. I know that might sound really strange, but you will see what I mean.
August
I can’t remember if it was May, June or July when I reached out to the folks and Michfest to see if I could come and be part of the crew. Well I worked my way on to Chix Lix and little did many folks know it would be my first time really singing since my surgery.
But before we get all festie, Burnt Sugar did the Sun Ra hit, but this time with Brown Girls Burlesque in Coney Island. That’s where the beautiful bottoms come in. Now this...was a hell of a show! I mean the music, the atmosphere, everything. It just made for one glorious night. I mostly played percussion that night, but Greg brought my man Shawn in to help out. It was fire!
Two days after that show I headed out to Michfest. I looked back and realized that I didn’t even blog about the festival at all. Wow there really was a lot going on.
So in short, my band wasn’t selected to play at Michfest last year, but as I said, I was on Chix Lix. I drove out to the festival with Mazz, but we made a pit stop in Detroit to pick up the rest of her band at the airport and to also play at gig in Ann Arbor that day. I knew when Mazz arrived at my house in Brooklyn, that it was going to be very interesting to say the last to get all the women that were coming into her car, but in the end it all worked out. It was hella tight, but it worked.
Her band played in Ann Arbor, we spent the night there and the next day headed to the northern part of the state and Michfest. I know I have done extensive recaps of the festival in the past, but I will just say this. It was one of the best fests I’ve been too. It was a quiet year, but I felt like I could really dig in and find some peace out there in the woods. I worked the sweat lodge, rehearsed for Chix and just had an all around great time. When Saturday night rolled around it was really cold that night. Or course I had some ridiculously small outfit on, but hey, you have to do it every night like it’s the last. But that night it was really the first. The first time I hit the stage in that way since my surgery and I did it in front of thousands of people. Hey, go hard or go home! So I went hard and everything went well. I did one song, “Motor City Baby” by the Dirtbombs and that was that. After that, I told people about the surgery. Some were shocked, others knew, but Goddess bless I made it through.
I returned to New York and had a break before the Burnt Sugar rehearsals kicked in again. Also toward the end of the month my cosmic twin Tim asked me to sing on an album that he had conceptualized around the arcade game Gauntlet. Well, not only was it based on the game, it was totally freestyle! Yes you heard me correctly. So Tim would pick a musical style, give the singers the topic of the song and we would go in and freestyle lyrics over whatever style the band was playing. It was a trip, but so much fun! I love my cosmic twin.
Burnt Sugar closed August with a small hit with the dance company Danz at Alvin Ailey and then we were back at LPR, this time doing “Every song in the book.” We pulled out music from James Brown, Steely Dan, Sun Ra, Bowie and the Brown Girls joined us on that show once again. Big, big fun!
At the close of the month I found out that I got into Yoga Teacher Training at Kripalu in Stockbridge, MA and I also found out that I got a partial scholarship! Yes! Yes! Yes!
September
On the road again. I spent so much time in the Midwest this summer, I felt like I was in college again. This time the Sugar crew drove to Dayton, OH for the Dayton Downtown Music Festival. That drive to Ohio may be shorter than that Michigan drive, but it’s still a beast.
On the way up I drive with Karma, V. Jeff, Maya and Ben in Ben’s car. We were packed in that joint. You gotta love you band mates to do that. We were going along well, when I work up to some commotion about us being a bit turned around. We were lost! Well sort of lost. As long at you have GPS you are not totally lost, but we were far away from where we needed to be. We had to drive over some mountain in PA, that seemed like it would be short on my map, but in truth it was long and windy and it was dark. Really dark, but we made it to the other side and got back on track.
When we arrived in Dayton I was beat and if I remember correctly we had to play that night for an event. After said event some of us were really hungry, but finding food was a task as well. We had to go over hill and dale just to find a spot that was open. Well kids you’re not in Kansas anymore, or shall I say New York. We got some grub in the pouring down rain, went back to the hotel, ate and crashed.
The next day we played the actual festival, which was...um...special. We did the Steely Dan show there one more time and people really dug it, but there were some technical issues. We made it though and people seemed to really like it, but it was touch and go at the top.
The best part about being in Dayton was getting to see my sands Jackie, who I hadn’t seen in years and also I got to see my friends Audrey and Cheryl. They took me to the world famous Yellow Springs, OH. Yellow Springs is their home, but it’s also the home of Dave Chappelle. It’s really cute town and we had some amazing food. On our way back to Dayton I had them stop at Meijer so that I could get a bottle of Wild Girl wine that is only sold in the Midwest. Score!
When I got back to the hotel I had to get myself together and almost immediately get on the road. I was driving out with Bruce, Vernon, and Andre. More space, but it is a beast driving through the night like that. Bruce and I did all of the driving and I don’t think I slept much, but we all got home safely and had a great time along the way. Those long hauls can be tough, but those are the times that I really get to know the men and women that I play with. It’s really a blessing.
This month I was also back in American Candy. I couldn’t do the July show because of my surgery, but it was so appropriate that I was back for the "Rock Comedy" show. I was reviving my role as Grace Jones in “Turn the Lamp On” among other hilarious sketches.
I closed September with the Sugars, but this time we were in Philly at the Painted Bride. We did a little James Brown at that show. I also ran into an old friend Alyson, who I grew up with in MA, which was amazing. She didn’t know I was in the band and of course I had no idea she was coming. It was great to see her. I also saw my old friend MB who used to live in Brooklyn in the early days. I always have love for Philly. There were some folks there who had seen blaKbüshe when we used to go play in Philly a lot. They were so happy to see me. Now that’s love.
October
Before leaving for yoga school I had two very small gigs. They were my first blaKbüshe gigs since May. Both hits were acoustic with Jeff, Matsu and Shawn. The first was at Sister’s Uptown Bookstore. This is a cozy spot that kind of reminded me of the old Nkiru Books in Brooklyn. It was a night of storytelling and music. The folks really enjoyed us and I sold all the CDs I brought with me, which is a rare thing in New York these days.
The last show before leaving was a fundraiser that Katie and I did at the Masonic Temple. We had a small, but appreciative crowd. It was also a very intimate setting and lots of fun. It was a great way to wrap things up before closing up shop for a while.
Sunday, October 14th, my girl Vilma picked me up in Brooklyn and we headed to MA for what would be my month long yoga teacher training. So much happened here. You can read my Downward Blog for all those details, but I am so thankful for that experience. So, so thankful!
White away at school I also managed to release a new track “Punannay Politixxx!" If you haven’t heard it, check it out! I couldn’t have done it without Jeff, Lionel and Patranila! Thank You!
November
I’m not even going to talk about the election. We know who won and I’m thankful. Nuff said.
I got back from teaching training this month and I jumped right into the fire. We had our first fill band show in months at DROM. It was my b’earthday and graduation celebration all rolled into one. The band was great and I even got the audience to chant with me! Yes we were chanting in Sanskrit. We put a little African beat behind it and away we went. Jaya Bolo Sita Rama Ki/Ananda Mey/Prabu Ananda Mey. That is what we sang. It was amazing. I really hope to get to do that one more time. I made some new fans that night, which honestly is rare sometimes in NYC and I was able to pay the band. Good night all around.
The following Monday I was back on stage with American Candy, but this time we were at the Comic Strip in Manhattan. I have to be honest and say that although I’m all up in this comedy show, I am not all up in the comedy world. So I had heard of the Comic Strip, but I wasn’t totally clear about all the history of the place. Eddie Murphy, Robin Williams, Adam Sandler and more have come thought there. Eddie Murphy went up there to try out the jokes for his Delirious special before the whole world heard them. It’s that kind of spot.
We did a kick ass show that night with only a small hallway as a dressing room. We made it work and it was so good that the owner wants us back. So you might see more American Candy in Manhattan this year.
November just flew by after that. I set up my Thank You yoga classes for those who donated to yoga school campaign. I was ready to give back. Bring on December.
December
I kicked off the month with Yoga. December 2nd was my first Thank You class followed by the 9th and 16th. All of the classes were amazing. Please check out my Downward Blog for the details on those classes.
In between all that Burnt Sugar played at BAM, which was a really fun show and I was rehearsing for the American Candy: Physical Fitness show at the same time.
What I didn’t mention in November was that Hollie asked me to write a sketch about yoga for the December show. I honestly had to cram that in, in between leaving yoga school and heading back to New York. Somehow I managed to write something that was pretty funny and I directed it to boot.
What I also didn’t mention in October was hurricane Sandy. New York is still recovering from that storm. There are still people who are displaced or without heat. It’s really crazy that it’s still a crisis, but alas it is. I got an email from a young woman named Po who asked me to do Reiki as part of a healing day for Sandy Relief. Basically she asked various healers to donate their time to give treatments. People who came would pay a sliding scale for treatments from $25-$50. Our goal was to raise $1000 on a Sunday afternoon and we did it! It was a rainy day too, but people walked came through. It was just beautiful.
The last blaKbüshe show of the year happened at Rockbar NYC. Ganessa and Chaney have a monthly residency there and they asked me to be on the bill for that evening. It was December 19th so we were really close to the holidays at that point. Rockbar is on Christopher Street almost at the West Side Highway. It’s a cute spot, but on a December night you never know how the turn out will be. Well people turned out! The owners Rick and Erich are so wonderful. Rick has a big bell behind the bar that he rings if he really likes what he’s hearing on stage. That bell was ringing all night because there was so much great talent coming through. Before Chaney and Ganessa kicked off their night, the bar had what they call Fight Night. Basically they ask folks to come through and sing a cover of the two battling artists. That night it was Courtney Love vs. Prince. Now I don’t know how that’s really a battle, but it was lots of fun!
Chaney and Ganessa did a short set, Ganessa and Tiffany did a short set (both sets were killin’), and then we hit the stage. That night the band was Matsu on cajon, Jeff on guitar and Ganessa on bass. I really love when the band is broken down. I closed the set with “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas” and we added a bit of a dance remix at the end. I think it was the first time I danced to a Christmas carol. We will surely be back at Rockbar. Rick and Erich are the best! Just all around good folks, which is rare find in a NY club owner.
A couple of days later I headed home for the holidays. When I returned to NY I had a few friends over, which is something I never get to do because we are all hustling so hard throughout the year. Then on New Year’s Eve I did one of the most non-capitalistic things I could do. I went to Prospect Park with my friend Mechelle to watch the fireworks at Midnight. In all my years of living in Brooklyn I had never done that. I have to say I think that’s going to be my ritual as long as I’m living in this town. It was so much fun. After that I came home and spent a quiet evening with a glass on wine.
Here’s to you 2012! You really gave me a run for my money. I am thankful for every moment. It was probably one of the most challenging years of my life, but I made it through. I made it through heartbreak, near eviction (oh did I not mention that), surgery, disappointment at times, you pushed me to my edge but I came out glowing on the other side. I feel the fire coming back. Aahh Yeah!
Post Script:
I think I would be remiss if I did not give a brief mention to the fact that in 2012 we lost so many great artists. To that I say Rest In Power Etta James, Whitney Houston, Donna Summer, Don Cornelius, Belita Woods, Robin Gibb, Tony Scott, Ben Gazarra, Jan Berenstain, Adrienne Rich, Mike Wallace, Levon Helm, Maurice Sendak, Vidal Sassoon, Doc Watson, Nora Ephron, Andy Griffith, Ernest Borgnine, Sherman Helmsley, Marvin Hamlisch, Gore Vidal, Al Freeman Jr., Helen Gurley Brown, Phyllis Diller, Hal David, Michael Clarke Duncan, Andy Williams, Dave Brubeck, Ravi Shankar, Jack Klugman and of course all those who lost their lives on Aurora, Sandy Hook another all over the world. See you on the next level.
