Author's posts
Soundtrack To The Struggle: Josephine Baker
“I wasn’t really naked. I simply didn’t have any clothes on.” Freda Josephine McDonald Baker was born and raised in the slums of St. Louis. After a successful audition at a local vaudeville theater, she left home at the age of 13, working as a waitress and working on the stage whenever she could. She …
Soundtrack to the Struggle: Cal Massey
Few casual fans of Jazz recognize the name of Cal Massey. Sadly ignored by countless Jazz critics, Massey was revered by the foremost musicians of his day as a genius of composition and as a solid trumpeter. John Coltrane, Freddie Hubbard, Lee Morgan, Archie Shepp, and many others have performed and recorded Massey‘s works. He was a forceful activist for the …
Talking Pictures 2-5-25
Companion (2025) and Superman (1940s animated film series) with Phil Brown and Ron Adkins.
Soundtrack To The Struggle: Beryl Booker
A child prodigy born in the midst of Black artistic expression in Philadelphia, a leader who never learned to read music, yet excelled at it along the way, she grew up to be a fine swing pianist and nightclub entertainer. Beryl Booker began her star-filled career as a girl sweeping kitchen floors for quarters while …
Soundtrack To The Struggle: Ethel Waters
Rising from extreme poverty and neglect in Baltimore, Ethel Waters attended a costume partyon her 17 th birthday, at a nightclub on Juniper Street. She was persuaded to sing two songs andimpressed the audience so much that she was offered professional work at the Lincoln Theatrein Baltimore. After her start in Baltimore, she was asked …
Soundtrack To The Struggle: Cozy Cole
“Cozy” Cole was born on October 17th, 1909 in Orange, New Jersey and since his three brothers were jazz musicians it was inevitable he’d become one too. His nickname came courtesy of the other kids in school who, instead of calling him William, latched onto “Colesy,” which, with casual use, sounded like “Cozy.” William Randolph …
KCCK’s Featured Album for February 2025
The KCCK Featured Album for February is “Jazz Club Montmarte” from the Michel Petrucciani Trio. Michel was one of the most brilliant pianists to emerge on the European jazz scene in the 1970s, rising to international acclaim performing with the likes of Wayne Shorter, Tony Williams, and Charles Lloyd. The previously unreleased set was recorded …
Talking Pictures 1-29-25
Presence (2024), Avicii – I’m Tim (2024 Netflix) and Watson (CBS TV series) with Hollis Monroe, Phil Brown and Monica Schmidt.