Strange Fruit is a tough song to listen to. In clear and measured words it captures what was happening in our country most powerfully. Lynching was a form of terrorism that went unpunished in this country for too long. Of all of the versions that I've heard, Nina Simone's is the best. Just a warning, this is not easy to watch...
At the moment I'm in Tacoma, WA with the wonderful people of Youth For Christ Tacoma/West Puget Sound and Adoption Ministry of YWAM.
My book is due to hit shelves Feb. 2009--Here's a sneak peek at the cover...
(Design by Kurt at Zondervan)
I collect every version of this haunting poem put to music. Here's Billie Holiday's rendition.
Christianity Today recently did a story on L'Abri, the Swiss shelter for spiritual seekers. (You can read the article here) The piece stirred up a bit of controversy.
Dr. Greg Laughery is the current director (his blog) and I recently asked him what he thought about the article. Here is his response...
April is Jazz Appreciation Month. The Smithsonian National Institution of American History has led this effort and the United States Government has commended April as the month to celebrate Jazz--born in America, enjoyed worldwide.
Here are some of the facts from the Smithsonian:
What is Jazz Appreciation Month?
The concept is simple: designate one month for an annual public spotlight on jazz. Jazz Appreciation Month (or JAM) is intended to draw public attention to the glories of jazz as both an historical and a living treasure. The idea is to encourage musicians, concert halls, schools,colleges, museums, libraries, and public broadcasters to offer special programs on jazz every April.
What are the purposes of Jazz Appreciation Month?
To draw greater public attention to the extraordinary heritage and history of jazz and its importance as an American cultural heritage. In addition, JAM is intended to stimulate the current jazz scene and encourage people of all ages to participate in jazz—to study the music, attend concerts, listen to jazz on radio and recordings, read books about jazz, and support institutional jazz programs.
Why is it needed?
Many people do not fully appreciate the joys, power, and glories of jazz. JAM is an effort by those who are passionate about jazz to share it with those who are not as familiar with it. JAM will encourage people to take jazz more seriously as a vital part of America’s cultural patrimony and as a great gift to the world, as well as to have fun with it.
Learn more at www.smithsonianjazz.org
FYI--this blog is now a dotcom...you can still use the old address or you can use the new one...www.jazztheologian.com...
As a friend of Pete Gall, I've always believed that he was born to write. I'm glad his first book is on the shelves so you can see what I've known for years.
It' called My Beautiful Idol and you can read samples here...
(Yours truly even has a cameo as Pastor Ellison)
Philip Yancey said this about My Beautiful Idol:
"St. Augustine invented the confessional memoir. Modern examples are shorter and funnier (think Anne Lamott and Donald Miller). Now comes Pete Gall, who somehow gathers the messiness of his life into an enduring account, one both poignant and himsical."
Shane Claiborne said:
"My Beautiful Idol is a delicate reminder to denounce all that dazzles that does not look like Jesus. It is an invitation to say no to all other lovers and counterfeit hopes, and to put our faith in the God that is blessing the most downtrodden people of this world, the Goid whose Gospel is good news to the poor."
With endorsements like that you don't need mine!
It will be forty years this April that Martin Luther King jr. was assassinated. Dave Lemieux and the House of Soul in partnership with Colorado Community Church and the Center for African-American Health will be presenting At the Table.
There are two shows next weekend and tickets are $12 dollars
Friday April 4th @ CCC Aurora
and
Monday April 7th @ Jazz at Jacks
Making use of great music, video and personal testimony, At the Table remembers the kitchen table experience that MLK had when he says he heard the voice of God and Christ came to him.
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