Wiley Sweet Satchmo
Gentle voices ring most true lately.
Black Entertainment Television has added a Jazz Channel, BETJ, that did a brief history of Louis "Satchmo" Armstrong recently. His extraordinary musical talent that broke new ground in jazz, was just the first bloom in his vast garden of delights. His gentle but firm commitment to civil rights was also touching - and effective. He was subtle in his approach, drawing people to him with his disarming smile, overwhelming charm and enormous talent. Always respectful, he expected to be treated with respect in return, and when he was not, simply ignored the offending person, keeping private the deep wounds he felt.
Toward the end of his life, in the late 60's with militancy at its peak, he was viewed by some as an "Uncle Tom." With 35 years of history, the effectiveness of both Satchmo and the the more militant Black Panthers comes to clearer view.
I lived across the street from some Panthers in college. I admired, and supported many of their causes - raising money to eradicate pests from low income neighborhoods, raising bail money for those falsely accused. Their military uniforms, berets, and black armbands, while understandable, were frightening to many, and likely deterred some like-minded people from participating.
Louis, in retrospect, seems less a "Tom" and more an underground activist. I believe he drew many people who would never have consider supporting civil rights by his sweetness. Stepping through the door with his music and charm, he showed the world that treating him with anything other than the utmost respect would be highly inappropriate, and beneath them.
Hand in hand with Louis, the spoken jazz of Richard "Lord" Buckley is another who attracts with kindness and respect. In riff after riff, there is no profanity, no vulgarity, but instead a true affection for all the beautiful cats and kitties, all bestowed royal titles.
Periodically, in our beautiful little town on the Oregon coast, two demonstrations take place directly across the street from one another: one, for peace; and the other, for supporting the troops. Waving to passers-by, each group attempts to garner support by proudly displaying flags and placards with time worn slogans that all of us that lived through Viet Nam have seen again and again. I believe that not one soul is swayed by any of these well-meaning people.
Louis and His Lordship, on the other hand, long gone from our inconsiderate, vulgar world, touched many with their sweetness, kindness, and generousity of spirit, and most certainly changed their hearts. I hope to emulate their strategy of loving people, too, no matter how loudly they blather on their cell phones while I'm eating my dinner.
It's damned tough being sweet.
Black Entertainment Television has added a Jazz Channel, BETJ, that did a brief history of Louis "Satchmo" Armstrong recently. His extraordinary musical talent that broke new ground in jazz, was just the first bloom in his vast garden of delights. His gentle but firm commitment to civil rights was also touching - and effective. He was subtle in his approach, drawing people to him with his disarming smile, overwhelming charm and enormous talent. Always respectful, he expected to be treated with respect in return, and when he was not, simply ignored the offending person, keeping private the deep wounds he felt.
Toward the end of his life, in the late 60's with militancy at its peak, he was viewed by some as an "Uncle Tom." With 35 years of history, the effectiveness of both Satchmo and the the more militant Black Panthers comes to clearer view.
I lived across the street from some Panthers in college. I admired, and supported many of their causes - raising money to eradicate pests from low income neighborhoods, raising bail money for those falsely accused. Their military uniforms, berets, and black armbands, while understandable, were frightening to many, and likely deterred some like-minded people from participating.
Louis, in retrospect, seems less a "Tom" and more an underground activist. I believe he drew many people who would never have consider supporting civil rights by his sweetness. Stepping through the door with his music and charm, he showed the world that treating him with anything other than the utmost respect would be highly inappropriate, and beneath them.
Hand in hand with Louis, the spoken jazz of Richard "Lord" Buckley is another who attracts with kindness and respect. In riff after riff, there is no profanity, no vulgarity, but instead a true affection for all the beautiful cats and kitties, all bestowed royal titles.
Periodically, in our beautiful little town on the Oregon coast, two demonstrations take place directly across the street from one another: one, for peace; and the other, for supporting the troops. Waving to passers-by, each group attempts to garner support by proudly displaying flags and placards with time worn slogans that all of us that lived through Viet Nam have seen again and again. I believe that not one soul is swayed by any of these well-meaning people.
Louis and His Lordship, on the other hand, long gone from our inconsiderate, vulgar world, touched many with their sweetness, kindness, and generousity of spirit, and most certainly changed their hearts. I hope to emulate their strategy of loving people, too, no matter how loudly they blather on their cell phones while I'm eating my dinner.
It's damned tough being sweet.
posted by Kitty O'Keefe at 7:02 AM
1 Comments:
Looks like you like blues. So do i. i really love playing my harmonica and try to write blues lyrics. There has never been anybody wilder that Lord Buckley that i know of.
Peace,
groundhogger
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