On May 19th, 1925, former National Spokesperson for The Nation of Islam turned Pan-Africanist, founder of Muslim Mosque Inc., Chairman of The Organization of Afro-American Unity, former street hustler/pimp, human rights advocate, Black Nationalist Icon, self-proclaimed Communist-and one of the most influential Black male figures to champion the fight for social, economic and political equality for Blacks displaced in North America-Malcolm X (Malcolm Little)-El Hajj Malik El Shabazz was born in Omaha, Nebraska. ‘By Any Means Necessary’-this infamous quote spoken by Malcolm is widely known. He is one of the few Black figures during the Jim Crow era that spoke against turning the other cheek, and encouraged Blacks to defend themselves. He wasn’t a malicious leader that was out to ‘kill whitey’ (like the masses presented him to be).
He was a peaceful man that emphatically stated any oppression, terrorism and opposition to the survival of Black people globally that’s perpetrated by whomever is in power, would not be met with peace, but with resistance and equal force if needed. Simply put, if you hit Malcolm, expect to get hit back. He saw the limitations and risks associated with non-violent resistance clearly. History books and public school systems teach that he was violent, hateful, a Black Supremacist, etc. These are all lies! It’s media driven jargon and propaganda targeted at those who would side with Malcolm’s philosophies on how the downtrodden must take their independence with force from an oppressor who is unwilling to grant them Freedom, Justice and Equality, regardless of culture, ethnicity, gender or economic status. He was 39 when he was murdered.
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On May 19th, in 1948, Jamaican supermodel, actress, songwriter, frequent collaborator with Sly & Robbie-the seminal reggae production team, singer, producer and pop culture icon-Grace (Beverly) Jones was born in Spanish Town, St Catherine, Jamaica. She’s most known for her music and acting. She made sample thick songs with Sly & Robbie like My Jamaican Guy which was sampled by LL Cool J for his song-Doin’ It. She was Strange’ (phoentically-'stron-jay', Helen Strange’) in the 1992 film Boomerang. Anyone that’s seen the movie knows exactly who she is. Grace’s legacy goes back to the early 60s when her family moved to New York and she started her modeling career. Her father was a strict religious man that had his own church-The Apostolic Church of Jesus Christ.
Ironically enough, Grace became quite the ‘Free’ spirit (liberal) in the 60s in regard to her sexuality and social views. She was a go-go dancer, hung out with the hippies and took LSD which she credits as expanding her mind and helping her blossom fully socially and emotionally. In the 70s, she signed with Island Records, became good friends with Andy Warhol, frequented discos like Studio 54 and became dubbed the 'Queen of the Gay Discos' by her supporters. Grace was very outspoken, penned highly sexual lyrics (Pull Up to My Bumper), and her flamboyant outfits were some of the most colorful and sci-fi tinged clothing of the 70s and 80s. She was a natural on stage and behind the lens. She also was a pioneering dancehall queen that paved the way for performers like Patra who would emulate Grace’s over the top sex based style in the 90s. She’s 71 today.
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On May 19th, in 1948, jazz musician, saxophonist, bandleader, composer, arranger, sideman, multi-label recording artist, former member of the Blues Brothers, son of Nathan Scott, co-founder of L.A. Express and the Neoteric Trio and prolific TV/Film scorer-Tom Scott (Thomas Wright Scott) was born in Los Angeles, California. He’s most known in Hollywood for the films and TV shows he’s composed for. He followed in his father’s footsteps-Nathan Scott-who was responsible for penning theme songs for popular shows like Lassie & Dragnet. Tom composed the themes for: The Chevy Chase Show, Family Ties, Conquest of the Planet of the Apes, Taxi Driver, The People’s Choice Awards, Starsky & Hutch, The Streets of San Francisco and the Pat Sajak Show.
He’s written nearly 1000 film and TV shows over the course of his career. The Hip Hop community knows him for his break beat-Sneaking Out the Back (with L.A. Express) and his seminal song Today from his LP-Tom Scott and the California Dreamers that was used by Pete Rock & C.L. Smooth for T.R.O.Y. Scott made his debut as a bandleader in 1967-The Honeysuckle Breeze (Impulse! Records). He’s worked with numerous musicians from the jazz world: Richard Holmes, Lalo Schifrin, Quincy Jones, Alphonse Mouzon, Gabor Szabo, the Grateful Dead, Frank Sinatra, Rod Stewart, Blondie, Paul McCartney, Joni Mitchell, Pink Floyd, Carole King, Steely Dan and George Harrison. He’s 70 today.
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HONORABLE MENTION: On May 19th, in 1968, seminal hip hop pioneers, revolutionaries, spoken word troupe, recording artists, soundtrack scorers, film actors, and New York City Griots-The Last Poets were formally established as a group. The Original Last Poets included: Gylan Kain, Felipe Luciano and David Nelson. They took their name from the South African poet-Keorapeste Kgositsile. He has a poem that speaks about poets being in their last days before guns take over. The Original trio is not the same group that most people know led by Umar Bin Hassan and Jalaluddin Mansur Nuriddin-they’re called the ‘Last Poets’. The ‘Original Last Poets’ were formed at Marcus Garvey Park in Harlem, on Malcolm X’s birthday. You can hear them on the soundtrack and see them in the film-Right On! (1971).
On May 19th, in 1969, we lost a seminal jazz musician, saxophonist, bandleader, composer, clarinetist, swing jazz pioneer, be bop innovator, sideman, multi-label recording artist and highly influential tenor sax soloist-Coleman (Randolph) Hawkins AKA Hawk. TOV covered the artist’s death on the November 21st post. Please refer to it for more information. Hawkins helped inspire future generations of tenor players like Lester Young, Buddy Tate, Illinois Jacquet and Ben Webster. He worked closely with Webster and drummer Max Roach to craft a style of jazz that lies between the transition of swing to bebop. The majority of his recordings were released during the 50s and 60s. He was 64 when he passed.
On May 19th, in 1991, we lost a highly slept on, but extremely talented vocalist-Odia Coates. She only released one self-titled LP on United Artists which is very funky and full of samples. She’s most known for her session vocals and duet verses with Paul Anka and the Electric Light Orchestra. The Vicksburg, MS native got her start in the church in Watts, CA. She’s a former member of Edwin Hawkin’s Northern California State Youth Choir and you may catch a glimpse of her in the 70s Blaxploitation film the Mack where she sings-Now is the Time at the Player’s Ball. She was a former member of Sisters Love-the group that was singing in the film. She was 49 when she passed.
On May 19th, in 1998, we lost a prominent jazz musician, pianist, composer, vibraphonist, songwriter, singer, and major influence on the boogie-woogie style of jazz-Dorothy Donegan. She’s most known for her work with Brook Benton and Lionel Hampton. She was one of the few female musicians in the genre that maanged to work as a bandleader, side-person, and release her own compositions on several imprints. She released her debut LP in 1946-September Song (Jubilee Records). She also recorded for Roulette, Capitol, Chiaroscuro and Roulette Records. She worked closely with Clark Terry, Art Tatum, Cab Calloway and Dinah Washington. She was 76 when she passed.
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