Showing posts with label African-American artists. Show all posts
Showing posts with label African-American artists. Show all posts

30 May 2023

Harp Music: Sacred, Classical, or Jazz?

The harp is mentioned more often in the Bible than any other musical instrument.

The harp is an earthly instrument with a heavenly sound. It can soothe a troubled soul.


At one time there was a debate about whether or not the harp was solely a religious musical instrument. 

But thanks to breakthrough musicians like Jeff Majors ... 

The question mark is now a period!

Harp music will always be used as religious music, but it is no longer used ONLY FOR religious music.  That's because talented harpists like Jeff Majors use his instrument to play all of the genres:  sacred, classical, jazz, and gospel.

In Jewish history, it is written that when King Saul was tormented, he asked for someone to play the harp for him to calm his spirit. A young harpist named David was recommended. The lad was surely an extraordinarily talented musician because he was often summoned to play for the king to relieve his distress. When David grew up, he succeeded Saul as the second king of ancient Israel. Music continued to be an integral part of his life, and in addition to being an accomplished harpist, he also wrote psalms (songs).

Unfortunately, none of the harp music of King David was preserved, so we can only imagine what those hauntingly beautiful and caressing melodies may have sounded like.

Fortunately, Jeff Majors is a harpist with a great imagination!

He is a uniquely gifted harpist. Possibly the best in this generation!

Jeff Majors followed his dream. Literally. He actually had a dream about playing the harp and decided he would learn. He was taught by the late Alice Coltrane (1937 -2007), jazz pianist and harpist, and the spouse of the legendary John Coltrane (1926 -1967). Once he mastered the instrument, he set out to share his musical gift with others.  On his official website, you can read about his journey: from forming jazz bands to hosting a radio ministry to reaching millions through his television program, “The Gospel of Music with Jeff Majors”.

Along with Alice Coltrane, Mr. Majors credits the late Dorothy Ashby (1930 -1986) with influencing his musical style. The ladies Ashby and Coltrane proved that the classical harp instrument could be easily and effortlessly integrated into jazz compositions. Through collaborative efforts with other artists, he has set to music some of the Psalms written by King David. Many of his admirers know him for his interpretation of Psalm 23, which he performed at the memorial service for Coretta Scott King. 

Majors’ music is categorized as Jazz Contemporary Gospel, and sometimes New Age. If you have not heard of this exceptionally talented musician, then it may come as a surprise to discover that his first album, “Sacred”, was released in 1998. That is correct. He and Hanifah have been around for over a decade. 

  • Hanifah is the name of his harp. ( A female given name: from an Arabic word meaning “true believer” .) 
In 2006, he was invited to perform on the Oprah Winfrey Show.You know what they say. When you make it to Oprah, for sure the world knows you now! You are officially on the map!

So did I learn about Jeff Majors watching Ms. O? No. It was a couple of years ago. I fell asleep one night and my husband stayed up watching the television. I started having a wonderful dream. I won't share my dream. It's private. But when I willed myself to wake up, I heard this gentle soothing melody floating through the air. Curiously I peeked to see what my husband was watching. Jeff Majors was on TV playing the harp. Lucky for me, my husband recorded the program on video tape so we can view it again and again and again.


Two Questions

After discovering Jeff Majors and doing research to learn more, there are only two questions remaining that are unanswered.

* Question 1:  Why no Grammy?

* Question 2:  If you had a harp, what would you name her?



Original source
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09 September 2021

Artists I Fancy : Lavarne Ross

♣ Who is Lavarne Ross?
An internationally known African-American artist.  Lavarne Ross says that he was “born an artist”. His work certainly reflects that of an individual with an extraordinary talent. He makes masterful use of his paintbrush to appeal to the eye and to tell a story. 



Best known for the Tribute art poster which features black African ballerina dancers in pastel. It's a lovely painting and although I am certain that it was neither his inspiration nor his intention, it makes me think of George Gershwin's 1959 film, "Porgy & Bess", the famous musical. (O.o) Go figure. The Ross paintings, however, that really captured my attention were “Black Orchids” and "Angel Wings".


Were I to describe this man's art in one word? ENCHANTING!
  • To know more about this incredibly talented artist, visit his YouTube channel (see below), his Facebook page or go directly to his official website lross.com.


♦ ♦ ♦

14 July 2017

Black Madonna and Child in Art | BAIA

Black Madonnas are found throughout the world. In sculptures, paintings, frescoes, etc. The image below is a fresco of a black Madonna and her child, Jesus, in Axum Cathedral, Ethiopia.


A fresco of a black Madonna and Jesus in Axum ...
A fresco of a black Madonna and Jesus in Axum Cathedral, Ethiopia (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Many believe the Templars brought the Black Madonna from Ethiopia. No doubt there are several other fascinating stories and legends circulating. There’s even a cult. If interested here are two suggested books for additional reading:

Black Madonna and Child by Joe Cauchi

There were two men named Joe Cauchi who were both 20th century African-American artists. Very little biographical information is available about either of them. But it has been confirmed that the Black Madonna and Child pictured to the left was produced by Joseph M. Cauchi (born in 1918). The other Cauchi was born in 1905.



The exquisite painting below is by an artist I fancy but I know only by the name Ballenger.  Wish I could say more but like Cauchi, there doesn't seem to be much information about him or her or it (???) on the Internet.  Maybe I'm just not looking in the right places.  Nevertheless the artwork is quite lovely and evokes a mood of serenity and calmness.




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Original source link: Black Madonna and Child in Art | Black Art in America Posted by Treathyl FOX on April 11, 2013





28 October 2014

First Public Share Via My Google Plus Business Page

First post via my Google Plus business page for Cmoneyspinner's Home Business Projects.

  • Link to post shared Jun 14, 2012.

The post about Angel Mae Taylor has sentimental value for me. The first article published online that actually showed my name as the author was written about her. It's one of those "firsts" memories.  Kind of like putting your first dollar you earned from your own business in a picture frame.  Although if you're striving to eek out a living by way of the Internet like me, it's a lot more like laminating your first penny!  :)  C'est la vie!

NOTE:  AUGUST 2015, GOOGLE PLUS SUSPENDED MY BUSINESS PAGE.  REVIEW WAS REQUESTED.  FINAL DECISION (???)

 

Created another business page.  Hoping to get it right this time!  :)






Starting a Home Business? - legalzoom.com


Free images from Pixabay.com

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