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The morning session of the day’s events in Detroit concluded
with a very impressive performance by the Wayne State
University Student Jazz Ensemble.
Back home in Toledo, part two of “I Got A Lust For Life”
began at the McMaster Center of the Toledo Lucas County
Public Library with opening remarks by Sara Lundquist, PhD,
chair of the Department of English Language and Literature
for the University of Toledo, followed by introductions from
Kimberly Mack, PhD, assistant professor of African-American
Literature for the University of Toledo.
Spearheading the literary portion of the day’s events “Open
Mic: A Drive to Write” featured poetry readings inspired by
Toledo-area high school students. Storyteller and Performer
Tyehimba Jess, a Detroit native and 2017 Pulitzer
Prize-winning poet, read from “Olio” his award-winning
collection of poetry that weaves together sonnet, song and
narrative to examine the lives of mostly unrecorded,
African-American performers directly before and after the
Civil War up to World War One.
The exciting day of events concluded at the beautiful
GlasSalon, Glass Pavilion at the Toledo Museum of Art.
After opening remarks by Charlene D. Gilbert, MFA dean of
the College of Arts and Letters at the University of Toledo,
the enthusiastic crowd was treated to a dynamic and his
well-attended round-table type of discussion featuring
panelists Tyehimba Jess, noted Pulitzer Prize winning poet;
M.L. Liebler Detroit-based award winning poet and editor of
the anthology Heaven was Detroit: From Jazz to
Hip-Hop and Beyond; Frances Brockington, classical
vocalist and associate professor of Voice at Wayne State
University; and Lee Ellen Martin, PhD, jazz vocalist.
Certainly, no meaningful discussion about the
African-American Great Migration and the subsequent heavy
influence this historical event had (and continues to have)
in all musical genres, would be complete without mentioning
Toledo's legendary music genius, Jon Hendricks, who passed
away just three months ago, on November 21, 2017.
A musical tribute in honor of Hendricks, both highlighted
and closed the full day of events. The musical ensemble
was composed of Lauren Smith and Isabella Weik on vocals,
Benjamin Maloney on piano, David Cerelli on bass, and Olman
E. Piedra, PhD on drums.
A recommended reading list is provided for those of you who
are interested in learning more about the influence of
African-Americans in the literary and music arenas:
-
A Trouble Shooter's Voice Manual
by Frances Brockington (1997)
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African American Music: An Introduction edited by Mellonee V Burnim and
Portia K. Maultsby (2006)
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I'll Take You There: An Oral and Photographic History of
the Hines Farm Blues Club by Matthew A. Donahue
(1999)
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Olio
by Tyehimba Jess (2016)
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The Music of Black Americans: A History
by Eileen Southern (1997)
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Lost Toledo
by David Yonke (2015)
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Dancing in the Street: Motown and the Cultural Politics of
Detroit
by Suzanne E. Smith (2001)
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Heaven was Detroit: From Jazz to Hip-Hop and Beyond
by M. L. Liebler (2016)
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Leadbelly
by Tyehimba Jess (2005)
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