Author Archives: The Independent Ear

New Orleans Diary: Delightful Diversions

Posted on November 26, 2008 by The Independent Ear

As mentioned in the recent I.E. entry which marked the first installment in our ongoing series of anecdotes from the forthcoming book African Rhythms: the Autobiography of Randy Weston, Composed by Randy Weston, Arranged by Willard Jenkins, to be published … Continue reading →

Posted in General Discussion | Leave a comment

African Rhythms: The Autobiography of Randy Weston 1

Posted on October 29, 2008 by The Independent Ear

THE ADVENTURES OF RANDY WESTON For the last several years I’ve been thoroughly immersed in the deep, broad and multi-faceted challenge of working with pianist-composer Randy Weston on his autobiography.  I’m very happy to say that our book, African Rhythms: … Continue reading →

Posted in General Discussion | 3 Comments

Artist’s P.O.V.: The Return of Sumi Tonooka

Posted on October 29, 2008 by The Independent Ear

What’s Up with Sumi Tonooka? Pianist-composer Sumi Tonooka, a native of Philadelphia, has always been a very thoughtful artist with an exceptional touch at the keyboard and an uncommon cultural sensitivity based in equal parts on her diverse background and growing up in … Continue reading →

Posted in Artist's P.O.V. | Leave a comment

NOLA DIARY: Saved from Gustav by the Detroit Jazz Fest

Posted on October 29, 2008 by The Independent Ear

TIME TO SPLIT… Well good people, the Jenkins Family sojourn — more like a furlough to be sure — to New Orleans has concluded and we are back home in the DC area.  In September Suzan Jenkins’ tenure as the … Continue reading →

Posted in General Discussion, The Presenter's P.O.V. | 1 Comment

New Orleans Diary Xll: Sultry Summertime

Posted on August 7, 2008 by The Independent Ear

Dillard Interviews The last week of July and first week of August were busy times for the Dillard University interview series mentioned previously in Independent Ear profiles of Harold Battiste, and Dr. Michael White.  Last week I had the great … Continue reading →

Posted in General Discussion | 1 Comment