By Ron Wynn NASHVILLE, TN — She was acclaimed throughout her lifetime as the nation’s finest jazz vocalist and a supreme interpreter of the classic American popular songbook. But until last month there hadn’t been an extensive biography done on the great Ella Fitzgerald since her death in 1996. That is no longer the case, as music historian Ruth Crawford Seeger has written the new book “Becoming Ella Fitzgerald: The Jazz Singer Who Transformed American Song” (Norton). A combination extensive personal profile and musical analysis and commentary work, Tick has compiled a hefty amount of information on Fitzgerald, and done…
Author: Ron Wynn
The news Monday evening that the Tennessee Titans’ two-week search for a new head coach had ended also showed a desire for offensive improvement may have been a key factor, if not the biggest. Their new head coach is former Cincinnati Bengals offensive coordinator Brian Callahan. An interesting side note is that Callahan, who has held that position since 2019, did NOT call plays for the Bengals. That stipulation has often been viewed as a critical one for future head coaches. But what Callahan did do was oversee the development of the Bengals current QB Joe Burrow, along with designing…
By Ron Wynn NASHVILLE, TN — The late Luther Vandross was a supreme balladeer, one of the finest at doing both contemporary pop and classic soul/R&B numbers. Despite his immense popularity throughout his lifetime, no one has done either a biopic or documentary on Vandross since his death in 2005. That is no longer the case, as Dawn Porter’s production “Luther: Never Too Much” made its debut at the Sundance Film Festival over last weekend. Porter got some big name backing for this project, as two of its producers include Jamie Foxx and Colin Firth. It’s an official selection of…
By Ron Wynn NASHVILLE, TN — The prolific producer, writer and director Kenya Barris has a full slate of projects scheduled for this year and beyond, many of which he discussed over last weekend while attending the Sundance Film Festival. Barris discussed these forthcoming productions as part of the Variety Studio, which was presented by Audible. During that event he spotlighted three high profile future presentations, one of which has been in some form of development since 2020 and now has evolved from a feature film into a television series. Barris has originally planned to direct a biopic on legendary…
Stardom and greatness has been predicted for Jerod Mayo dating back to his college days, when he was a star linebacker at the University of Tennessee. He became part of history last Friday as the New England Patriots named him their 15th head coach. His tenure with the team dates back to 2008, when the Patriots drafted him 10th overall. Mayo spent his entire NFL career with New England. He was Defensive Rookie of the Year in 2008, a three-time Pro Bowl selection, and in 2010 a first team All-Pro choice. He was also on the 2014 Super Bowl winning…
By Ron Wynn NASHVILLE, TN — After winning three awards Sunday at the 2024 Critics Choice Awards, the latest version of “The Color Purple” is now available for home viewing. Such digital platforms as Apple TV and Prime Video made the film available for either rent or purchase on Tuesday. It will be released to the DVD market on 4K UHD, Blu-ray and conventional DVD March 12. Those releases will have several bonus features according to Variety. These include three different features with the director Blitz Bazawule, as well as other filmmakers and cast members. There will also be behind…
By Ron Wynn NASHVILLE, TN — Both a trailer and photos have been released online this week in advance of the upcoming Netflix biopic on the life and career of pioneering legislator Shirley Chisholm. The film titled “Shirley” was written and directed by John Ridley, and stars award-winning actress and director Regina King in the title role. The film is co-produced by both King and her sister Regina King, along with Ridley, Anikah McLaren, and Elizabeth Haggard. Ridley, Jeff Skoll and Ted Gidlow are executive producers. The film spotlights Chisholm’s landmark 1972 presidential campaign. But it will also cover her…
The National Football League’s track record with regards to advancement for Blacks in every area other than on the field has always been a mixed one, and particularly in terms of hiring head coaches. But as the playoffs begin this coming weekend, Black head coaches have acquitted themselves well in terms of getting their teams into post-season competition. Perhaps the most impressive performance was turned in by first-year head coach of the Houston Texans DeMeco Ryans. The former defensive co-ordinator of the San Francisco 49ers took over a team that had previously been at the bottom of the AFC and…
By Ron Wynn Jazz pianist, vocalist and bandleader Les McCann enjoyed a visibility and popularity within the popular music world that few in his field ever receive. McCann, who passed away at the end of 2023 at 88, got that notoriety due to being sampled by numerous hip-hop performers as well as for the crossover success of an LP he made with saxophonist Eddie Harris at the Montreaux Jazz Festival. While “Swiss Movement,” released in 1969, hasn’t sold in the quantities of “Kind of Blue” or enjoyed the critical praise and reverence of “A Love Supreme,” it was beloved not…
By Ron Wynn NASHVILLE, TN — Keke Palmer has made news before in various acting roles, but last week she did it in a very different capacity: as a host. She became the the first woman to win the Emmy for Outstanding Host For A Game Show in 15 years, and the first Black woman to be both nominated and win. She received her second overall Emmy award Saturday at the Creative Arts Emmys for her role as host of NBC’s “Password.” According to Deadline, it’s the first time this category has been part of the Primetime Emmys since moving…