By Ron Wynn NASHVILLE, TN — One of the more unusual shows about a musical group will soon be ending, and its members are now reflecting on the experience of doing television. RZA, Ashton Sanders and other members of the Hip-Hop ensemble the Wu-Tang Clan are now in the third and final season of their weekly show streamed on Hulu. It’s an occasion that has brought them the opportunity to reflect on both the group’s impact and that of the show. “That’s one of the greatest joys for me as a producer and as a creative artist, is that something…
Author: Ron Wynn
By Ron Wynn NASHVILLE, TN — Chicago Saxophonist Andre’ Ward has excelled in two different areas of jazz. He’s enjoyed hit albums working in the smooth jazz genre, and has also worked alongside such hit makers and stars as Najee, Kenny G and Alex Bugnon. Ward is also a huge fan of traditional and mainstream jazz. He cues Cannonball Adderley and Charlie Parker among his favorites and in addition, has a love for gospel and soul, I enjoy all forms of music Ward told the Tribune during a recent interview. The key for me is determining what instrument works best…
The Kansas City Chiefs exciting 38-35 Super Bowl victory over the Philadelphia Eagles Sunday was more than just one of the most exciting championship games in NFL history. It was also a historic occasion as it was the first time two Black quarterbacks opposed each other on the field for both teams. The win capped a magnificent season for QB Patrick Mahomes, a year in which he averaged over 300 years passing per game, had a QB rating of over 105, and won both regular season and MVP honors. But it also signaled, or should signal, the end of a…
By Ron Wynn NASHVILLE, TN — After hitting a season low against Alabama, the Vanderbilt Commodores are playing their best basketball of the SEC part of their season. Their 88-80 victory over Florida Saturday on the road evened their conference mark at 6-6, the same as the Gators. Both teams are also 13-12 overall for the year. But with wins over Ole Miss, Tennessee and Florida, Vanderbilt is surging as they head into the final three weeks of the conference race. A huge plus for Vanderbilt has been Center Liam Robbins. Originally projected to miss four to six weeks with…
By Ron Wynn NASHVILLE, TN — Michael Jackson has joined the list of superstars whose life and career provide the foundation for a biopic. It was announced last week that longtime film and television director Antoine Fuqua would be the person in charge of an upcoming Jackson biopic. The website and Shadow and Act were the first to announce that in addition to Fuqua, Jaafar Jackson, Michael’s nephew, has been chosen to star in the production. The 20-year old is the son of Jermaine Jackson, The film is titled”Michael” A studio release said “Michael will give audiences the never-before-told and…
By Ron Wynn NASHVILLE, TN — The great actor Forest Whitaker has greatly enjoyed himself in the EPOX series “Godfather of Harlem.” The third season, now streaming, promises looks at some iconic characters and key periods in Black history. The show has its critics, as some debate the wisdom of making a gangster’s life the central focus of a long-running TV show. But Whitaker, an Oscar winner, brings stature and dignity as well as nuance to a difficult role and character. He portrays Ellsworth “Bumpy” Johnson, Godfather of Harlem. The show’s third season finds Bumpy at a crossroads. With…
By Ron Wynn NASHVILLE, TN — The Tennessee State University Aristocrat of Bands completed a dream year Sunday, February 5, by taking two Grammy Awards at the 65th annual ceremonies in Los Angeles, making the band the first HBCU marching band to win multiple honors from the National Academy of the Recording Arts and Sciences. While Fisk University’s Fisk Jubilee Singers in 2021 were the first HBCU ensemble to win a Grammy award for their LP “Celebrating Fisk (The 150th Anniversary Album),” TSU’s Aristocrat of Bands took Grammys in various categories. “The Urban Hymnal” won both the Best Roots Gospel…
By Ron Wynn NASHVILLE, TN — Hockey actually has a uch longer and richer connection with Black history than many realize. There was a Black professional hockey league decades before the NHL. This week the Nashville Predators wore a special jersey to honor Black History Month. As explained on the Predators’ website, third year Tennessee State Professor of graphic design Eric Jackson was stunned when he got an email from Nashville Predators Graphic Designer Courtney Gilliam – a former student of Jackson’s from his days at Middle Tennessee State University. Gilliam asked Jackson if he’d be interested in designing a…
The Houston Texans have taken a unique approach to the issue of hiring Black head coaches. While many other teams in the NFL have yet to hire their first, the Texans are working on their third one in three years. Last week they announced the signing of former San Francisco 49ers defensive coordinator and former Texans linebacker DeMeco Ryans to a six-year deal as their new head coach. Under Ryans, San Francisco led the NFL in total defense last season, reaching the NFC title game before injuries to both starting quarterbacks derailed any chances they had at making the Super…
NASHVILLE, TN — Barrett Strong, the first major hitmaker and star and the man whose ascension helped launch Motown Records, passed last week at 81. Though known as helping make the Detroit-based label a global sensation, Strong was born in Mississippi. He began recording for Gordy’s label, Tamla Records, in the late 1950s, and in 1960 his recording of Berry Gordy’s “Money (That’s What I Want)” became the first hit for either artist. Though it wasn’t a chart topper, it peaked at number two on the R&B singles chart and No 23 on the Hot 100, It was later recorded…