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Author Archives: gar
Late Era Ellington: The Far East Suite
In 1956, during the halcyon days of the Cold War and immediately after the McCarthy era, the US State Department began an interesting experiment. Take some of America’s top jazz talent and put them on tour to spread goodwill and … Continue reading
Posted in Late Era Duke Ellington
Tagged Billy Strayhorn, Duke Ellington, jazz, music, review
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Late Era Duke Ellington
My mom used to say of Mozart that one can like only a third of Mozart’s music and still like a lot of Mozart. Very true. In his short 30 years of composing he wrote a staggering number of pieces. … Continue reading
Posted in Late Era Duke Ellington
Tagged Billy Strayhorn, Duke Ellington, jazz, jazz history, music
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The State of The Gay
Two big time apologies concerning gay issues came out this past week, almost back to back. Both were in response to stupid, homophobic or at least homophobic-tinged statements made by the speaker. And in both cases, they were genuine apologies, … Continue reading
Posted in Everything Else
Tagged gay, homophobia, Howard Kurtz, Niall Ferguson, rant
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Jason Collins and the Joy and Importance of Coming Out
25 years ago, either this week or next, I wrote a letter to my family entitled “What James Baldwin, Bayard Rustin, and Gregory A. Russell Have In Common.” Sadly I don’t think I have a copy of it anymore, though … Continue reading
Posted in Everything Else
Tagged african-american, black, coming out, essay, gay, Jason Collins
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Morally Straight?
I have a jingle going through my head that may or may not be from an old Boy Scouts ad. It went something like, “Join the Boy Scouts of America Today, and together we can form a better USA!” A … Continue reading
Mordor Laughs
We are all friends here. Or should be; for the laughter of Mordor will be our only reward, if we quarrel. -Gandalf, from “The Two Towers” by JRR Tolkien Chortles undoubtedly rose high in Fairfax, Virginia, along with slapping hands … Continue reading
Pressure Cooker Hate
A pressure cooker loaded with nails and ball bearings. That’s what the FBI now says constituted one of the two bombs that went off at the finish line of the Boston Marathon. A pressure cooker. Seems sadly appropriate. Our world … Continue reading
Posted in Everything Else
Tagged bigotry, Boston Marathon Bombing, hatred, killings, rant
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Roger Ebert, Passion Writer
My first encounter with Roger Ebert, as with many outside of Chicago, came from his TV programs with the late Gene Siskel. To be sure, none of us really went to the movies that much. But we loved watching the … Continue reading
Revised Chapter 7 – Sin Against the Race (Part II)
* * * Bill suggested that they meet on one of the benches next to the creek leading up to the north side of campus. Besides its natural tranquility, it was tucked away enough for them not to worry about … Continue reading
Posted in Excerpts, Sin Against the Race
Tagged black, fiction, gay, politics, Religion
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Revised Chapter 7 – Sin Against the Race (Part I)
Thursday morning, Second Week, Berry Residence, Beacon Hill Alfonso had a nightlong fight with the bedding. The sheets won. He didn’t have a prayer. They tangled and twisted around him in serpentine fashion until they threatened to rip his limbs … Continue reading
Posted in Excerpts, Sin Against the Race
Tagged black, fiction, gay, homophobia, politics, Religion, Sin Against the Race
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