Book Trailer: ‘Wisdom Teeth’ by Derrick Weston Brown
A profile of poet Derrick Weston Brown promoting his debut collection of poetry ‘Wisdom Teeth’, featuring author/professor Tony Medina, poet Ruth Forman, and Simone Jacobson of Words.Beats.Life.
What’s Your Calling: Ruth Forman
For the PBS documentary entitled The Calling, which follows a group of youth from different religious backgrounds striving to lead lives of service in line with their chosen spiritual paths, the doc’s producers have created a terrific website that profiles a diverse collection of people who share their opinions about what it means to follow their calling.
Poet & children’s book author Ruth Forman was recently invited to be featured.
Wreck of the Zephyr @ Gallery Trimming (LA), 02.15.2011
Last week I arrived in Los Angeles for a somewhat extended stay and quickly reconnected with friends from college at a gig for their band Wreck of the Zephyr. As the trio took up their instruments in the dimly lit warehouse gallery and began their first number, I reflected on what it means to grow older.
Save Bloombars with Silk!
Recently friends at Bloombars organized a fundraising auction to help keep the DC community art space afloat so I donated a set of my photography from Madagascar along with Malagasy shawls to support the effort. All six pieces sold, and I’ve been contacted by folks still wanting more. So I’ve decided to put the remaining shawls I have in stock (around 20 altogether) up for sale and donate 100% of proceeds to Bloombars. Help this urgent effort to keep community art in DC alive, all while keeping yourself warm and in chic fashion this winter.
Saul Williams @ UMD, 10.28.2010
Last week the TerPoets, a poetry society founded by a couple of friends of mine at the University of Maryland, invited Saul Williams to perform on campus. I’ve been a fan of the poet/musician/actor since I saw him in the documentary ‘Slam’ about ten years ago so I was excited to check out the show. In addition to Saul, the evening also featured great performances from UMD students and the Poem-Cees, plus a DJ set by Jonathan Tucker and Niteshade. If you don’t know these terrific artists, look ‘em up!
Magical Mirrors Children’s Bookfair Interview @ WPFW, 09.24.2010
Since arriving in DC three years ago, I’ve been a dedicated listener to WPFW 89.3, our local Pacifica radio station. So when my beloved Ruth Forman had an opportunity to do an interview on Askia Muhammad’s Spectrum Today, I happily accompanied her to visit for the first time the epicenter of progressive radio in DC.
Gabriel Teodros @ Sankofa, 09.14.2010
Seattle’s hip hop scene is exploding with talent. And its a gift when “the other Washington” shares some of its musical sons and daughters with us over on the East Coast. Gabriel Teodros is no exception. The times I’ve had the blessing to chat with this cat, its clear he brings love wherever he goes.
Pearl & the Beard (DC – March/July 2010)
Ever wonder what happened to that first girl you kissed? Well, in my case, it turns out she’s in an awesome band called Pearl & the Beard. Sometime last year, the lady in question – Jocelyn – and I were reacquainted and I found out she was playing with this group. Then a few months [...]
DC Slam Poetry Team Showcase @ Busboys & Poets, 07.02.2010
On July 2nd, the 2010 DC Slam Poetry Team held a showcase at Busboys & Poets before heading to Nationals in St Paul, MN. The DC team is composed of: 13 of Nazareth, Hadaiyah ‘Ya-Ya’ Bey, Jonathan B. Tucker, Pages, and Rasheed Copeland.
Corinne Bailey Rae (Baltimore – May 2010)
Corinne Bailey Rae holds the unique distinction of being a musician whose entire catalog I adore, track by track. Not only her two full length albums (2006′s eponymous debut and this year’s The Sea), but even CBR’s B-sides like her take on Led Zepplin’s ‘Since I’ve Been Loving You,’ her rendition of ‘River’ on Herbie [...]
Luke Slott @ Busboys & Poets, 01.16.2010
Ireland’s Luke Slott is a versatile musician, skilled in piano, guitar, trumpet, and voice. I first heard him in New York in 2006 and was blown away. A few years later, he started working with a producer and common friend of ours so I got to see him regularly in DC. In Janurary 2010, Luke [...]
Ruth Forman @ Sankofa (DC), 12.07.2009
Award-winning poet Ruth Forman is the author of three collections of poetry, including We Are the Young Magicians, Renaissance, and Prayers Like Shoes. Her debut children’s book Young Cornrows Callin Out the Moon is based on a poem from her first collection and features the art of Cbabi Bayoc. In December 2009, Ruth, who is [...]
Ali Youssefi – O Son of Utterance
Ali Youssefi, Nasim Youssefi, Gustaff Besungu & Pam Hill perform ‘O Hijo de la Prolacion’ (lyrics from one of Baha’u’llah’s Hidden Words translated into Spanish). Produced in 2009 for Noveen TV. Ali Youssefi – Son of Utterance from Jack On the Road on Vimeo.
Eric Harper – Cura
Eric Harper performs a live version of ‘Cura’ from his 2008 album ‘Romper a Madrugada’. Eric Harper – Cura from Jack On the Road on Vimeo.
Blue Scholars
Interview with Seattle hip hop duo Blue Scholars for Baha’i International TV & Radio Service, July 2008. Blue Scholars from Jack On the Road on Vimeo.
Color of Worship 2008
A short report about the 2008 Color of Worship event at Howard University. This annual event celebrates the visit of ‘Abdu’l-Baha, son of Baha’u’llah, the Prophet-Founder of the Baha’i Faith, to Howard in 1912. The commemorative collaboration between Howard and the DC Baha’i community promotes the historic and ongoing importance of race unity. Produced in [...]
DC Interfaith Concert 2007
Every year, the Washington D.C. Interfaith Conference has a concert featuring various faith groups from the metropolitan area. In 2007, I photographed the event at the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception, which included musicians from Baha’i, Buddhist, Christian, Jewish, Hindu, Muslim & Sikh communities.
Music in Madagascar
In 2006, while living in Madagascar, I covered local concerts for the Culture section of one of the country’s daily newspapers. Night after night, I gained entry to see some of Madagascar’s top musicians. Here is a selection of my favorite images.