October 20, 1988, Portland Observer, Page 5 ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ • A Celebration Of Love . - J A I lW S lECHJMD ICIEIPCICT by Garland Lee Thompson “ BIRD” FLYS INTO TOWN Charlie "Yardbird” Parker living on through his m usic, now reaches us, his fans and de­ votees, via Clint “ Make my day” Eastwood’s highly sensitive film adaptation, “ Bird,” now playing at the Lloyd Cinema, which I saw opening night. If you are a “ bird- lover," you can now be a "Bird­ watcher” and witness, for the first time on film, the struggle, pain and pleasure of 23 of “ Bird’s” ac­ tual recorded numbers, “ played” electronically under music direc­ tor, Lennie Niehaus, by actor, Forest Whitaker as Charlie “ Bird” Parker. Chan Parker, “ Bird’s” widow (played pow erfully by Diane Venora), was a key consultant on the two hours and 45 minute film that traces “ Bird’s” short 34 years of bitter-sweet life until his death in March, 1955. One rarely thinks of "B ird” at home with the wife, kids, sitting in front of the TV, or on the road playing in L.A. and one-nighters. This take us off the dusty record labels and album jackets and introduces the per­ son, who showed the “ Othello- type flaws” and true character of the man, as it must have been while he was busy, permanently changing the sound of our mod­ ern jazz music and personally self-destructing inside and out. America’s “ only indigenous art form,” jazz and “ Bird” is now pro­ perly documented for history and the world market. If, like myself, you wondered what it must have been like to be a Black revolutionary jazz music artist in "W hite America” during the forties and fifties; this is a smokey, murkey, boozey and drug-haunted rendition of the man himself and his music that "everybody” now in the jazz music world, is playing and emulating. His solos are stand­ ards now, clubs, like Birdland’s on West fifty second Street in New York were named after him and everybody’s waiting for his next “ incarnation” or successor to appear. Now here comes actor turned director, Eastwood, and scenarist Joel Oliansky, taking a big chance, evoking the memory of this great “ Bird.” And what I found fascinating about the film, they portrayed living people, such as Jazz greats, Dizzy Gillisepe, as they must have been in those fateful days in the gin joints and cafe society "watering holes" of America and Europe. I remember a few years ago, standing in front the Village Vanguard, seeing Dizzy getting out of a car and greeting me warmly before going inside the club for his gig. So, I wonder how he must feel, seeing a young Black actor playing “ him ” as a struggling Black musician and band leader trying to stay alive, make a living and play his music. It might be a good case for "the Society to Remove Jazz from the Saloon” mentality, but for the film, “ Bird,” everything’s “ coming up roses” right here in the City of Roses. At one point in the film, this audience suddenly started throwing roses at Charlie Parker on stage. He caught one, kissed it and held it high! Check it out, Jazz lovers. “ Write on, Bird!” newest star in its “ stable,” on new pictures (“ Coming To Amer­ ica” ) and plans for Arsenio’s own all new late-night hour talk show. Now remember, screen fans, Eddie Murphy is "the super hot” property of Paramount. It is with Murphy, his friend and “ hand- buddy,” that he co-stars with in “ Coming To America,” a summer '88 box office hit. I met Arsenio at the first press screening and par­ ty of “ Coming To America,” with Eddie Murphy. This enable me to be one of the first of the press in town to write “ a scoop” article (June 22nd, 1988) about this new film team of Murphy, Arsenio Hall and Shari Headley. And now Hall says he’s “ in big trouble, people will expect so much this time. With ‘The Late Show,’ nobody cared or counted on me to do very much. I was the underdog then. They let me do anything I wanted, and that’s why it worked.” “ Write on, Arsenio!” A STAR IN ARSENIO HALL Arsenio Hall was the eventua replacement for Joan Rivers on Fox Broadcasting’s “ Late Show. I almost turned off my TV, but he said something, did something or talked to someone “ hot,” like Ed­ die Murphy or gorgeous, mtelli- aent women and look good doing it, so I gave him a “ shot’ and watch his show. A temporary gig made him a ris­ ing new star. Hall was suppose to just hold down the late-night show while Fox prepared, "The Wilton North Report.” A thirteen week non-renewal contract and Hall started to rise in the ratings. Fox blew it! They tried to make a new deal, but Paramount had beaten them “ to the punch” and signed him to a two-year contract. This preventing his return to do the "Late Show." Paramount is starting to make full use of its “ PAUL ROBESON’* RETURNS TO BROADWAY STARRING AVERY BROOKS Actor Avery Brooks stars on Broadway in Phillip Hayes Dean’s “ Paul Robeson," a play with music based on the life of Paul Robeson. It also stars Ernie Scott and if directed by Harold Scott, at the Golden Theatre, on West 45th Street, in New York. This is a six week return to Broadway for “ Paul Robeson,” that originally opened on Broadway in a produc­ tion that I saw, featured James Earl Jones. Avery Brooks, who has been see in hit TV series and film , has received favorable reviews in New York for his per­ formance of “ the great black oak tree.” AN UNPRODUCED PLAY BY LANGSTON HUGHES AND ZORA NEALE HURSTON New York’s Lincoln Center Theatre is close to concluding negotiations for the rights to a never-performed play from the 1930’s by Langston Hughes and Zora Neale Hurston, “ Mule Bone.” This play was intended to be the first comedy about Blacks that did not rely on stereotypes. The third act has been published, but not the entire play, according to Geogory Mosher, director. It could open sometime in the win­ ter at the Newhouse at Lincoln Center or the Lyceum Theatre. Only real theatre bluffs would know Langston Hughes also teamed up with German com­ poser, Kurt Weill, and wrote an opera, entitled. "Street Scene,” that was produced in New York years ago. If you got that right, you know your theatre history, “ Write on, theatre buppies!” S k A t W»r » • ASse Afcm'f « W » * * fa c h io ti W in te r W ra p U p t M oney H t w To S p e n d It , W hen To S a v e it A d d ic te d To R e je c tio n Eddie Murphy n - i. m m by Sylvia McDaniel “ I DON’T NEED YOU BLACK MAN,” “ I DON’T NEED YOU BLACK WOMAN,” ANYMORE... eloncon’s “ Diary” has come and gone but, the controver­ Unfortunately, we cannot un­ sy still exists. The age old conflict due what has already taken place. between Black men and Black It is up to the Black community as women is flourishing. a whole to solve the problem be­ HOW DO YOU LOVE A BLACK fore it totally explodes into de­ WOMAN? HOW DO YOU LOVE A structive combat. Many agree that a resolution is crucial for the sur­ BLACK MAN? Thai is the question today. A vival of a unique culture, Black humankind; Black men and Black dilemma that has proven to be a women breed Black babies, Black valid issue in the Black communi­ ty for the past several years. A leaders. To avoid further controversy, topic of discussion for which many books, articles, plays and however, Black men and Black community forums have examin­ women should begin by apologiz­ ed in hopes of understanding the ing to each other for the negative vivid controversy. Such noted attitudes they’ve shared. Regard­ plays on this issue are ‘The Diary less of the road Black people of Black Men and For Colored choose as individuals, the univer­ sal love shared within the Black Girls Only.” male and Black female ex­ Looking beyond the facts and perience must be acknowledged into the Black experience, the consensus of “ I heard i t ” and never forgotten. throughout the Black community Therefore, for those who want is that both Black men and Black to carry on with Black love, don’t women have invented various ex­ be afraid to fight for what may cuses for their love, hate relation­ have been lost. Re-ignite the ship. The growing number of sin­ sparks by opening your hearts gle Black women, single Black and utilizing trust. And, don’t mothers and interracial affairs forget the most valuable law of all, communication. Importantly, (I’ve seen mixed affairs especially among Black men in Portland, take care of those Black babies Oregon) are all results of the you birth especially you, Black senseless combat. men. SHAME ON YOU BLACK MAN! On the other hand, for those SHAME ON YOU BLACK WOMEN! who wish to exercise their free­ Have you forgotten that the dom of choice, loving outside of the realm, I say more power to Black male and Black female ex­ you! Everyone has the right to perience was the foundation and spend their time with whom they the survival of the Black race? Yet, through beginning Africa, darn well please. I am hoping though that Blacks who have in­ slavery, and civil rights, some­ volved themselves in interracial thing went wrong. The bond be­ relationships have done so out of tween two special soul mates, the sincerity, and not because of Black male and the Black female- the warrior and the warriorette — remorse felt towards their own seem to hold less importance in Black kind. I for one can whole­ heartedly understand the neces­ the 1980’s. Although, history has sity of a loving relationship, and shown that the root of the conflict refuse to sit at home alone on a developed many years ago, we Saturday night waiting — but you cannot overlook the fact that the are still number one in my book, negative attitudes and differ­ Black man! However, our in­ ences expressed between Black dividual choices should not stop men and Black women have us the next time we pass each become more visible since in­ other on the street, from saying tegration. HELLO, brother or sister, in The love, hate excuses con­ acknowledgement of the valuable tinue to fester now more than experience we've shared! ever. We invite those of you who BLACK MEN DON’T LIKE BLACK WOMEN BECAUSE ... BLACK wish to take part in the celebra­ tion of Black love, to respond in WOMEN DON’T LIKE BLACK MEN writing to the Portland Observer, in BECAUSE ... answer to the question of the I wonder what is on the minds of Black men and Black women ’80s. HOW DO YOU LOVE A BLACK across the country after the re­ WOMAN? HOW DO YOU LOVE A cent break-up of Mike Tyson and BLACK MAN? Robin Givens? Your written cooperation will Are Black men saying, “ That’s hopefully be the beginning of re­ how Black women are. All they want newed relationships between is to take a Nig— money! ’ ’ Black men and Black women in Are Black women saying, Portland, Oregon. Write: Portland “ That’s how Black men are. All Observer, c/o Sylvia McDaniel, 525 they want to do is kick your A - ’’ N.E. Killingsworth, Portland, OR What will happen next? Will Michael and Robin continue on 97211. M ., Melba Moore Has A Sweet Obsession Superstar Melba Moore who has achieved fame in every aspect of entertainment and opened doors for artists such as Freddie Jackson, has proven again that she has a golden ear with a new qroup — ‘Sweet Obsession’. Melba saw the talented sisters (Keena, Klmmala, and Michel e Green) from Detroit while hosting the Ohio Valley Music Awards. . After seeing their sizzling performance, Melba invited them to meet I with the high power Hush Productions management firm in New s York. Although the music awards was suppose to be the girls last venture in the music business, they jumped at the chance to meet with the management firm that molded Melba Moore as we as Freddie Jackson’s career. v „ Sweet Obsession’s first single, “ I’m Gonna Get Over You, from their self-titled debut album is rapidly rising up the music charts. Their impending success has garnered them a song in Iri- star picture’s winter release “ Iron Eagle II” starring Lou Gossett Jr as well as joining Freddie Jackson’s USA tour as the opening act. One Stop Records and Tapes A V A IL A B L E R & B, RAP, JAZZ, BLUES AND GOSPEL PLUS SNAKE SKIN BELTS, GUCCI HATS, POSTERS OF YOUR FAVORITY ARTIST AND $6.99 On Sale This Week For Is Bobby Brown and Vesta For Records and More - Make Your Stop ONE STOP 1615 N.E. Killingsworth one We're Playing STOP YOUR Song. RECORD SHOP DAZZLING S fff Ä . Million Dollar Man Eddie Murphy In The November ‘Ebony Man’ '9 Success with another Black mate, sharing Black love? Or will they use this as an excuse to hate Black men, to hate Black women? In the near future Barbara “ Wa Wa” will prob­ ably be the first to expose their new relationships. I’m betting Michael and Robin’s new mates will be. Yet and still, do both Black men and Black women really have valid complaints for disliking each other? Or, are both parties in a round about way trying to say: u r a Multi-million dollar man Eddie Murphy searches for love and happiness, plus "Overcoming Barriers To Great Sex,” getting out of "Claustrophobic Rela­ tionships” and “ What Men Look For In A Woman are featured in the November EM. Murphy, America’s number one box-office star with his current hit, "Coming To America,” tells how his real life frustrations in finding a mate parallel those of his movie character, Akeem. “ I ve had so many instances when I thought I'd found the ideal woman and it turned out not to be," says Murphy. Ready for fatherhood, he says, “ I want kids real bad. I'm ready to commit to a child, but I’m not ready to commit to a marriage. With a wife,you can’t just •Hey baby, I need a week alone. And I m still at the point where I need a week by myself alot. Also in the November EM: Some practical meth­ ods to use in “ Overcoming Barriers To Great Sex, and advice on getting out of “ Claustrophobic Rela­ tionships" is offered, while several brothers speak out on “What Men Look For In A Woman. Plus, EM examines ’Why Men Fall In Love,” shows how to keep a lid on your spending habits and tells why finding the right fragrance makes good scents. -V I k M ieW t Bowftt Production of, WÆfllKilWS Boofe s Lgoei TlcketMester o r t e n 248 4496 for charge by phone and Ir Group Sales 230-6204 Evenings M 8