Indianapolis Recorder, Indianapolis, Marion County, 16 August 1997 — Page 8

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THE INDIANAPOLIS RECORDER

SATURDAY, AUGUST 16,1997

Who’s Who in Arts and Entertainment* Editor’s notoi * As part ofour ongoing “Who’s Who” series. The Indianapolis Recorder is requesting any nominations readers may have for local African Americans who have made contributions to arts and entertainment in Indianapolis. Please address any recommendations in care of Monyca Coleman.

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Stomp.” “I initially came up with 26 pieces and ultimately got it down to 14,” says Sample. “I wanted music that left listeners as enriched by emotion as when they originally heard the music...that is to say, ’classic’ music. This particular album is very special to me. It is a recording of a lot of my compositions that fit into that category. I’m dedicated to ‘classic’ music. Acclaimed producer/composer/ artist and arranger George Duke joined in that reshaping process. His stamp as a producer, one that can’t be pinned down to one genre and who constantly surprises and entertains • is a perfect match for Sample’s innovative and eclectic approach. “The great thing about working with George is that we have known each other for so many years and are good friends,” he says. “When he was underage, he would come into jazz clubs and hang out with the Crusaders. He has always been familiar with me and my music, and the fact that he was so close to the music made this a unique and rewarding experience.” Texas bom, Joe Sample possesses musical sensibilities firmly rooted in gospel, soul, bebop, blues and Latin. He began playing piano at age five, and by 14 was certain of

his life’s destiny as a professional musician. After graduating from Wheatly High School and spending three years at Texas Southern University in Houston, Sample, along with bassist and saxophonist Wilton Felder, trombonist Wayne Henderson and drummer Stix Hooper, headed for L.A. to carve out their niche in the musical landscape and a place in jazz history. They called themselves the Jazz Crusaders, and later, merely the Crusaders. Sample embarked on a solo career in 1978. And Joe Sample follows in that tradition of creating music that is emotionally rich and stands the test of time. He was inspired by legendary artists and has become one himself. Along with the release of this album, he is touring with a new band aptly called “Legends,” with a lineup that includes David Sanborn and Marcus Miller. The guest guitarist slated for Europe is Eric Clapton. “The group is dedicated to the prospect that the rule-of-thumb should be to create recordings that will endure, that will one day be known as classic,” Sample says. “That concept of music was the thing that inspired me to become a musician in the first place.”

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buffalo wings, a lobster and filet mignon, chain smoked a pack of cigarettes (Whitfield doesn’t smoke), and downed at least five glass of white wine. Whitfield was so distraught from the date, he came home and wrote about the experience. He says it was his therapy. It was around that time he was being downsized from his job so he was able to devote eight hours a day to his project. “A lot of people ask me what made me think I could write a book,” says Whitfield. “Nothing made me think I could write, I just did it.” Whitfield works in the clerical department at Howard University in Washington, D.C. He says he never thought about writing a book or even a magazine article. He has never studied journalism and never planned to. These facts have made him a bit unpopular with other writers. “My advance was higher than E. Lynn Harris’ and Jolui Grisham’s,” Whitfield admits. “They aren’t too happy about that.” Apparently, Grisham and Harris feel a rookie writer shouldn’t get an advance for as much as he did (the figure is rumored to be slightly less than a million). Not that Whitfield is bragging, he knows what he’s worth. Which made him hold out for the best offer. “Simon and Schuster wanted me but we had other offers on the table and we used that to our advantage,” Whitfield says. Money withstanding, Whitfield knew his book would get published. It never crossed his mind that it wouldn’t. It’s that kind of confidence — almost arrogance - that will make it a success. Once he finished the book he gave it to a friend to read. She enjoyed it and gave him the name of a publisher. He knew the publisher didn’t accept unsolicited manuscripts but he still sent one anyway. “I know marketing is important,” Whitfield says. “S61 sent the book in a bright blue envelope with ‘Ha Ha’ written all over it” The publisher wrote him back and said she didn’t represent unpublished authors. Not willing lo take no for an answer, he decided lo write ten mote chaptea and sent die book beck to

Soon after, she changed her policy, and as the saying goes the rest is history. Whitfield is now on a cross country book tour to promote his book. There is talk of turning the book into a movie and he even is talking with Nike about an endorsement contract. “Shawn (the main character in the book) is really into sports, Michael Jordan and SportsCenter on ESPN so we’re working out a deal with Nike for me to wear their clothes during my booksignings,” Whitfield says. This will be the first time in history an author has signed a clothing endorsement deal with a shoe company. Meanwhile, Whitfield has already started the outline for his next book about an overweight man and his trials and tribulations with love and life. “I want to do topics that are different,” Whitfield says. “There are a lot of sub-issues in relationships that I want to explore.” So you think you can write? Here are a few tips from Van Whitfield on how to get your book published. 1) . Be Diligent Stay focused on the task at hand which is completing your book. Write everyday. 2) . Share your work. Share what you’ve written with people you trust and whose opinions you respect. 3) . Accept criticism. Be open to criticism, constructive or otherwise. You never know, the other person just might say something that can help you. 4) . Get a good book agent and attorney. Self-explanatory. 5) . Be Creative. Agents and publishers have seen almost everything. Be creative in how you approach them. It may make the difference on whether or not you are published. 6) . Treat your work like a book, never a manuscript If you think of your work in progress as a book lather than a manuscript it shows the confidence you have in your abilities. 7) . Be prepared for rejection. Not everyone is going to love your work. If one publisher or agent rejects you, keep searching for that perfect match. * Van also says before showing your work to anyone have it copywritten. Information regarding copywriting can be obtained through the Library of Congress.

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