Indianapolis Recorder, Indianapolis, Marion County, 3 October 2003 — Page 19

Comics • Super Crossword • People & Trends

ArtscjEntertainment

C SECTION FRIDAY, OCTOBER 3, 2003

BOOKMARK Fascinating look at conspiracy theories

rt.-.t if ; : c.i* '<■

, ! V * * -'H-. %' » . I • ^ • I« • • (•• I • * • I • * • I • • • • • • • I • • • I, njjirltei THE ASSASSINATIONS

• A • M ' I • • I • • • I • A ' I • A • I • A • I • A • l • I • « • I • i • I « • • I t ^ • I t i. i I i I • I i i • I i •

Ea 11.1* '• I' E irl 0 II 1 l .» Pc^il

By KAM WILLIAMS For The Recorder (The Assassinations: Probe Magazine on JFK, MLK RFKand Malcolm X by James DiEugenio and Lisa Pease, Introduction by j Judge Joe Brown, Feral House Publishing, 678 pp.. Ulus.) “I was the judge who heard and studied the evidence in the matter of James Earl Ray vs. the State of Tennessee relative to the question of whether or not his alleged rifle was, in fact, the weapon that murdered Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. My conclusion was and remains that it was not the murder weapon. In reaching my conclusion, and in the intervening years since doing so, I have personally observed, heard and reviewed evidence that revealed an egregious abuse and misuse of power and authority by individuals and institutions that had entrenched themselves in unassailable positions and considered themselves to be above and beyond the control of law. Dr. King was to be defeated by any means necessary, inside or outside the law.” — Memphis Criminal Court Jurist-turned-TV Judge Joe Brown ***** I suppose that those of us who cameofage in the turbulent 1960s are fated to be forever fascinated by conspiracy theories implicating J. Edgar Hoover and other government agents in the assassination of our childhood heroes. For as naive participants in the anti-war and civil rights movements, I don’t think that we ever really understood the degree of complicity of the FBI and CIA, since, at that time, we never fully comprehended that the United States was quite capable of taking such despicable measures against its own citizens. Only after the declassification of top secret documents by the Freedom of Information Act did we realize that, yes, those we paid our taxes to protect us had been very busy framing, neutralizing, ami systematically eliminating any agitators considered a threat to the country’s status quo. In The Assassination, James DiEugenio and Lisa Pease, shed light on the politicallv-motivated murders of JFK, RFK, MLK and Malcolm X and theensuing coverups which helped define that clan-destineeraofstate-sponsorod terror and official disinformation. Fortunately, the passing of the Freedom of Information Act led to the mass declassifying of secret FBI and CIA files. The availability of assassination information enabled the authors to do some extensive research on the subject and to print a series of rather damning articles as editors of Probe Magazine, a now-defunct journal dedicated to full disclosure. Now, the pair have culled ' through the best of those previJ ously published pieces and eombined them with other recently unearthed evidence to produce J an informative text for history buft's willing toeontemplate what •u really transpired back then. U I found the chapters on ? ► St« CONSPIRACY, Paq«C4

Saxophonist Kenny Garrett says it's essential to be respectful of jazz roots

By SHANNON WILLIAMS Recorder Editor The Recorder recently caught up with alto and soprano saxophonist Kenny Garrett, who discussed the influencejazz music has on the urban population, his latest CD, and what Indiana residents can expect when he comes to town next week. In a musical society where many correlate popular instrumentals to the straightahead music that greats like Count Basie and Louis Armstrong created, it seems as if the pure essence of authentic jazz music can easily become a thing of the past. Garrett, who has worked with hip-hop artists such as QTip, Common, and Guru and Jazzmatazz, feels that even while embracing current favored music, it’s essential to be respectful of the roots of jazz. “If everybody goes and does something different, there’s no way to pave the way and show young musicians how the music is supposed to be played," said the fortysomething. "It’s a blessing to have played with

Miles Davis, Freddie Hubbard and all of the legends because I had the opportunity to stand in the bandstand and (experience) how the music is supposed to be played.” Realizing that there will continue to be some jazz musicians who are more willing to experiment and others who won’t. Garrett says that it is definitely something that he’s already done and will do more of in the future. ■Joshua Redman and Roy Hargrove ... they had the opportunity to experience something other than jazz and they’re trying to take it to another place. I’ve done that on all my records, I try to expose people to the music. “(But) in my quest for learning this music. I’m not concerned about if I have to do it or not. Eventually, I’m going to do it anyway because that’s the way 1 hear music.’’ Whether art individual plays only straight-ahead jazz or ventures into the hip-hop realm, Garrett shares a life lesson he learned from Miles Davis. “You have to be honest with yourself about what it is you’re trying to do w ith your music, because people w ill know if you’re

not." Addressing the lack of support that many Blacks have for jazz music, the Detroit native blames it on a lack of exposure. “You have to expose the younger African-American kids to the music, and they’re not getting exposed to it," he said with conviction. “If they heard jazz, as much as they hear hip-hop. then I think we would have a chance w ith the music. If no one is (exposing them), then it’s a losing battle." With Garrett’s latest CD, “Standard of Language," the Grammy winner wanted to recreate his live performances. “On this album, we stretched to capture the energy we have live on stage. The best time to record is right after you've been on the road. When you tour a lot, the band gels and you start to understand how another player w ill react to w hat you do.” The CD, which is full ofenergy, has nine songs, one being a ballad. When asked if he had a favorite on the album, Garrett says one particular song stands out, not because it's a favorite in the traditional sense, but more because of the circumstance. ■”NativeTongue‘isasong(that) came out exactly the w ay 1 heard it in my head. Anytimeyou’re able to convey w hat's in your head, or get that on CD, (it) becomes a favorite to for that reason. “ On Monday, Garrett will be performing at the Jazz Kitchen and invites all to attend. Although he was vague about exactly what the audience should expect, he did ensure aqualitv performance. “They’re going to hear some good music and have some fun. I know when we come (to Indianapolis), people come out to hear the music we play and enjoy themselves. We don't have to hold back." Performance times The Kenny Garrett Quartet will perform at the Jazz Kitchen, 5377 N. College Ave., Oct. 6 at 8:30 and 10:30 p.m. For ticket prices, call 253-4900.

An inside look at Boris Kodjoe

By ERICKA P. THOMPSON Staff Writer Many know Boris Kodjoe as Damon Carter, the very handsome fiance of Terri Joseph on Showtime’s original series "Soul Food." He's actually Terri's former fiance because at the end of last season they broke up. Born in Vienna, Austria, Kodjoe was raised in Erie,burg. Germany, by his parents l Irsula, a psychologist from Germany, and Eric, a physician from Ghana, West Africa. He had dreams of becoming a professional tennis player, but chronic back problems forced him to consider other options. So God blessed him. which in turn blessed his fans and we soon saw Kodjoe in ads for Ralph Lauren, Versace and Gap. I le tlien w as seen in movies such as “Love & Basketball" and “Brown Sugar," and television shows such as “Boston Public." Read on as The Recorder talked with Kodjoe about his visit to Indianapolis, win he fell in love in real life with his "Soul Food "on screen love Nicole Ari Parker and the tired rumor that he is dating tennis star Serena

Boris and Amp Boris Kodjoe will be on hand Saturday at Amp Harris' World Mardigras party, fourth floor of Circle Centre mall. Harris' party will also take place on Friday. Tickets can be purchased at all Ticketmaster outlets, Players Modern Clothing and Harold Renner located inside Lafayette Square Mall. Williams. Have you ever been to Indianapolis before? I've been there twice but only for a day or for a layover. I haven't really seen the city. So what do you expect when you come to town for the Circle City Classic? I’ve heard only great things about Indianapolis, so I'm really looking forward to coming. It’s going to be an exciting experience. And you’re going to be the grand marshal in the parade? That's what I heard. I don't really know w hat kind of responsibility that is or w hat I w ill have to do, but l guess I'll just w ing it. (Laughs) ► See BORIS, Page C4

Luther Vandross makes steady recovery By KIMBERLY C. ROBERTS times been able to sing along. Special to the NNPA However, while there is progress. From The Philadelphia Tribune Najariandid not want to'give the impression that miracles are takP11 II.ADF.I.PI IIA (NNPA) ing place and he's going to be up — Withthevideoandahitsong, and singing right away." "Dance with Mv Father,"climb: She says that like many stroke ing the charts, there is more victims, he has good and bad days, good news for Luther Vandross. In other developments, the Reports are that the singer, nominees for the .'fist annual who suffered a stroke last April, American Music Awards were is making some improvement, recently announced, and but “it’s still an extremely long Vandross, w hose latest album, road of recovery," bis spokes- “Dance w ith My Father, was rewoman said. leased last June, has been nomil.ois Najarian said that nutcdlortwoawardsinthceatVandross, who is currently be- egories ol Soul/Rlnthm \ Blues ing cared for at an undisclosed - Favorite Male Artist and Favorrehabilitation facility, has been ile Album, talking and showing signs of The awards will be presented increased movement on his during a three hour telecast on right side. She said that there ARC on Sunday, Nov. lb, from S have been “exciting develop- If p.m. incuts" in bis progress and "cv- Vandross’ fans can also antici crydav there's something new." pate the Oct. release of I ive at Reports say that Vandross RadioCity Music I lull'-'OO.'l."the hasevenheardsomeolbissongs first-ever live recording of the on the radio and has some- singer’s career.

IN THE ART SCENE

The libada Worship Dancers recently perforrhed during the Crispus Attucks Middle School's Family Tree African Dance and Diaspora.