Issue #7

To join The A-List,

email us TODAY

For your free subscription:

TheA-ListMag2@gmail.com

OVERSEEN & OVERHEARD

THE NEXT FRONTIER...The Internet is fast becoming the place for filmmakers--seasoned and new--to present their latest projects. Now, following in Michael Moore's mouse clicks, director Wayne Wang (Last Holiday, Made in Manhattan, The Joy Luck Club) has premiered his new movie for free on YouTube. The Princess of Nebraska, the story of a pregnant Chinese girl in the U.S., can be seen at www.youtube.com/watch?v=rKgbIz6CM_E. You may recall Moore caused a stir when he released is latest doc, Slacker Uprising, for free on the Web. Smart move for Wang: This helps in creating greater avenues for diverse voices and a window into the fascinating elements of young, Chinese-American culture.

TIME'S UP?...Is "60 Minutes" behind the times? The long-running news magazine has seemingly not kept up with the growing TV viewing demo; the average TV viewer today is of color. Since the departure of creator Don Hewitt and the death of Ed Bradley, the program has failed to include even one journalist of color but has managed to even add scandal-ridden Lara Logan, a blond British journalist, to the mix. That, in addition to the occasional appearances of Mr. Everywhere, Anderson Cooper, who in our opinion already has enough of the TV pie with CNN's "360" and his guest host spots on "Live With Regis & Kelly," "60 Minutes" have no room at the inn for a reporter of color. Will someone please inform "60 Minutes" that diversity equals profitability?

HABLO ESPANOL ...Oprah has finally gone bilingual. "The Oprah Winfrey Show" is now available in Spanish in the country's six largest Hispanic TV markets: Chicago, Los Angeles, New York, Miami, Houston and Dallas. More cities are expected to be added this season. We're actually surprised the "Queen" of media hadn't done this before, considering the number of Latino TV viewers. So, file this in the category "Better Late Than Never."

ON DECK...After being on simmer for a minute, director F. Gary Gray (A Man Apart, The Italian Job, Set it Off), has turned up the heat. He's currently in production on Marvin: The Life Story of Marvin Gaye and just signed on to helm Armored starring Eric Bana. According to the Hollywood Reporter, he has also just taken over for Frank Darabont as director of legal thriller Law Abiding Citizen. The film will star Jamie Foxx as a man who seeks vigilante justice against a district attorney (Gerard Butler), whose plea deal set free the killer of his family. Word is Darabont, who co-wrote the script, left over creative differences with producers. All good, but let's see if Gray can really kick it up a notch by extending his eye and attention to the new media side of each of the films' experience as well. Game on!

CNN ON THE D.L....We're not sure that a news network can do comedy, but CNN thinks so. The network has announced a weekend comedy show with D.L. Hughley. Titled "D.L. Hughley Breaks the News," the show will air live Saturday nights and replay 24 hours later. Jon Stewart and "Chocolate News's" David Alan Grier don't have to worry however. Hughley describes the program as a news-oriented talk show, more like David Letterman and Jay Leno. With the beautiful political comedy synergy of "Saturday Night Live," which is raking in the ratings, CNN may be onto something here. But we question the "safe" choice of Hughley. What about going with a more biting comedian.

PURR..FECT PICK?...Here we go again. Beyonce is playing yet another singer. Having just portrayed Etta James (who the singer herself reportedly wanted singer Faith in the role) in the upcoming film Cadillac Records, insiders tell us Mrs. Carter will next play Eartha Kitt in a bio pic. This we have to see. Physically, Beyonce is nothing like the Cat Woman, and she'll have to get a handle on Kitt's distinctive purr and voice.

FIERCE TWOSOME...We're wondering how Tyra Banks is taking the news that two of her "America's next Top Model" (ANTM) cohorts, J. Alexander (aka Miss J) and Jay Manuel (who recently sued ANTM for unpaid commissions, and settled), are getting their own show on the CW. We hear the network has ordered a pilot of "Operation Fabulous" in which the pair travel cross country giving makeovers. One thing we do know, with these two Js together, we're sure the show will have over-the-top attitude.

THE SISTERS SIMMONS...Speaking of fierce twosomes, Rev. Run's (Run-DMC) daughters, Simmons girls--Angela and Vanessa--are at every party these days. The Sisters have even recently secured a spin-off deal from "Run's House" called "Daddy's Girls." The MTV reality series will follow the sisters as they adjust to life in Los Angeles. Question is, do viewers care?

NO LONGER A CONTENDER...Producers behind Jamie Foxx's upcoming The Soloist, costarring Robert Downey Jr., are said to be upset that Paramount Pictures has taken the film, which has gotten early raves, out of Academy Award contention by moving its release date from Nov. 21 to March 13. The studio told Variety the move was to attract greater moviegoers. But if the film were to obtain an Oscar nod, the studio could possibly gain even more ticket buyers. According to Money magazine a nomination "could garner nearly $11 million in ticket sales for a film between the day the nominations are announced and the Oscar. Time will tell if Paramount made the right choice; hopefully it's a "win."

A DAY AT THE BEACH...Singer Ne-Yo is heading to Hollywood, according to his camp. He will star in and executive produce the Fox Atomic film Venice Beach. He'll also produce the soundtrack. The film, which may be directed by music video director-turned filmmaker Paul Hunter (Bulletproof Monk), follows an 18-year-old Manhattan Beach woman who represses her own singing talent until she meets a gifted musician-singer (Ne-Yo) from Venice Beach. So far, this storyline's not blowing us away...but we are curious; will Ne-Yo act sans his trademark hat?

WHITE HOUSE TO GO Hi-TECH?...A "Chief Technology Officer"? Now, that's what we call a forward-thinking presidential candidate. Earlier this week Barack Obama has called for the creation of a "chief technology officer," who would make sure the federal government imports the best technology tools from the private sector, according to William Kennard (Clinton's former chairman of the Federal Communications Commission), a technology adviser to the Obama campaign. This would be the first for a presidential cabinet. The tech czar would also be charged with reaching out to the public for their own new media ideas. The A-List has been at the forefront of ideas, has addressed the disparities in new media ownership and suggested strategy for the last several years, so look no further.

HIP HOP HOLLYWOOD

WILLIAMS MIA...When viewers tuned into earlier this week to the BET Hip Hop Awards, they immediately noticed host Katt Williams was MIA. Word has it that Williams called in as a no-show at 4 am the day of the taping. BET execs quickly secured artist-of-the moment T. Pain to fill in. According to an official statement from BET, Williams lost a breakdancing contest to T. Pain, thus losing his hosting spot. This strikes us as a bit odd. Underground buzz is saying that there was an arrest. We'll be diggin' further into this and keep you updated!

WEST SIDE!...Lovers of West Coast Hip Hop may want to check out the just-released DVD Once Upon A Time In Compton by Lonzo Williams, the founder of the World Class Wreckin' Crew. Williams held court recently with Lil' E, son of original gangsta' rapper Eazy E at a recent Hollywood screening for the VH-1 Roc Doc: NWA The World's Most Dangerous Group. The DVD documents the early history and origins of the Los Angeles rap scene.

MUSIC BREAK
INTRODUCING BOLISTIK...

In an industry saturated with brainless lyrics, sex and violence, its always refreshing to hear music that moves the masses in a different more upbeat direction.

Such is the current project from Goodworx Music, a hodgepodge of various Reggae, R&B, and soul artist coming together for a project called "Bolistik." Bolisitik is the brainchild of Jetsun Bradford-Ebey, the CEO of Goodworx Music. It is also the first project from the newly formed label in which the project will be released. Bolisitik was mostly recorded in the studios built by Jetsun on family property just north of San Francisco. Jutsun explains that the label and project came Into being out of the creation of a production facility and realizing a record label needed to be created to create a space for various projects to come through and flourish.

"We want to build a musical community on a global scale that infuses various cultural and rhythmic values and create relationships to support not only ourselves but other artist who are trying to do the same thing," says Jetsun. "In doing so, we're trying to bring a different vibe and frequency based on making a better world."

Joining Jetsun on this project are artist such as Jamaican-born singer Junior Reid (best known as the lead vocalist in Black Uhuru), reggae greats Lutan Fyah, Ras Attitude, and Rankin Scroo; Cuban-born rapper Mano Negra; Morocco native Bouchaib Abdelhadi, and many others. Jetsun is already working on the second album for Bolistik, which will use some of the same artists and new ones as well putting together a live set that will begin to tour later this year. Sounds like a project built on solid ground and grooves and positive change. --Anthony Davis

We Remember...
Rudy "Dolemite" Ray Moore
Rudy Ray Moore, the self-proclaimed "Godfather of Rap" who influenced countless rappers and comedians with his rhyming style, braggadocio and profanity laced routines, has died. He was 81. Moore's raunchy low-budget films--Dolemite, The Human Tornado, Petey Wheatstraw: The Devil's Son-in-Law and Money Hustler in the 1970s became cult classics.

Issue #6

To join The A-List,
email us TODAY for
your free "membership"
thealistmag2@gmail.com

OVERSEEN & OVERHEARD

ALL EYEZ ON PERRY...Even after stinging complaints by four writers on the "The House of Payne" TV show who accuse Tyler Perry of unfair labor practices, The Family That Preys director still attracted star turn out for the grand opening of his massive Atlanta production studio. Those who crossed the picket line (albeit a small one) included: Will Smith, Oprah Winfrey (who broke out in tears when she saw Sidney Poitier), Cicley Tyson, Patti Labelle, among others. Not the progressive set by any stretch of the imagination, but what can you say. Those not celebrating? The four striking writers who, by the way, this same week attracted support from director Spike Lee. Thus, while Perry will more than boost Black film production with the studio, it's not all good unless everyone involved in the success benefits and that means playing by the rules for fair compensation. Let's see how this controversy all plays out.

THE WAR ROOM...And speaking of Spike Lee, has the acclaimed film director begun influencing other filmmakers of note to set the story straight on diverse participation in past wars? Following the release of Lee's African-American war heroes flick, The Miracle at St. Anna legendary filmmaker/producer George Lucas has announced he's bringing Red Tails, the story of the first group of Black airmen to serve as pilot escorts for American bombers in WWII, to the big screen. Could be Lucas was inspired by Lee.

BOLLYWOOD CALLING...The latest Hollywood trend seems to be foreign finance collaborations. Now Steven Spielberg has completed a $1.2-billion deal with Mumbai, India-based Reliance ADA Group to launch his own filmmaking company. If countries such as India are wooing filmmakers like Spielberg and entering the market, could new entrants in this country from other nations without the racism roots that American-based companies have finally give light to more films of color?

MUST SEE TV...Check out David Alan Grier's "Chocolate News," "The Daily Show" urban style, on Comedy Central. Grier can hang with the best of the network tongue-in-cheek hosts such as Jon Stewart and Stephen Colbert.

FADE TO WHITE...If aliens landed today and watched prime time they'd think America was all White judging from the new batch of shows. Aside from Tristan Wilds on the CW teen drama "90210," Lance Reddick and Jasika Nicole on "Fringe" (FOX), Lisa Bonet of ABC's "Life on Mars" (and she's not even one of the main characters) ad Jimmy Smits joining Showtime's three seasons-old "Dexter," there's a dearth of people of color on the tube. The networks shouldn't be surprised as shows start to tank. Face facts: America is now a Brown nation, and when television starts reflecting America's beautiful diversity the viewers will tune in. Otherwise, look for these eyeballs on your nearest computer and mobile phone screen where original, organic entertainment abounds.

ALL OBAMA, ALL THE TIME...Obama is aiming to command the airwaves as the campaign hits the final stretch. By now you've probably heard Obama has purchased a prime-time half-hour block of air time on CBS and NBC for Oct. 29 (the anniversary of Black Tuesday). But did you know the senator from Illinois, has temporarily purchased--until Nov. 4th--a TV channel. If you have the Dish network, you can tune into Channel 73 aka Obama TV, the cable channel owned and operated by the presidential candidate's campaign. Having just laid out some serious campaign cash for the network airtime, we can see where the infomerical channel with its one-time fee for endless commercial would make financial sense. But unless the campaign has some special plans to drive people to the channel, they're just going to get channel surfers occasionally tuning in.

DITTO...Speaking of Obama, if you need any more pro-Barack product, Wilson Ebiye's RockCity Entertainment along with Pearl Jr. and Cecil Holmes' Elbow Grease Productions are releasing a DVD entitled Barack Obama The Power of Change. The 110-minute DVD includes speeches by Obama, Oprah Winfrey, Michelle Obama, Caroline Kennedy, Stevie Wonder, Hill Harper, Tyson Beckford, Cornel West and Tavis Smiley.

A McCain A DAY...Obama isn't the only one dominating the airwaves. His opponent, Sen. John McCain, has been releasing a new TV ad every ad and at least three new Web ads a week, accounting to campaign observers. Between the two camps, TV viewers and Internet users are surely going to get election fatigue--leading to a total tune out.

MAKE ROOM ON THE MANTLE...James Earl Jones is taking home another award. Jones, whose career highlights include critically acclaimed films, Broadway success, lending his voice to the characters of Darth Vader and The Lion King's Mufasa, will be honored with the Screen Actors Guild's most prestigious accolade—the Screen Actors Guild Life Achievement Award for career achievement and humanitarian accomplishment at the "15th Annual Screen Actors Guild Award," which premieres live on TNT and TBS Jan. 25, 2009.

HIP HOP HOLLYWOOD

THE GODFATHER NOIR...It hasn't even been a month since the leaders of a multi-state cocaine trafficking ring known as the Black Mafia Family, infamously well-known on the underground Hip Hop scene, were sentenced in Detroit federal court Friday to 30 years in prison, and already there's a film deal. Beating out several bidders, DuBose Entertainment acquired all media rights to the “Black Mafia Family” story, and is now developing a feature film.

THINKING OF A MASTER PLAN...Rapper/entrepreneur Master P's big TV plans seem to be on hold for the moment. While P's Better Black Television network already has a Web presence (http://www.betterblacktv.com/), financial backing (his own and private investors), and shows in production (including a multicultural soap opera and children's programming), he's missing one major item--a broadcast distribution outlet for his BBTV. His reps tell us exclusively he's in talks with various cable giants, but still no deal. We'll keep you posted on this one for sure.

A-LIST NIGHT OUT

VH-1 RocDoc "NWA: The World's Most Dangerous Group"

The A-List caught the recent "premiere" of the VH-1 RocDoc "NWA: The World's Most Dangerous Group." Held at the Landmark Theatre on the westside of LA, the event was a nice one though sparsely attended. After a bit of mixing during a small reception at a cozy bar/lounge adjacent to the theatre, we all ascended to the reserved theater. (Note to VH-1: Receptions normally include complimentary food and drink, so it's a bit awkward to partake in the cheese, mini-pizza, grape and cookie festival while then having to saunter across the room to purchase wine at a cash bar. Complimentary soft drinks are always nice or at least one drink ticket or skip the recep all together.)

As always, with these RocDocs; they are well-produced and leave the viewer wanting more. Special treat here: Chris Rock narrates the 90-minute piece. New interview footage from Cube and Yella gives the doc a fresh vibe, and one feels that the emotional journey is pretty much complete by the time the credits roll on this thorough documentary. We can't help but wonder though, why these producers rarely tap any female writers/experts/professors for their points of view. The long-suffering wife is the only female face we see, leaving one to actually think there aren't notable and respected female figures in LA who could speak to and were close to this subject matter. Creature Films, the force behind the project, may want to take note going forward.

In addition, there is a the nagging feeling that roles in the music industry are still very much dominated by race and those with the "power" seem to remain in those power positions holding the keys to the gateway for talented young recording artists and entrepreneurs (i.e. Jerry Heller and Bryan Turner). While the Q&A afterwards held promise, we are not certain if Eazy-E's son L'il Eazy E and Yella as "panelists" offered the most compelling insight nor provoking thoughts. Writer Cheo Hodari Coker held his own as moderator of sorts. In the house were: John Singleton, Alonzo Williams (aka Lanzo) from the World Class Wrecking crew and a few other L.A. locals.

All in all, a nice way to kick off this doc and album release of N.W.A and their Family Tree, which features a variety of "18 genre-defining" tracks by N.W.A., Snoop Dogg and others. The only thing missing is a more appropriate name to this series painfully making clear the mainstream establishment just doesn't want to let go of long-silenced reign of rock and resonation of MTV Networks historic barriers to anything non-White. Given that these documentaries cover all kinds of genres (and might we add some of the most popular not covering rock) might we see the term "RocDocs" change anytime soon?

JERMAINE DUPRI BIRTHDAY BASH, NYC

Celebrities hopped out of their Maybacks one after another @ Tejune (one of the many fly nightspots on the LIVE little cobblestone streets on NYC's Little West 12th) for music mogul/film producer Jermaine Dupri's B'D bash. L.A. Reid, Neyo, Busta Rhymes, Lil' Kim, Red Cafe....and the "A-list" goes on!!! The media was all the frenzy as celebs arrived, especially as the "Mr. & Mrs." (Dupri and Janet Jackson) pulled up. Judging from the outside--and the rumors we heard afterward-we're gonna take a wild guess and say it must have been CRAZY on the inside!!! --LeeSa B

QUOTE OF THE WEEK

Acclaimed Winged Creatures director Rowan Woods to Australian paper Live News: "A [film company] executive told me straight: `Even if he [Forest Whitaker] wins the Oscar he's ugly, he's Black and he's unbankable.'"

LIVE FROM MONTEREY JAZZ FESTIVAL, Pt. 3

LIVE FROM MONTEREY JAZZ FESTIVAL, Pt. 3

ROCKING JAZZ WITH JAMIE CULLUM, BRIAN BLADE COMMANDING THE STAGE, CLINT EASTWOOD MAKING AN APPEARANCE & MORE

So, dear reader - just back in the saddle again to give you the latest update.

We last left off with me quickly finishing up some fish and chips at the Fisherman's Wharf and finishing off my Chardonnay to make it to the Festival grounds.

First of all, you gotta love these shuttles.

When they say every 10 minutes, they mean it. And the fellow jazz lovers couldn't be nicer. Everyone wants to know who you are looking forward to seeing, what they did and didn't catch and wishing you well. Very nice vibe!

And it got even nicer as we made our way past the crowds to check out the new sensation Jamie Cullum, who was playing on at the main arena. Buzz was high on this kid and now we know why: young, irreverent and talented. A rock vibe playing jazz like nobody's business but with all the rock stage antics to accompany a good Aerosmith concert. Amazing command and execution for this young, cutie who also doesn't mind having a beer on stage while he is playing. If you are looking for a breath of fresh air in jazz, this kid could well be it. We've decided to make a note to make certain we download his track(s) from the free iTunes download card we got on the way into today's events. Apparently the festival has the hook-up with iTunes to offer cuts from performers featured at during the festival. Nice cross-promo.

As we made our way, still amazed, from the Arena to the Garden stage; we were in for a treat. Brian Blade, another festival darling and the drummer with Joshua Redman, was well in command of a quintet that was kicking butt! Everyone was into this performance. As the strong sun light the stage perfectly, you could almost say the Festival was made for this moment.

But time flies during the last day at Monterey. Next thing we knew it was time to check out Clint Eastwood actually interviewing Jamie Cullum as a nice little treat. So nice that everyone else thought the same and it was way too packed for us to even get in.

Finding a bit of solace in a Cajun turkey sausage and sauerkraut, we parked ourselves for a few moments at the Food Courtyard. But here's something funny. This particular stand boasted radioactive hot sauce, and they were not lying. Just one "test" drop on your finger from the seller sent us scrambling for as much liquid as possible!

Quickly recovering and deciding if we couldn't get to see one Eastwood, we would take another; we hit Kyle Eastwood's (son of Clint) performance which turned out to be a nice funky, jazzy offering. A talented musician who also threw in some jazz/rock fusion, Kyle was doing his thing (and we ain't just saying that because of the celeb connection).

Not quite knowing what to expect from something billed as a Hammond B3 Blowout, we headed over to one of the enclosed venues to ease into what we thought would be a trip back to a '60s vibe with organs. We checked out an artist named Barbara Dennerlein, who to be honest, brought the international vibe we were wondering about just the day before but did not bring the flavor we had hoped for. Though talented, this artist was a bit too classical in style for our tastes and then ended up making the next act, the famous Brian Auger (with his Oblivion Express) looking even hotter. Everyone said that it was undeniably groovy--the Auger of the '70s. He was giving you funky, acid psychedelic without any disappointment at all. The twist? His daughter Savannah who joined him on vocals made it all reminiscent of his work back in the day with Judy Driscoll (for those organ fans from back in the day).

The finale?

Herbie Hancock closed the festival and we have to say, although there was a bit of magic in the air, there was really nothing new here--Which is a shame. Ending the festival with the purchase of a couple of egg rolls (and complimentary ones given, it being the end of the festival), we happily ate and surveyed the crowd begin to move toward the shuttles to travel home to soon start the work week.

Finding it to be just a bit after midnight, we decided to do the same.

All in all, quite an interesting experience. --Lauren Coleman

SPOTTED

Images from the festival by photographer Philippe Certa.

LIVE FROM MONTEREY JAZZ FESTIVAL, PT. 2

LIVE FROM MONTEREY JAZZ FESTIVAL, PT. 2: STAR-STUDDED RUMORS, NANCY WILSON, BRUNCHIN' ON THE WHARF

Okay so the rumors were wrong about Clint Eastwood joining Nancy Wilson for Saturday afternoon's panel at the Monterey Jazz Festival. The legend is supposed to actually shoot down from Carmel-by-the-sea for Sunday afternoon.

No problem because the festival was jumping anyway!

A LOT more people came out, as expected, for the full day's events. After a leisurely brunch we hit the grounds where we saw a bit more diversity in the age demo and wonderful diversity race-wise. Everyone was eating from the variety of food stands, unfolding chairs brought from home, spreading out blankets, ordering glasses of wine and basically getting their jam on.

Highlights of the day included the famed Maceo Parker performing at the Garden Stage, which was packed! It's so nice to see these legends in such an informal environment, and it's great to see them having just as much fun performing as the crowd is listening and watching!T

he line started forming for a special Tom Scott tribute while the Parker performance was going on. Reaching almost half of the festival fairgrounds, we decided best bests were to select the "Dizzy's Den" venue and watch Maraca, which would turn out to be a fabulous Latin jazz group -- so talented and energetic we could hardly believe it. Very much worth the wait - and let the A-List tell you, there was one.

Scooping up some kettle corn to pass the time, we made a bee line for a pretty decent place in line and ended up making it in!

About 45 minutes later, we left to hit the far end of the Festival to check out the lounge all the while checking out the shops, huge Sharp mobile presentation truck and more, along the way!

Oh, we did end up finding the Internet cafe but with about 10 computers all eternally booked, we knew we would be sending in this report from our own laptop later.

The lounge was a nice little break from the regular scene of the festival. Seemed someone finally realized that a bit more hip, young vibe needs to be injected into the Festival in order to keep its relevance. While a noble effort, there still seems a bit more road to travel.

The lighting in this tented venue was a bit too harsh to be cool, the elderly bartender showing long-wrinkled cleavage not really adding to the ambiance and the DJ hitting an almost not quite jazzanova-style/rare grooves vibe which later gave way to an electro-jazz group, which, if it had been five years ago, would have been terribly progressive. Though spirits raised and some people hitting the dance floor, the lounge is the spot from which next growth of this festival could well-occur if actually booked by those with "feet on the ground", so to speak. Also something that could infuse the festival is the booking of international artists as well. One gets the feeling that this is a bit of an oldies but goodies scenario, not much discovery but certainly expertly delivering that which is standard.

We made our way from the lounge to grab a tea from one of the stands and survey the area as we got ready for our girl Nancy Wilson.

Soon enough, it was time - time for disappointment. Not ever having seen her live but holding her in high regard from not only rocking one on Donna Karan's best dresses on a cover back in the 80's as much as her vocal talent, we were excited to say the least. Time to brave the cold night air of this seaside down and listen to a jazz great in open air. And listen we did: to so much dialogue in between each track that we weren't quite sure whether she was shooting a documentary or not. It was an evening of "overdone" - over talking, over-emotion of facial expressions, over-communication in general - and a real shame.

Wilson commented on everything from her Grammys to the fact that new artists should be paid for showcases (a noble thought by the way which would have been even more noble followed by her announcement of a Wilson fund to help with that rather than mere observation). It seemed to be an evening of homage to Cannonball Adderly and her rendition of "Sleeping Bee" was nice, but we just don't think people had the patience for all the dialogue given the venue, weather, seats and non-traditional aspect of that type of performance.Sad but true.

We finish the night by peeping the Matt Wilson, Bill Frisell duo, hit the shuttle exhausted and head for the hotel room.

Waking up leisurely on Sunday (hey we could get used to this) and knowing that we did not intend to zero into anyone until Jaimie Cullim at 2pm, we took advantage of the time to check out Monterey downtown (not too much happening for a Sunday even though there are a few stores and restaurants. We looked for a used/rare bookstore, which ended up being closed??? on a Sunday) but at the Fisherman's Wharf, we found a bit of life from the sea otters playing around in the marina (pictured) to glass bottom boat rides being offered to all the clam chowder soup in a bread bowl and fish and chips you could eat! Perfect given the fact that as the fog burnt off, the early afternoon there became more and more beautiful as we eat outside and then sipped an espresso.

All left just enough time to hit the Festival for the afternoon's events (particularly gonna check out the Hammond Organ jump off) and Herbie Hancock.

Stay tuned, Y'all......

LIVE FROM MONTEREY JAZZ FESTIVAL

Want to receive email alerts

every time a new issue posts?

If so, let us know at

thealistmag2@gmail.com

LIVE FROM MONTEREY JAZZ FESTIVAL

Jazz Enthusiasts, Seating Woes, Joshua Redman, Cassandra Wilson, Maceo Parker

Well, if you haven't been to the Monterey Jazz Festival, or have been but couldn't make it this year, sit back and enjoy because The A-List will bring you a insider view just as always!

Seems so much is going on! The A-List is always on the move. Barely finishing all our edits after the Democratic National Convention, we filled up the tank and made the 5 mile journed from L.A. to Monterey yesterday morning, the sweltering head subsiding as we climbed further up the coast.

To our surprise, Monterey seems to be a bit of a sleepy seaside town. Rather unassuming - and quiet.

Clearly all the festival goers had not yet made it in by the late afternoon, which surprised us given that the Fairgrounds opened officially that evening starting at 6pm.

We are told this year that the Festival is doing something different in order to cut down a bit on traffic: everyone is asked to part at some college parking spot (for the inconvenient and money-making daily price of $10) and then hop on a free shuttle to the Fairgrounds themselves. There seems to be confusion at hotels as to whether there are or aren't shuttles from key hotels, as well as any other options. This could be better organized for the future.

But what may be lacking in organization here, is more than made up for once we arrive at the Fairgrounds, which by the way is about a five minute ride on the shuttle bus (packed, I might say with a variety of jazz enthusiasts but certainly of the more mature demo. We'll see if it's the same thing once the first full day of the festival hits on Saturday, otherwise, this could be a bit tame. A quick note: though they may be past 40, this set seems rather well-informed and well cultured as we overhear conversations analyzing marital relationships after certain ages to work at the museum. Oh, and if you ever wondered where all those couples were of Black women with white men, both over 40-45, someone this is that target demo's haven. Interesting!)

Anyway, the event staff handling press couldn't be more welcoming nor accommodating. Folders are ready to roll, credentials rolled out. The only thing this wonderful 51 year old festival has not seemed to perfect is a filing room and press lounge - so we're on our own to use our laptop to report back. These won't be multiple updates because the Festival also has the annoying rule of no re-entry (I kid you not).

Well, we'll make the best of it.

The people at the gate, security, etc again provide that welcome that only small town living can cultivate. We throw our credentials around our neck and we are off to survey the grounds, synchronize for performances and more. The funny thing is, as sophisticated as one might envision a jazz festival to be; this one really has the vibe of a good ol' county fair that just happened to focus on jazz. The vibe is very laid back although one can find champagne bars that might not otherwise grace a county fair. The food is plentiful with all kinds of vendors who have been brought in to sell everything from French crepes to soul food. We opt for the latter even though the line is huge.

No matter - gives us chance to people watch and look at all the other stands along the sides where jewelry, scarves and more are being sold. Heck, Best Buy even has a temporary store here and it's no joke. We hear rumor there is an Internet cafe on site as well. We plan to scope that out tomorrow.

After finally getting dinner we settle down at one of the shared tables to eat and listen to a woman playing a digital piano courtesy of Yamaha. And Mom is no joke. It's blue hair all the way, but she can tickle those ivories with those jazz oldies and even through in Georgia.

Go!

Soon enough it's time to hit the main arena.

Now, this is all open air mind you and between the sea air and the fact that it begins to drizzle, it is definitely not a good look for the hair. But at least we have dressed in layers so we are warm (told you, this wasn't LA).

The unfortunate thing here is that even though pricing can easily run you into $300 for the festival, the hard folding chairs that they have tied together for seating in this big arena look like someone just brought them out for the barn. Not even any shine to them anymore. Could they be the original ones from year 1 of the Festival. We'd like to imagine they are antiques and be honored to partake in history, but they are just so uncomfortable you can't think of anything else. (now we know why those other more seasoned festival goers have those stadium pillows. Ah -ha) Note to festival, with that Verizon money next year, buy some at least 100 new chairs and replenish over the next two years!

Yikes!!!

Fortunately soon Joshua Redman and his trio take the stage and the discomfort is all but a memory.

This young brother is not only talented but has such charm and interaction with the audience that it's easy to see why he is a festival favorite. The crowd is terribly engaged in his technique, and he has the wonderful ability to take seemingly esoteric or older pieces and reinvent them via his own spirit for 2008. Bravo Joshua.

Once he leaves the stage, we begin chatting with a woman nearby who is a Cassandra Wilson mega-fan. Knows all about her, and it's great prep for when she and her wonderful band take stage. To say that she is a jazz singer, somehow cheapens it a bit as her voice is just so sultry and stage presence so captivating, she really tends to transcend a description which may seem a bit trite. And the band is nothing but amazing some how blending piano, electric guitar, bongos and more to create a delicious infusion of sound that just takes you up, up and away!

Alas though, after three cuts the rain is picking up and we're out.

Now, the great thing about this festival is that it is not too large so that you don't get tired walking.

We high tail it to the other end inside these buildings called "nightclubs" but which are simply easy open seating (unliked the assigned in the main arena) where people just come and go freely. Still the same hard chairs but at least with a bit of sheen. We check out a quartet that is a bit too "experimental" for us but at least gives us time to admire the artwork, design and signage around the festival which is just wonderful. Hats off to the graphic design team.

Whispers pick up that it's time to move to the next "nightclub" to peep Redman who has now made it over to this stage to play yet again. It's almost midnight but these kidz are not even thinking about sleeping as they applaud our man who is playing with full command flipping crazy scale variations and more. Really, just amazing.

Dude gets a standing ovation!

Ah, almost forgot: before the show begins a man starts chatting who it turns out is an attorney from LA and is representing a couple of musicians playing this week. Nice person. Firm also handles LaToya Jackson. He comments on Janet's show at The Staples Center last week and re-confirms her place as an amazing entertainer.

Okay, it's been a long week so visions of that shuttle are dancing in our head!

We make our way into the bus, then into the car, then into the hotel for lights out!!!! What a first day.

Day 2
The great thing about these jazz folks is that nothing jumps off until 1pm today leaving us plenty of time for a fabulous pancake brunch. We start to see the traffic build as 40,000 jazz fans are the norm at the festival!

We definitely plan to hit a panel where the fabulous Nancy Wilson will participate - and, rumor has it - Clint Eastwood since he is just up the road at Carmel.

We'll let you know.

Also, first time peeping legend Maceo Parker at one of the other stages just after.

So much to see, so little time to right.

Check back in a bit.

It's on and on, until the break of dawn. These kidz do not play with performance going straight through 'till midnight again.

Stay tuned/come back for o-the-scene photos!

Issue #5

To join The A-List2,
email us TODAY for
your free "membership"
thealistmag2@gmail.com

OVERSEEN & OVERHEARD
OH THE DRAMA...In an unprecedented move, Oprah has announced that GOP VP candidate Sarah Palin is not invited on the "Oprah Winfrey Show"--at least not until after the election. It seems the Florida Federation of Republican Women is quite upset about this booking decision and have called for a boycott and issued a statement that said in part: "Women in Florida helped build Oprah into the icon she is today...We find it to be an abuse of her power-gained on the backs of our patronage of her advertising empire-to use her program to so blatantly support Obama in the face of this historic moment. So, we are tuning out and canceling our subscriptions to O Magazine and encourage other women to do the same." We'd like to know, is this the opportunity for dialogue regarding personalities who wield unusual sway and public pull via a media outlet to consider personal choices affecting their business?

MOVE OVER KING TUT...Could Will Smith be stepping up to yet another blockbuster? One complete with an African theme? Word has just leaked that Smith has signed on to star in the The Last Pharaoh. He'll play the role of Taharqa, a Nubian Egyptian Pharaoh who battled the Assyrians during his 26-year-reign. It will be curious to see if Smith can turn this Nubian legend into a box office hero.

ALI COMEBACK... Smith's former "Fresh Prince" co-star Tatyana Ali is making moves of her own. Ali is launching a TV comeback--well, sort of. With the death of multicultural prime time TV shows, Ali is hitting the Web. She is co-executive producing a Web-based show called "Buppies." Described as a cross between a "Sex and The City" and "Entourage," judging from the trailer Ali must have employed a few soap opera writers. In the mix: jealousy, cat fights, hot fashion, brothers on the downlow, affairs. In other words: High drama.

NEWS STRAIGHT, NO SPIN...If you're tired of biased news reporting and just want the facts, there's a new website application that claims it can snoop out the "spin." Launched on Sept. 8th, a beta version of SpinSpotter (accessible only through the Firefox browser) spots certain potential indicators of bias in news articles/websites. The application's algorithms work off six key tenets of spin and bias derived from both the guidelines of the Society of Professional Journalists' Code Of Ethics and input from an advisory board composed of journalists. In an age where news pundits are more common than true journalists, it becomes hard to separate opinion for fact and if SpinSpitter actually works, then maybe the reader read a factual story and form their own opinions.

BRINGING HOME THE BACON...Forbes recently compiled the Top 5 Earning Women in Prime Time TV, and Tyra Banks led the pack, pulling in $23 million last year. The dinero came from the two shows she hosts and produces: "The Tyra Banks Show" and "America's Next Top Model," along with a mega deal with Warner Bros, which will involve the 34-year-old ex-model launching "Stylista," yet another reality show. This one is centered around a fashion magazine. Then there's the straight-to-DVD series Banks is developing based on Clique, a popular series of best-selling books for teenagers. Eva Longoria came in fourth place. While the "Desperate Housewives" star doesn't take home a mega check like Banks, the Latina actress still pulled in a whopping $9 million last year, from a combination of the show and her endorsement deals with L'Oreal shampoo and Bebe Sport's athletic wear.

NUMBERS DON'T ADD UP...No surprise here. Nielsen reports Blacks will again be largest ethnic segment of all TV households for 2008-2009. The number of African-American TV homes increased 300,000 to 13,950,000 in one year, an increase of 2.2%, or nearly twice the national growth rate. The number of Hispanic TV homes is estimated to increase 4.3% from 12,140,000 in 2008 to 12,660,000 in 2009. With all this viewing, Blacks should be getting their money's worth--more content geared toward them, increased opportunities in front of and behind the TV set. But if no one complains, it will be more of the same staid, generic TV shows.

LET'S GET BUSY...He's back..well temporarily. Arsenio Hall will host TV One's "THE BLACKLIST: 100 GREATEST POWER MOVES," a five-hour special chronicling cultural movements and personal achievement that have "advanced" the Black race on Nov. 13. Produced for TV One by Dark Matter Entertainment. With executive producers Jason Bolling and P.J. McSwain, "The Blacklist" will --as the promo info says--"encompass Power Moves from a wide cultural and historic perspective, from unwavering civil rights leaders to Nobel Prize-winning literary giants to independent-thinking film directors to a pop star who 'Beat It.'" Sounds like a worthy project, but we'd still like to see Hall back on late night where the time slot is void of any color.

THE MAN FROM OZ...Eamonn Walker is back in a big way. He is co-starring in Cadillac Records as Howlin Wolf, is on the new NBC series "Kings" as the prophet Samuel, and co-stars in the upcoming film The Messenger with Woody Harrelson. Whew. Just listing the upcoming credits made us tired.

QUICK TAKES...F. Gary Gray (Set It Off) will direct an adaptation of the Oni Press graphic novel Julius, a contemporary urban crime adaptation of Shakespeare's "Julius Caesar"...John Leguizamo is starring in a drama called Where God Left His Shoes. the film revolves around an ex-boxer (Leguizamo) and his wife (Leonor Varela) who are forced to move their family to a homeless shelter.

HIP HOP HOLLYWOOD
DO YOU REMEMBER?...Hey Hip Hop Headz? Remember the World Class Wreckin' Crew ("Turn Off The Lights," "Cabbage Patch" and "Dr. Dre to Surgery") out of the West Coast? Well, one of the founders Lonzo Williams, long recognized as the Godfather of West Coast Rap, is now unveiling his storehouse of flyers, photos, and original VHS footage in the Dub-Kris Media DVD release, Once Upon A Time In Compton. Chocked full of historical anecdotes, unforgettable vintage footage and throwback rap classics the DVD is also Lonzo's autobiographical account of himself as a determined young man overcoming the odds to succeed in the music business jungle. Who would have thought that we reached the point where there would actually be "vintage" hip hop footage?

NEW JACK MOVES...Move over Wesley Snipes. Lil Wayne has partnered with Streets Talk DVD to release a limited edition documentary entitled The Nino Brown Story. It's actually about Weezy's tumultuous professional and personal life on the road. But the title comes into play from Wayne's constant lyric references to the 1991 cult classic film New Jack City, The Nino Brown Story includes cameos by Kanye West, Jay-Z, Juelz Santana, Jae Millz, Freekey Zekey and Baby. New Jack City screenwriter Barry Michael Cooper says he's honored he inspired Wayne. "I always felt the film New Jack City would make an impact, because of the timing--during the Reagan/Crack era--and how it the movie addressed an epidemic that was beginning to unravel the country. Lil Wayne...as a child, witnessed crack's destruction first hand, so I am sure in some way this movie has a lot of meaning for him. He comes out of the Crack Generation, and he speaks to those kids who understand his new rap language...it makes the timing of The Nino Brown Story a really great marketing move. Ironically, I am just putting the finishing touches on my novella The Diary Of Nino Brown: The Untold Story Of A Street Legend. And, I heard Warner Bros is trying to make a straight-to-DVD sequel. Well, if they were smart, they may want to holla at Lil Wayne. Because right now, he's Bob Marley of the Crack Generation."

NEWS

FREE MOVIES NOW SHOWING ON IMBD
The Internet Movie Database, a subsidiary of Amazon.com, has just begun showing more than 6,000 feature films and television shows on its site for free.

ONE-ON-ONE
Pop Critic and Journalist Elvis Mitchell Takes on the African American Experience

For journalist Elvis Mitchell, telling great stories is more than a passion, it's his way of life. He has spent years as one of America's premier film critics at leading newspapers like the Fort Worth Telegram and the Detroit Free Press, before landing in the top seat as the chief film critic for the New York Times.

Mitchell has now expanded his creative pursuits into other forms of media that includes radio, where he's the host of the KCRW's pop culture and film interview program "The Treatment," and television where "Elvis Mitchell: Under the Influence" airs on Turner Classic Movies. His latest project, "The Black List," made with director Timothy Greenfield-Sanders features such luminaries as Richard Parsons, Colin Powell, Toni Morrison and even former Guns and Roses front man Slash, discussing race and culture. The A-List .com recently met up with Mitchell to discuss his projects.

Explain your motivations for creating this show?

I'm a film critic, but first and foremost I'm a black audience member, and wanted "The Black List" to be the kind of thing I'd never seen before. I knew what I had seen in documentaries, and often documentaries on African Americans perpetuate the victim mentality, or suggest that black people can't get through the day without a social welfare infrastructure. I felt this film should be an answer to many of those archetypes, starting with the title, which is a way of reclaiming the negative, as much of African American culture has been. It's an unsentimental look at the pleasure African Americans take in their success, and telling their own stories about achieving their goals.

How did you go about the selection process for the subjects involved in the project?

Part of that process involved us trying to get the most eloquent and provocative people, in an attempt to break away from the kinds of expectations people might have about such a film. That's most specifically reflected in the choice of the opening subject -- he was chosen as a shot across the bow, and a way of making clear this was not the usual look at black people that viewers have been conditioned to watch. Given that the guiding philosophy behind the project was to offer a perspective on the African American experience in the 21st century, we tried to touch on as many disciplines and points of view as possible.

What statement do you seek to make by assembling such an interesting mix of personalities?

I always thought of the film in this way; if you walked into a party and saw all of the subjects, what do they have in common? They're African Americans -- to have that kind of diversity strike the viewers squarely between the eyes, and for them to note the things that the subjects have in common and the things that make each of them differ.

After your interviews for The Black List did you discover a core value or belief system that the subjects had in common?
They were all indomitable to me, and sometimes that fire was spoken as clearly as Susan Rice's saying that when she got mad she just worked harder and better. Or, on the other side politically, Colin Powell taking affirmative action dismissals in stride and saying that things had been imbalanced towards whites for years, and still working hard. An Olympian amount of discipline, and self-confidence in what they had to offer, as well as a sense of themselves in terms of the history of their fields of endeavor and what they had to contribute. Despite their talents, none took the effort needed to succeed lightly. And they all have healthy sense of humor about themselves, too.

What do you want audiences to get from this project?

I'd like to see "The Black List" function as a catalyst for further conversation, so that people understand that we ignore race as an issue at our peril. Bill T. Jones talks about fatigue over black rage, and I think there's been a similar kind of exhaustion over the fact that race is still a dividing line. Maybe the film will encourage healthy conversation about this topic, rather than wishing it away. Tell us about your other upcoming projects. With any luck, one of those upcoming projects will be continuing with The Black List and ensuring that it gets seen by as many kids in schools around the country as we can manage. The educational aspect of the project is something that has been a goal of the Freemind Ventures guys -- Mike Sloane, Scott Richman, Chris Mckee, Payne Brown -- from the outset. --Gil Robertson IV

SPECIAL FEATURE

As Spike Lee readies for the release of his latest film, The Miracle at St. Anna, famed screenwriter/producer Barry Michael Cooper refelcts on Lee and the histroical times that inspire him.

WHEN THE LEVEES BROKE, Part 1: Spike Lee's Sonogram Of An American Stillbirth

by Barry Michael Cooper

Both Truman Capote and Saint Teresa of Avila made copious notes on the tearful taxes that come with the cosmic payoff of answered prayers. I don't know if the Rt. Rev. James Dobson and his Pharisees-On-The-Family minion Stuart Shepard are aware of the havoc they might have caused by asking their flock to pray for rain in order to sabotage a certain political convention.Their prayers were answered.

Only thing, that "Abundant rain, torrential rain, urban and small stream flood advisory rain" in Shepard's venomous supplication during his "Spotlight" broadcast, pounded the Gulf Coast instead. Not Denver. The powerful eyewall of rain and wind that fell in New Orleans, Baton Rouge, and Plaquemines Parish, also set its' sights on St. Paul, Minnesota, resulting in Hurricane Gustav's collateral disruption of the Republican National Convention's opening ceremonies.

Gustav has not been as destructive as his older sister Katrina, but the damage has been done, literally and figuratively. Many who were scheduled to speak that first night at the Xcel Energy Center--including President Bush and Vice President Cheney --decided to focus on the relief efforts in the hurricane's aftermath.

Quoting a story reported in the Sunday New York Times by Patrick Healy and Adam Nagourney: "With the storm expected to hit the Gulf Coast recently, Mr. McCain and his team spoke by phone on Sunday morning and, one participant said, quickly decided that there was no choice but to cancel much of the first day of the convention. McCain advisers said the programming for the rest of the four-day convention would be determined on a day-to-day basis, and many questions remained open, such as whether Mr. McCain, of Arizona, and his running mate, Gov. Sarah Palin of Alaska, would appear here to accept their party's nominations, or would appear by video from the Gulf Coast." Wow. Memo to Dobson and Shepard: Wrong prayer. Wrong day. Right (wing) convention...TO READ MORE, CLICK HERE (will link his blog)

(Also check out Cooper's interview with Lee in the September 2008 issue of Interview Magazine)

SPOTTED

Mariah Carey, Oprah, Angela Bassett, Vanessa Williams all wearing handbags designed by Siedah Garrett (http://www.siedah.com/), wh in her other life is a grammy winnig songwriter/musician.