2
By TUREKA TURK
Mlchlg.n Cltlun
HOLLYWOOn-Alw y con-
trov rsial yet n ver ignored, Spike
Lee has added yet another conten­
tious knot in his belt of word wars
with the media. With the premiere
of "Malcolm X" , Lee has set a chal­
lenge to all newspapers, magazines,
and television stations round the
country to cater to his preference of
interviews by Black journalists.
The request has, of course, etoffan
explosion according to a recent ar­
ticle in The New York Times by Ber­
nard Weinraub.
The Los Angeles Times has
blatantly refused Lee's request, s y
John P. Lindsay, executive editor of
the Calender Section of Tbe Los An­
geles Times, "We don't give writer
approval."
Perhaps the request is results
from the recent story in Esquire
magazine about I Lee, by a white
writer, Barbara Grizzuti Harrison,
that contained a derisive headline
across the magazine's cover that in­
sinuated Lee's hatred of whites.
"I was asked in that interview,
• Spike, do you have any white
friends?' There was no irony in that
question. That headline over the
cover made it sound like I said it.
Mo t people think I said it. It ce­
ments in their minds that Spike Lee
is a racist and hates white people
which is bull," Lee said.
ANOTH for t
request could be Lee' crusade to
employ more- B a.c J� sJac
Warner Brothers, the producers of
"Malcolm X", says they support the
often controversial Lee; and insisted
that he had not set down a rigid rule
thar barred whites from interviewing
him.
"Spike genuinely feels on 'Mal-
..
colm X' th t Black writers interview
him ith gre ter degree of under-
tanding, both spiritually nd Intel­
lectu By," ays Ch rlotte ndel,
vice pre ident of publicity' and
promotion at Warner Brothers.
"'MalcolmX'is omuch part of the
African-American experience.
They come in with a greater depth,
SPIKE L.EE
greater understanding. That's not to
say be gets an easy ride from Blac
writers."
In a heated telephone interview,
Spike supported his challenge to the
me41 . "Spike Lee er d he
only wan1S Blackjoumalists to inter- '
view him •. WJ1At.l'rIl.®jng.J$ �ng
whatever clout I have to get qualified
African-Americans assignments.
The real crime is white publications
don't have Black writers, that's the
crime."
Susan Lyne, editor of Premiere;
agrees with Lee. Despite critical
- - - - - - ---- -------------- -------------- - - - -1
Calendar of Events I
--------- - __ _ _ -0- _ _J
HAD LOT of discus-
ion. There were a lot of people in
th office who were horrified that he
would insist on a Black writer for the
story. I felt differently. Had we had
history of putting lot of Blac
writers on stories bout the movie
industry we'd be in a tronger po i­
tion. But we didn't. It w an inter­
esting challenge he laid down. It
caused some personnel changes.
We've hired Black writer and a
Black editor," Lyne aid.
Despite it controver i I
coverage, Lee' requ t is not new
trend in the movie industry. In fact,
Weinraub rates, it' Hollywood
tradition.
"I'm doina what every other per­
son in Hollywood does: they dictate
'who they want to do interview
with," Lee roars. "Tom Cruise,
Robert Redford, whoever. People
throw their weight. Well, I get many
requests now for interviews, and I
would like African-Americans to in­
terview me."
Among the publications that have
accepted Lee's challenge are Vogue
magazine, Premiere, Interview and
Rolling Stone.
"If newspapers or magazine
can't find a Black writer to write
about 'Malcolm X', then what's the
point? Don't tell me Black writers
don't have more insi t about Mal ..
� n ft . ..i'I.J .,
., Perha_ps�anypfHol�.�: !n:.
fluential Black stars should follow
Lee and join in on the control trend
and start to throw their weight
around in order to demand the
presence of qualified Black jour­
nalists in the media.
Revolutionary Thelonious
Monk: Opening new worlds still
By TUREKA TURK
Mlchlg.n Citizen
Thelonious Monk, a hidden
master of jazz, creating a new style
of improvisation and revolutionizing
the jazz world, would have been 75
years of age Saturday, October 18.
. Coming across Monk, Peter Watrous
of the New York Times stated in his
article, is like discovering a new con­
tinent, populated with a new species
and ideas, shaped by a new geology.
It's hard to imagirie that Monk's
newness, lines criss cross, abrupt
. left-hand explosions coming from
: nowhere, and his time-stopping
- during a time whenjazz was all about
linear movement, was the main
rea on he was called a fraud.
Monk's lack of seriousness when
jazz was turning into the vanguard
mode was part of the eccentricity
ass.ociated with the man named
Thelonious Sphere Monk, Even
today, forty-five years after Monk
began to showcase his improvisa­
tion, the music still surpasses the or­
dinary.
Thelonious, the man, was as un­
predictable as his music, tending to
be completely evasive if speaking to
someone he didn't care for (if be
spoke at all), and dancing to his own
music at the piano. For these
reasons, from 1947 to 1955, Monk
was only known to a few hardcore
be-hoppers, rarely performing and
recording. This obscurity lasted
until 1955, when he recorded
"Thelonious Monic Plays Dulce El­
lington", shooting him into stardom.
He became a concert attraction and a
magnet to younger musicians.
His apartment, now the founda­
tion upon which lincoln Center is
built, was a school of information.
His piano was an information dis­
penser with Monk as the teacher.
i
Monk spent a good deal of time
revealing the correct harmony, one
tbat exists today, to compositions to
avant-garde's second generation of
intellectuals, incl uding Sonny Rol­
lins and Art Taylor. Who better to
mold the upcoming be-boppers than
Monk, who was recognized as a
genius by fellow musicians and a
frequent attendant of the be-bop ses­
sions at Minton'S, a Harlem
ni�tclub.
THE SO'S BROUGHT Monk a
series of brilliant album composi­
tions with covers belonging to the
Monk mystique, an iconoclast with a
sense of humor. Time magazine
deemed him the high priest ofbe-bop
in 1964 by putting him on the cover.
Monic's late uceess, Watrous says,
encouraged tbe idea the publicly un­
acceptable art needed only time until
the enlightened public came to its
senses and accepted it. Monk, more
than most artist emerging during the
20th century, was able to take ele­
mentsofprimitiveentertainmentand
create something utterly extraordi­
nary to the times.
He played for the circus, wed­
dings, dancers, church services, al­
most anything the American SOCiety
could give. Monk incorporated
humor and excess, the intelligence of
self-awarene , and personal expres­
sion into his rainbow of emotions
within his music.
Tunes like "RoundMidnight", his
best known composition, affinn the
vulnerability and tenderness of a cul­
ture that didn't open up until Miles
Davis arrived, orne ten years later.
Tunes like "Straight, No Chaser"
and "Blue Monk" affirm the
durability of the Monk creations, not
meant to compete with tandards or
bear lyrics. They were meant to be
what they were, composed pieces,
.though he often borrowed basic
melodies from tunes he liked. These
characteristics add to the deceptive-
ness of the Monk mystique. .
Though often believed to be
simply constructed, with a melody
and improvisational harmony, they
are monsters to interpret. The tem­
pos are always difficult, sometimes
faster or slower than one would sup­
pose. Yet, without them, they
wouldn't be Monk pieces. Monk
was also a rhythm master, utilizing
his technique of silence and ham­
mered repetitions or melodies whose
accents get displaced. What allowed
Monk to be the brilliant genius he
was?
It was the precision, self-aware­
ness, sense of craft, and that
meticulous control of the things he
needed for the Monk affect. Genius,
Watrous says, is a matter of consen- .
sus. Monk's attention to the
specifics pf music making has made
that consensus a part of the Monk
legend. End the mystery and enjoy
the music.
I THU DAY, I
I . OV.12 .
�------------------� �THERESURRECnONOFLADY
� RAI BOW TALeS - An clectlc LESTER - The story of the rl and
coli ctlon of popul r children's f I of th man lied 'Pr Z·. A ory
tori from round th world. All told In a erl � hback. S In
proce d b n the Martin Molson a ecJy hotel , om overlooking the
Schol rshlp Fund, which Is awarded famous nightclub Blrdland on the
nnually to an out t ndlng evening of Lester Young's de th,
und rgr du t th tre major. Call Lady Le er take us back In the time
(313/577-2972) for perform nc Into the mind of a dying man s he
time nd additional Information. reflects on his life and the musical
� THE NINTH GUEST - A 1932 world he helped to create. The U of
whodunit by Owen Davl. A M Dept of Theatre and Dram (911
luxurious art deco penthouse N. University, Ann Arbor, MI) will
r place the usual creepy old d liver this powerful, moving
m nslon where gu s. are brought theatrical tribute to tenor saxophon st
together by an Invitation to cocktails Le er Young - one of the giants of
nd d nner that become a summons Jazz. Nov, 12-14 at Spm and Nov. 15
to murd r. Runs thru Nov. 14. at 2pm. Ticket: $14 and $10.
Performance ar Fridays and (3131764-0450). I TUESDAY,
S turd ys t 8:30pm. Sunday
m tlnees at 4:30pm. Nov. 8 A FRIDAY, NOV. I NOV 17
dlnn r"heater package Is available. •
Henry Ford Museum (313/271-1620 13 � ONLY THE STRONG - A
ext. 382 for Information and . Gospel mu cal th r piece bout
r s Nations). � FASHION SHOW/DINNER- 'A God, family, gang, friends, n ml
Taste of Quiet Elegance" 7-11 pm at and the devil. This timely, hard
the Silverdome Event Banquet HaJJ, hitting, heart wrenching pi ywlll keep
1200 Featherstone In Ponttac, MI. you captivated. Bring your
Black Tie Affair - $25 advance & $30 handkerchief, bec use you might cry
door. For ticket Information & and you will surely laugh. Bennie S.
souvenir booklet. ads call: Rodgers d but production features
(313/527-2523). Experience a night Daryl Coley, Vann s Bell
of true elegance In aline of exquisite Armstrong, J e Campbell, Marvt
men and women fashions by local Wright and Curb Gardner. Nov.
deSigners. 17-22 at the Music Hall, 350 Madison
� NOTHING SACRED - Is a free ,Ave In Detroit. Tickets: $14.50,
adaptation of the 1862 Russi novel $17.50 and $19.50.
MONDAY,
NOV. 9
� SLIDE PROGRAM - I nca ruins
of the High Andes - On horseback,
M rgaret Kamlnskl* braves the
.Frozen Inca Pass, photographs
22,000' Mt. Salcantay and rides the
Machu Plcchu choo-choo. 2pm.
Fr nklln LIbrary, 13651 E McNichol
(287-6561).
�SEASAME STREET - premiere
on PBS· with Rosita a turquoise,
gOOd-natured Intelligent puppet who
like to speak ,both- kl, her..,natlve
tongue, Sp nl h In . ..Engllah.
Rosita Is performed by Carmem
Ost)ahr: Jallnatl of'Mijxlco whO
[olned Sssssme Str86t two years
ago. Rosita will figure prominently
this season as race relations
curriculum focuses on Latino culture.
(*check local listings)
TUESDAY,
NOV. 10
� 85TH ANNIVERSARY
Marygrove College will celebrate Its
65th anniversary In service '0 the
Detroit community from 4-8pm at
8425 W McNichols Rd. Events
Include a 4pm Interfaith prayer
service held In the Sacred Heart
Chapel - 51.8pm community
reception at Madame Cadillac Hall.
The evening will be a showcase
Marygrove College along with a brief
program and entertainment.
(862-8000 ext. 578).
WEDNESDAY,
NOV. 11
� ANNIVERSARY PARTY - .
Horizons In Poetry celebrates ten
years of readings, publication and
fellowship with a reading and dance
party at Alvin's 5756 C888 Ave. A
short open reading will preceed.
Charles Gervln, the featured reader I
so attending poets are encouraged to
bring a sample of their work.
Admission Is $3. Rick at 542-7471.
� FENCES - A lice of African
American life In the 50's raises Black
familY struggles to epic proportiOns.
August Wilson's Pulltlzer Prize
winning drama will be presented at
The Attic Theatre's New Center
Stage from Nov. 11 thru Dec. 13.
(Attic, 7339 Third 875-8285). .
R
co
D.
HOME OF
"FAMOU COACHMA�
NEW. OLD STYLE MU IC'
R CORD.· TAP •• CD .. • 45'.
LI ten to WOET Radio 101.9 FM
Each Sunday 2am - 7am
Call In 5n-1019
bout the t nslon young
rebel nd their p r nt In
pr -Revolutionary Rus I . Open at
the Hllberry Th atre (WSU campu )
Nov. 13 at 8pm and run thru F b. 8,
, 993. For tickets (313/5n -2972).
SUNDAY,
OV.15
� ART AUCTION - The Michigan
State Organlz Ion of Z a Phi B
Sorority I I nco Is ho tlng n
African-American Art Auction. Th
event will b held the Sigm Plaz
1721 E McNichols. Watter Morg I
Upstairs Gallery nd Studio will
provld the art work. VI Ing Tlme:
4-5pm, Auction: 5pm. Ticket
donation: 15. (3131893-8321).
NEW YORK - Poets & Writers�
Inc., the only national nonprofit
literary organization that offers
grassroots support am .infonnation
for fiction writers and poets, will
expand its Readings/Workshops
Program to nine Midwestern states
including Michigan beginning in
·1993.
Grant applications for organiza­
tions in those states will be accepted
starting November 1, 1992. Tbe ex­
pansion is fuOOed through a three­
year, $1 million grant from the lila
. Wallace-Readers Digest Fum.
The ReadingW\Vorkshops Pro­
gram matc� fee money for poets,
fiction writers, mlliterary perfor­
mance artists who give readings and
writing WOrkshops sponsored by a
variety of organizanors.
The ReadingsIWorkshops Pro­
gram hes aided libraries, Y's, com­
munity centers,' museums, small
presses, 'universities, multicultural
centers, correctional facilities,
,
·1
religlous organizations, senior
centers, and bookstores in bringing
contemporary writers to an extraor­
dinarily diverse audience.
The program has also helped
many writers survive financially
while expaming their public ap­
pearances.
Among the writers who have
been helped by Poets & Writers
early in their careers are Erica Jong,
Terry McMillan, nd Tama
Janowitz. Its strong suppor1el'S in
the literary community include John
Irving, E. L Doctorow, William
Styron, Joyce Carol Oates, and
Amy Clampitt,
Writers and organizatiom wish­
ing to apply for grants from the
Readings/Workshop Program
soould write for further informa­
tion:
Attn: Programs Department,
Poets & WriteJS, 72 Spring Street,
New York, NY 10012
THE RESURRECTION
OF LROY LESTER
De Ute an
f Jazz at
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