Black History Month Special Edition by 4AMNEWS

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We don't stop — We don't sleep

Table Of Contents

BEHIND BLACK MUSIC FOR OVER

30 YEARS

Jazz Legend Joseph “Joe” Sealy 6 Anthony Griffin Remembered 30 Years later 8 4 MTL Black History Sports Honors 9 Black Panther 10 What’s behind Col.Sanders secret recipe The history of BBQ Black Inventions over 100 years 11 12.Muhammad Ali 12 Robin Petgrave Americas Most giving Black Pilot 14 Brian Smith Monnaie Money Prince 15 Earth Wind and Fire’s Maurice White 16 Tanya Davidson MTL first female Black Club DJ Henry T. Sampson invented the cell phone 17 Rosetta Tharpe Lacking Unity in the Black Community 18 Stanley Grizzle First Black Canadian Train Conductor 19 Bob Marley One Love 20 What’s up with Black health by Sharon Davidson 21 New Edition is part of Black History 22 Dawn Tyler Watson wins Memphis Blues award 23

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Cesoul Records

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Publisher's Note: Another Black History month and more history has been made from Obama leaving office to Muhammad Ali passing, Prince leaving and Viola Davis on our ten dollar bill. Our history is not forgotten moreso should be taught, our history is rich yet diversified and segregated even amongst ourselves. Black history is made everyday and a month is never enough.

Sasha Chaa Recording artist / Model 4indamorning Management / CeSoul Records

sashachaa.com

I hope you enjoy the read this is just a bit of what we could include on 24 pages. I’d like to thank all of our advertisers and corporate Sponsors. We look forward to the next issue and all your feedback is always welcomed. Time to wake up We don’t stop - We don’t sleep Spark

Honoring Canadian Jazz legend Joseph “Joe” Sealy

e are proud to honor Canadian Jazz legend Joseph “Joe” Sealy as our living legend Jazz tribute. Joe Sealy is a real class act, recognized as a true Canadian jazz legend and world class pianist. He’s a truly seasoned musician, born August 16, 1939 and raised in little Burgundy, Montreal.

Joe travels on the road and performs as the musical director and pianist for Colin Hunter. Joe Sealy also was brought in for Colin Hunter’s “Mostly About You” album production to play as the pianist, produce and arrange the acclaimed debut album.

“Joe’s Jazz” on Jazz FM91 now in its’ 10th season. Visit Joesealy.com

Joe learnt music at a young age by Daisy Peterson Sweeney and Bob Langois, however moving to Toronto he was trained by Darwyn Aitkin . As a Juno award winning artist for his Jazz CD Africville Suite Joe has an increadible resume that spans well over 30 years of accomplishments. As a pianist, he has toured with “Blood Sweat and Tears” and performed with such artists as Joe Williams, Milt Jackson, Veronica Tennant, and Timothy Findlay and the late great Sammy Davis Jr.

Colin Hunter Jazz Music colinhunter.ca 6

Awards: •

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Order Of Canada (2010)

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Muriel Sherin Award (2000) for • International Achievement in Music.

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Juno Award (1997) for Africville Suite Album.   SOCAN Award (1997) for Original Jazz Composition.

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Jazz Report Award (1997) for Composer of the Year.   Canadian Black Achievement Award (1995) for Entertainment.   Dora Mavor Moore Award (1983) for Music Direction in Toronto production of Ain’t  Misbehavin’.

Q&A What’s the future for you with Colin Hunter? As music director and mentor to Colin, I can envision us getting bookings in Europe as well as in the USA. What do you think Joe Sealy brings to jazz music? I believe that my diverse musical background gives me a very individual approach to my music. What position do you play the best as you do it all from performer, writer, musical director, producer, arranger and artist? I believe that my strong suits are composition and music direction.

CD’s available for sale on colinhunter.ca 7

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Anthony Griffin

30 year later… Has anything changed?

Anthony’s last day and breath was on November 11, 1987. When we look at the incident of the Police with Fritz Cesar of July 2016 it feels like nothing has changed or really gotten better with Police violence and Blacks in Montreal. For 4AM NEWS story about this incident see issue August 2016). This was the most recent Mtl racial profiling case and story that could have easily resulted in death of innocent Blacks. Communication and respect for our community is at an all time low today in Montreal, and especially in the United States. We are remembering Anthony Griffin 30 years later because he paid the ultimate price with his life. One bad cop fueled by ignorance and hate, thought he had the right to play judge, jury, executioner and God, at a time he was not even threatened.

initial report said Anthony was wanted in connection with a prior breaking and entry. He was then taken into custody by the officers and during his arrest he tried to flee the Police.

which subsequently caused a massive outrage in the city’s Black community. Surely something had gone wrong a kid handcuffed shot and now dead in the polices custody, does this sound like a familiar story today? Then shot with hands behind his back handcuffed. Following the unwarranted shooting Constable Gosset was suspended without pay but it would take 10 days of protests and outrage before he was charged, and by that time 2,000 Black communi-

Upon their pursuit Police officers yelled at him to stop, then they shot a round into the air which made Anthony stop. It was when he turned around with no weapon and hands behind his back, handcuffed he was gunned down by Constable Allan Gossett,

Anthony made some mistakes in his young life but it wasn’t something he couldn’t have worked out and improved upon. On Nov 11 1987 he apparently had an issue with a taxi; refused to pay his fare and the police were called. When the Police arrived they checked out Anthony’s name. The Police officers

ty protesters, including many whites, had marched on the Palais de Justice. The public become more outraged after the disclosure that this 16-year police veteran, had been accused of a previous racial assault, involving a Ghanaian professor who said he was beaten by the officer in 1981. The Police paid an out-of-court settlement of only $1,500. Gossett was later dismissed in Anthony’s case for negligence in July 1988 and then acquitted his appeal in 1993. Gossett was cleared of racial discrimination, and eventually released of duty. “There was also a big feeling of anger, at a certain time of hopelessness, not to mention the people were outraged at the very small $27,000 compensation given to Griffin’s mother, Gloria Augustus, the public felt the lives of black people were not respected.” Remembering Anthony Griffin’s death is a reminder that 30 years later … Police mentality is still walking the beat on our street and profiling Blacks no different than the Anthony Griffin days.

4 MTL BLACK HISTORY SPORTS HONORS Montreal has many Black sports treasures, some of whom deserves our respect, for this we paying tribute to their amazing efforts to our community.

The Grant Brothers

Trevor Williams

Bruny Surin

Tim Raines

Howard and Otis have been a major part of Montreal’s boxing community since they were in junior high school. Since their teenage years, both brothers have had successful professional boxing careers with some highlighted fight achievements being title belt, major championships, and the Golden Glove to name a few. They both had their fair share of obstacles yet have remained Champions in and out the boxing ring, as well as in their daily life. We salute you, for your great contributions to boxing both around the world and here in Montreal. Congratulations also on having built a successful Grant Brothers boxing brand, school and training gym. Visit their website: grantbrothersboxing.com

During the era of Michael Jordan, Trevor Williams excelled in basketball because of his incredible speed and talent Trevor was called “Turbo”. Due to his talent William’s rose out of Little Burgundy onto the Canadian Olympic Basketball Team. Trevor has always given back to the community, he’s mentored kids with his basketball skills. His mentoring passion evolved into “The Trevor Williams Basketball Academy” a summer basketball camp which has mentored thousands of Montreal’s youth. He also coaches the Dawson College women’s basketball team. We honour you for your immeasurable contributions to Montreal’s youth and basketball. Visit website: twkf.com

Bruny Surin is a class act on the track & field sports arena for which he’s honoured around the world. Bruny has not only broke records, he has set records and has advanced the sport in Quebec. In many ways Bruny Surin has become the face of Quebec track and field. Bruny Surin’s non profit organization is continuously working to enlarge the track and field community all across Quebec. He still runs and continues to break records. We salute you Bruny Surin, continued success. Visit his non profit foundation’s website: fondationbrunysurin.com

Tim Raines aka “The Rock” stole 807 bases with 170 home runs to add to his 2 World Series championships rings as a NY Yankee. Raines made it into the Major Baseball’s Hall of Fame for 2017, and he will officially be noted in baseball’s history alongside Gary Carter, Andre Dawson and Rusty Staub, and his famous number #30 can be retired. Tim Raines always said Montreal was his home, and Montreal has boasted love for this incredible ball player whose known for stealing bases with speed. Visit raines30.com

WE DO EVERYTHING... 9

DID COL. SANDERS COME UP WITH THE 11 HERBS AND SPICES OR MISS CHILDRESS?

any Southern Blacks say that Col. Sanders took advantage of a black woman named Miss Childress for his own personal greed. The story is that the KFC secret recipe was really obtained from Miss. Childress by Col Sanders as well as taught to him Miss Childress was from Kentucky not Harland Sanders who is actually from Indiana. It’s said that he acquired the secret 11 herbs and spices from Miss Childress for only $1,200.00 dollars total including any back revenue. So let’s be clear her first off Col. Sanders was never a real Colonel in any military branch of any service. Col Sanders was an entrepreneur who had failed at many start ups from a gas station to even trying to open his own airport in Indiana. He was awarded the right to use Col because in those day towns men that had accomplished and demonstrated good ol southern values and exercised a greatness to the community could be awarded a title of Col. Next fact is Harlen Sanders is not from Kentucky originally he was born in Henryville, Indiana. He is rumored but not proven to have stolen the secret recipe in the and used it to open a spot for travelers who were going through Kentucky. It wasn’t until the family complained that they got a payment of $1,200.00 from Sanders. Over the years, Sanders’ restaurant added in accent

Black PANTHER

The History of BBQ

The Black Panther (T’Challa) is a fictionalsuperhero appearing in American comic books published by Marvel Comics. Created by writer-editor Stan Lee and penciller and co-plotter Jack Kirby, he first appeared in Fantastic Four #52 (July 1966). He is the first black superhero in mainstream American comics, debuting years before such early African-American superheroes as Marvel Comics’ the Falcon (1969) and Luke Cage (1972), and DC Comics’ Green Lantern John Stewart (1971) and Black Lightning (1977). The character is usually depicted as the king and protector of Wakanda, a fictional African nation. Chadwick Boseman portrays the Black Panther in Captain America: Civil War (2016) and is set to return in Black Panther (2018), both set in the Marvel Cinematic Universe.

Who doesn’t enjoy a BBQ in the Summer on your grill, what’s better than the smell of the BBQ’d meat all sauced up or thick flame broiled steaks charbroiled on the grill? But what does the word Barbeque-BBQ mean? and where does it come from? Knowing our black history we found out that true indeed the word BBQ and it’s practice go very far back with direct ties to Black slavery in the South. Let’s just say before BBQing became a fun time and a massive consumer spending event generating tons of cash for corporations it was a totally different party for slaves that ended up for some a very sinister, gruesome and barbaric proactice.. The word Barbeque – BBQ originally derives from “Barbacoa”, a Spanish word for a method of roasting an entire animal like a pig or sheep. This form of cooking meat originally made its way to Texas through Mexico. It is said that during slavery the barbecue pits were sometimes used by slave masters to torture their slaves by roasting them on their backs whenever they “misbehaved”. However barbecuing became very popular in the post-slavery era. European pigs and hogs had already been brought to America during slavery, they were easy to raise and care for. Whites got the best cuts of the pigs meat for themselves while Blacks ended up with the poorer cuts, so often they would chop it up and sauce it to for long lengths of time to make it taste better.

Our first Black Superhero and after.

seasoning but the basic natural herbal ingredients are suspect to his credit or simply not due to any food-combining skills that he would have possessed. In those days racism was in full effect in the south and with the exception of New Orleans, La and parts of South Carolina Blacks had to pay taxes but couldn’t own businesses or enter into a contract with a white person. In fact, it was illegal to pay a black person more than a white and blacks had to solely depend on the honesty and integrity of the other white party to be dealt with fairly, in these back-room deals and arrangements. Often the Black party was taken advantage of over by Whites. In those days it would of been too hard to prove Miss Childress was the original recipe owner as she could not copy-write a recipe back then. Even if Miss Childress taught Harlen Sanders how to cook chicken, she would still hold no ownership over the recipes or techniques used. So the question still is unanswered do you think Col. Sanders soley created this recipe or was it stole from a black cook somewhere down south?

Some Blacks started to make a living selling barbecue and sauce to White as they were the masters at cooking and BBQing. However, once White people were able to steal the preparation techniques and recipes they opened their own restaurants and segregation returned. The Oxford English Dictionary traces the word Barbeque back to Haiti, and others claim that “Barbecue” actually comes from the French phrase “Barbe a Queue”, meaning “from head to tail. “Barbe” in French means the “Mouth” and “Que” means “Ass”

10 Black Inventions Over The Last 100 Years You May Not Know

Otis Boykin (1920 -1982)

Granville T. Woods (1856-1910)

Dr. Shirley Ann Jackson (1946-Present)

Garrett Morgan (1877-1963)

George R. Carruthers (1939-Present)

He Invented the Artificial Heart Pacemaker Control Unit. Why It’s Important: Although there were variations to the pacemaker before Boykin’s invention, the modern-day pacemaker would not exist without his work.

He Invented the Multiplex Telegraph and the “Multiplex Telegraph” was a device that sent messages between train stations and moving trains. His work assured a safer and better public transportation system for the cities of the United States.

She is the theoretical physicist and inventor whose research helped to create the portable fax, touch tone telephone, the solar cell, and the fiber optic cables, and the technology for call waiting & caller ID. She is also the first African-American woman to obtain a Ph.D from MIT in 1973.

He Invented the Modern-Day Gas Mask. In 1916, Garrett Morgan made national news by using his gas mask to rescue 32 men trapped during an explosion in an underground tunnel 250 feet beneath Lake Erie. His invention has saved the lives of many firemen, police and soldiers across the world.

He Invented the Ultraviolet Camera Spectrograph. The ultraviolet camera spectrograph was a device that traveled to the moon with Apollo 16 in 1972. The camera designed by this Cincinnati-native enabled researchers to study Earth’s atmosphere, providing crucial information on how the world works

Percy L. Julian (1899-1975)

Alexander Miles (1838-1918)

Jan Matzeliger (1852-1889)

Lonnie Johnson (1949-Present)

Marc Hannah (1956-Present)

He Invented: The Process Of Synthesis. Synthesis was critical to the medical industry as it allowed scientists to create chemicals that were rare in nature. The chemist’s work led to the birth control pill and improvements in the production of cortisone. In 2007 the PBS Nova series created a documentary on Julian’s life called Forgotten Genius.

He Invented the Modern-Day Elevator Design. Although Miles may not have invented the first elevator, his design was very important. Alexander Miles improved the method of the opening and closing of elevator doors; and he developed the closing of the elevator shaft when an elevator was not positioned at a floor. Miles created an automatic mechanism that closed access to the shaft.

HeInventeda ShoeLastingMachine. Marzeliger, who was from Suriname, invented a shoe-lasting machine that increased the availability of shoes and decreased the price of footwear. Matzeliger’s shoe-lasting machine increased shoe production tremendously. The result was the employment of more unskilled workers and the proliferation of low-cost, high-quality footwear for people around the world

He Invented: The Super Soaker The Super Soaker may have been a child’s toy, but it is a great example of an invention with a multimillion-dollar impact. The Super Soaker generated $200 million in annual retail sales and turned Mobile, Ala., native Lonnie Johnson into a millionaire. He’s now using his fortune to develop energy technology.

He Invented 3-D Graphics Technology Used in Films. Anyone awed by the special effects in the films Jurassic Park, Terminator 2 Star Wasr and The Abyss should thank Chicago-native Marc Hannah. The computer scientist is one of the founders, in 1982, of the software firm Silicon Graphics (now SGI), where the special-effects genius developed 3-D graphics technology that would be used in many Hollywood movies.

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THE MUHAMMAD ALI FIGHT

TORONTO GOT THAT MONTREAL WAS SUPPOSE TO GET.... Brought to you by Sunwing travel group. Written by Spark

Muhammad Ali was born on January 17, 1942, in Louisville, Kentucky, to Cassius Marcellus Clay, Sr and Odessa O’Grady. He was the eldest of the two sons of this couple. His father earned a living by painting billboards and signs.

lus Clay. His life changed after winning the Olympics in 1960 again at in 1964 at age 22, by knocking out the then heavyweight champion Sonny Liston. Throughout his career, Ali recorded 56 wins of which 37 came in knockout and 5 losses. His most historic matches were against Sonny Liston, Joe Frazier and George Foreman. He became the first and only three-time lineal World Heavyweight Champion. Ali was a show all the time, extremely vocal and is the boxer credited with starting the ritual of throwing verbal blows at his opponent. His famous line being “I float like a butterfly but sting like a Bee”.

Nicknamed ‘The Greatest’, Muhammad Ali was one of the legends in the sport of professional boxing. At 6 feet 3 inches, he was an imposing fighter that would dominate everything form you in and out the ring he would dismantle you both mentally and physically a true master in the psychology of winning. He was an arch believer of religious freedom and racial justice, Ali had converted to Islam and with that even However here is a great changed his name from the Muhammad Ali fight story not former identity, Cassius Marcel- really told.

t’s March 29th 1966 and Muhammad Ali’s backers announced their intention to fight Ernie Terrell in Chicago. The Illinois State Attorney took a measure of the anti-Ali sentiment and refused to allow the bout. The mayors of more than 200 American cities quickly followed suit.

Another glitch hits the fight just before three weeks before the fight Ernie Terrel backs out the fight and just like that again there is no Ali fight going on. With millions of dollars on the line and a big bout cancelled the promoters turned to Canadian and Toronto native cham-

and the only way would be to beat Ali would be by knocking him out. There were now only two possible outcomes going into the 15th round Ali wins on points or Chuvalo with a KO.

The promoters realized that there was nowhere in the USA they could hold the fight so they reached out in desperation and struck a deal in Montreal, at the Forum. With Montreal’s Mayor Jean Drapeau he was excited and on board. Following the deal approved by Montreal’s very liberal mayor Drapeau he got served a very stiff message from the American Veteran’s Association: “If you allow Ali to fight in Montreal, we will boycott your Expo 1967.”

pion George Chuvalo to fight the champ. Chuvalo accepts the fight even against all odds this is the chance of a lifetime Chuvalo would truly make history if he could beat Ali however with only a few weeks to prepare Chuvalo was a real long shot to win. Chuvalo was absolutely correct, the experts underestimated the Canadian although Muhammad Ali’s camp knew that Chuvalo was going to be a handful, they had no idea Ali was about to square off with the toughest man he would ever fight.

Drapeau scared of the backlash and needing the very important support of America’s involvement with Expo’67 the Montreal Mayor backed out of hosting the fight in Montreal. When the promoters got the word of a no go in Montreal they immediately took a meeting with Toronto’s favorite villain and promoter, From the opening bell, it was Harold Ballard. clear that Ali was going to outscore Chuvalo. Nobody on earth could match the 24-year-old for pure speed along with Ali’s famous shuffle and jive moving. Chuvalo landed some quality punches, but Ali out boxed him, round after round.

Ballard had recently sold tickets for two Beatles concerts, despite only one show being scheduled, so shady deal making was no problem for Hal. The fight was quickly booked in Maple Leaf Gardens.

The final 15th Round: Chuvalo came at Ali with an attack the legendary fight caller Don Dunphy described as “wild as a night in the Yukon.” Ali responded with punishing blows to Chuvalo’s body. With three minutes to go, they were exhausted, but both fighters were still standing. Somewhere toward the middle of the final round, it seemed to suddenly dawn on Chuvalo: he had maybe one minute left to win or lose the whole shot. It had been an absolutely gruelling battle, but Chuvalo gathered himself,and erupted. Bang. Bang. Bang. Bang. “Four punishing lefts in a row, all to Ali’s jaw: then a right, and another one hard square to Ali’s head”, Dunphy shouts over the radio: “Chuvalo may have hurt Clay! Chuvalo may have hurt Clay!”

What no one expected, was how strong Chuvalo really was. As the fight worked it’s way into the 12th, 13th and 14th rounds, it became clear that Ali was not going to knock Chuvalo, out but only beat him on points. Unless Chuvalo could dig deep enough to land a few sledgehammers on Ali he could not win the fight

The crowd was electrified and on its feet with an upset suddenly in the air, but Chuvalo was cooked with not an ounce left. Ali survived the final seconds and the world champ retained his title in Canada. Immediately after the fight, and for the rest of his career, Ali would tell everyone about George Chuvalo. “He’s the toughest guy I ever fought.” Said Ali, Chuvalo himself pointed out that although Ali won that fight, fair and square. Ali ironically spent the remains of the night in hospital peeing blood, while Chuvalo himself went dancing with his wife and some say swimming too.

Muhammad Ali was 24, at the peak of his fitness. Chuvalo, four years older, was nearing the end of his best days. The two of them fought a controversial fight more than a boxing match it was as Canada made a statement by not allowing Ali’s religious beliefs to stop a fight it is said that the was the biggest boxing fight that ever took place on Canadian soil.

Robin Petgrave MEET AMERICA’S MOST FAMOUS & RESPECTED BLACK HELICOPTER PILOT

Robin Petgrave owns the “Compton’s Tomorrows Aeronautical Museum” which is located at Compton Airport in California. Petgrave is very dedicated to his popular aviation school and afterschool aviation programs for inner-city children of all ages and he has been teaching children as early as 8 years old how to fly. His non-profit organization’s sole purpose is to get kids flying, while keeping kids off the streets and out of street gangs.

rian Smith has been actively involved in promoting financial literacy in the Greater Montreal area for over the past 8 years. As a project coordinator at the Carrefour Jeunesse-Emploi de Côte-desNeiges Brian has developed many programs for youth, including employment. Smith states, “Financial literacy is just the next step for many of the youth that I work with, … making money is one thing, but learning to

Petgrave has proven to the kids in his community of Compton California that everything is possible, there’s no limits and they can fly beyond the sky. Petgrave has mentored numerous youth into becoming pilots and commercial captains, and hhe is responsible for the youngest children learning to fly in airplanes and helicopters. He has broken every flying record that involves children more than any other person in aviation.

The Guinness book of world record has even credited him with numerous firsts of children flying and none of his records have been beaten yet. Robin is also known as one the best helicopter pilots in the world, and he’s also provided his flying services for many of Hollywood’s top blockbuster films, as a helicopter stunt pilot. For more information on Robin and his teenage flying club logo onto tamuseum.org Written by Spark

manage it properly is something severely lacking in our community. The Monnaie Money Project and my position as the Vice-President of the Canadian Foundation for Economic Education allows me to bring financial literacy to not only Montrealer’s, but to a large number of Canadians as well.”

to our initiatives while promoting Black History Month and Civic Participation for our youth. The talent show will be held on Saturday, February 25, 2017 at the historical Oscar Peterson Concert on the Loyola Campus of Concordia University. For tickets visit: www.monnaiemoney.com

The annual “Monnaie Money Financial Literacy Talent show” is now in its seventh successful year with the event selling out and bringing much needed awareness

For more information on the Canadian Foundation for Economic Education visit: www.cfee.org

Monnaie Money - Éducation Financière Cjecdn

granted the opportunity to Prince under his new name only on a trial-release independently of Warner with his NPG label the right to use another distributor and label. The one-off experiment, his single was called “The Most Beautiful Girl in the World” which was suppose to show Prince he needed Warner Bros instead the opposite, it became an international smash, his first UK number one single. Warner quickly released several ‘Prince’ albums in quick succession, including “Come The Black Album” in 1994, The rock-influenced “The Gold Experience” had been planned by Prince for release under his new name and “Chaos and Disorder” which saw his lowest chart performances since 1980 and the end of Warner Bros. Prince would later jump to the label Arista Records in 1998. 2000, he referred back to his name « Prince» and went on to release multiple albums after that, including the platinum album

Prince “Prince” Rogers Nelson June 7, 1958 – April 21, 2016

Prince was a musical innovator, a genius, legend and historical music icon known for his eclectic work, flamboyant stage presence, totally amazing vocal range and musical gifts. Prince played and could sing it all including Funk, Rock, R&B, New wave, Soul, Psychedelic, and Pop. Before his untimely death, he had sold well over 100 million records around the world, and after his passing continues to sell records making him one of the best-selling artists in history of the music arts. To name a few feats he accomplished, Prince has won seven Grammy Awards, an American Music Award, a Golden Globe Award, and an Academy Award for his film “Purple Rain”, and was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2004. Prince’s music career began when he signed a record deal with Warner Bros. Records in 1977 at the young ripe age of 18 years old. In 1978, he released his debut album, “For You” and shortly after followed with the release with “Prince” (1979), “Dirty Mind” (1980), and “Controversy” (1981), all three albums were certified platinum. He had shifted his sound from disco/ soul route to New Wave, rock, pop, R&B, and funk, building up his success. His next album, “Purple Rain” (the first of three albums by Prince and The Revolution) was the 1984 soundtrack to his film-debut of the same name “Purple Rain” which went on to sell 22 million copies. “Around the world in a day” would be his next album release and would inaugurate “Paisley Park” as his newly owned record company. Prince and The Revolution continued multi-platinum success with the soundtrack to his second movie “Under the Cherry Moon”, in 1986’s called “Parade” this album was again an expansion of his musical palette, collaborating with band members Wendy Melvoin, Lisa Coleman, and composer Clare Fischer. Following this album, movie and tour disputes about the musical direction and a new style of presentation was complicating, Prince disbanded The Revolution at the end of the tour. Prince came back and released the double album “Sign o’ the Times” (1987) as a solo artist and a experimental project sound. He would go onto release three more solo albums before ending his new band called The «New Power Generation» in 1991. An untitled follow-up (eventually known as “The Black Album”), promotional copies of which were distributed before it was cancelled, became the most bootlegged album in the history of the music business to date. 1988’s Lovesexy (his first UK number-one record) built further on his mystique while recycling one of the Black Album tracks. After this Warner bros would bring him to the biggest movie soundtrack of his life “BatMan” His Batman album, inspired by the movie, ended his decade by selling 11 million copies worldwide as one of two soundtracks to Batman, the biggest-grossing movie in cinema history to that date.

Prince entered the 1990s with the soundtrack to his third movie, “Grafitti Bridge”. 1991 album Diamonds and Pearls which, he brought new jack swing, R&B, jazz-soul, and hip-hop into while introducing his new band The New Power Generation which all brought him big hits again. Prince would go onto sign what was the biggest deal in music history, worth $100 million. However more money more problems they say, well so true for Prince after his new deal he release Love Symbol which only sold 5 million copies and started his downward spiral with Warner Bros pointing the blame to them for not enough promotion. By 1993, Prince had changed his name to an unpronounceable symbol in order to escape the terms of his contract as the Warner-owned product, ‘Prince’. He began demanding faster release by Warner of more projects than they were prepared to promote. In a growing effort to eject himself from his contract, his demands increased further to include ownership of his master recordings and he notoriously began to refer to himself as a ‘Slave’ to the company, wearing this word on his face in public and in negotiation with the label with resultant public embarrassment for both Warner’s public image and his own. To release with Warner “The Hits/ The B-Sides” compilation albums, Warner

“Musicology” (2004). He would downsize his band, do pop up shows, more intimate piano shows and more deals with online music companies and independents. His final album, “Hit n Run Phase Two” was first released on the Tidal streaming service December 12, 2015.

On April 21, 2016 the world was shocked to find out Prince had suddenly died, after weeks of speculation, the Associated Press in a report released by the Midwest Medical Examiner’s Office, said the singer died of an accidental Fentanyl overdose at his Paisley Park recording studio and home in Chanhassen, Minnesota, on April 21, 2016, at the still young age of 57. it had been only about one month since some Montrealer’s had seen him perform at Montreal’s sold out concert. The world cried and mourned this incredibly talented soul that had blessed us with such amazing music and talent. His loss is similar to Michael Jackson’s death, “Gone too soon” ... surreal and difficult to comprehend. In 2016 “Prince 4 Ever” a double album was released, and more is set to come for 2017. We love you Prince, the sign and the times … we “Thank you” for your life and your gift of great music.

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Earth Wind & Fire The Maurice White Story

Maurice «Moe» White was born in Memphis, Tennessee on December 19, 1941.

During his teenage years he moved to Chicago and studied at the Chicago Conservatory of Music. He played drums in local nightclubs and by the mid-1960s he was so good and that he ws employed to work as a session drummer for the popular “Chess Records”. Even before White’s experience with “Earth, Wind, and Fire”, he had played on the records of other very popular known artists such as: Etta James, Ramsey Lewis, Sonny Stitt, Muddy Waters, The Impressions, The Dells, Betty Everett, Sugar pie De Santo, and Buddy Guy… just to name a few. From his early days of working with the finest musicians and singers Maurice White was able to harness and home in on his own

original sound, which came out as the soulful Funk. Maurice White was the founder of the band Earth, Wind & Fire and served as the band’s main songwriter, producer, and co-lead singer along with Philip Bailey. His band’s name, “Earth, Wind & Fire”, reflects the elements noted in his astrological chart.

sic Awards. The group’s albums have sold over 90 million copies worldwide with honors bestowed upon Maurice as a member of the “Rock and Roll Hall of Fame”, “Vocal Group Hall of Fame”, “The Songwriters Hall of Fame”, and the notable “The NAACP Image Awards Hall of Fame”.

Maurice White as the band’s leader and producer of most of the band’s albums, EWF would deliver a totally new sound that would earn them legendary status winning 6 Grammy Awards out of a staggering 14 nominations, a star on the Hollywood Boulevard Walk of Fame, and 4 Americian Mu-

Also known by his nickname «Reece», White was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease in the late 1980s. His health condition eventually led him to stop touring with Earth, Wind & Fire in 1994, yet he retained his executive control of the band, and remained active in the music business. Sadly Maurice “Moe” White passed away February 4, 2016, however he has become a musical icon and legend, with his Phoenix horn section, he’s known as a musician who popularized horns and took music into a new direction, bringing funk to the mainstream, a sound that many musicians still use today.

Tanya Davidson Montreal’s First Female Black Club DJ

Tanya Davidson as the DJ at the 4 Seasons Hotel, Montreal

My DJ career started not the way you think but by fluke. One day I was working in a restaurant in Montreal talking to a customer who asked me out when I replied with an snarky answer «the only way I will go out with you is if I play the music», and he replied» I can arrange that». So he did, the next day a Scottish woman entered the restaurant asking to speak with me and after an informal interview I was hooked and excited to join this all female DJ agency called «Juliana’s of London who hired only female DJs, trained and placed you in six month contracts all over the world. Some people only dream of their perfect job I was lucky enough to be handed mine on a silver platter. After training in New York city, I started Djing at the Four Seasons Hotel downtown Montreal, at

first I was just ok but if I wanted to be competitive at this art of spinning and make my mark on the club scene I had to go out on my off time to the clubs that were my competitors and sit with the Dj’s in their booth and share ideas, pick up tips and mixing styles. It didn’t take long before I found my grove,own spinning style and played with the best of the best that Montreal had to offer with the likes of clubs such as Bogart’s, Limelight, San Francisco’s and then there was me Montreal’s first black female DJ at Le Harlequin Four Seasons. Awesome !!! Before leaving Montreal in 1978 I was nominated 3rd top Dj by the record pool and that was with only 6 months under my belt, not bad for the rooky DJ. I was off to Puerto Rico for my next contract, a 5 star Rockefel-

ler resort called Dorado Beach. I was in love with the Latin culture, the sound, the Latin beat and the dance and wow did they love to dance. What I brought to Puerto Rico was the Montreal flare and a mixing style with salsa and funk ! Another six months had passed and I was hand picked to open Toronto’s newest Club called «Le Club» at Inn on the Park Four Seasons Hotel another feather in my hat. All of this was at the hight of disco and after hour clubs . My six months was over in Toronto and I was off to open another club in Vancouver «Annabelle’s». Four Seasons Hotel for another 6 months. After Djing in Vancouver I returned to Toronto played at «Misty’s» then retired from what was an exciting, rewarding career and proud to be apart of making my mark in the disco era and Black History era.

Soul HENRY T. SAMPSON Sister & Invented The Cell Phone Godmother of Rock’n’Roll A Black Man Named

US Patent 72 Inventors: Henry T. Sampson & Miley George H

Sister Rosetta Tharpe (March 20, 1915 – October 9, 1973)

On July 6, 1971, Henry T Sampson was awarded a patent, with George H. Miley, for a gamma-electrical cell, a device that produces a high voltage from radiation sources, primarily gamma radiation, with proposed goals of generating auxiliary power from the shielding of a nuclear reactor. Additionally, the patent cites the cell’s function as a detector with self-power and construction cost advantages over previous detectors. So every time you think of your iPhone, Samsung, Blackberry encrypted or any other cell phone brand you can thank Henry T Sampson for your text, call, tweet or Facebook like.

Rosetta Tharpe was a pioneer in the mid 20th century era of music, and she attained her popularity mostly in the 1930s and 1940s. Rosetta was the first great recording star of Gospel music and among the first to appeal to Rhythmand-Blues and Rock & Roll audiences. She later became referred to as «The Original Soul Sister» and «The Godmother of Rock and Roll”.

unique vocal style.” This video clearly demonstrates her influence on early rhythm-and-blues and cites the influence she made on “many gospel, jazz, and rock artists». «Down by the Riverside» was recorded by Tharpe on December 2, 1948, in New York City, and issued as Decca single 48106. Her 1945 hit «Strange Things Happening Every Day», (recorded in late 1944), featured Tharpe’s vocals and electric guitar, with Sammy Price (on piano), bass and drums.

She influenced early rock’n’roll musicians: Little Richard, Johnny Cash, Chuck Berry, Elvis Presley and Jerry Lee Lewis. Tharpe offended conservative churchgoers as she crossed the line between sacred and secular with her foray into the pop world, however she never left her roots in Gospel music. Her 1944 hit «Down by the Riverside» was selected for the National Recording Registry of the U.S. Library of Congress in 2004, where it’s noted, «captures her spirited guitar playing and

It was the first gospel record to cross over and become a hit on the «race records» chart, the term then used for what later became called the “R&B chart”, and reached no. 2 on the Billboard “race” chart in April 1945. This recording has been cited as precursor of rock and roll.

LACKING UNITY IN THE 514’S BLACK unity COMMUNITIES iversity is a beautiful thing, and Montreal is very rich and beautiful with black culture. However each of Montreal’s Black communities have a different history and unique culture, and due to the differences most black communities function separately, not as a whole Black Community. Over the years many the underlying conflicts differences in culture, language, food, how people raise their children, religious faiths between West Indians versus Canadians, Trinidad versus Jamaica, old school ideas versus new school ideas, etc.. have negatively affected some of Montreal’s Black Communities and the relationships between the different groups of black people, Black community organizations and groups have also been negatively affected

with organizational issues and leadership conflicts causes problems to obtain financial support from the government and to function and advance properly. The new wave of black business owners are making use of available financial support tools, modern technology, they make use of what works and push aside what doesn’t. It’s time for Montreal to see our Black communities with unity and take notice that Montreal’s Black businesses are equally vital contributors to Montreal’s culture and society as other communities. In order for this to happen we need to be more organized as a unified community, We can create our own Black business expos, black owned publications and local black media shows etc…If the black communities can make things like this happen, we will offer our new Black entrepreneurs

Elizabeth Catlett, 1915 - 2012 Black Unity, (1968 Cedar 21’’ × 12 1/2’’ × 24’’.)

and businesses more opportunities, to be competitive and have more ability to grow economically. There is a new wave of young black business owners who are making use of available financial support tools and modern technology, they push aside what doesn’t work and make good use of what works such as: networking using social media.

ture for all Blacks, if we are not organized as one unified as one Black cultural community?

How can the Black community become united as one united community which represents all Blacks in Montreal regardless of a black person’s heritage culture or the Island or country they were born? How can we look to a better fu-

Folks it’s “Time to wake up” for our Black community to become a whole community, not just one community or association versus another.

Maybe with the right leadership, and purpose… our Black communities can be solidified with unity and have a common goal of growth, while each community still sustains it’s unique cultural qualities.

- Spark, 4AMNEWS

Stanley Grizzle

My name is Stanley G Grizzle, I was the first Black conductor on Trains in Canada

Black men employed as sleeping car porters in Canada from the late nineteenth century until the mid-1950s experienced racial discrimination and exploitation on the job. To improve their situation they turned to unions such as the “Brotherhood of Sleeping Car Porters” Blacks typically were treated less inferior than white people

only proved enough intelligence to be hired to work for or around the white man but not above him or superior to him regardless of their education level. The job hours were long, the job was hard and the time to sleep was when you could get some you had no sleeping quarters just where you could lay your head down

and to keep this complex alive all jobs given to blacks were to show a lower level of being and intelligence to the white man. Including this was the hiring of blacks for the sleeping Porter jobs which namely meant blacks were servants to whites on trains and blacks were hired to make the white persons travel easier to bare. Most blacks that worked as a sleeping car porter were educated and most even had university degrees in science, medicine and business but what white person would want to be undermined by a black man so these degrees

somewhere. Food was given to sleeping porters when they had time to eat away from anyone seeing them eat so eating breakfast was either first before the white or depending maybe after or not even at all. To improve their working conditions and because white unions would not allow blacks as members, porters had to start their own union, not an easy feat in those days. Though early attempts at unionizing Canadian Pacific Railway porters were unsuccessful, this changed in 1939 when porters began organi-

zing with the support of the US-based Brotherhood of Sleeping Car Porters (BSCP). For the next few years, porters across the country had to organize themselves into secrecy to not lose their much needed and valued railway jobs. It took from 1942, to May of 1945 to finally bring in a Collective bargaining agreement for a union to be made fopr black Sleeping Porters. This was the first time in Canadian history that a union of black men had signed an agreement with a white employer. Some of the gains made included a monthly salary increase, one week’s paid vacation, and overtime pay. However, unionization did not solve the problems for blacks on the railroad, porters were still discriminated against and when they tried to apply for job positions like conductor they were refused as this job was strictly a job title reserved for whites only. The BSCP union official complained and filed a case with the Federal Department of Labour under the Fair Employment Act of 1953. It took a year of “conciliation and persuasion,” however one of the complainants, Stanley G. Grizzle, was hired as a conductor and successfully went on to becoming the first black Canadian conductor to be hired in Canada. you can read his book titled “Stanley G. Grizzle, My Name’s Not George”:”The Story of the Brotherhood of Sleeping Car Porters in Canada”.

4615 Avenue Van Horne Montréal, QC H3W 2K3 Phone: (514) 736-5720

One Love

Bob Marley

February, 6 1945 – May, 11 1981

Bob Marley is worshiped by millions, he was a Rastafarian reggae superstar that captivated audiences worldwide with his loving, peaceful and good vibes music. Bob Marley was a avid smoker of Marijuana and advocate for the legal use of it. it’s not ironic that Bob Marley is now a major weed brand and a large movement in the marijuana community promote all the positive vibes of marijuana to the people. Here are ten facts you may not have known about the Jamaican legend.

1. Bob Marley’s original name was Nesta Robert Marley but his middle and first name were swapped as Nesta was seen to be more of a girls name.

5. Bob was arrested for possession of marijuana, the singer spent a month in prison, it was prisoners that motivated him to write more political songs.

2. From the age of 4 it was discovered Bob Marley could read palms.

6. Bob Marley set up his record label, Tuff Gong which boasts one of the largest audio recording facilities in the Caribbean.

3. In Kingston Bob Marley was known by the natives as a “white boy” and made felt very alienated which would later built up his confidence and self-esteem.

7. Throughout his life Bob Marley had an involvement in many different women many of these

women would bear his children. 8. Marley became extremely generous with this money and bought houses for a lot of his closest friends and supported many of the poor in Jamaica. 9. A 1977 football/soccer injury led doctors to discover a malignant melanoma in Marley’s toe. They recommended amputation, but he refused for religious reasons. The tumour

4. Bob’s best subject was mathematics but was only schooled for a very short time he got a job as a apprentice welder in which a piece of metal flew into his eye, he left this job for the world’s benefit.

then spread into his lungs and body which ultimately caused his death. 10. When Bob was terminally ill he wanted to end his days in Jamaica, unfortunately, on the Germany to Jamaica journey, didn’t make it past Miami. Bob Marley was buried on home turf along with a soccer ball, his Gibson Les Paul guitar, and a bud of marijuana.

Whatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s up with Black Health? What are the barriers to Blacks having better health? Is it abuse of oneâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s health, no access to health care or health insurance, a lack of education, or the fear of seeking medical care, or something bigger? Be-well.ca sharondavidson@be-well.ca Sharon Davidson our Wellness consultant, fitness professional, and health and wellness consultant educator for more than 30 years encourages gives us some facts on Black peoples health concerns specifically:

#1 Heart disease and Stroke. #1 killer of North Americans, the leading cause of death, the risks of getting those diseases are even higher for African-Americans. Blacks have nearly twice the firsttime stroke risk of whites, and strokes kill 4 times at ages more 35- to 54. High Blood Pressure and Obesity are the major risk factors for heart disease: Nearly 42% of Black men and more than 45% of Black women aged 20 and older have high blood pressure.

#2 Cancer For decades, African-American men have had the highest prostate cancer incidence rate of any racial ethnic group in the world, two-thirds higher than whites and more than twice as high than Asian-Americans. Researchers have not found a definitive reason why diet, genes, and hormones all play a part. Black men have a 40% higher cancer death rate than white men; 50% more likely than white men to get lung cancer. African American women have a 20% higher cancer death rate than white women. #3 Diabetes Diabetes is 60% more common in Blacks than in whites and have more serious complications from diabetes such as: eye disease, loss

of vision, loss of limbs, and kidney disease and kidney failure, and coronary artery disease. Blacks are up to 2.5 times more likely to suffer a limb amputation; 5.6 times more likely to suffer kidney disease than other people with diabetes. #4 Mental health: Stress, Anxiety & Depression

#5 Sickle cell anemia It is the most common type of Sickle cell disorder; it affects the shape of hemoglobin and reduces the bloods ability to carry oxygen around the body. Complications include anemia, repeated infections and recurrent pain. Sickle cell anemia remains the most common blood disorder in the United States.

People from African and African Caribbean communities are more likely than others to be admitted to hospital for mental illnessâ&#x20AC;Śalso true for people of a white and black mixed ethnicity.

To summarize, we need achieve a healthy holistic lifestyle to Be- well. Sharon Davidson is the Owner of Be-well, Corporate Wellness Program provider, and a Certified: Wellness Consultant Natural TheraPeople in black urban communities pist, Fitness Professional, and Reiki who face problems such as bad Practitioner housing, racism, stress and unemployment, are at a higher risk of en- Additional Resources: during a mental illness, stress, anxi- (Web MD; American Heart and Stoke Foundation) ety, and depression.

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NEW EDITION

IS PART OF BLACK MUSIC HISTORY Story put brought to you by Monaco Motors. Written by Spark.

ew Edition the Boston born natives R&B group is as much apart of our modern day Black History as Michael Jackson Run DMC Biggie Smalls or Smokey Robinson. New Edition for many of us was simply the second Jackson 5 we grew up listening to. From the first time we heard the voice of Ralph Tresvant belting out those lyrics “Candy Girl you are my world, you look so sweet your a special treat” we were all hooked.

Original Since 1989

After that came “Mr. Telephone man” which featured Bobby Brown and Ricky Bell vocals from there it seemed to be hit after hit all the way to up to “NE Heartbreak”. New Edition always had always delivered those classic jams and dance routines we loved to see. They had many issues some we seen and now some were just being revealed to knowing about, we were sad when Bobby Brown left the group but loved his solo comeback. We accepted Johnny Gill in the group

as his replacement quickly once we heard his first note on “Can you stand the rain” and every other song he laid vocals onto..

all from the ground up, experienced the music business dirty side for real and have paid the ultimate prices to be called superstars and respected as true living music icons. 4AM NEWS dedicates this page to the New Edition grind and wish all of you continued success Ronnie, Bobby, Ricky, Mike, Ralph and Johnny you are the best.....

New Edition has been and will always be a staple class act, polished and groomed from head to toe as performers and a legendary group still doing it till this day even in our modern day era of bad music and gimmicks sold instead of great tal- Note: All boy bands must pay their reent. For the world they are one of spects to New Edition as all boy bands the iconic groups that has learnt it have followed in their footsteps.

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Dawn Tyler Watson wins the 2017 Memphis Blues Challenge Award.

awn Tyler Watson has been a staple in Jazz Soul and Blues not only in Montreal but around the world. Having been a mainstream act for The House of Jazz Dawn Tyler Watson has now won the international Blues Award and is starting off her year with full steam ahead. Looks like Dawn will be booked and be making her mark and solidifying her name amongst the worlds biggest. Congratulations Dawn Tyler Watson and much more continued success and keep turning those blues into happy crowds and smiles.

dawntylerwatson.com

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