MAYA ANGELOU

Dr. Maya Angelou (April 4, 1928 – May 28, 2014)

(1)

Hear her voice
It's like magic
Makes the blues disappear
You'll rejoice 
'cause a queen holds forth
Words so wise 
Spoken clear

    Love supreme 

    Glowing in her heart 

    Lived her dreams..right..

    From the start

    Maya Angelou

(2)

'Round the earth 

She would travel

The whole world was her home

From her birth..

She gave love to all

For her work

She was known 

    Malcolm, Martin & Mandela,

    Friends who fought for

    Justice with her 

    Maya Angelou

(3)

Read her books

See her dancing

Sings a song with pure grace

And she cooks

With a soulful touch

Puts a smile 

On your face

    Oprah listens..to what she'd say

    Acts on stage - in a New York play

    Maya Angelou

(tag)

Her Poetry is

Beyond compare

Brings us joy.. 

From dark despair

Maya Angelou 

Lived her life for humanity

Greatness framed in humility

Maya Angelou

                                   (c)2017 Phil Morrison

“Maya” (click link to listen to the song)
https://www.broadjam.com/songs/philmorrison/maya-w-vocal

Dr. Maya Angelou and President Barack Obama

Phil on Acoustic Bass with Mamie Lee

PHIL MORRISON PERFORMING ON ACOUSTIC BASS WITH A GREAT JAZZ SINGER, MAMIE LEE!(in the tradition of Nancy Wilson & Dinah Washington)

MAMIE LEE(Jazz vocalist)
https://youtu.be/dvdgdzqUwtE
Carl  Schroeder, piano
Phil Morrison, acoustic bass
Peter Donald, drums

(Carl Schroeder went on to become pianist for jazz legend Sarah Vaughan

for lengthy period)

Birigwa - “Yelewa”

 

Phil Morrison Performs with African Vocalist/ Guitarist BIRIGWA!

Birigwa…voice/guitar 
Stan Strickland…flute/sax/composer
Arthur Brooks… Flugelhorn
Phil Morrison…bass
Vinnie Johnson..drums
Yusef Crowder..shiko drum/percussion
Mpelelezi…conga

This is a recording that was done in Boston by producer, Mait Edey, featuring a young African vocalist/guitarist
from Uganda named Birigwa which was the title of the album(now a CD).  Composer Stan Strickland, with an energized rhythm section, captured the spirit of Africa with his tune “Yelewa” as Birigwa inserts his “Mosquito Song” to draw on his cultural roots with his voice.

https://youtu.be/QhVYAo_lrx4

TONY SONG

A tribute tune for the great drummer, Tony Williams, by friend and former band mate, Phil Morrison.  This recording features world-class musicians Jonathan Lumpkin on drums and guitarist Barry Greene with Phil Morrison on bass. Although ordinarily played instrumentally, here is a spoken word version.  Enjoy! 1)   He was raised in Boston - Tony Williams was his name...and        When he learned to play the drums it brought him worldwide fame        Even as a boy - it was known he was the best        At fourteen he'd sit in with cats and....always past the test    2)   He'd play all over Roxbury...that's the "Boston's 'hood"        Wally's...Connelly's...down Mass Ave....any place he could        His dad played tenor saxophone....Tillman...nicknamed "T"        Any club that played some jazz....that's where they would be    3)   He was only fifteen in Sam Rivers band        Hal Galper, piano, Tony, drums, Phil Morrison, bassman        They played all over Boston, Friday nights in Harvard Square        A Coffee House that featured jazz...the hipsters were all there  4)   Sam was like a mentor....his music before its time..and        Tony was always cookin' ...he would burn you blind        Originals and standards....what they did was awesome        With Tony bishin' & bashin'....a student of Alan Dawson    5)   Beantown had its drummers....you all know Roy Haynes        Terri Lynn Carrington...Clifford Jarvis...was insane        Just ask Chick Corea....he was there too....        Listenin',  livin',  learnin'.... always something new...   6)  Then to New York  City....where Tony raised his game        On Max Roach's recommendation...he soon joined Jackie McLean        Playin' with the major cats.....Herbie, Wayne and Ron        Once he got with Miles....from there... he was gone!     7)   John McLaughlin, Billy Pierce..Mulgrew, Wallace Roney         A master class in music when they played with Tony         "Lifetime" heard around the world....drummers were amazed         Mesmerized while listening to the grooves that Tony played      8)  But this song is for Tony....a small appreciation..         He  Inspired drummers  for the new generation         This song is for Tony....and though he's physically gone         The spirit from his music is still going strong           The spirit from his music...will live...on and on!                                words & music Phil Morrison   (c) 2010  pbm (Click on link below to hear song)

https://www.broadjam.com/songs/philmorrison/tony-song-miles-drummer-from-boston