“REMEMBER IBO(Igbo)LANDING”

The historic event that took place on St Simons Island, Georgia at Ibo Landing,

reminds us of the lyrics from an old Negro spiritual…..

Oh freedom, Oh freedom 

Oh freedom over me

AND BEFORE I’D BE A SLAVE

I’D BE BURIED IN MY GRAVE 

And go home to my Lord and be free

Oh freedom

Listen: https://youtu.be/f1mYaJIm3jE?si=YAMv9fT-jdlcbraO

REMEMBER IBO(IGBO) LANDING  (May, 1803)

words & music:  Phil Morrison

Remember Ibo Landing

They walked into Dunbar Creek 

Until the last man standing

It’s freedom that they seek

From Africa their homeland 

Across an ocean wide

In chains you hear them moanin'

In pain as many died

 Remember IBO Landing

 Where Ibos rebel

 Freedom they're demanding

 Won't live their lives in hell!

Saint Simons Island Georgia

Their final resting place

To end the constant torture

This inhumane disgrace

But spirits can't be broken

From the strong and brave

These Africans would rather die

Than live their lives as slaves 

Remember IBO Landing

Along the Georgia shore

With bravery and courage

They marched towards heaven's door

Remember IBO Landing

It's where our heroes died

This history is sacred

Remember them with pride..

Magical their power

Its source comes from the sky

Where angels call to paradise

Behold as freemen fly      

Remember IBO Landing  

           (c)2016 pbm

“Remember Igbo Landing” Live Performance in Concert 

https://youtu.be/dx0f-ouW4Fo?si=A__0pzPtkPhgTwnG

Our tribute song commemorating an historic event that took place

 in May, 1803 on Saint Simons Island, Georgia.

It was during the American slave trade scourge when courageous Africans walked into the waters of St Simons Island, sacrificing their lives, rather than submit to being enslaved by their captors!  Legend has it that after entering the water they would then grow wings & fly away.

(additional information about Ibo (Igbo)Landing)

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Igbo_Landing

Freddy Cole "He Was the King"

Freddy Cole was a good friend and someone I worked with for a number of years.  As the youngest brother of the great Nat King Cole, comparisons were understandably made but Freddy gained recognition on his own as one of the world’s premier Jazz vocalists during his decades long career.  His ability to tell a story while singing a song with such warm personality was Incomparable.  Also, as a jazz pianist, he could swing with the best of them. It was very humbling when Freddy asked me to put lyrics to the composition that he wrote for his brother Nat called “He Was the King”.  He also recorded two more of my songs which were co-written with songwriter/pianist Ron Zack. 

Give a listen to those recordings on this page and experience the joy of hearing a Jazz master…the great Freddy Cole!

"He was the King", Music: Freddy Cole, Lyrics: Phil Morrison

“Speak to Me of You”
https://youtu.be/4UsNxUtlz8I
Freddy Cole sings this song capturing the imagery and intimacy of a true story teller.
Harry Allen’s Saxophone complements Freddy‘s voice on this tune
written by Ron Zack and Phil Morrison.

“You and I”

This was a Freddy Cole favorite of all my original songs. 

Vocals by Freddy Cole

Words by Phil Morrison

Music by Ron Zack

Piano solo by John Di Martino

(message from Keith Williams)
 Great tribute to Freddy Phil. People should also know that Freddy loved and recorded a couple more of your songs, “You And I” and “Speak To Me Of You”. Check ‘em out people!!

Rest In Peace Freddy!

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

His Name is Kobe

 His Name is Kobe - bad as he can be
 360 to the hoop then he'll knock down a 3
 His Name is Kobe -  can't stop him if you try
Double team him low and he'll kill ya up high

His Name’s Kobe - B'ball is his game
Puts fear into your heart -  just sayin’ his name
The name is Kobe - a jumper silky sweet
Outsmart you with his mind - outplay you with his feet!

He came right outa high school - hit the NBA
From Italy to Philly then over to L.A.
He set his sights up high - the best he could be
His limit was the sky - they made him MVP

 His Name is Kobe - ballin’ everyday
 Doin' things you never seen - compared  him to MJ
 His Name’s Kobe - a champion with rings
 Royalty of basketball - a king among the kings

 His Name is Kobe - maybe best of all
 Don't make no difference if he is - just give him the damn ball
His Name is Kobe - look out... let him go
Born to play in Hollywood - the star in ev’ry  show

An international man was he
Citizen of the world
Around the globe they loved Kobe
Every boy and girl
Devoted to his family
The LA community
Pursuing varied interests
 Including poetry

His Name is Kobe - he’ll do what ain’t been done...and
When you check him out - sit back.....enjoy the fun!
 His Name is Kobe - don't worry 'bout his number
All you need to know is ...he's called .."The Black Mamba"     
c)2008  phil morrison BMI