A letter from the CEO
Jan. 4th, 2008 12:48 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
nubi_faeDJB/Sundress Co.
Medford, OR 97504
Dear Open Mike Patrons,
First of all I am delighted to be honoured by my fans who request that I come back to your establishment in the subsequent weeks. For this I am humbled and grateful. I continue my commitment to deliver "...good fresh songs, 98% cliché-free!"
The remainder of this letter is directed toward those few listeners whose musical palette is limited, and whose expectations of artistic expression is based on cultural stereotyping.
It is apparent that to the understanding of certain listeners, performing artists who are Americans of African descent are expected to perform the popular musics of the day pertaining to and, unfortunately, descriptive of the perceived mainstream culture today. While this is understandable, thanks in part to the persistence of the mainstream media's insistence on perpetuating what is in essence a caricature of African American culture, it is also indefensible and is limiting of the broad spectrum of African American culture and the humanities in general.
It is obvious that the music I write for myself and others is good, effective and pleasing to many patrons and listeners. The covers I play, while strongly deviating from the norm fall into the same category pop-rock, alternative folk, and to some ears, avant-garde. This is the kind of music I like to play, listen to and write. I feel a very strong pull to this music.
While some less-than-refined ears prefer to call the aforementioned music "white music" I must remind them strongly that nearly all popular music and music forms which originated form the United States was created in part or in whole by the traditions, rhythms and melodies of African culture. From gospel, came blues. From blues came jazz. From jazz came rhythm and blues (here, I am referencing the originators of the genre like Fats Domino and Ike Turner). From rhythm and blues came rock 'n' roll. All sub-genres of the styles mentioned here all trace back to when
African slaves sang to each other in the fields. This music interleaves in to all musics in their modern forms. The music I play is, by default, part of my culture... and part of yours.
Now that there is some understanding here, please understand why I frown when I hear suggestions to change my style to fit what you would prefer to hear. If you don't like what I play, wait 10 minutes. The next guy or gal to come along will hopefully be the one to knock you socks off. Meanwhile I will perform for those who like what they hear from me and want more. These people who are my fans appreciate what I give to them and understand what I play is without pretense of my dark skin.
Let it be known that I am from Chicago, Illinois. To a musician growing up in that town, learning the blues is similar to a five-year-old learning the alphabet. It is one of the bases of my musical knowledge. But I am drawn to pop, rock and jazz because it suits my soul. And under that criteria it is my "soul music". However, to assume that blues and hip-hop will come out of the offices of Sundrerss Co. simply because the colour of my skin demands it so is a racist assumption. Such demands are limiting to the listener whose paradigm is in severe need of shift.
The open mikes in this area are not established in blues bars. Nor are my full gigs in similar establishments. Therefore it is ridiculous to believe I would need to adhere to such an request that is ridiculous and inappropriate. I do however admire your enthusiasm.
Sincerely,
D James Bell
CEO and Founder,
DJB/ Sundress Co.
Medford, OR 97504
Dear Open Mike Patrons,
First of all I am delighted to be honoured by my fans who request that I come back to your establishment in the subsequent weeks. For this I am humbled and grateful. I continue my commitment to deliver "...good fresh songs, 98% cliché-free!"
The remainder of this letter is directed toward those few listeners whose musical palette is limited, and whose expectations of artistic expression is based on cultural stereotyping.
It is apparent that to the understanding of certain listeners, performing artists who are Americans of African descent are expected to perform the popular musics of the day pertaining to and, unfortunately, descriptive of the perceived mainstream culture today. While this is understandable, thanks in part to the persistence of the mainstream media's insistence on perpetuating what is in essence a caricature of African American culture, it is also indefensible and is limiting of the broad spectrum of African American culture and the humanities in general.
It is obvious that the music I write for myself and others is good, effective and pleasing to many patrons and listeners. The covers I play, while strongly deviating from the norm fall into the same category pop-rock, alternative folk, and to some ears, avant-garde. This is the kind of music I like to play, listen to and write. I feel a very strong pull to this music.
While some less-than-refined ears prefer to call the aforementioned music "white music" I must remind them strongly that nearly all popular music and music forms which originated form the United States was created in part or in whole by the traditions, rhythms and melodies of African culture. From gospel, came blues. From blues came jazz. From jazz came rhythm and blues (here, I am referencing the originators of the genre like Fats Domino and Ike Turner). From rhythm and blues came rock 'n' roll. All sub-genres of the styles mentioned here all trace back to when
African slaves sang to each other in the fields. This music interleaves in to all musics in their modern forms. The music I play is, by default, part of my culture... and part of yours.
Now that there is some understanding here, please understand why I frown when I hear suggestions to change my style to fit what you would prefer to hear. If you don't like what I play, wait 10 minutes. The next guy or gal to come along will hopefully be the one to knock you socks off. Meanwhile I will perform for those who like what they hear from me and want more. These people who are my fans appreciate what I give to them and understand what I play is without pretense of my dark skin.
Let it be known that I am from Chicago, Illinois. To a musician growing up in that town, learning the blues is similar to a five-year-old learning the alphabet. It is one of the bases of my musical knowledge. But I am drawn to pop, rock and jazz because it suits my soul. And under that criteria it is my "soul music". However, to assume that blues and hip-hop will come out of the offices of Sundrerss Co. simply because the colour of my skin demands it so is a racist assumption. Such demands are limiting to the listener whose paradigm is in severe need of shift.
The open mikes in this area are not established in blues bars. Nor are my full gigs in similar establishments. Therefore it is ridiculous to believe I would need to adhere to such an request that is ridiculous and inappropriate. I do however admire your enthusiasm.
Sincerely,
D James Bell
CEO and Founder,
DJB/ Sundress Co.
