BLACK MOVIE SOUNDTRACK AT THE HOLLYWOOD BOWL: SEPTEMBER 25TH, 2019!

Marcus Miller and Reginald Hudlin break down black movie music in all ways.

Contest: Black Movie Soundtrack III at the Hollywood Bowl

One of the coolest musical events at the Hollywood Bowl returns for a third year! Black Movie Soundtrack III returns on Wednesday, September 25, with musical director Marcus Miller and Reginald Hudlin presenting the best in black film music, with Craig Robinson serving as host. The big musical event will feature themes, scores, and songs that have set the tone for eight decades of black cinema with El DeBarge, Dionne Farris, Chaka Khan, Meshell Ndegéocello, Raphael Saadiq, Charlie Wilson, BeBe Winans, and more providing the vocals and the Hollywood Bowl Orchestra coming through with the musical backing for the tracks. We’re giving our readers the chance to attend this magical night of music by giving away a pair of tickets to the show!

For your chance at a pair of tickets to this upcoming tour date, send your full name and contact info to [email protected] before Monday, September 23, at 10 a.m. If you don’t win, tickets are on sale now via the venue’s ticketing site $9 to $72 each plus service fees. Enter our contest or click below to attend Black Movie Soundtrack III live under the stars at the Hollywood Bowl!

BUY TICKETS: September 25th: Black Movie Soundtrack III at the Hollywood Bowl

NAJEE’S NOTES: Looking Forward To A Night Of Music At The Hollywood Bowl

One of the best African-American musical events in the nation and the current hot topic talk of music fans who reside in South Los Angeles is back for a third year.

Black Movie Soundtrack III returns to the Hollywood Bowl Sept. 25, with Oscar-nominated Reginald Hudlin and Grammy Award-winner Marcus Miller serving as musical director and presenting the best in black film music. Craig Robinson, one of the most talented comedians in Hollywood, will serve as host. I attended last year’s concert, which was also held at the Bowl and included performances by Common, Babyface, Lalah Hathaway, Earth Wind and Fire and I had the time of my life.

For those South L.A. residents who have never attended this musical event, it’s different than a jazz or musical concert. Black Movie Soundtrack III will feature themes, scores and songs that have set the tone for eight decades of black cinema with Chaka Khan, Charlie Wilson, El DeBarge, Meshell Ndegéocello, Raphael Saadiq, Dionne Farris, BeBe Winans and more providing the vocals and the Hollywood Bowl Orchestra coming through with the musical backing for the tracks.

As a dedicated music fan, what’s most exciting for me is Hudlin’s continued collaboration with Miller who as a jazz composer, producer and bass guitarist is a musical icon. Miller has won several Grammy Awards over the years as a producer and worked with trumpeter Miles Davis, pianist Herbie Hancock, singer Luther Vandross and saxophonist David Sanborn, among others.

Miller first came to my attention in 1984 with his performance on Sanborn’s track performed live called “Straight to the Heart.” Sanborn gives Miller a shout out at the conclusion of that track for writing the song which to this day I play weekly on my playlist.

Miller was also a member of the Saturday Night Live band in 1988 and 1989 and has played bass on more than 500 recordings, including those of Luther Vandross, Grover Washington Jr., Roberta Flack, Carly Simon, McCoy Tyner, Bryan Ferry and Billy Idol.

He won the most valuable player award given by the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences to recognize studio musicians three years in a row and was subsequently awarded “player emeritus” status and retired from eligibility. In the 90s, Miller began to write his own music and make his own records, putting a band together and touring regularly.

As a composer, Miller co-wrote several songs on the Miles Davis album “Tutu,” including its title track. He also composed “Chicago Song: for Sanborn and co-wrote “‘Til My Baby Comes Home,” “It’s Over Now,” “For You to Love,” and “Power of Love” for Luther Vandross.

In addition, he composed and provided spoken vocals on “Burn it Up,” which was featured on Najee’s 1992 album “Just An Illusion.” Miller is without question a musical icon. I’m excited to see what he and Hudlin have in store for us at this year’s Black Movie Soundtrack III.

For more information, contact www.Hollywoodbowl.com.

George Lynch on The Black Godfather

DOKKEN guitar legend George Lynch

“It was crazy — I was watching a documentary last night called ‘The Black Godfather’. It’s a story of this guy, Clarence Avant, that’s this monumental figure, a very quiet figure, but really pivotal in just any black musician’s career, record, film, concert, anything that was done in the last 50 years with black music, this guy was instrumental in making it happen or involved in, making deals, and advancing his people’s cause… So in this film, Isaac Hayes, Aretha Franklin — everybody is in this film. And all the heavyweights and all the CEOs of the labels — everyone. But [former U.S. president] Barack Obama is featured in it and knew this gentleman very well and speaks very highly of him when he’s talking about him. And I almost was brought to tears listening… I was not a huge fan of Barack. He was too much of a centrist for me; I’m very progressive. It was very frustrating, some of the things that he did. But listening to him speak so eloquently and intelligently and compassionately, with understanding, compared to what we have now, was terrifying.”