JASON HIRSHHORN QUOTE OF THE DAY

I don’t have problems. I have friends.

Clarence Avant, The Black Godfather

My mom used to watch the OLYMPICS religiously. It wasn’t the YANKEES. Or the LAKERS. Or the NY GIANTS. Many of the sports were ones I was unfamiliar with. Mom too. Track. Gymnastics. Fencing. We didn’t really know the athletes. I asked her why she was drawn to it. “It’s not about sports. It’s about the stories. The sacrifice. The commitment. The ups and downs that got them there. The journey.” That’s what she was watching. And as I grew up, I was less interested in watching sports in general, but I gravitated to the stories on HBO’s REAL SPORTS, SHOWTIME’s 60 MINUTES SPORTS and ESPN’s 30 FOR 30. I’m a rabid music fan. And while it was about the music to me, when I loved an artist or wanted to get to know one, the stories meant a lot to me. I watch a ton of music documentaries on NETFLIX, PRIME, HBO, SHOWTIME, and STINGRAY QELLO. Some really stood out during my time off. NETFLIX’s “THE BLACK GODFATHER,” tells the story of legendary executive and entrepreneur CLARENCE AVANT. He may not be widely known in popular culture but his influence is felt all through music, movies, good works, and politics. There are a few people in any industry that are a thread of relationships. You hear their name everywhere. That’s Clarence. Born in humble beginnings in CLIMAX, NORTH CAROLINA. He found his way into the music business when he moved North. His mentor was LOUIS ARMSTRONG’s manager JOE GLASER (look for a great story on the call Clarence gets after Glaser dies from “fixer” SIDNEY KORSHAK). Glaser was a legendary agent that was, as many were at the time, “connected.” But not a mobster. Glaser saw something in him. And thought a black man should manage black artists. Geniuses like LITTLE WILLIE JOHN and great jazz organist JIMMY SMITH. When QUINCY JONES wanted JIMMY to record, they became fast friends even though Quincy didn’t get the deal. Right away, AVANT had a talent for deals and great taste. At Glaser’s directive, he moved out to LOS ANGELES and that’s where his ascent to mogul began as he continued to build the network that would thread itself through many industries. He found and signed BILL WITHERS. Helped LALO SCHIFRIN transition to film scores. He made the first major endorsement deal for a black athlete with HANK AARON. Signed RODRIGUEZ who later became famous in “SEARCHING FOR SUGAR MAN.” He introduced producers JIMMY JAM and TERRY LEWIS to JANET JACKSON. MICHAEL JACKSON asked him to run the BAD tour. BILL CLINTON and BARAK OBAMA sought his help. Called the king of HOLLYWOOD and friend, LEW WASSERMAN, a “mofo.” When artists were in trouble, they called him. He’s “The Black Godfather” because he was fiercely loyal and a hard negotiator. “If you don’t ask you don’t get. Life is about numbers” he used to say. “He has no B.S. in him,” said Quincy. When in LA, he started record labels (SUSSEX, TABU), bought radio stations, and found himself in financial trouble. And in a town that is cut-throat, even with those problems, he had friends. And they helped him. Because for all the gangster, for all the hard-nosed negotiating. Clarence is something he would never admit. A softie. Hard shell, soft inside. Heart of gold. I mean that in the best sense. Director REGINALD HUDLIN does a great job weaving dozens of interviews together with Clarence, friends, family, and associates to present a great retrospective of his achievements, but more importantly what kind of person he is. It’s Clarence’s network of relationships that tell the story. Very fitting. Just a few names like HANK AARON, IRVING AZOFF, JIM BROWN, CHERRELLE, BILL CLINTON, SEAN ‘DIDDY’ COMBS (“he kept my ass out of jail one or two times”), CLIVE DAVIS, SUZANNE DE PASSE, KENNETH ‘BABYFACE’ EDMONDS, HAROLD FORD, JAMIE FOXX, DAVID GEFFEN, NELSON GEORGE, BERRY GORDY, LUCIAN GRAINGE, ANDRE HARRELL, KAMALA HARRIS, ZACH HOROWITZ, JESSE JACKSON, JIMMY JAM, QUINCY JONES, TERRY LEWIS, LUDACRIS, BENNY MEDINA, ELVIS MITCHELL, JERRY MOSS, BARACK OBAMA, JON PLATT, L.A. REID, LIONEL RICHIE, TED SARANDOS (his son-in-law), LALO SCHIFRIN, AL SHARPTON, SID SHEINBERG, SNOOP DOGG, CICELY TYSON, BILL WITHERS and more. I knew about Avant. But I didn’t know the stories. I love stories, it’s about the stories and now I want to know all of them. And the relationships he built is something very familiar to me. That’s a guy I want to meet. Loved it. Go watch…

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.