We Built This City on Rock and Soul

We Built This City on Rock and Soul

By Shelah Moody

London Breed

       San Francisco is a city filled with music. 

       Case in point, when London Breed was inaugurated for her first full term as Mayor of San Francisco on January 8, who could have been a better choice to help her celebrate her victory than guitar icon and SF native Carlos Santana.

     After Mayor Breed took the oath of office and delivered her inaugural speech,  https://youtu.be/TCE1ff_58ug  the Grammy-winning band Santana and special guest, gospel great Yolanda Adams, took the stage in the City Hall Rotunda and performed “Holy Holy” a song made popular by Marvin Gaye and Aretha Franklin. https://youtu.be/fLblnEetCpA

                                                                 Santana and Yolanda Adams

          Santana, who grew up in San Francisco’s historic Mission District, was accompanied by world-class musicians including acclaimed jazz/rock drummer Cindy Blackman Santana  (his wife) and on backing vocals, Oakland-based producer and Grammy trustee Larry Batiste. 

        In a rare speech after his performance, Carlos praised Mayor Breed for changing the political narrative in the Bay Area and the world in general. https://youtu.be/pPToKQWUkCA 

        After delivering her speech and greeting dignitaries and the members of Santana, Mayor Breed welcomed attendees and their families to a meet and greet and photo op a la Drew Altizer.

Simone Batiste

         Simone Batiste, daughter of Larry Batiste, was one of the attendees who was inspired by Breed’s inauguration ceremony and her message.

          “It was beautiful; The event was very inspiring and very motivating,” said Batiste. “I went to the inauguration with my mom, my dad and my little sister who is a sophomore in college. It was amazing to see a woman in power make a change in what leadership can look like. Watching my dad perform with Santana was great, too. Santana is a legend and watching history take place and Santana being there made everything come full circle. The thing about Carlos Santana’s music is that it brings together good vibes and good feelings. Anybody can dance to it, anyone can listen to it.”

George Washington High School Eagle Marching band

          Mayor Breed’s inaugural musical selections reflected in her pride in the city where she was born and raised. The inauguration kicked off with musical selections by the George Washington High School Eagle Marching band from San Francisco (although Breed, who grew up in the historic Western Addition, graduated with honors from Galileo High School).

         Acclaimed singer/songwriter Katie Kadan, who blew people away on “The Voice” singing competition, was chosen to perform the “Star-Spangled Banner.” https://youtu.be/9ON3efCVJ6E

     On Jan.13, another grand musical event took place in San Francisco, as the Recording Academy and Another Planet Entertainment presented the Bay Area Grammy Nominee celebration. (On Jan. 31, two time Grammy winner and Oakland native  Fantastic Negrito threw a world-class blues, rock and soul New Year’s Eve party at the same venue.

        Camilo Landau, president of the San Francisco Chapter of the Recording Academy; introduced the diverse group of 2019 Bay Area Grammy nominees including: 

         Tycho Featuring Saint Sinner—Best Dance/Electronic Album

         Death Angel—Best Metal Performance

         Joshua Redmond Quartet—Best Jazz Instrumental Album

         Gregory Alan Isakov—-Best Folk Album

         Northern Cree—-Best Regional Roots Music Album

          Alphabet Rockers—Best Children’s Music Album

          Todd Sickafoose—Best Musical Theatre Album 

          Leslie Ann Jones—- Best Engineered  Album, Classical.

Alphabet Rockers

       The members of the Alphabet Rockers; founders Kaitlin McGraw and Tommy Shepherd

 Kali De Jesus, Lillian Ellis, Maya Femming and Tommy Shepherd III were so excited about receiving their second Grammy nomination for their hip-hop infused album “The Love,” that they broke into chants of affirmation on the dance floor, then headed to the red carpet for photos. Alphabetrockers.com

          “It feels really good, and it feels good to be able to make music to make a change,” said Shepherd.

          “It makes me feel really good to be nominated because we’ve all worked really hard on this album and I think it deserves to be nominated,” said Flemming. 

For more information and for a live stream if the 2020 awards ceremony, go to Grammy.com.

For coverage of the 2020 Grammy Awards ceremony, stay tuned to Streetwise Radio!

       

Notes From the Great Stevie Wonder Rebellion By Shelah Moody Chapter One: Living for the City

          On Saturday morning, on my way to work, I got off the Muni at Embarcadero station and passed a heartbreaking scene: a man and his dog sleeping on platform. 

 I transferred to the N train and got off 2nd and King and walked through another SF injustice— a makeshift homeless encampment right at the train stop.

      Across the street at Oracle Park, a massive private concert was set up; it was hosted by corporate giants Genentech, featuring a surprise superstar music headliner. 

          My anxiety kicked in. My office was right next door to Oracle Park.   Yet I was locked out of the biggest event in the city. The concert was exclusively for Genentech employees.

          Welcome to San Francisco 2019, a city of great wealth with a hidden core of great poverty.

       In 2018, I’d left San Francisco for New Orleans, but I was lured back with the promise of a well-paying city job and new civic leadership under a young progressive black female mayor, London Breed. I had indeed remembered SF as a fun and beautiful, the innovative city where you could achieve your dreams if you worked hard.

        But upon my return from New Orleans, people in SF seemed younger, unfriendlier, bigger, stronger and faster than I was. I was paying the highest rent I’d ever paid in my life. (I’d even tweeted this fact to #45 when he said he’d done more for African Americans than any other president, but that’s a different dish).

           After 25 years, I was still a struggling writer in San Francisco, floundering in the house that tech built.

          I constantly questioned my self-worth: afraid to let my rich friends know how little I and afraid to let my poor friends know how much I had.

     
I’d returned to SF from New Orleans after being offered a permanent job with the City and County of San Francisco. I was a low-level bureaucrat; I made a decent salary which allowed me to scrape by in the most expensive and expansive city in the country.

      Part of my job was selling parking passes and collecting rents and late fees from SF tenants. I still pursued what I was most passionate about: and reporting about music.

      That day, I committed an outrageous act which I call the great Stevie Wonder Rebellion. Giving it an enigmatic name makes being fired and one step away from homeless myself seem less traumatic, don’t you think? 

        In a way, Stevie Wonder freed me from what could have been a lifetime of frustration and unhappiness.

    So, this is what happened. The day of the Great Stevie Wonder Rebellion, one of our tenants with connections walked into our office and offered us access into the private Genentech concert, featuring none other than Stevie Wonder. 

     Stevie Wonder; an artist I had been chasing since I was 17. For the past two decades, there were times when Stevie Wonder was literally at my fingertips, but I’d never gotten to touch the Motown icon or meet him face to face. In 2016, I even sat right behind Stevie Wonder in the pews when I covered Natalie Cole’s funeral in Los Angeles for Streetwise Radio. In 2014, I sat in the VIP section watching Stevie Wonder soundcheck before the Soul Train Music Awards in Las Vegas, but security kept the press away. In 2015, my friend had been offered backstage passes to see Stevie Wonder at his tribute concert in LA, but she chose to have a meal in a trendy restaurant instead.

       Stevie Wonder was again right at my fingertips. Maybe this was a sign.

       My boss agreed to let us leave the office for a while to catch a few songs from Stevie Wonder and come back. 

       So, our connection escorted us inside of the venue; Oracle Park was transformed into a wonderland of perks for Genentech employees: free food, drink, an abundance of snacks, games and live DJs and other entertainment. 

      But five minutes before Stevie Wonder was scheduled to hit the stage, my boss called us back to the office and told us to come back to work. There would be no Stevie Wonder for me, she said. 

       Now, if you saw the movie, “Color Purple,” starring media mogul Oprah Winfrey, you may recall a scene where the mayor’s maid, Sophia, is given the chance to spend Christmas with her family after an eight-year estrangement. The mayor’s wife drops her off and Sophia revels in the joy and love and comfort of her family. But the mayor’s wife cannot drive home by herself, so she orders Sophia away from her family and back into the car after 15 minutes. That’s how I felt.

        So, back in the office, I pleaded with my boss as Stevie Wonder and his band performed the first rifts of “As if You Read My Mind” from one of my all-time favorite albums, “Hotter than July:” 

    “Take a chance on the secret/That you hide beneath your dreams/Use your wildest imagination/You just tell me what it is and I will make it be…”

    I could feel the bass, drums, and synthesizer in my feet. I snapped. My pleading with my boss turned into an argument, and then harsh words. I called her boss and said more harsh words and eventually, I got my way, strolling back into the concert in my sassy red sunglasses. 

       Thanks to my connection, I was able to stand right on the stage and watch one of the greatest singer/songwriters of all time perform hits such as “Master Blaster,” “Living for the City,” Higher Ground,” “Overjoyed,” “Signed Sealed Delivered,” “Superstition,” “Don’t You Worry Bout a Thing” and “You are the Sunshine of My Life” up close and personal. Stevie’s setlist was prophetic, and my

connection grabbed it off a speaker and squirreled it away after the show. I was as scared and elated at the same time. This was my greatest act of rebellion, ever.

Michael Franti, Malo and Bay Area Artists Denounce Hate @ Peace, Love and Understanding Concert

                                             

By Shelah Moody
On August 26, the Bay Area’s top concert organizers and musicians came together for a Peace, Love and Understanding concert at the Civic Center Plaza in response to planned rallies and gatherings of hate groups in San Francisco and Berkeley, CA.
Although they claim to be a free speech advocacy group, the right-wing Patriot Prayer organization has attracted neo-Nazis and white nationalist groups who latched onto their rhetoric and recently clashed with anti-racist, anti-fascist groups in Charlottesville, VA. Patriot Prayer’s leader, Joey Gibson, a Donald Trump supporter who has denied his group promotes racism or violence, planned a rally at Crissy Field in San Francisco, and then a press conference in Alamo Square. Both events were canceled due to safety concerns, and Patriot Prayer moved their “press conference” to Pacifica, CA.

                                                               

     Michael Franti and San Francisco Mayor Ed Lee

On Aug. 25, the eve of the planned Patriot Prayer rally, San Francisco mayor Edwin  Lee, along with civic and community leaders such as London Breed and David Chiu, held a noontime Unite Against Hate Rally on the steps of City Hall and vehemently declared that SF was a city of compassion, tolerance, inclusion, and diversity. 

Civic Center Plaza was probably the safest place to be in San Francisco that scorching Saturday afternoon, as thousands of people peacefully gathered for an afternoon concert featuring the bluegrass band Brothers Comatose, R&B /funk band Malo and Michael Franti and Spearhead as well as poets, speakers, visual and street performers. Mayor Lee, who attended Peace, Love, and Understanding, greeted Franti with a hug backstage and celebrated the city’s victory in driving the “hate” out of San Francisco that day.

Harry Duncan and Mark Penne as volunteers.

“Audrey Joseph and I decided that we wanted to have a peace rally, and Nick Hellman wanted to, also,“ said Peace Love and Understanding producer Dawn Holliday. “Great minds got together, knowing that Audrey and I could produce it. I called three bands and they all said yes.”
Holliday, incidentally is the producer of one of San Francisco’s largest and most popular festivals, Hardly Strictly Bluegrass, which was founded by venture capitalist Warren Hellman in 2001.
“The vibe here is fantastic,” Holiday said, backstage at Peace, Love and Understanding.  “I like large crowds of happy people. Everyone here is having a really good time. Since we scared the alt-right out of San Francisco, we are enjoying San Francisco for ourselves. 

“Fear and hate don’t exist in my world,” said Holliday. “I think that if you keep fear out of your heart and hate out of your heart, it spreads to other people. You just can’t be afraid. If you feel hate, you drive it to you, if you feel fear; you drive it to you. You can’t live in that state. You have to live in a more open place.”

For years, Holliday worked for famed San Francisco concert producer Bill Graham, who would have loved the Peace, Love, and Understanding event, Holiday said. 

“(Bill) probably would have had a bigger stage and fancier lights and stuff,” said Holliday. “But this is what you’ve got when you have an all-volunteer staff.”

Indeed, the Peace and Love Gathering was probably the safest place to be on Aug. 26. Sharpshooters were positioned on the rooftops of buildings near Civic Center Plaza, which was surrounded by a layer of police officers. There was no violence or injuries reported at the concert, and the only commotion this writer noticed were paramedics rushing to the aid of a woman with an injured toe. 

“We don’t have the luxury of fear, said Kate Kendell, Peace, Love and Understanding’s guest speaker and emcee, Kendall is executive director of the National Center for Lesbian Rights in San Francisco.

“Fear puts people in a fetal position, and that’s not going to help anybody,” said Kendell. “If you are not out there on the front lines doing what you can, you are complicit in the carnage, particularly in communities of color, immigrant communities, and Jewish communities. We have to all come together, especially folks with privilege, especially white folks, to say, no, that is not going to happen on our watch. We are not gonna be ruled by fear, we’re gonna be ruled by power and fierceness.”

Kendell said that the Peace, Love and Understanding Concert was Pulled together in five days. 

“There are folks who pretty much gave up their day jobs for a week to make this happen,” said Kendell. “Because we wanted to stand in that gap and say no, the Nazis aren’t coming to town without us having a response. Hopefully, this event will be a galvanizing moment for people to continue and to deepen that conversation that this country has never really had around racism and the structures that support white supremacy. Those structures have to be dismantled, and that’s never going to happen if we don’t confront our past and pledge that we want a different future. “ 

Fear and had did not stop Peace, Love and Understanding’s headliner, Grammy-winning singer/songwriter Michael Franti, from strolling into the audience with his acoustic guitar and hugging and kissing fans and supporters. https://youtu.be/w0gbtRSpG8s.

From 1999-2013, Franti produced the free Power to the Peaceful Festival, which started out as an event to draw attention to the cause of imprisoned activist Mumia Abu Jamal,  at Golden Gate Park in San Francisco. 

After the Peace, Love and Understanding concert, Mayor Lee sent an open letter to San Francisco City employees, thanking public safety agencies who worked tirelessly to keep the city safe including police officers, firefighters, EMS workers, 911 emergency dispatchers, and deputy sheriffs.

“This weekend, San Francisco stood together to reject hate and violence, “ said Mayor Lee. ‘Throughout our city, the themes of love and compassion were on full display. There were zero injuries related to the demonstrations on Saturday, despite the potential for violence that we have seen in other cities when similar protests have been held. This year, we are celebrating the 50th anniversary of the Summer of Love. We proved this weekend that the legacy of that movement remains strong, half a century later.”

R&B Superstar Aloe Blacc Illuminates Macy’s Great Tree Lighting Ceremony, San Francisco By Shelah Moody

Photos by Johnnie Burrell

                Aloe Blacc and Oakland Interfaith Gospel Choir
                                     
Happy Holidays from Streetwise Radio! We wish you love, prosperity and happiness in the Yew year!  Thanks to Johnnie Burrell of International Media TV, Streetwise Radio was on hand as Grammy nominated R&B singer Aloe Blacc kicked off the holiday season in San Francisco, performing at Macy’s annual Great Tree Lighting Ceremony at Union Square Park on Nov. 25.
                                  

Backed by the Oakland Interfaith Gospel Choir, Blacc, known for his hits including “Wake Me Up,” “I Need a Dollar” and “The Man,” performed Christmas classics such as, “This Christmas” by Donny Hathaway,  Mel Torme’s “The Christmas Song,” made popular by Nat “King” Cole and Jose Feliciano’s “Feliz Navidad,” in honor of his own  Panamanian heritage. Blacc even put his own letter to Santa in Macy’s classic red mailbox on stage. One can only wonder what he asked for! Check out a clip here.   https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4XylxhxjeXM
Thanks for listening and tune in to a new and improved Streetwise Radio in 2017!

Keeping up with the Skint-Ashians:

The U.K.’s Reggae/Punk Band Skints at California Roots Festival;By Shelah Moody






Who: Tastemaker Live & King of Kings Reggae present the Skints with 2015 Grammy winners Morgan Heritage, Jamere & Laza Morgan, Saane & Delight, Mellow Movement, King I-Vier, DJ Green B, 1 Blood, hosts Spliff Skankin and Show Nuff Entertainment Deecee's Soul Shakedown.

When: Sunday June 12, 8 p.m.

Where: 1015 Folsom Dance Club, San Francisco, CA

Tickets Info: http://1015.com/events/06-12-2016/morgan-heritage/

The Skints have a lot to celebrate this year. Since I first interviewed them at the 2015 California Roots Festival, the innovative, east London reggae/punk band embarked on an international tour in support of their latest album, “FM” on Easy Star records. They’ve hit the European festival circuit this year and in the U.S., they’ve opened for the likes of southern California roots band Tribal Seeds and Grammy winners Stephen “Ragga” Marley and Morgan Heritage.

The Skints’ sound is a fusion of roots reggae, dancehall, dub, R&B, punk and garage. “FM” has been described as a fitting tribute to the diverse radio culture in the UK that influenced them.

During Memorial Day weekend, (May 27-29), the Skints returned to the wildly popular California Roots festival, held at Monterey County Fairgrounds.

I caught up with the Skints-Marcia Richards (keyboards, melodica, vocals), Josh Waters Rudge (lead guitar, vocals), Jamie Kryiakides (drums, vocals) and John Doyle (bass) in the media lounge after their high energy performance on Saturday afternoon. I asked the Skints, who played the smaller OG stage at Caliroots last year, how it felt to be “upgraded” to the Bowl—the main stage-- which exposed them to a wider audience. Josh said that the upgrade felt “quite luxurious” and an added perk was having a posh dressing room across from Stephen and Damian Marley and the VIP Lounge.

The Skints’ one-hour set in the Caliroots Bowl, thick with smoke from at least 10 strains of sensimilla, consisted of original songs such as “Cost of Living,” “Culture Vulture,” “Rat-A-Tat,” “Laser Beam,” “Forest for the Trees” and “Eyes in the Back of My Head.” Given the Skints’ tight rapport with each other and the audience and their collective quick British wit, I asked them if they’ve considered a venturing into reality television.

“This is the first time anyone has seriously mentioned it,” said Josh. “Keeping up with the Skint-ashians… We should look into it.”

The Skints are advocates of live music and serious instrumentation. Marcia’s ebullient melodica solos are one of the highlights of a Skints show.

“When you play the piano, you can play the melodica,” Marcia explained. “It’s a direct mix between the flute and the piano, which are my two main instruments. I’m very influenced by Augustus Pablo. We used to listen to him in the car when we were driving to shows.”

In closing, I asked each member of the Skints to sum up the California Roots festival experience in a few words.

“It is the most friendly and warm place, both in weather and the vibe,” said Marcia. “These are some of the nicest members of the audience I’ve met during my career.”

“Glorious sunshine,” said Josh.

“Free edibles,” said Jamie.

John chose to be ambiguous in his response. “Sexuality!”

Follow the Skints on:

Website: http://theskints.co.uk/

Soundcloud: https://soundcloud.com/the_skints

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/theskints

Janet Jackson Makes Triumphant Return to San Francisco with Her “Unbreakable” World Tour By Shelah Moody

It was a world party celebrating all things Janet.  On October 13 and 14, Grammy winning singer/songwriter, actress, author, activist and ultimate pop icon Janet Jackson brought her long awaited “Unbreakable” tour to San Francisco’s Bill Graham Civic Auditorium,  with two sold out shows.  Jackson last performed at the Bill Graham Civic in 2011 on the heels of her “Number Ones” tour, where she performed at smaller venues for a more intimate concert experience.
In the last four years, Jackson took a hiatus from touring, reportedly living part time in Quatar with billionaire husband Wissam Al Mana, converting to Islam and making rare appearances Fashion Week in Paris and amfAR benefits.
In the shadow of City Hall, Bill Graham Civic Auditorium was transformed into “JanFrancisco,” on Oct. 14, as a flash mob performed a  “Rhythm Nation” Janet Jackson tribute outside of the venue.  In lieu of an opening act, DJ Aktive played re-mixes of Jackson’s greatest hits, from her very first single “Young Love” (1982) to selections from “Unbreakable” (released Oct. 2), her first studio album in seven years, produced by her longtime collaborators Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis.
At the merchandise booth, which I dubbed the “Jantique,” Unbreakable world tour T-shirts sold for $45, collectible mugs, $30 and programs, $10. With each item purchased, customers received a free copy of the “Unbreakable” CD--a very good deal indeed,
Jackson’s San Francisco show proved that the Unbreakable diva is back—with more passion and energy than ever; exhilarated by the success of “Unbreakable” and its number one status on the music charts.  Ms. Jackson turned it up with a world class production featuring fireworks, slide shows, nine dancers, three background singers, four musicians and more than 30 of her most popular songs.  It was well worth the wait. Janet did not disappoint with her euphoric blend of R&B, electronic dance music, rock, funk and slow jams.

Fans screamed and set their smart phones to record as Jackson’s shapely silhouette became visible behind a screen, and the superstar appeared live, in technicolor, opening with her “Unbreakable” hit “Burn it Up” featuring Missy Elliot via video. She segued into her signature tune, “Nasty,” from her 1986 breakthrough album, “Control,” produced by Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis.
Nope, Ms. Jackson is apparently not “nasty” anymore. Notably missing from her show were the onstage sexcapades that Jackson became known for in the late nineties and 2000s. For example, during her 2008 “Discipline” tour, she would pick a random fan from the audience, tie him to a mechanical bed and assume the role of a dominatrix. Well, those days seem to be long gone.  Many of the songs on “Unbreakable” are built on themes of spirituality, self-actualization, regeneration, ascension and above all, love.  Unlike previous concerts, there were no wardrobe changes at this show. The recent Rock & Roll Hall of Fame inductee performed all night in a black couture ensemble a la Giuseppe Zanotti that covered her from head to toe.
At 49, Jackson moved with fluid, balletic grace, accompanied by her hand selected  group of dancers who call themselves the J-Tribe, performing routines  “What Have You Done For Me Lately,” “Miss U Much” “Pleasure Principle”  and “Rhythm Nation.” A trendsetter in the hair industry, Jackson skillfully manipulated her flowing curly tresses to fall into place with each move. For those who’ve  wondered what it would like to rock with Ms. Jackson in da  club, she showed off some freestyle moves during J. Cole’s pre-recorded rap on “Unbreakable’s” lead single,  “No Sleep,” pointing to the sky when J. Cole referenced her brother Michael’s song “Butterflies.”
Recovering from a vocal ailment that caused her to reschedule to shows in Las Vegas this year, Jackson’s sensual soprano was in fine form. Seated on a gold stool or strolling around the stage, Jackson took on the role of chanteuse on ballads such as “Any Time, Any Place” “Again” and “Unbreakable tracks “After You Fall,” and “Shoulda Known Better. The gracious performer periodically blew kisses to the audience sending one lucky fan home with the towel that she threw into the crowd.
During her closing song, the title track from “Unbreakable,” Jackson raised her hands and formed them into the shape of a heart. “It’s all about love,” she said. After introducing each of her musicians and dancers, Jackson thanked her fans for making “No Sleep” number one for eight weeks in a row and “Unbreakable” number one during the week of her performances. She thanked her audience for their continued love and support, “not just for me, but for my entire family,” she said. “I love you!”
Ah, if only JanTopia could last forever! For more “Unbreakable tour dates, go to www.janetjackson.com. Like her on Facebook,https://www.facebook.com/JanetJackson, follow her on Twitter @Janetjackson. For more coverage of Janet Jackson’s SF show, like Streetwise Radio on Facebook, https://www.facebook.com/StreetwiseRadioGilroyCalifornia?fref=ts.

Meet the J-Tribe—Four more than two decades, Jackson’s live shows have featured some of the best dancers from around the world and launched the careers of Tina Landon, Gil Duldulao and others. Jackson’s Unbreakable tour dancers, which she refers to as her kids, include Bianca Brewton, Melanie Mah, Mishay Petronelli, Dominique Battiste (from the San Francisco Bay Area), Alexandra Carson and Allison Buckzkowski. Tween dancers Kyndall Harris and Taylor Hatala, who Jackson calls her “babies,” are the true stars of the show.
http://www.janetjackson.com/news/news/meet-janets-dancers#.ViMsDaSFPIU

Kristina Debarge

DEBARGE FAMILY TIES
By. Amero
Its officially spring! The flowers and trees are dropping their seeds
spreading their genetic structures ensuring the survival of life. Its beautiful
and complex how the cycle of life works. Families grow and expand and
add to the legacy of the family name. Which is exactly what the Debarge
family continues to do. We all remember the platinum and gold selling
group from the 80’s whose numerous singles kept Motown afloat during the
1980’s. Enter Kristina Debarge a wonderful rose from “the city of roses”
Pasadena, Ca. Daughter of James Debarge, Kristina Debarge is quickly
making a name for herself as a singer. As a child Kristina always wanted to
sing (you think??)but never made it known till she was about 12 years old.
Her father took her to the studio and they recorded their first single
together. A year later Kristina made her national t.v. debut on “American
Juniors”(an american idol spin-off). As the shows youngest contestant( at
13 years old) she wowed fans and made the top twenty which was a great
feat if you ask me. After American Juniors she was introduced to “Baby Face”
 and signed a deal with sodapop/ Island def jam and began working on her
debut album “Exposed” in 2009 which debuted at #23 on billboard's top
200. As if she wasn't busy enough Kristina Debarge's acting career began
in 2012 with the movie “Christmas in Compton”. Then she received the
leading role in Nick Cannons directorial debut called "School Dance" in
2014. Kristina has a single that I like that is called “Radio” which has solid
production and Kristina seems to have a grasp of how to balance making
a single while still being original. Also check out her song “Amnesia” where
Kristina Debarge talks about relationship issues! Kristina is definitely the
next in a long line of Debarges to hit the scene but where are all these
Debarges coming from?? Seriously there's probably a daycare somewhere
with about a hundred of these Lil guys and gals training for their chance
to come out. SMH.. Oh well at least they do have talent to spread around
unlike some of my siblings but i digress. Check out this lovely young lady
Kristina Debarge on The Streetwise Radio Ultra Mix 1am to 12pm, 1pm to 
4:30pm andpm to 10pm pacific time. And remember for all your
delivery needs in the San Jose, Oakland and San Francisco Bay Area 
it's Streetwise Special Delivery. PEACE.

Up Close and Personal with Will Downing: The Prince of Sophisticated Soul Performs at Yoshi’s San Francisco This Weekend

By Shelah Moody

Will Downing performs 8 p.m., Saturday March 1(sold out) and 7 p.m., Sunday March 2, Yoshi's San Francisco, 1330 Fillmore Street, SF, CA 94115, 415.655.5600, yoshis.com/sanfrancisco

Euphoria: A state of intense happiness and self-confidence.- dictionary.com.

His name evokes a feeling of warmth, comfort and strength. Grammy nominated vocalist Will Downing, aka the Prince of Sophisticated Soul, is currently celebrating 25 years in the music business, with 17 full-length recordings to his credit. Downing performs March 1-2 at Yoshi’s San Francisco, and had already sold out the first show.

Like other great artists such as Charlie Wilson, Toni Braxton, Angela Bofill and Teddy Pendergrass, Downing has come back from serious health challenges, including a battle with polymyositis. As a health advocate, Downing is currently a spokesperson for the American Stroke Association). Downing is currently gearing up for the release of his new solo project, aptly titled “Euphoria,” on his independent Sophisticated Soul label. Lovers get ready--the first single is a cover of Teddy Pendergrass’ fireside love song, “Turn off the Lights.”

In terms of vocal style, Downing is known as a baritone with a unique tenor range. I recently caught up with the acclaimed artist for a brief interview.

Shelah Moody: One of my favorite Will Downing interpretations is Angela Bofill’s “I Try.” What do you love about that song, and are you in touch with Angela Bofill?

Will Downing: I talk to Angela quite often. I recorded “I Try” back in 1991. It was basically a male interpretation of the idea that men try as well (laughs). It sort of needed to be said from a man’s perspective. That’s what prompted me to do that version of the song.

SM: Another one of my favorite Will Downing interpretations is “I Go Crazy,” by Paul Davis. What made you choose that song?

WD: Both of those songs are on my “A Dream Fulfilled” album. “I Go Crazy” was a song that I really didn’t want to record, but the president of the record company at the time--I guess it was his favorite. I did the song reluctantly, kicking and screaming. It ended up being one of the biggest songs that I’ve recorded.

SM: I like the way you took a light rock song and made it quiet storm.

WD: Thank you.

SM: How many musicians will accompany you at Yoshi’s San Francisco?

WD: Collectively, seven, including drums, bass, guitar, keyboards, two backing vocalists and myself. It’s a big sound. Trust me, I have some very skilled musicians and we’re gonna make this thing do what it do, as they say.

SM: What are some of your most requested songs?

WD: Probably, the first two that you mentioned, “I Try” and “I Go Crazy.” There’s a duet that I do with Rachelle Ferrell called “Nothing Has Ever Felt Like This.” If I don’t sing that song, people start throwing fruit at me! Also, there’s “A Million Ways.” Trust me, from the time that you’ll be there, we’ll take you on a 25-year journey. Within the show, we will do all of the songs that helped maintain my career. I’m glad to still be doing what I do.

SM: I remember meeting you backstage after you performed at the Sleep Train Pavilion in Concord, CA in 2005. I was impressed by how warm and open you were with your fans. Is that something that’s important to you?

WD: Oh, it’s extremely important. I mean, it’s the only opportunity where you get to see people up close and personal in the masses. I’m very grateful, I’m always shocked when I see that amount of people; and there were a lot of people there that night. It’s really important that you let fans know how grateful you are that they are there and that they’ve been supportive. Anytime I walk on stage, I get paid to do it, so I try to give it 100 percent. We go down memory lane together; these songs are the songs of our lives; we grew up on these songs together. I try to give back what I get.

SM: You just told me that you are from Brooklyn, NY. How did growing up in the city influence your music?

WD: I don’t know if Brooklyn is a musical Mecca or anything like that, but music was played heavily in my home. I grew up listening to what my older brother and sister and my parents listened to, which was good quality music. My parents were big jazz fans and so in our household, you’d hear just about everything. You’d hear Johnny Hartman, Nat King Cole and Nancy Wilson. My sister would be playing the Ohio Players and my brother would be playing Earth, Wind and Fire. I always grew up around good music; like Stevie Wonder. I guess it kind of stuck and became embedded in my DNA.

SM: You have gone through some serious health challenges over the years. What got you through them and kept you going?

WD: Well, first and foremost, I credit God for all things. God is definitely in my corner, and helped me get back on my feet. Also, there was my family, doctors and medicine—all of that combined was helpful.

SM: Congratulations on your new album, “Euphoria. Tell us about it.

WD: It’s a project that will be out in a few weeks. It’s my 17^th project. “Euphoria” is an eight-song project, primarily remakes and one original song. I flipped the script just a little bit. Over the years, I’ve been known as a soulful kind of R&B singer with jazzy overtones. I made “Euphoria” more of a jazzy record with soulful overtones. I think people are going to be pleased with the song selections, and I hope that they are also pleased with the performances.

SM: Tell us about your “Sophisticated Soul” label.

WD: It’s something that I’ve been doing for the last three years. I’d been with Universal Records for 23 years, and it was time for a change. I mean, in this day and age of digital download and Internet, I just decided to go my own route and see how I would do, and so far, so good! This is my second release on my own label and I’m not complaining; I’m happy with it.

SM: Tell us about the first single from “Euphoria.”

WD: The first song on this project is actually a remake of the Teddy Pendergrass song, “Turn off the Lights.” I’m real excited about that. It’s an amazing song; obviously a classic. I flipped it a little bit. I think folks know the original version as being the in-your-face Teddy singing it to you rough and ready. I kind of smoothed it out and made it more appealing. These are two interpretations of the same some. I’m not saying that mine is better; it’s just an interpretation.

For more information, go to www.willdowning.com.

Grammy Nominated Singer Songwriter Shanice Wilson Brings her Soul and Her Smile to Yoshi’s San Francisco

Story and Photos by Shelah Moody

Who:  Shanice

When: Saturday, September 21, 8 p.m. and 10 p.m.

Where: Yoshi’s San Francisco, 1330 Fillmore St., SF

Info: 415 655 5600, www.yoshis.com,

Story and Photos by Shelah Moody

            Shanice Wilson has a smile, a voice and a personality that automatically makes you light up. It is no wonder that Grammy winning drummer/producer Narada Michael Walden took her under his wing to in 1991, to  produce her second studio album, “Inner Child,” which spawned her “Billboard” chart topper “I Love Your Smile.”

             I first experienced the power and pure soul of Shanice Wilson soaring soprano voice in 2009,  during a  production called “Let the Sunshine In”  at Davies Symphony Hall in San Francisco. It was benefit for the Narada Michael Walden Foundation, Chistopher Rodriguez,  (a child who was hit and paralyzed by a stray bullet while practicing the piano at his Oakland home) and the San Francisco Conservatory of Music. Shanice performed with a fantasy lineup which included Sting, Mary Wilson, Tevin Campbell, Lisa Fischer, Earl Klugh, Marilyn McCoo and Billy Davis, Jr. and others. As Shanice sang the ebullient  “I Love Your Smile” on stage to Christopher, she touched everyone in the audience. 

           

Shanice Wilson, who goes by her first name, is a former child star turned success story. She is currently working on a new CD and other notable projects, which she discussed during our interview.  Shanice is married to actor Flex Alexander, and they have two children together.

            Shanice and her band perform at Yoshi’s San Francisco for the first time this weekend.

Shelah Moody: What was it like being reunited with your producer, Narada Michael Walden at the “Let the Sunshine In” benefit in San Francisco?

Shanice: It was fun to be on stage with Narada. We still stay in touch. As a matter of fact, I spoke with him yesterday and we are talking about doing more music together.

SM: You have such a beautiful and powerful voice! What kind of music will you be performing at Yoshi’s?

Shanice: Thank you! I am taking everyone back, from the beginning of my career to the present. I’m also doing a tribute to some of the legends that we’ve lost: Teena Marie, Whitney Houston, Michael Jackson and Vesta Williams. I will be doing “I Love Your Smile,” of course, and “Saving Forever for You.” I’m taking you through the eighties, nineties and the millennium. 

SM: How old were you when you recorded “I Love Your Smile?”

Shanice: I was 18.

SM: On that note, what was it like making the transition from teen sensation to grown up artist?

Shanice: I think, for a minute, that transition for the public was hard, but for me it was easy. My first single was called “Can You Dance,” and it came out in 1987. I signed my first record deal when I was 11. I think that as I started growing up, people still wanted to me to be that bubbly, smiling little girl (laughs).

SM: I recently read in your bio that you did some work on the track “Behind the Mask” on Michael Jackson’s posthumous release “Michael.”

Shanice:  Yes, I sang backgrounds, and I did some ad libs with Michael on “Behind the Mask.” I also sang background for Siedah Garrett on one of Michael’s songs called “Keep the Faith” on the “Dangerous” album.

SM: That’s amazing! What was it like to work with Michael?

Shanice: First of all, I’m Michael’s number one fan. My mom and I are from Pittsburg, Pennsylvania and we moved to California when I was eight years old. Wanda Hutchinson, from the female vocal group the Emotions, picked us up from the Greyhound bus station. When I got off of the bus, the first thing I said was, “Where’s Michael Jackson! I wanna meet Michael Jackson!” When I did the backgrounds for Michael, I was so nervous; I was so excited. I’ve met a lot of entertainers, and he was the most down to earth. He was the nicest guy I’ve ever met. It’s funny, because you meet people who are not as famous as Michael Jackson, and they feel themselves a little bit, but Michael was so not like that at all. When I was called to do “Behind the Mask,” it was hard, because he had passed away. He had recorded the song years ago, and they just added my voice. It was an honor, but it was difficult. I cried for a minute. I had to stop for a second and get my tears out, and then I was able to sing.

SM: Did you attend Michael’s memorial service at the Staples Center?

Shanice: Yes, I did. It was so hard. We were sitting next to one of the chefs who used to work with Michael. He was telling me that Michael’s favorite dish was fried chicken—he loved fried chicken. Everyone—the whole aisle was just crying. When his daughter, Paris, got up to speak, you could hear people crying really hard all the way up in the balcony.

SM: Branford Marsalis has also performed at Yoshi’s San Francisco. What was it like working with him on “I Love Your Smile?”

Shanice: The funniest thing is, when Branford played his saxophone part, I wasn’t actually there. We never actually got together in the studio. I never got a chance to actually talk to him or work with him like that. Narada called him in, he played his part, and then he called me in on another day and I came in and sang my part.

SM: When I met you at the benefit in 2009, I was surprised to see little Shanice all grown up with a husband and a family! How did you meet Flex Alexander?

Shanice: I met him in Studio City. We were living in the same apartment building. The day he moved in, I was on my way to a Lauryn Hill concert. We got in the elevator. I knew of him and he knew of me, but we didn’t know each other personally. I went back to get a pen so that we could stay in touch, but when I got back to the elevator, he was gone, because it took me forever to get the pen. A couple weeks later, we ran into each other again and we exchanged numbers. We started out as friends, and we had such a great friendship. The funniest thing it that we officially dated for four months. He asked me to marry him; and we were married three months later. That was 13 years ago.

SM: What a wonderful story! What are your children like?

Shanice: Our daughter just turned 12, and our son is nine. They are both pretty funny; they keep me laughing. My daughter is in a singing group with LL Cool J’s daughter and Niecy Nash’s daughter. My son just discovered that he wants to sing; he’s always known how to sing. He also loves to direct, he builds leggos and does animation with them. I call him Steven Spielberg (laughs).

SM: How many people will you have in your band at Yoshi’s?

Shanice: It’s really intimate; I don’t have a big production. I have a keyboard player, bass, drums and that’s it!           

SM: Tell us about your upcoming projects.

Shanice: I am working on some new music; I’ve been working with a producer, B Slade, who used to be a gospel singer who went under the name Tonéx. This is not a gospel project, but he is amazing; he does everything—pop, R&B, gospel. We are doing a whole CD together. I can’t reveal the network yet, but my husband and I are working on a reality show about our family.