This year, as a 60-turning-61 white man, I am going to highlight African Americans that have had some kind of influence in my life. Some are famous, some are friends, and others are just people. #blackhistorymonth
February 25th - RIP Roberta Flack
In late 1995, the San Francisco Symphony went on strike. They had a contract to play for a tour called the “Colors of Christmas” that they could not fulfill.
The American Fedration of Musicians reached an agreement with the tiur that if they could fill the orchestra with musicians in the AFM but NOT the San Francisco local, they could perform the concert.
So, one Monday morning in December, I got a call from Terry Summa, retired faculty from Foothill College and San Jose AFM Board Member, asking if i could rehearse that afternoon and play that evening plus the next two in Davies Symphony Hall in San Francisco. He also told me that I was literally the last name on his list that could handle the multiple instruments in the book, and if I couldn’t do it, the SF concerts for the tour would be cancelled. Of course I said yes! Took the day off of work and played.
The headliners were Peabo Bryson, Aaron Neville, Melissa Manchester, and Roberta Flack. Obviously, they were all talented.
But Roberta Flack stole the show. She had so much soul. She sang hits from her heydey in the 1970’s, but hearing them live was a special experience. And she did a duet with Manchester that left the latter in tears.
What an honor.
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