© 9/11/03George V, Johnson, Jr. Your Majesty's Musical Message Two years ago, at this time, I had just flown to Albuquerque, NM, on September 10, and stayed at the Historic B'n'B, the JAZZ INN, with concerts scheduled in Santa Fe and Taos. The next morning, 9/11, we turned on the TV news of the Twin Tower bombings. It was unbelievable. Everyone was in tears. Five months later, and after two postponements, due to terrorist attacks, I received an unbelievable call, early one Sunday morning, requesting that I come to Israel to perform. I was excited, but really shocked! My family and friends were very concerned about my well being and tried to convince me not to go. At the time I only had one gig on my calendar and I wanted to see what it was like, so with a two-week notice, I cancelled a club engagement and was on my way. It was called The 2nd International Artist Conclave Jerusalem, "God Bless the Child" Film Documentary. In Solidarity with all Children in Conflict. "A 7-day concert tour with 15-year former "Tonight Show" Saxophonist and Educator, Arnie Lawrence (Jewish) Founder of the New School in NYC", said the voice on the other end of the phone. The year prior there were award presentation and concerts by legendary drummer Max Roach and saxophonist James Moody "MOODY'S Mood for Love". Also on the flight was Blues singer, Evelyn Blakey, drummer Art Blakey's daughter, her manager Lord Allah and Roxanne Butterfly-Jazz Tap dancer extraordinaire who's nationality was French Moroccan. Upon arrival we were greeted at the airport in high fashion, by Arnie playing on his saxophone "when the Saints Come Marching In" with crowds watching on. With Arnie was a cameraman filming every step we took, everyday. A dark skinned Egyptian driver in a Mercedes Station wagon chauffeured us daily. He looked like a normal black man that you would see anywhere and spoke Arabic and English as well. During the week, we made appearances and performed at Arnie's Jazz/Ness Cafe, YMCA Hall, at the top of Mt. Meirom (overlooking the Sea of Galilee), The Galil, Hemdat Yamin, Haifa, Mt Olive and in Tel Aviv at Snyder's Children Hospital (center court concert) and a special presentation for the children in the Kidney dialysis section who were not able to attend. The band consisted of (Palestinians) Muslims, Jews and Christians with nothing but creativity and love. The instruments used weren't your typical instruments that you would hear in a regular jazz band. Some were the same instruments that were used thousands of years ago along with piano, saxophones, vocal and tap. Their sound was original, spontaneous and I found myself dancing with belly dancers as well as singing even though I'd never heard the music before. It was an experience that I'll always cherish. The concerts were sometimes low in attendance because some were scared to come out, but they were mixed audiences meaning Palestinians, Jews and Christians. You see! There are certain folks out there (grass root) who refuse to let all the fighting interfere with their mission to bring people together peacefully and Jazz Music our common bond was the vehicle. What else can I say? Use your imagination. Arnie developed satellite jazz programs in different areas of Israel with students of all nationalities. They loved and respected him. In Haifa, at a Muslim Fine Arts Center we had audience of about 50 children and parents. There was even a Jazz Tap instructor with about 20 dancers that put on a show for us. At night while driving through Haifa you could see the Bahia Temple at the top of this mountain with white steps and sculptured trees leading to the top, lit up with bright lights. Meanwhile, Jerusalem was just like scriptures you read in the Bible, and very beautiful. Olive, palm and fruit trees growing naturally everywhere, shepherd's with their sheep, goats and horses running wild in the valleys. The vendors lined the streets in the Old Jerusalem selling their merchandise in the same fashion as in biblical days. I stayed at the Mt Zion Hotel owned and operated by Palestinians. I was told that it was originally a three thousand-year-old building that was built by the Turks as a hospital. Similar to a castle, the building structure kept the same but was renovated as a modern hotel with lovely sculptured gardens, outdoor swimming pools, marble floors in every room, beautiful furniture, palm trees, and tropical plants lined the halls. Our entourage of about 15 dined in this beautiful large dinning room and every evening we ate at this long wood carved table serve with Kosher food, wine and desert. The hotel was only about a 15-minute walk to "Old Jerusalem" the Holy City. Outside my large window was the vast Kidron Valley, where they massacred infant babies, while searching for Jesus Christ. We had a ceremony there the second day with prayer and speech dedications. At nighttime with the city lights on, while looking out my window was one of the most beautiful sceneries imaginable. It was amazing to think that one day I was in Trenton NJ and next day in Israel. I could see Old Jerusalem surrounded by the great wall, King Solomon's Temple, Wailing Wall, Tower of David, Cenacle - Site of the Last Supper, Church of the Dormition "Where the Virgin Mary Died", Dome of the Rock "Mosque of Omar", and the ruins that lined the old streets. You could easily envision what it was like 3-4 thousand years ago. Every morning at 5:00 am you could here the Muslim call, followed by what sounded like a constant hum, but was actually thousands of Muslim's chanting Islamic prayers, Very spiritual. Each day we performed at different locations mentioned above. Six nights we ended up at Arnie's Jazz Ness Cafe. It was a jazz club named after Arnie Lawrence and located next door to the hotel, downstairs in what seemed to be like an old dungeon, but was actually a hip room that needed no sound system. It was the perfect acoustic setting for a nice gathering of jazz listeners. No amplification was needed. Just musicians playing pure acoustic music. |
Photo by Lorenzo Hough The first three days, I saw no evidence of violence whatsoever. It seemed safer than walking down the most dangerous streets in Trenton NJ, Oakland or NYC. During the day time little children as young as 5 years old walked alone to school. Unimaginable in the United States. I know because I'm concerned about my 14-year-old son that is just a big as me and every morning catches the bus on the corner out in front of our house. I didn't notice any drug dealers on the corners. I didn't read about any break ins, pedophile teachers, rapes or kidnapped children, car-jacking, didn't see any corner squeegee car cleaners, no loud music being played out of apartments windows or from cars driving down the streets, and no riff raff hanging in front of the local stores making you feel unsafe when you walked in. It was a total different cultural experience. The only difference was that one element that could hit you in a moment notice. Boom! On the 4th day reality kicked in, that Thursday I had my first real experience of street warfare and what it was like. We were arriving for a concert and award ceremony for a famous writer when suddenly we heard gunfire; helicopters were hovering above, tanks rolling down the streets, roadblocks and people running for cover. We were rushed into the building, which was actually the main Catholic Church headquarters located on the outskirts of the city where Palestinians and Israelis found safe haven to cross back and forth into the city to go to work in Jerusalem and return home safely. Everyone in the group was somewhat surprised and alarmed. Once inside it was brought to our attention that it was somewhat of a normal daily situation and that were safe there. I had great admiration for everyone who risked his or her lives to attend. These people were very brave and believed in our purpose. A few days later was the 1st female suicide bombing. Fifteen reported dead and approximately 150 people injured. You could feel and hear the explosion and there was retaliation daily. That night and the next day at least 42 people were randomly killed and 100's more arrested by the Israeli Army. One of the arrested was a family member of one of the musicians in the band. He cried at a concert because he was scared the family may never see his relatives and that they might pick him up while walking home. Each day you never knew when you might get blown up because you were Jewish or arrested because you were Palestinian. What a sad day! I was somewhat afraid afterwards, but still felt safer there than walking down Spring Street or Academy Street in Trenton. Each day I walked to the Wailing Wall "King Solomon's Temple" and prayed for world peace! I met many beautiful people. I even had several very interesting conversations with Ethiopian Jew who was one of the guards at the metal detector entrance. Everyone there treated me
with respect on the highest level because of my musicianship, courage and
heart to come there in the most dangerous of times. I was called the
"PRINCE OF PEACE". After returning to the states the first thing I
did was kiss the ground. My conclusion of the trip is that the Children are
the real losers because of this conflict. Many people on both sides are
killed, slaughtered and the children are left with the sad memories of
losing their love ones. We used jazz music as a universal message to express
ourselves. Even though the fighting continues, we succeeded in bringing
people together of different religions and nationalities to show their
support in establishing a peaceful environment in the region. I've waited
two years to speak about this, Better late than never! (9/11/03) * * * * * Born in Washington DC, George V Johnson Jr. was mentored for 15 yrs under John Malachi - pianist for Sarah Vaughn, Billy Eckstine, Al Hibler, Carmen McRae, Billy Holiday, Pearl Bailey, Etta Jones, etc. Background includes 8-year stint with James Moody 1980-88. Considered by many as Heir Apparent to Eddie Jefferson, Innovator and Creator of Jazz Vocalese. Also performed with Lou Donaldson, Harold Mabern, John Hicks, Kirt Lightsey, Larry Ridley and the Jazz Legacy Ensemble and many more. First recording with PHAROAH SANDERS on the 1980 release "REJOICE", was featured vocalist on John Coltrane's classic "Moments Notice" original lyrics. Reissued on CD Evidence Music. The CD includes an all-star cast of musicians including, John Hicks, Dr. Art Davis, Billy Higgins, Bobby Hutcherson, Elvin Jones, etc. Listen to Sound BITES below. Story
about James Moody
A Live NPR Broadcast, Coast to Coast @ 1991
Detroit Montreux Jazz Festival w/ ROY BROOKS and The Artistic Truth,
"Tribute to Miles Davis"
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