R&B

Juliana D. Norwood  |   OW Staff Writer
Jan 19 2012

The world of Black music loses a pioneer

Rhythm & Blues pioneer and Rock & Roll Hall of Famer Johnny Otis—born John Veliotes—died Tuesday night in the Los Angeles area after a decade-long struggle with an undisclosed illness. He was 91.

Otis was born Dec. 28, 1921, in Vallejo, Calif. He dropped out of school to play with bands throughout the Midwest and settled in Los Angeles in 1943. He performed with Charlie Parker and Count Basie, but his main impact was in R&B.

Juliana D. Norwood  |   OW Staff Writer
Jun 23 2011

Funds raised will aid ‘emancipated’ youth

The WE CAN Foundation will host the Allensworth “Scat to Rap” Family Music Festival celebrating all the genres of Black music and African rhythms, including Blues, Gospel, Jazz, BeBop, DooWop, R&B and conscious Hip Hop. The festival will be held on Saturday, Sept. 10, and activities will begin at 11 a.m. at the Colonel Allensworth State Historic Park in Tulare County.

Juliana D. Norwood  |   OW Staff Writer
Aug 26 2010

White music ain’t so bad, literally.

If you go to most parties in the ‘hood, or clubs and venues that are mostly frequented by African Americans, chances are you are not going to hear too much Katy Perry, Lady Gaga, Jesse McCartney, Paramore, or Justin Beiber, even though all of these artists are frequent chart-toppers, and popular club-bangers. The reason that we don’t hear them too often is we categorize their music as “White music” and many Black folks don’t find their particular brand of music–typically Pop–to our liking.

Cynthia E. Griffin  |   OW Managing Editor
Aug 12 2010

Detroit, Culver City memorials a ‘family affair’

Harvey Fuqua, a music veteran—whose career started as founder of the R & B/Doo-Wop group, the Moonglows, and ended with him being known as one of the key record executives behind the development of Motown in Detroit—died July 6 just days shy of his birthday on July 27. He was 80.

Fuqua was born in Louisville, Ky., and in 1951 formed a group called the Crazy Sounds along with Bobby Lester, Alexander Graves and Prentiss Barnes.

Across Black America

Here’s a look at African American people and issues making headlines throughout the country.
California
Yvette Hollingsworth was recently named chief compliance officer for Wells Fargo & Co. Hollingsworth, who most recently served as managing director and global head of operations compliance and financial crimes compliance & risk management for Barclays Corporate & Investment Bank, will begin her new role on June 1, 2012. Hollingsworth will be based in San Francisco, and will report to Caryl Athanasiu, executive vice president and chief operational risk officer in the corporate risk group. As chief compliance officer, Hollingsworth will be responsible for ensuring that all areas of the company meet compliance management responsibilities and abide by all applicable laws and regulations. Her team will continue to provide independent oversight of business-based compliance management activities.
District of Columbia
U.S. Senator Barbara Boxer (D-CA) issued the following statement after the Senate voted to confirm Los Angeles attorney Paul Watford to serve on the U.S. Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals: “It is great news that the Senate has confirmed Paul Watford, an exceptionally talented attorney, to serve on the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals. He has a breadth of experience as a former prosecutor and a top appellate litigator and will make an excellent addition to the federal bench. However, I am very disappointed that more of my Republican colleagues did not join us in backing this highly qualified nominee.” When Watford is sworn in, he will be only the second African American serving on the Ninth Circuit.