Wanda's Picks Radio Show, Friday, August 24, 2018
This is a black arts and culture site. We will be exploring the
African Diaspora via the writing, performance, both musical and
theatrical (film and stage), as well as the visual arts of Africans in
the Diaspora and those influenced by these aesthetic forms of
expression. I am interested in the political and social ramifications of
art on society, specifically movements supported by these artists and
their forebearers. It is my claim that the artists are the true
revolutionaries, their work honest and filled with raw unedited passion.
They are our true heroes. Ashay!
1. Kumasi Speaks with Naji Mujahid on
https://archive.org/details/KumasiSpeaksWhatIsBlackAugust
2. Rachel Caplan, Founder & CEO, SF Green Film Festival Sept. 6-13 greenfilmfest.org
Rachel Caplan is passionate about film as a catalyst for ideas and action. She launched the San Francisco Green Film Festival in 2011, to create a premier destination for sharing bold environmental stories in the city that’s at the forefront of both independent film and the global green movement. Rachel has worked in film exhibition for over 20 years, including film festivals in the USA and Europe, and as a publicist for Paramount and Universal. Originally from Edinburgh, Scotland, she has lived in the SF Bay Area since 2003 and adores its many excellent cinemas and parks!
3. Thomas Robert Simpson, AfroSolo
Thomas Robert Simpson, actor, director, producer, and writer, is the founder and artistic director of AfroSolo Arts Festival. Since 1991 he has concentrated on presenting Black art and culture through solo performances and the visual and literary arts.
For the past twenty one years Mr. Simpson has produced the award winning and critically acclaimed AfroSolo Arts Festival in San Francisco, presenting over one-hundred artists. He has also showcased celebrity artists such as award-winning actor Ruby Dee, comedian and political activist Dick Gregory, beloved teacher, poet and social activist June Jordan, sensational black gospel singer Emmit Powell, and many others.
Mr. Simpson won a coveted Bay Area Jefferson Award for Public Service. In 2009 he was awarded a prestigious Certificate of Honor from the San Francisco Board of Supervisor, as well as award from San Francisco AIDS Foundation’s Black Brothers Esteem Program, The Reggie Williams Achievement Award and the Oakland Supper Club for his contributions to our community.
In 2014 he created the “Project Empowerment: The Audacity to Succeed-Young Black Men and Boy Soaring Into the Future.” The mission being to support this population successfully transverse youth to adulthood.
What: Courage Under Fire: The Story of Elroy
Written and performed by Thomas Robert Simpson
When: Saturday, August 25, 2018, 8pm
Where: Berkeley Black Repertory Group Theater
3102 Adeline Street, Berkeley, CA 74703
(One block South of the Ashby BART Station)
Cost: $15-$40
Tickets: www.
(Box Office accepts cash or check)
More info: thomas@afrosolo.org,
4. Bilal Suni Ali
BILAL SUNNI-ALI is a musician, performer, composer, educator, community activist and advocate. He has performed on stage with Gil Scott-Heron, Brian Jackson, Doug Carn, Stevie Wonder, Wynton
Marsallis, the American Symphony Orchestra, Jimmi Hopps-Esspirit, Earl Turbinton, Pharoah Saunders and many more.
He has been a student of John LaPorta, Gebre H’watt, Dr. Yusef Lateef and Frank Foster…
He has taught music in public and private schools in New Orleans, LA., Brooklyn, NY, Washington,
D.C., Atlanta, GA. and in Dangriga and Punta Gorda, Belize, Central America. As a composer/arranger BILAL has written for and collaborated with Gil Scott-Heron, Brian Jackson, Jo
Grinage, Ebony JoAnn, Black Arts Movement architects Askia M. Toure’ and Amiri Baraka as well as written inclusions with the Jibril Haynes film “Kwanzaa with the Joneses”.
BILAL has lectured on many public school and university campuses and community institutions locally, nationally and internationally, on music culture and related topics.
Co-founder of the Griot Society in New York City in 1975; SAMECA, Inc. (Southern Arts, Media,
Education, Connections Association) of which he was also performing arts director; as well as the
Belizean NGO – D.I.A.S.P.O.R.A. Ltd. He is also a performing member of the World Health Arkestra
Theatrical Experience W.H.A.T.E.
BILAL recently toured the United States, Canada, Europe, Scandinavia and South Afrika once again as featured soloist with Gil Scott-Heron celebrating the re-release on CD of some classic Midnight Band albums, now on Gil’s own label (Rumal-Gia). He has also been a community health worker, a drug addiction recovery counselor and a consultant on alternative therapies. For example, music as a healing therapy.
BILAL SUNNI-ALI genealogically on his father’s side is a Garifuna by way of New Orleans, Hondura and Nicaragua. He lives in Punta Gorda Town, Belize absorbing and being absorbed by Garifuna culture, while teaching, performing, sharing music and music healing therapy techniques. He frequents Florida, Texas, Atlanta, GA, the Carolinas, yet, misses NEW ORLEANS and points divergent and in between performing at festivals and other venues.
While living in Atlanta, GA. BILAL founded the SONG OF LIFE ENSEMBLE and INSTITUTE through which he teaches woodwinds, music theory, conducts Therapeutic Music Appreciation sessions and offers performance/lectures on a variety of subjects related to music, culture and social change...and also has released four of his own CDs: “SEVEN TIME SEVEN” 1999, “SONG OF LIFE LIVE@THE GREY EAGLE” 2006, Bilal Sunni-Ali and the Song of Life Ensemble in concert @ the UNITED STATES SOCIAL FORUM” JUNE 29,2007 and “SIDE WALK SAINT SAXOPHONE”.BILAL’s story appears in the book “SIDEWALK SAINTS” ‘life portraits of the New Orleans street performance family’ visit @ Myspace.com/BilalSunniAli, movementunes.com/BilalSunniAli on Youtube/BilalSunniAli and
@SIDEWALKSAINTS.COM
BILAL SUNNI-ALI THERAPEUTIC MUSIC APPRECIATION During most of the nineteen seventies BILAL worked as a Community Health worker: an assistant addiction specialist at Lincoln Detox, an alcohol; and drug detoxification facility at Lincoln Hospital in Bronx, N.Y. as an aftercare counselor teaching breathing techniques for pain management.self healing and long distance healing. He also served as a consultant at the Black Advisory Acupuncture Association of North America in Harlem, NY. At RAP Inc. in Washington, D.C. where he also served as a consultant.
BILAL conducted experiments on the effects of rhythms, pitches, and tempo, also on blood pressure
along with heart pulse readings.
With the Natural Essence Institute in both Atlanta, GA and Belize,Central America. BILAL performed music to interface with acupuncture and water therapy during clinic and spa sessions for detoxification and stress relief.
BILAL has developed chi (energy) stimulation and chi (energy) transfer exercises that are taught in
workshops and their relationship with listening to and performing with others.
BILAL is a performing member of the World Health Arkestra Theatrical Experience. Directed by Master Musician, Shahid Jimmi Hopps Esspirit, the W.H.A.T.E. is an ensemble, which combines a variety of disciplines such as Tai Chi Chu’an, Chi Gong, Yoga, Asana (visualization Yoga) with live and recorded music performance.
BILAL also performed in Atlanta, GA.with WORD SONG a project bringing live music to such venues as hospitals alternative education centers, half-way houses and senior citizen facilities.
BILAL has authored an easy to read book entitled THERAPEUTIC MUSIC APPRECIATION an
introduction to learning to appreciate music’s healing properties and therapeutic value. Learn to pay
attention to the inter-relation of the surrounding sounds and rhythms/patterns of our daily lives
…breathing, blood circulation, energy ebb and flow, sunrise, sunset, moonrise, moonset, high and low tides, the weather and the seasons.
MUSIC IS THE HEALING FORCE OF THE UNIVERSE !
SONG OF LIFE INSTITUTE LIVIN AND LEARNIN THRU MUSIC
THERAPEUTIC MUSIC APPRECIATION
PHASE I …………………………90 to 120 minutes per session
$ 30:00 per person $150:00 per group of up to ten participants
BREATHING EXERCISES : abdominal breathing, chest breathing, complete breathing, cleansing
breath.
SOUNDING : Singing, Humming/ aunghh (OM)
(SOUNDING with) VISUALIZATION : SUN’S rays to planet earth, cycle of blood circulation from
the heart through the blood vessels and back to the heart. Solar plexus UP to top of the head (crown
chakra) DOWN the front to the soles of the feet and UP to the solar plexus.
TOUCHING (through SOUNDING) : fingertips of the RIGHT hand to the fingertips of the LEFT hand
And with partner(s) fingertips of the RIGHT hand of one’s self to the fingertips of the LEFT hand of
partner( s) to the fingertips of the partner(s)’ RIGHT hand back to the fingertips of the LEFT hand of
one’s own self.
PHASE II ……………………….60 minutes per session …repeatable as desired.
$15 per session $100:00 per group of up to ten participants
SONG rhythmic phrases and melodic and harmonic phrases
MEMORY SONGS: rhythmic, melodic and harmonic phrases and actual SONGS that reconnect to time
and or place of significant emotions.
PHASE III …………………..60 to 90 minutes per session ……………………….
$20 per person $ 150 per group of up to ten participants
Basic elementary Music Theory This phase is optional however is recommended in order to develop a
greater appreciation of PHASE II and of music’s healing properties and therapeutic.
value. This is taught utilizing the clapping of hands and singing and or playing a musical instrument. The
recorder or flute –o-phone is suggested because it is very inexpensive, easy to maintain and care for.
PRODUCTION BIO
LOUISIANA WORLD EXPOSTION (WORLD’S FAIR) MARCH thru NOVEMBER 1984 Stage
technician at the AQUA-CADE an in the water stage with moveable parts, presenting a variety/comedy
show with high diving, synchronized swimming, drama and dance. Pre show days construction and
installation of the technology of the stage, show time stage technician/stage hand. 6 shows daily May thru
November including striking (dismantling) of the entire stage apparatus.
NEW ORLEANS JAZZ and HERITAGE FESTIVAL annually April/May 1984 – 1998. Festival site
construct ion installation and strike. Music Production Department: for or five shows daily Stage
manager; supervise all on stage activity relative live performance both personnel and equipment./back
stage manager; supervise all the off stage activity relative to dressing rooms, accessories etc,/stage
technician; placement and service of all equipment and personnel throughout Live
performances…including LOAD IN and LOAD OUT.
JAZZIN’ IN THE PARK/ COMMUNITY JAZZ FESTIVAL: annually mid May 1986 thru 1995 /
NOJHF duties
REGGAE RIDDUMS / INTERNATIONAL CARIBEAN MUSIC FESTIVAL ( host of Jamaica SUN
SPLASH in New Orleans) annually mid June 1986 2001 / NOJHF duties.
McDONOUGH # 15 JAZZ AND FOOD FESTIVAL: annually late May 1984 thru 1988 stage manager
SATCHMO’ SUMMER MUSIC CAMP JULY 2010 technical assistant for classroom sessions.
SAMECA (SOUTHERN ARTS MEDIA EDUCATION CONNECTIONS ASSOCIATION, INC.
PERFORMING ARTS COORDINATOR, 1987 til present … workshops, master classes, concerts,
vidiography, television production, (Cox Cable in New Orleans, LA./ People’s TV in Atlanta, GA.
Kwaanza, Atlanta African Crossroads Festival, Roots Festival 1990 1993….
SWCCC (SOUTH WEST COMMUNITY CULTIRAL CENTER Performing Arts Center Management
supervision of day to day activity 1994 - 1998.
THIRD WORLD PRODUCTIONS: stage construction stage management: MALCOLM X BIRTHDAY
FESTIVAL 1990 -2012, SWEET AUBURN FESTIVAL 1990 2004: NATIONAL BLACK ARTS
FESTIVAL 1988 1996 WRFG BLUES FESTIVAL/COMMUNITY FESTIVAL 1990 1994 ATLANTA
HARTSFIELD-JACKSON AIRPORT LIVE MUSIC IN THE ATRIUM SERIES 1996 2006
ATLANTA DOWNTOWN HILTON Management of Audio-Visual services; supervising staff of
technicians in servicing, concerts, lectures, workshops, private setting audio visual technician
freelancer downtown Atlanta Hilton, Sheraton, Marriot, Radisson, Apparel Mart,
WRFG , ATLANTA COMMUNITY RADIO: Secretary of Public affairs dept . 1994 2004 Executive
Producer , What Good is a Song/the Friday Night Drum. 1988 2013. WGIS /FDN a weekly NEWS
SUMMARY of NEWS from the continent of Afrika, the Caribbean, and New Afrika.
PEOPLE’S TV associate producer of THE VOICE news on political prisoners and prisoners of war.
SOCIAL-POLITICAL BIO
1965: NORTHEAST BRONX YOUTH DIVISION – NAACP NATIONAL ASSOCIATION FOR THE
ADVANCEMENT OF COLORED PEOPLE
1966 -1968 SIMBA a student political and cultural organization based at Bronx Community College,
Bronx, NY SIMBA affiliated with ONYX SOCIETY at CCNY, KUBANBANYA at Hunter College,
Bronx, NY, BLACK STUDENTS ASSOCIATIO at NYU and with NY State Black Intercollegiate
Students Association, which formed alliances with NATIONAL BLACK STUDENT ASSOCIATION
(NBSA/RAM), STUDENT NON-VIOLENT (NATIONAL) COORDINATING COMMITTEE (SNCC),
BLACK STUDENTS UNIONs in California (BSU), STUDENTS ORGANIZED FOR BLACK UNITY
(SOBU)which later became YOUTH ORGANIZED FOR BLACK UNITY (YOBU). BLACK
PANTHER PARTY (RAM).
1967 – 1968 THE AHMADIYYA MOVEMENT IN ISLAM, QUEENS ISLAMIC YOUTH, SANKORE
NUBIAN CULTURAL WORKSHOP HARLEM PEOPLE’S PARLAIMENT/ THE PEOPLE’S
REPUBLIC OF HARLEM, HARLEM PEOPLE’S PARLAIMENT became the AFRICAN
DESENDANTS LAND PARTITION PARTY, YORUBA TEMPLE lead by Nana Oserjeman Adefumi I,
BOSUM-DZEMAWODIE/AIMS OF MOZAWE lead by Nana Opare Dinizulu.. hn
1968 FEBRUARY first arrest and experience of police brutality Harlem NY. Charged with possession of
a concealed weapon.
employed at LIBERATION BOOK STORE in Harlem, NY, PROGRESSIVE LABOR MOVEMENT
(PLM), lead by Bill Epton, employed at FLOWER FIFTH AVENUE HOSPITAL/ NEW YORK
HEALTH and HOSPITALS CORPORATION member of HOSPITAL WORKERS UNION LOCAL
1199 (through PLP)
APRIL 6 first overt surveillance/harassment by NYPD – BOSS (Bureau of Special Services), followed
by second arrest /first media smear, - as a “militant black nationalist”. Charged with attempted possession
of a weapon
BLACK ANTI –WAR/ANTI DRAFT UNION
BLACK PANTHER PARTY FOR SELF DEFENSE lead byHueyNewton and Bobby Seale.(BPPSD)
1969 JANUARY. Third arrest Berlely California, charged with armed robbery/ murder, possession of
weapons and explosives….(armed robbery/ murder dropped after 72hour investigation.
MAY sent to Diagnostic Evaluatio.n Center, Vacaville, California. for ninety day diagnostic evaluation.
SEPTEMBER sentenced to six months to five years for possession of explosives. Served thirty months
at California Correctional Institute for Men, Soledad, California –South,. FEBRUARY 1970 transferred
to North facility associated with NATION OF ISLAM, Educational Vice-President of THE
AFRO-AMERICAN CULTURE AND HISTORY GROUP, THIRD WORLD STUDY GROUP,
REPUBLIC OF NEW AFRIKA STUDY GROUP. Wrote articles for the SOLEDAD, prison newspaper,
and Deejayed on the prison radio station. Also organized and performed in prison concerts and taught
music, beginning saxophone. MAY 1971 demanded trial on pending New York court cases.
JUNE, 1971 while housed at the Manhattan House of Detention “the TOMBS” plead guilty to possession
of a concealed weapon and was sentenced to time served to run concurrent with time being served in
California.. AUGUST 1971 while housed at the Brooklyn House of Detention, plead guilty to attempted
possession of weapons and was sentenced to time served to run concurrent with California state
sentence. Returned to SOLEDAD. FEBRUARY 1972: paroled to NY thirty four months to
complete sentence. Began to work again with PGRNA and BPPSD RIGHT ON chapter. There was an
established joint MINISTRIES OF INFORMATION and DEFENSE.
Employed at I.S. 117 ON 109 TH between 2 nd and 3 rd Avenues, as a Security Guard. Worked with the
youth/street gang intervention. (BLACK SPADES / ZULU NATION)
SEPTEMBER employed at LINCOLN DETOX a Methadone Detoxification program based at Lincoln,
Hospital in the South Bronx, as an after-care education counselor/ drug addiction specialist. Worked with
youth/street gang intervention projects of Lincoln Detox. Also with OPPRESSED PEOPLES
COLLECTIVE, THE POLITICAL PRISONERS FUND,
NATIONAL SPOKESMAN for the NATIONAL COMMITTEE FOR THE DEFENSE OF POLITICAL
PRISONERS MAY 1973 NATIONAL COMMITTEE to DEFEND JoAnn Chesimard/ASSATA
SHAKUR and Clark Squire/ SUNDIATA ACOLI laison to MUHAMMAD AHMAD DEFENSE
COMMITTEE (MADC), MOSQUE OF ISLAMIC BROTHERHOOD, Imam Ahmed K. Tawfique
ENDENYE ALLHU ARABIC SOCIETY, Imam Sheik Heshaam Jaabar.,
1975 served as a movement courier national independence movement while performing with Gil
Scott-Heron , Brian Jackson and the Midnight Band. Moved to Washington, DC. 1976 DECEMBER
MARRIED FULANI OBAFEMI . worked with the WASHINGTON, D.C. UNIT of the P.G.R.N.A, and
the AFRIKAN PEOPLES’ PARTY, ISLAMIC PARTY OF NORTH AMERICA/ OPPRESSED
PEOPES ORGANIZATION. Employed at STONE SOUP COMMUNITY GROCERY STORE. ,
AFRICAN LIBERATION DAY SUPPORT COMMITTEE
1979 relocated to NEW ORLEANS , LOUISIANNA .Consolidation efforts of P.G.R.N.A., AFRIKAN
PEOPLES’ PARTY, AFRIKAN PEOPLES SOCIALIST PARTY, ALL AFRIKAN PEOPLES’
REVOLUTIONARY PARTY 1981 OCTOBER Nyack New York BRINX CASE. subsequent exile to
Belize, CA SEPTEMBER 1983 acquittal
MARCH 1984 return to NEW ORLEANS,
1988 moved to ATLANTA, GA. Joined AL-UMMA NATIONAL Islamic jamaat under the leadership of
Imam Jamil Abdullah Al-Amin. National Prison and Gang Program. NATIONAL GANG SUMMITS,
MARCH 2000 after Imam’s arrest) INTERNATIONAL COMMITTEE TO SUPPORT IMAM JAMIL
ABDULLAH AL-AMIN, the former H. RAP BROWN. INTERNATIONAL HUMAN RIGHTS
ASSOCIATION FOR AMERICAN MINORITIES .
1. Kumasi Speaks with Naji Mujahid on
https://archive.org/details/KumasiSpeaksWhatIsBlackAugust
2. Rachel Caplan, Founder & CEO, SF Green Film Festival Sept. 6-13 greenfilmfest.org
Rachel Caplan is passionate about film as a catalyst for ideas and action. She launched the San Francisco Green Film Festival in 2011, to create a premier destination for sharing bold environmental stories in the city that’s at the forefront of both independent film and the global green movement. Rachel has worked in film exhibition for over 20 years, including film festivals in the USA and Europe, and as a publicist for Paramount and Universal. Originally from Edinburgh, Scotland, she has lived in the SF Bay Area since 2003 and adores its many excellent cinemas and parks!
3. Thomas Robert Simpson, AfroSolo
Thomas Robert Simpson, actor, director, producer, and writer, is the founder and artistic director of AfroSolo Arts Festival. Since 1991 he has concentrated on presenting Black art and culture through solo performances and the visual and literary arts.
For the past twenty one years Mr. Simpson has produced the award winning and critically acclaimed AfroSolo Arts Festival in San Francisco, presenting over one-hundred artists. He has also showcased celebrity artists such as award-winning actor Ruby Dee, comedian and political activist Dick Gregory, beloved teacher, poet and social activist June Jordan, sensational black gospel singer Emmit Powell, and many others.
Mr. Simpson won a coveted Bay Area Jefferson Award for Public Service. In 2009 he was awarded a prestigious Certificate of Honor from the San Francisco Board of Supervisor, as well as award from San Francisco AIDS Foundation’s Black Brothers Esteem Program, The Reggie Williams Achievement Award and the Oakland Supper Club for his contributions to our community.
In 2014 he created the “Project Empowerment: The Audacity to Succeed-Young Black Men and Boy Soaring Into the Future.” The mission being to support this population successfully transverse youth to adulthood.
What: Courage Under Fire: The Story of Elroy
Written and performed by Thomas Robert Simpson
When: Saturday, August 25, 2018, 8pm
Where: Berkeley Black Repertory Group Theater
3102 Adeline Street, Berkeley, CA 74703
(One block South of the Ashby BART Station)
Cost: $15-$40
Tickets: www.
(Box Office accepts cash or check)
More info: thomas@afrosolo.org,
Courage Under Fire: The Story of Elroy
is a compelling story about family, race, politics, and redemption. It
explores the life of Elroy Simpson, AfroSolo founder Thomas Roberts
Simpson’s father. Elroy committed a simple, everyday act that proved to
be revolutionary. Had it happened a few years earlier, he could have
been hung from a tree. Growing up in the south, Elroy conflated family
life with navigating the horrors of Jim Crow, segregation,
discrimination and racism. Courage Under Fire... is a informational story, one filled with pride, resistance, forgiveness, and transcendence.
This performance is a
Fundraiser for the
Berkeley Black Repertory Group Theater
4. Bilal Suni Ali
BILAL SUNNI-ALI is a musician, performer, composer, educator, community activist and advocate. He has performed on stage with Gil Scott-Heron, Brian Jackson, Doug Carn, Stevie Wonder, Wynton
Marsallis, the American Symphony Orchestra, Jimmi Hopps-Esspirit, Earl Turbinton, Pharoah Saunders and many more.
He has been a student of John LaPorta, Gebre H’watt, Dr. Yusef Lateef and Frank Foster…
He has taught music in public and private schools in New Orleans, LA., Brooklyn, NY, Washington,
D.C., Atlanta, GA. and in Dangriga and Punta Gorda, Belize, Central America. As a composer/arranger BILAL has written for and collaborated with Gil Scott-Heron, Brian Jackson, Jo
Grinage, Ebony JoAnn, Black Arts Movement architects Askia M. Toure’ and Amiri Baraka as well as written inclusions with the Jibril Haynes film “Kwanzaa with the Joneses”.
BILAL has lectured on many public school and university campuses and community institutions locally, nationally and internationally, on music culture and related topics.
Co-founder of the Griot Society in New York City in 1975; SAMECA, Inc. (Southern Arts, Media,
Education, Connections Association) of which he was also performing arts director; as well as the
Belizean NGO – D.I.A.S.P.O.R.A. Ltd. He is also a performing member of the World Health Arkestra
Theatrical Experience W.H.A.T.E.
BILAL recently toured the United States, Canada, Europe, Scandinavia and South Afrika once again as featured soloist with Gil Scott-Heron celebrating the re-release on CD of some classic Midnight Band albums, now on Gil’s own label (Rumal-Gia). He has also been a community health worker, a drug addiction recovery counselor and a consultant on alternative therapies. For example, music as a healing therapy.
BILAL SUNNI-ALI genealogically on his father’s side is a Garifuna by way of New Orleans, Hondura and Nicaragua. He lives in Punta Gorda Town, Belize absorbing and being absorbed by Garifuna culture, while teaching, performing, sharing music and music healing therapy techniques. He frequents Florida, Texas, Atlanta, GA, the Carolinas, yet, misses NEW ORLEANS and points divergent and in between performing at festivals and other venues.
While living in Atlanta, GA. BILAL founded the SONG OF LIFE ENSEMBLE and INSTITUTE through which he teaches woodwinds, music theory, conducts Therapeutic Music Appreciation sessions and offers performance/lectures on a variety of subjects related to music, culture and social change...and also has released four of his own CDs: “SEVEN TIME SEVEN” 1999, “SONG OF LIFE LIVE@THE GREY EAGLE” 2006, Bilal Sunni-Ali and the Song of Life Ensemble in concert @ the UNITED STATES SOCIAL FORUM” JUNE 29,2007 and “SIDE WALK SAINT SAXOPHONE”.BILAL’s story appears in the book “SIDEWALK SAINTS” ‘life portraits of the New Orleans street performance family’ visit @ Myspace.com/BilalSunniAli, movementunes.com/BilalSunniAli on Youtube/BilalSunniAli and
@SIDEWALKSAINTS.COM
BILAL SUNNI-ALI THERAPEUTIC MUSIC APPRECIATION During most of the nineteen seventies BILAL worked as a Community Health worker: an assistant addiction specialist at Lincoln Detox, an alcohol; and drug detoxification facility at Lincoln Hospital in Bronx, N.Y. as an aftercare counselor teaching breathing techniques for pain management.self healing and long distance healing. He also served as a consultant at the Black Advisory Acupuncture Association of North America in Harlem, NY. At RAP Inc. in Washington, D.C. where he also served as a consultant.
BILAL conducted experiments on the effects of rhythms, pitches, and tempo, also on blood pressure
along with heart pulse readings.
With the Natural Essence Institute in both Atlanta, GA and Belize,Central America. BILAL performed music to interface with acupuncture and water therapy during clinic and spa sessions for detoxification and stress relief.
BILAL has developed chi (energy) stimulation and chi (energy) transfer exercises that are taught in
workshops and their relationship with listening to and performing with others.
BILAL is a performing member of the World Health Arkestra Theatrical Experience. Directed by Master Musician, Shahid Jimmi Hopps Esspirit, the W.H.A.T.E. is an ensemble, which combines a variety of disciplines such as Tai Chi Chu’an, Chi Gong, Yoga, Asana (visualization Yoga) with live and recorded music performance.
BILAL also performed in Atlanta, GA.with WORD SONG a project bringing live music to such venues as hospitals alternative education centers, half-way houses and senior citizen facilities.
BILAL has authored an easy to read book entitled THERAPEUTIC MUSIC APPRECIATION an
introduction to learning to appreciate music’s healing properties and therapeutic value. Learn to pay
attention to the inter-relation of the surrounding sounds and rhythms/patterns of our daily lives
…breathing, blood circulation, energy ebb and flow, sunrise, sunset, moonrise, moonset, high and low tides, the weather and the seasons.
MUSIC IS THE HEALING FORCE OF THE UNIVERSE !
SONG OF LIFE INSTITUTE LIVIN AND LEARNIN THRU MUSIC
THERAPEUTIC MUSIC APPRECIATION
PHASE I …………………………90 to 120 minutes per session
$ 30:00 per person $150:00 per group of up to ten participants
BREATHING EXERCISES : abdominal breathing, chest breathing, complete breathing, cleansing
breath.
SOUNDING : Singing, Humming/ aunghh (OM)
(SOUNDING with) VISUALIZATION : SUN’S rays to planet earth, cycle of blood circulation from
the heart through the blood vessels and back to the heart. Solar plexus UP to top of the head (crown
chakra) DOWN the front to the soles of the feet and UP to the solar plexus.
TOUCHING (through SOUNDING) : fingertips of the RIGHT hand to the fingertips of the LEFT hand
And with partner(s) fingertips of the RIGHT hand of one’s self to the fingertips of the LEFT hand of
partner( s) to the fingertips of the partner(s)’ RIGHT hand back to the fingertips of the LEFT hand of
one’s own self.
PHASE II ……………………….60 minutes per session …repeatable as desired.
$15 per session $100:00 per group of up to ten participants
SONG rhythmic phrases and melodic and harmonic phrases
MEMORY SONGS: rhythmic, melodic and harmonic phrases and actual SONGS that reconnect to time
and or place of significant emotions.
PHASE III …………………..60 to 90 minutes per session ……………………….
$20 per person $ 150 per group of up to ten participants
Basic elementary Music Theory This phase is optional however is recommended in order to develop a
greater appreciation of PHASE II and of music’s healing properties and therapeutic.
value. This is taught utilizing the clapping of hands and singing and or playing a musical instrument. The
recorder or flute –o-phone is suggested because it is very inexpensive, easy to maintain and care for.
PRODUCTION BIO
LOUISIANA WORLD EXPOSTION (WORLD’S FAIR) MARCH thru NOVEMBER 1984 Stage
technician at the AQUA-CADE an in the water stage with moveable parts, presenting a variety/comedy
show with high diving, synchronized swimming, drama and dance. Pre show days construction and
installation of the technology of the stage, show time stage technician/stage hand. 6 shows daily May thru
November including striking (dismantling) of the entire stage apparatus.
NEW ORLEANS JAZZ and HERITAGE FESTIVAL annually April/May 1984 – 1998. Festival site
construct ion installation and strike. Music Production Department: for or five shows daily Stage
manager; supervise all on stage activity relative live performance both personnel and equipment./back
stage manager; supervise all the off stage activity relative to dressing rooms, accessories etc,/stage
technician; placement and service of all equipment and personnel throughout Live
performances…including LOAD IN and LOAD OUT.
JAZZIN’ IN THE PARK/ COMMUNITY JAZZ FESTIVAL: annually mid May 1986 thru 1995 /
NOJHF duties
REGGAE RIDDUMS / INTERNATIONAL CARIBEAN MUSIC FESTIVAL ( host of Jamaica SUN
SPLASH in New Orleans) annually mid June 1986 2001 / NOJHF duties.
McDONOUGH # 15 JAZZ AND FOOD FESTIVAL: annually late May 1984 thru 1988 stage manager
SATCHMO’ SUMMER MUSIC CAMP JULY 2010 technical assistant for classroom sessions.
SAMECA (SOUTHERN ARTS MEDIA EDUCATION CONNECTIONS ASSOCIATION, INC.
PERFORMING ARTS COORDINATOR, 1987 til present … workshops, master classes, concerts,
vidiography, television production, (Cox Cable in New Orleans, LA./ People’s TV in Atlanta, GA.
Kwaanza, Atlanta African Crossroads Festival, Roots Festival 1990 1993….
SWCCC (SOUTH WEST COMMUNITY CULTIRAL CENTER Performing Arts Center Management
supervision of day to day activity 1994 - 1998.
THIRD WORLD PRODUCTIONS: stage construction stage management: MALCOLM X BIRTHDAY
FESTIVAL 1990 -2012, SWEET AUBURN FESTIVAL 1990 2004: NATIONAL BLACK ARTS
FESTIVAL 1988 1996 WRFG BLUES FESTIVAL/COMMUNITY FESTIVAL 1990 1994 ATLANTA
HARTSFIELD-JACKSON AIRPORT LIVE MUSIC IN THE ATRIUM SERIES 1996 2006
ATLANTA DOWNTOWN HILTON Management of Audio-Visual services; supervising staff of
technicians in servicing, concerts, lectures, workshops, private setting audio visual technician
freelancer downtown Atlanta Hilton, Sheraton, Marriot, Radisson, Apparel Mart,
WRFG , ATLANTA COMMUNITY RADIO: Secretary of Public affairs dept . 1994 2004 Executive
Producer , What Good is a Song/the Friday Night Drum. 1988 2013. WGIS /FDN a weekly NEWS
SUMMARY of NEWS from the continent of Afrika, the Caribbean, and New Afrika.
PEOPLE’S TV associate producer of THE VOICE news on political prisoners and prisoners of war.
SOCIAL-POLITICAL BIO
1965: NORTHEAST BRONX YOUTH DIVISION – NAACP NATIONAL ASSOCIATION FOR THE
ADVANCEMENT OF COLORED PEOPLE
1966 -1968 SIMBA a student political and cultural organization based at Bronx Community College,
Bronx, NY SIMBA affiliated with ONYX SOCIETY at CCNY, KUBANBANYA at Hunter College,
Bronx, NY, BLACK STUDENTS ASSOCIATIO at NYU and with NY State Black Intercollegiate
Students Association, which formed alliances with NATIONAL BLACK STUDENT ASSOCIATION
(NBSA/RAM), STUDENT NON-VIOLENT (NATIONAL) COORDINATING COMMITTEE (SNCC),
BLACK STUDENTS UNIONs in California (BSU), STUDENTS ORGANIZED FOR BLACK UNITY
(SOBU)which later became YOUTH ORGANIZED FOR BLACK UNITY (YOBU). BLACK
PANTHER PARTY (RAM).
1967 – 1968 THE AHMADIYYA MOVEMENT IN ISLAM, QUEENS ISLAMIC YOUTH, SANKORE
NUBIAN CULTURAL WORKSHOP HARLEM PEOPLE’S PARLAIMENT/ THE PEOPLE’S
REPUBLIC OF HARLEM, HARLEM PEOPLE’S PARLAIMENT became the AFRICAN
DESENDANTS LAND PARTITION PARTY, YORUBA TEMPLE lead by Nana Oserjeman Adefumi I,
BOSUM-DZEMAWODIE/AIMS OF MOZAWE lead by Nana Opare Dinizulu.. hn
1968 FEBRUARY first arrest and experience of police brutality Harlem NY. Charged with possession of
a concealed weapon.
employed at LIBERATION BOOK STORE in Harlem, NY, PROGRESSIVE LABOR MOVEMENT
(PLM), lead by Bill Epton, employed at FLOWER FIFTH AVENUE HOSPITAL/ NEW YORK
HEALTH and HOSPITALS CORPORATION member of HOSPITAL WORKERS UNION LOCAL
1199 (through PLP)
APRIL 6 first overt surveillance/harassment by NYPD – BOSS (Bureau of Special Services), followed
by second arrest /first media smear, - as a “militant black nationalist”. Charged with attempted possession
of a weapon
BLACK ANTI –WAR/ANTI DRAFT UNION
BLACK PANTHER PARTY FOR SELF DEFENSE lead byHueyNewton and Bobby Seale.(BPPSD)
1969 JANUARY. Third arrest Berlely California, charged with armed robbery/ murder, possession of
weapons and explosives….(armed robbery/ murder dropped after 72hour investigation.
MAY sent to Diagnostic Evaluatio.n Center, Vacaville, California. for ninety day diagnostic evaluation.
SEPTEMBER sentenced to six months to five years for possession of explosives. Served thirty months
at California Correctional Institute for Men, Soledad, California –South,. FEBRUARY 1970 transferred
to North facility associated with NATION OF ISLAM, Educational Vice-President of THE
AFRO-AMERICAN CULTURE AND HISTORY GROUP, THIRD WORLD STUDY GROUP,
REPUBLIC OF NEW AFRIKA STUDY GROUP. Wrote articles for the SOLEDAD, prison newspaper,
and Deejayed on the prison radio station. Also organized and performed in prison concerts and taught
music, beginning saxophone. MAY 1971 demanded trial on pending New York court cases.
JUNE, 1971 while housed at the Manhattan House of Detention “the TOMBS” plead guilty to possession
of a concealed weapon and was sentenced to time served to run concurrent with time being served in
California.. AUGUST 1971 while housed at the Brooklyn House of Detention, plead guilty to attempted
possession of weapons and was sentenced to time served to run concurrent with California state
sentence. Returned to SOLEDAD. FEBRUARY 1972: paroled to NY thirty four months to
complete sentence. Began to work again with PGRNA and BPPSD RIGHT ON chapter. There was an
established joint MINISTRIES OF INFORMATION and DEFENSE.
Employed at I.S. 117 ON 109 TH between 2 nd and 3 rd Avenues, as a Security Guard. Worked with the
youth/street gang intervention. (BLACK SPADES / ZULU NATION)
SEPTEMBER employed at LINCOLN DETOX a Methadone Detoxification program based at Lincoln,
Hospital in the South Bronx, as an after-care education counselor/ drug addiction specialist. Worked with
youth/street gang intervention projects of Lincoln Detox. Also with OPPRESSED PEOPLES
COLLECTIVE, THE POLITICAL PRISONERS FUND,
NATIONAL SPOKESMAN for the NATIONAL COMMITTEE FOR THE DEFENSE OF POLITICAL
PRISONERS MAY 1973 NATIONAL COMMITTEE to DEFEND JoAnn Chesimard/ASSATA
SHAKUR and Clark Squire/ SUNDIATA ACOLI laison to MUHAMMAD AHMAD DEFENSE
COMMITTEE (MADC), MOSQUE OF ISLAMIC BROTHERHOOD, Imam Ahmed K. Tawfique
ENDENYE ALLHU ARABIC SOCIETY, Imam Sheik Heshaam Jaabar.,
1975 served as a movement courier national independence movement while performing with Gil
Scott-Heron , Brian Jackson and the Midnight Band. Moved to Washington, DC. 1976 DECEMBER
MARRIED FULANI OBAFEMI . worked with the WASHINGTON, D.C. UNIT of the P.G.R.N.A, and
the AFRIKAN PEOPLES’ PARTY, ISLAMIC PARTY OF NORTH AMERICA/ OPPRESSED
PEOPES ORGANIZATION. Employed at STONE SOUP COMMUNITY GROCERY STORE. ,
AFRICAN LIBERATION DAY SUPPORT COMMITTEE
1979 relocated to NEW ORLEANS , LOUISIANNA .Consolidation efforts of P.G.R.N.A., AFRIKAN
PEOPLES’ PARTY, AFRIKAN PEOPLES SOCIALIST PARTY, ALL AFRIKAN PEOPLES’
REVOLUTIONARY PARTY 1981 OCTOBER Nyack New York BRINX CASE. subsequent exile to
Belize, CA SEPTEMBER 1983 acquittal
MARCH 1984 return to NEW ORLEANS,
1988 moved to ATLANTA, GA. Joined AL-UMMA NATIONAL Islamic jamaat under the leadership of
Imam Jamil Abdullah Al-Amin. National Prison and Gang Program. NATIONAL GANG SUMMITS,
MARCH 2000 after Imam’s arrest) INTERNATIONAL COMMITTEE TO SUPPORT IMAM JAMIL
ABDULLAH AL-AMIN, the former H. RAP BROWN. INTERNATIONAL HUMAN RIGHTS
ASSOCIATION FOR AMERICAN MINORITIES .
posted by Interchange @ 9:17 AM
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