Imaginary

Visual Arts

• Susan Clinard, A Woman's Pride

Music: Composers, artists, and major works

Pride at its best is not boastful or ostentatious; it reflects confidence, self-assurance and respect. Gene Harris was an African-American jazz pianist who played in several styles, including funk, soul and blues. Some of his work sounds like mainstream, straight-ahead jazz. Jazz has its roots in black culture. Harris played like a man who was comfortable in his own skin, conveying a sense that he was proud of his blackness, in a deeply humane way. Some of his albums are solo, others in a small ensemble. They are grouped below, by style:

• Blues: “Down Home Blues” (1996), “Black and Blue” (1991), “Blues & Ballads: The Best of Gene Harris on Resonance”, “Ballad Essentials” (compilation)
• Funk: “Funky Gene’s” (1994), “Nexus” (1975), “Instant Party” (compilation)
• Soul: “It’s the Real Soul” (1995)
• Distinctly African-American: “Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow” (1973), “Alley Cats” (1998), “Tribute to Count Basie” (1988), “Astral Signal” (1974), “In a Special Way” (1976)
• Straight-ahead: “Live at Maybeck Recital Hall” (1993), “A Little Piece of Heaven” (1993), “The Gene Harris Trio Plus One” (1985), “Live in London” (1996), “Another Night in London” (1996)

Constructive and empowering pride is a part of self-worth. This is apparent in these albums by the aboriginal group Yothu Yindi, whose name means “child – mother”:

• “Tribal Voice” (1991), informed by a “firm belief that Indigenous cultural knowledge, songs and instruments have a vital place in guiding and enriching future generations”;
• “Birrkuta – Wild Honey” (1996);
• “One Blood” (1998);
• “Garma” (2000): “Garma (or ganma) is a place from which cultural meanings flow.”

Compositions:

• Vaughan Williams, In the Fen Country
• Vaughan Williams, On Wenlock Edge
• Alfvén, Three Swedish Rhapsodies: Midsummer Vigil, Op. 19; Upsala Rhapsody, Op. 24; Dalecarlian Rhapsody, Op. 47
• Bax, Tintagel
• Brahms, Hungarian Dances
• Grieg, Norges Melodier (Norwegian Melodies), EG 108

Albums:

• Jim Gustin and Truth Jones, “Lessons Learned”, “Can’t Shed a Tear” and “Memphis” albums: disparate voices, proudly showcased and displayed.
• Black Art Jazz Collective, “Armor of Pride”
• Denman Maroney, “Solo @ 70”
• Rhiannon Giddens, Anythyst Kiahm, Leyla McCalla & Allison Russell, “Songs of Our Native Daughters”