While he was still in his twenties, Horace Tapscott gave up a successful
career in Lionel Hampton's band and returned to his home in Los Angeles
to found the Pan Afrikan Peoples Arkestra, a community arts group that
focused on providing affordable, community-oriented jazz and jazz
training. Over the course of almost forty years, the Arkestra, together
with the related Union of God's Musicians and Artists Ascension (UGMAA)
Foundation, were at the forefront of the vital community-based arts
movements in black Los Angeles.
Some three hundred artists-musicians,
vocalists, poets, playwrights, painters, sculptors, and graphic
artists-passed through these organizations, many ultimately remaining
within the community and others moving on to achieve international fame.
Based primarily on one hundred in-depth interviews with current and
former participants, The Dark Tree is the first history of the important
and largely overlooked community arts movement of African American Los
Angeles. Brought to life by the passionate voices of the men and women
who worked to make the arts integral to everyday community life, this
engrossing book completes the account began in the highly acclaimed
Central Avenue Sounds, which documented the secular music history of the
first half of the twentieth century and which the San Francisco
Examiner called "one of the best jazz books ever compiled."
CD included with the book
Horace Tapscott piano, conductor
William Marshall lead vocal
The Voice of UGMAA vocals
(Cynthia, Vernetta, Landern, Pat K, Linda Hill, Will Connell, Willie L, Scratch, Charles, Oscar)
Los Angeles, December 2, 1969
- Tell God All Of My Troubles (From the For My People suite) (Traditional)
Horace Tapscott piano, conductor
Edwin Pleasant flute
Chico Roberson flute
Ernest Straughter flute
Black Arthur Blythe alto saxophone
Will Connell alto saxophone
Cerion Middleton III tenor saxophone
Ray Straughter tenor saxophone
Butch Morris cornet
Robert S trombone
David Bryant bass
Walter Savage, Jr. bass
Jimmy Hoskins drums
Brother Eddie conga
Marcus Hill pot
Los Angeles, May 3, 1970
- Carnival (From music from King Christophe) (H.Tapscott)
- Waltz Time (From music from King Christophe) (H.Tapscott)
- Funeral (Later titled “Warriors All”, From music from King Christophe) (H.Tapscott)
Aubrey Hart piccolo
Adele Sebastian flute
Jesse Sharps soprano saxophone
Gary Bias alto saxophone
Michael Session alto saxophone
Fuasi Abdul-Khaliq tenor saxophone
Charles Chandler tenor saxophone
Steve Smith trumpet
Lester Robertson trombone
Wendell C. Williams french horn
Red Callender tuba
Horace Tapscott piano
Linda Hill piano
David Bryant bass
Marcus McLaurine bass
Ricky Simmons drums
Moises Obligacion conga
Los Angeles, January 24, 1976
- Eternal Egypt Suite, part 4 (F.Abdul-Khaliq)
Dwight Trible vocal
Michael Session soprano, alto and tenor saxophones
Thurman Green trombone
Horace Tapscott piano
Roberto Miranda bass
Fritz Wise drums
Hollywood, December 19, 20, 1995
- Sometimes I Feel Like A Motherless Child (Traditional)
- Ballad For Deadwood Dick (H.Tapscott)
- Little Africa (L.Hill)
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