A Tribute to Billie Holiday, in celebration of Black History Month. It’s always a joy to hear Billie’s music again.
“Scent of Magnolia” by Trisha Sugarek.……’tells the story of a young woman who rose above poverty, rape, bigotry, prostitution and imprisonment to become one of the most memorable and celebrated artists of the twentieth century. The one woman show portrays the life of a black jazz singer in America during the 30’s. The script does not dwell on the sensationalism of her addiction to alcohol and drugs but chooses, rather, to celebrate the whole woman and her music.
Billie tells not only her story, but our nation’s story. She interjects her tale with her most famous music as well as some of her more obscure songs. In her own words, she talks about her struggle to succeed in spite of the segregation of that time and the 
difficulties she experienced singing with the great bands, most of which were white musicians. Without self-pity , she talks about the
(Note: Original song written by Gary Swindell, for this stage play.) daily slings and arrows that are a part of bigotry. Billie takes complete responsibility for her life, her choices, and her actions. Her triumph was her music and her songs that will live on forever.’
…….Ben Rafuse as the ‘piano man’
We have much to celebrate this year with people of color serving our country in the military abroad, serving the community and nation in the political arena. The many musicians who gave ‘birth to the blues’.
The giants and philosophers, playwrights and politicians…..
It’s taken us over eighty years to evolve to this point, 
since Billie Holiday struggled as a black woman to survive in this country. …….we still have a way to go but we, as a nation, have much 
to be proud of. Did you miss the post about Savannah’s black orphan kids? 
(Hank Aaron, Kamala Harris, Corey Booker,
Tennessee Williams, Walter Mosley,Martin Luther King, Jr., Spike Lee, James Baldwin, ) and thousands of others who fill our world and our history.
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Start your month off right!! DON’T MISS UPCOMING BLOGS. “The Writer’s Corner” INTERVIEWS with other best-selling AUTHORS! March: Olivia Hawker, April: Dan Sofer
So come along with me; we shall sneak into these writers’ special places, be a fly on the wall and watch them create!
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