Black Tie Lounge

No words necessary. Just watch. Platinum Lovers ft. Proche & Brandon (BYFKZ) from Gary Beauford on Vimeo .

On another note, I gotta learn how to get it like this.

I'm going to fight the urge to utterly pass out right now to talk about the Troy Davis trial. My cousin calls me, which is crazy because we have spoken all of a few times this year--not because of personal issues but more because of convenience. Either way I'm glad he did. Knowing how, socially conscious I am he asks if I was following the news about Troy Davis . At that point I never heard of him. To make a long story short, in 1989 he was convicted in the State of Georgia for killing in a trial based largely of eye witness testimony. From my understanding this was a case that had been tried and appealed on numerous occasions. Since his conviction 7 of the 9 original witnesses have sense recanted their testimony stating that they were coerced by cops to give a false testimony. Davis was sentenced to the death penalty. A federal judge was asked to consider significant evidence of Davis' innocence but rejected such evidence. The Supreme Court would not consider the cas...

Fresh off the car break in, I came up with the bright idea of polling my students to see what things I can adjust. Sure I may come to class with some chucks and an H&M sweater or V-neck T-shirt, say some very sarcastic things, forget the very material I am presenting but I do care what my students/clients think about my services. I always wanted to get some instructor feedback but I never cared to actually think about what to ask. This time, well, I still didn't think of what to ask. I kind of came up with the questions on the spot but I did follow through with what I was thinking as I carried out this poll. I asked if the students were satisfied with the course at this point. I asked if there was anything that I could do more or less of. Lastly, I asked for general feedback. Now if I judge my students based of the looks on their faces as I present material to them, then I'd say that I was in to possibly get ripped a new one. To which I would have just kindly said eff you,...

No matter the problem or the issue I face. I'll still give him glory. I'll give him praise. "The garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness." All of the songs on Freedom to Worship have a special meaning to me but for various reasons I'm drawn to the song "I'll Give Him Praise." I woke up this morning thinking about the biblical basis for the song and I recalled all of the instances throughout the word where the situation called for God's people to be upset or afraid, but they proceeded with praise. God brought down the wall of Jericho with the praise of the people. During the rule of Jehoshaphat God set ambushes against the enemies of Israel through the people's praise. Let's not forget when Paul and Silas were thrown in prison. God used their praise to set them free. It's funny because I thought about those things this morning as I walked to my car to go grocery shopping. I moved to a new neighborhood and spent my first night at ...

This Martha Focker right here! Kurt Elling. Good Gawd. Pulling up this video brought back so many memories of learning vocal jazz. This cracker scatts like a mad man. Back in 2003, when I decided to really find my voice--a journey I am still on--my vocal coach would give me homework, which required me to listen to a jazz CD and report on it. This is when I came across Kurt Elling. What I loved about this cat was that he had the vocal freedom that I was used to since my background was in gospel and R&B. This guy reminds me of my journey as a singer. I've been writing lyrics and poetry since the 8th grade and on through high school. My musical experience was pretty much just a dream. I never invested or thought to take voice lessons. The only chorus I took was being a part of the church choir. I wasn't a part of a chorus until my first year in college when I took a class in vocal jazz. I soon went on to take voice lessons with the illustrious Jamie Shew. She helped gi...

This is why you don't talk on your cell in the restroom -> OMG!....I was in the public restroom - I was barely sitting down when I heard a voice in the other stall: "Hi, how are you?" Me: embarrassed, "Doin' fine!" Stall: "So what are you up to?" Me: "Uhhh, I'm like you, just sitting here." Stall: "Can I come over?"..Me: (attitude) "No, I'm a little busy right now!!" Stall: "Listen, I'll have to call you back. There's an idiot in the other stall who keeps answering all my questions...