Drummer and Latin Jazz percussionist Ray Barretto. The photo, courtesy of Aurora Communications, was believed to be taken at a concert in New York City sometime in 2005.

New York, NY –May 24, 2006– The New York City Council held a special ceremony to issue a posthumous proclamation honoring the lifetime achievements and musical heritage of Ray Barretto. Born in Brooklyn on April 29, 1929 and a long time resident of el barrio, East Harlem and the Bronx, Council member Melissa Mark Viverito, who sponsored the proclamation and who hosted the ceremony, noted: “Ray Barretto leaves all New Yorkers an important legacy that joins the music from the Caribbean with the music created by Latino immigrants in New York. He opened doors to other musicians while also forging a partnership with the jazz world. Most important, Ray Barretto was a humanitarian sensitive to just causes.”

The ceremony took place in conjunction with the new release of an exceptional double CD commemorative box set that will be presented to City Council members by Fania Records where Barretto recorded the majority of his salsa discography. “We’re very proud of this package as it is more of a commemoration of his life’s work than a compilation of best hits,” underscored Fania Records spokesperson, Giora Breil.

Accepting the proclamation were the widow of Ray Barretto, Mrs. Annette Barretto and, his son, Christopher Barretto.

More on Ray Barretto:

For nearly 40 years, conguero, composer and bandleader Ray Barretto was one of the leading forces in both salsa and Latin jazz. Barretto’s compelling playing style earned him the title of “manos duros” or Hard Hands for his hard driving percussive style. As a pioneer of the salsa movement, Barretto achieved international superstardom and released nearly two dozen albums with the Fania label from the late-'60s to the mid-1980's

Influenced as deeply by the bebop jam sessions held in Harlem during the late-'40s as by his Puerto Rican ancestry, Barretto is one of the most prolific and renowned Latin percussionists in the history of modern jazz. Few artists have been as successful over the years at fusing these two genres as Barretto, an undisputed master of this style.

Barretto spent over four decades refining the integration of Afro-Caribbean rhythms with the improvisational elements of jazz and his work has graced the recordings of saxophonists Gene Ammons, Lou Donaldson, Sonny Stitt, and guitarists Wes Montgomery and Kenny Burrell. It was the tune “Manteca” recorded by Gillespie with Chano Pozo on percussion that drove Barretto to music. And it was a version of that same tune that became Barretto’s first recording with Red Garland.

Born in Brooklyn, raised in East Harlem’s “El Barrio” and in the South Bronx, Barretto was one of the founding members of the Fania All Stars, leading the salsa movement and achieving international superstardom. While working with his own bands, his congas graced more recordings than any other conguero in history. Ray Barretto was also the first Latino musician to have a hit enter the Billboard Top 20 charts when the song “El Watusi” was awarded a gold record in 1963. In 1990 he won a Grammy for the album “Ritmo en el Corazon” (Rhythm in the Heart) which featured the vocals of the “Queen of Salsa,” Celia Cruz. On the Fania label, Barretto recorded with every major salsa star including Ruben Blades, Ismael Miranda, Cheo Feliciano and Tito Puente.

Barretto as voted Jazz Percussionist of the Year in 2004 and won the Down Beat Critics Award for Percussion in 2005. He recorded with legends such as the Rolling Stones, Freddy Hubbard, Dizzy Gillespie, The Bee Gees, Charlie Parker, Wes Montgomery, Cannonball Adderly and Cal Tjader. In 2006, right before his death, Ray Barretto was awarded the prestigious National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) Fellowship, which he stated, was the “gift of a lifetime.”

Some words of my own.....

Ray Barretto was a giant in the music industry, and not just for his contributions to Latin music. He was part of the wave of those who forged early fusion, dating back to the noted trumpet player, Dizzy Gillespie, in the 1940's.

This writer last met Ray Barretto early this year at the International Association of Jazz Educators ( I-A-J-E ) conference held in New York city. He was always accessible, and open to discussing the changing face of Latin music and, Latin Jazz. This year, he was looking forward to performing at many of the upcoming Jazz and Latin music festivals, where he played such a big part in further spreading the music over the years. No one knew that the end was so near. Within weeks of receiving the NEA award at IAJE, Barretto would be stricken with a heart attack and, over the next several weeks, his condition worsened and that eventually led to his death. His loss sent shock waves through the Jazz and Latin music scene, as many in the Jazz world were just recovering from the loss of noted drummer, Elvin Jones, in 2004.

To understand the significance of Ray Barretto's passing, is to understand that there is now a huge void in the American music scene. He was the rarest of musicians on several fronts.... in the words of the late Big Band leader, Gil Evans, Barretto was a sound innovator. That is, a musician who changed the sound of an instrument. Gil Evans is known mostly as the man who made the landmark orchestral recordings with Miles Davis the mid-1950's and early 1960's. Evans said there are few sound innovators, and they mostly come from Classical and instrumental music. The noted exception, Evans later admitted, would be Jimi Hendrix, the late 1960's Rock guitarist, who changed the sound of the electric guitar. For Ray Barretto, himself a sound innovator, he was in search of new sounds, while remaining grounded in the music of his people..... Latin and Latin Jazz Music, and later, Salsa.

The City Council's proclamation this day is noted by the significance of the city losing yet another giant in the music industry. In New York Jazz circles there has been talk of the need for City officials to push for an annual Jazz parade. This talk first surfaced following the death of Miles Davis in September 1991. Several of the influencial Village Voice music critics brought the topic up again in recent years. The discussion has risen and fluttered away, and has appeared in other noted music publications over the past decade and a half but, this is a theme worth revisiting. Here's why.....

While New Orleans, Philadelphia, Chicago, Montreal, Los Angeles, Toronto, Atlanta, Tokyo, and even Newport, Rhode Island remain beacons of the Jazz scene, each hosting annual Jazz festivals, they last for a maximum of four days at each locale. JVC, the electronic company, is the main underwriter of Jazz festivals at the above named cities annually. Yet, it is interesting to note that out of over a dozen cities only Paris, France, and New York City, are able to sustain Jazz Festivals that run over two weeks. That's right, ONLY Paris and the Big Apple.

Like the argument for a New York Jazz parade in years past, this writer on this day, again, supports such a call. The possible date, as first argued in 1992, should be in late September, in and around the 28th, falling on the anniversary of the death of Miles Davis. The other reason, in the aftermath of 9 - 11, and because the month of September will forever be a sad time for New Yorkers in the coming generations, a Jazz parade would be the event to finish the month on a high note. If New York is the Jazz capital of the world, then, the Jazz parade in late September would, yet again, put the argument to rest. It would be a fitting tribute to those who have passed but left their mark. Dizzy Gillespie, Miles Davis, Tito Puente, Elvin Jones, John Coltrane, Gil Evans, Duke Ellington, Billy Eckstein, and Charlie Parker come to mind, as those who are considered giants in the music field. Ray Barretto belongs with the names listed above. So, with the passing, and the tribute by New York's City Council on the enormous contributions made by Ray Barretto on this day, it only underlines the necessity of having such an event. What are your thoughts?

Again, my salute to Ray Barretto, as well as to his wife, son, associates, Friends, and others close to him.

Thanks for spending time here. See you same time, same station!

Sincerely,

Eric K. Williams, Executive Director
International Access Networks.

Not Just for ABBA Music Lovers and those who happen to like Swedish Popular Music

I just received this notice from a colleague connected with the New York Swedish Church. What is set for this coming Saturday is a special night of the music of Abba. But, it is not just the music of Abba, but rather, a look at popular music from the Nordic countries, to which, Abba opened an important door to. So, below, take a moment to read a note passed on to me. And now to you.

Dear music lover,  

I would like to inform you about an ABBA - Benny
Andersson concert that will take place on
May 20th at 7 p.m. at the Holy Trinity
Lutheran Church at Central Park West
(65th Street) in New York City.  

The Swedish Church presents the concert. The
concert is called “Where I Wanna Be -
A Concert Celebrating the Music of
Benny Andersson.”

For more information....... 

See the Swedish Church website:

http://www.swedishchurch.net/index2.asp?id=174

Hope to see you there!

All the best,

-Eric Williams, Executive Director
International Access Networks.

Free Film Festival in New York this Weekend

Our colleagues at the Asian-American Asian Research Institute here in New York are holding their annual one day Film Festival. While the greater publicized Tribeca Film Festival grows in influence, this is a festival worth supporting. Read below to find out how to attend. This one gets the I-A-N endorsement.

The Asian American / Asian Research Institute, of the City University of New York, will present its 3^rd Annual ‘Asian American Film / Media Festival,’ on Friday, May 19, 2006, from 6PM to 8PM, in the Martin E. Segal Theatre of the CUNY Graduate Center. The college is located at 365 Fifth Avenue (Corner of 34^th Street), Manhattan.

In order to promote the artistic visual talents, and to stimulate communication among CUNY students who are separated by the different campuses spread across the five boroughs, the CUNY Asian American Film / Media Festival was created to provide a central location to display their creative works, and to network among colleagues involved in the same field of study.

On the evening of the festival, winners will be awarded in the following three categories: Documentary; Fiction; and Experimental Film. Winning films will be screened after the award ceremony, and then followed by a Questions and Answers session with the winners. Winning films will be available online to view after the festival.

Admission is free, but due to limited seating, online registration is required. For more information, please visit our website @ www.aaari.info.

There you have it. Some of the films I viewed that were screened in the last two years were emotional, revealing and gave insight into the issues touching the Asian-American community in the New York area. This is a highly recommended festival, and is another gathering that is largely ignored by the mainstream media. As such, it has our support. Check it out.

See you back here, same time, same station!

-Eric K. Williams, Executive Director
International Access Networks / I-A-N

Newark, New Jersey elects a Mayor

A New Era, or More Of The Same?

In 2002, Newark had one of the roughest, if not nastiest, races for City Hall in recent memory in a fight, literally, between two note worthy politicians. Incumbent Mayor, Sharp James, while making in-roads in a bid for economic recovery, also ruled his city with an iron fist. It was what some might call a throw back to 'MACHINE POLITICS,' not seen since the days of Mayor Richard Daley of Chicago. Like Chicago's Daley, Sharp James was a native of his city, who knew the streets better than any political scientist, or urban studies expert.

James' challenger, Corey Booker, for many, was the polar opposite. While African-American and raised in a Newark suburb, he was a lighter-skinned, Ivy League educated newcomer, who caught the attention of money-men, and the movers and shakers of New York City, just across the Hudson River. Booker had vision, and political ambition but would lose a close contest that had the smell of the race card used in an amazing and bizzarre manner.

Both men happen to be African-American New Jersey-ites, but their vision and style could not be more different. James was brash and loud, and used the race card against Booker, telling the people of Newark that he was not authentically Black. While Booker on the otherhand was restrained, dignified and never addressed the matter of his education from an American elite college. What's more, to many Newark residents Booker seemed almost aloof about James' charges, defensive when pressed on the matter, and his mannerism appeared almost Un-Newark like, that is, cut out of an Oxford University cloth. Like his New York counter-part Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg across the Hudson, it was perceived that his high pedigree-education, relative business success, and behavior on the campaign trail only helped to underline that perception.

The 2002 contest was captured on film in the recently released movie simply called STREET FIGHT.

Now that the contest is settled, and Booker assumes the job he so coveted, the movie may be passe' but, the realities of governing a working class city, still recovering from the devastating race riots of 1967, will be the real test. Those scars run deep, as many of the middle class residents, both Black and White, have left over the decades. Take away the long shadow of New York city that so dominates the region, and Newark, in both population, and size, would mirror that of the Southern city of Atlanta, Georgia. Now, only one question remains.... Can Booker deliver on his promises?

Below is a recent article that lays out what is at stake.

Newark vote is a defeat for era of racial politics

By Mark J. Bonamo

In today's Newark, political deals are no longer made in the back room. They are made in the basement.

Below the Ivy Hill projects in New Jersey's largest city, two rising young politicians were courting the local Muslim population before Tuesday's nationally watched municipal elections.

Cory Booker, 37, candidate for mayor, and Ron Rice Jr., 38, his slate mate for City Council in this neighborhood, sat next to a pale green curtain separating men from women in the makeshift mosque.

On Tuesday, Booker scored an overwhelming victory. Rice won the plurality of votes in his race, but pending a count of provisional ballots, he faces a probable June runoff election.

They appealed to the voters on universal issues.

"We have the right to live without terror in our community," Booker said, reflecting worries about crime.

"This community is a delicious mixture of ethnicities, a wonderful mosaic that reflects America as a country," he continued. "If we as a people do the same thing we did yesterday, we will get the same results that we have today."

The faces of the people sitting on the floor of the mosque reflected some of the varied nationalities now present in Newark - Afghani, Indian, Pakistani, Bangladeshi.

Booker is African American, in a city where African Americans are still the majority, though the Latino population is at 30 percent and rising.

That might sound familiar to people in Camden. But what has changed in Newark is not just demographics. There has been a major adjustment of political attitudes.

Some history first:

After the 1967 riots, a scarred Newark turned over power to a new generation of politicians - African Americans schooled in the civil-rights movement. They removed a white power structure that had brought Newark to boiling point through corruption and mismanagement.

But the last 20 years brought the ascendancy of a new African American power base, led by Mayor Sharpe James, that flattered its white predecessors by imitation.

Budget deficits of $40 million became common; Newark lost control of its schools to the state, and a trifecta of crime, drugs and gangs is threatening the city's incipient revival.

This latest generation of African American politicians has a sense that a broader cross-section of people than blacks and Latinos needs to walk through the door with it to turn the city around.

"We've had leadership here for 20 years that has ignored whole populations of people," said Rice, who will represent a neighborhood where South Asians, Latinos and Eastern Europeans are all in evidence.

(The gap between Newark's political generations hits close to home for Rice. His father, Ron Rice Sr., ran against Booker. The younger Rice stood by Booker. Both Rices said the divide was just business and not personal.)

When asked why Booker and he would act differently from the older generation, the younger Rice referred to changes the civil-rights movement has brought:

"We're different because our experiences are different. Because of the previous generations' struggle, Cory and I were able to go to majority white colleges that had large international populations. We met, befriended and learned about people (who) didn't look like us. We now know better how to reach out to them."

Rice offered hope to cities around the state, such as Camden, where politics often are racially Balkanized.

"Reaching out to other populations sooner would have helped us come back from the riots a lot quicker," he said. "New immigrants are the salvation of a new Newark."

Back in the basement, Hafiz Ahmed, 55, the imam of the Ivy Hill mosque, gathered his congregation. Before he faced Mecca for the evening's final prayers, he contemplated the future of his adopted city.

"Governing the largest city in New Jersey is not an easy matter," he said, "but this young man Booker is learning. We no longer feel that we will be left behind. We want to play a role in the Newark of the future."

The future began this week.

And time will tell. We wish Booker and, the city of Newark, the best of luck. This is a story worth watching not only for those of us on the USA's Eastern Seaboard, but across the country and world, as well. Like many places I-A-N examines, Newark represents a long story and one of evolving cultural, ethnic, political and economic change. It is a city of great potential, and we'll see just how that change ( in the shape of a newly elected mayor for starters, ) shakes out, in the coming weeks, months, and next four years ahead.

-Eric Williams, Executive Director

Brazilian Music Nights radio and iPOD program Photos

Bi-Lingual Music program Hosted by OMC's Antonio Cavalcante, and International Access Networks Executive Director, Eric Williams.

These photos were shot inside the studios of WBAI-FM radio, New York City.

Announcements on the latest developments of this program coming soon.

STAY TUNED!!!!!!!!

Just some of the folks who've come our way, and some folks I met along the way, too....


( Top ) International Access Networks Executive Director, Eric Williams, laughing with Former U.S. President Bill Clinton at Bryant Park, New York City, November 2001.

(Two) International Access Networks Executive Director, Eric Williams, posing a question to CBS '60 Minutes' reporter Mike Wallace at the March 2006 New York Press Club event.

(Three) Mike Wallace, CBS News March 2006.

(Four) Speaking with Mike Wallace afterwards. March 2006, New York City.

(Five) Interviewing the late Gordon Parks at City Hall, New York. February 2004

(Six) Left to Right- Brooklyn City Councilwoman, Yvette Clarke; Photographer, Gordon Parks; former Manhattan City Councilman, Gifford Miller; Brooklyn City Councilman, Charles Barron; International Access Networks Executive Director, Eric Williams. City Hall Chambers, New York, February 2004

(Seven) New York Mayor, Michael R. Bloomberg with International Access Networks Executive Director, Eric Williams. Gracie Mansion, New York. July 13, 2005

CHILDREN HELD IN DETENTION IN AUSTRALIA


Here We go again, folks. Is there something rotten down under?

Just received this note from some Australian friends who asked that the following Global plea be shared here on this site. As we come out of a week of marches, rallies and demonstrations across America drawing attention to the issue of immigrants and 'guest workers,' in Australia, there is a similar, but slightly different debate.

In spite of official denials from some in Australian government circles, there are scores of young people, considered illegal, being held in detention. The official story is that there are no children in detention but, some in the activist community say otherwise, and offer proof. Below is a note that was forwarded to International Access Networks asking Australian citizens to contact their locally elected officials, government agencies and, the media about the issue of child detentions. It is not only a government policy that has been kept under wraps, but apparently, a policy that is more wide-spread than many ordinary Australians are aware of.

Now, it is GLOBAL.

Whether you decide to act is up to you. Here is the letter I want to share, and that was sent to us in the last 24 hours. It reads.............


Dear friends,

Last July, the Australian government finally ended its shameful policy of keeping children in indefinite detention when they came here seeking asylum. After finally inserting a modicum of human decency into what had been a disgraceful policy for more than ten years - same old policy, but now "out of sight, out of mind".

This time the government wants to send children to remote islands in the Pacific, and this law could be rammed through Parliament next week (during the week of May 8-12,) if we don't act now.

Tomorrow Get Up is launching a NEW TELEVSION AD to oppose this inhumane new law. Click on the link now to watch a preview, and sign the petition today telling the government Australians say no to children behind the razor wire.

http://campaign.getup.org.au/Sitecast2/redirect.aspx?es=65722&l=36&url=http%3a%2f%2fwww.getup.org.au%2fcampaign%2fnochildindetention


We know a detention centre is no home for a child. Between 1999 and 2003 alone, 2184 children were detained in Australia - one child for nearly five and a half years. Most were under the age of 12. There, they witnessed hunger strikes, and suicide attempts. A national inquiry found many lacked appropriate schooling, healthcare and nutrition.

Together, Australians decided that no child fleeing persecution should be made to suffer this way again. But the government is scrambling to reverse our laws after 42 West Papuans were granted asylum, angering Indonesia. It is now understood that all asylum-seekers who arrive by boat will be shunted offshore, denied the right to appeal their cases, or to ever settle in Australia.

This policy betrays our community's most fundamental principals. Please help stop this by adding your name to this important petition today.

http://campaign.getup.org.au/Sitecast2/redirect.aspx?es=65722&l=37&url=http%3a%2f%fwww.getup.org.au%2fcampaign%2fnochildindetentionetup.org.au%2fcampaign%2fnochildindetention>www.getup.org.au/campaign/NoChildInDetention

Our television ad features a small girl trapped behind razor wire. In reality, this child is the daughter of a 'boat person' whose family arrived in Australia fleeing persecution from Vietnam in 1978. Only this refugee was given a chance - and he went on to attend Harvard and, head up a major Australian company.

We must act now, before it's too late. Already Immigration Minister Amanda Vanstone has set the wheels in motion to introduce this legislation next week, hoping to push it through the Senate while media attention is on the budget. Now it's up to us. We've beat these laws before and we must join together to beat them again. Sign the petition telling our senators to stand firm for children's rights today.

http://campaign.getup.org.au/Sitecast2/redirect.aspx?es=65722&l=38&url= http%3a%2f%2fwww.getup.org.au%2fcampaign% 2fChildInDetention>www.getup.org.au/campaign/NoChildInDetention

Thank you for being part of this,
The Get up team

PS: Our ad will premier tomorrow on Channel 7's Sunrise program at the following times, and will air throughout the week:

And there you have it..... An effort by ordinary Australians calling out for help to what can only be described as a dire situation to scores of young people, part of families, that already left behind bad political and social settings. One can only liken the situation of Australian refugees and asylum seekers, with that of the Haitian Refugees of the 1980's and '90's who were treated in a similar fashion after reaching, or even BEFORE reaching, American shores. Millions of Americans were appalled of the government's two-tiered policy of defining Haitian immigrant and asylum seekers as 'Economic,' while Cuban boat people arriving on the shores of Florida were regarded as 'Political' refugees. Perhaps input from an international audience will help put things right in the 'land down under.' Stay tuned......

Thanks for your time! See you here again soon. Same time, same channel.

-Eric K. Williams, Executive Director
INTERNATIONAL ACCESS NETOWRKS / I-A-N, Inc.

Jane Jacobs Dies in Toronto But, leaves a Lasting Legacy


The New York City Landmarks Preservation Commission Acts on 1963 Request


Jane Jacobs may not be well known outside of North America but, here was a woman that helped to shape the way cities in this part of the world both function, and evolve. One of her biggest opponents was the in-famous Robert Moses, who was both a hero and villian to millions of New Yorkers in the 20th century.

Robert Moses was the force behind the construction of major public works projects in New York City that stretched from the beginning of the 20th century, up until the 1970's. He had a long list of accomplishments that included, the West Side Highway, the Tri-Boro Bridge, The Whitestone Bridge, the Throgs Neck Bridge, rebuilding Central Park, and construction of the highway network, in and around New York City. Yet, he was also seen as a destroyer of neighborhoods, even entire districts and counties such as The Bronx, New York's northern-most 'boro.' Many believed it was the building of the Cross Bronx Expressway that did the most tangible damage to that county. It was a practice repeated by others in scores of cities across the United States.

Moses, who was an advocate of travel by automobile, for example, wanted to build a highway right through the middle of Manhattan in the early 1960's. Opponents of that project who were led by Jane Jacobs believed it would have destroyed Greenwich Village, New York's most culturally diverse, and interesting, district. That plan came to a crashing halt, in large part, thanks to the smallish, but influencial woman, who was a giant of New York city lore. Jane Jacobs, many believed, had convincing arguments that strongly countered the view of Robert Moses.

Jacobs was an Urban expert, and author of the noted book called 'THE DEATH AND LIFE OF GREAT AMERICAN CITIES.' That powerful and influencial tome helped to change the way city planners across the country approached re-shaping their cities in the 1960's. Jacobs was a harsh critic of the 1950's-era policy known as 'Urban Renewal,' that she argued, did just the opposite. Urban Renewal became "Urban Removal" of scores of Black, Brown, and poor communities that also helped to shape the way cities thrive, and grow. She was one who loved the urban hustle and bustle, and arguably, made the case of just how modern cities, NOT only in America, thrive.

On this date, and following a 43-year battle to save an important part of New York, the preservation commission 'Landmarked' key areas of the so-called Far West section of Greenwich Village. The landmark designation means that large scale demolition of historic buildings in the area are safe from the wrecking ball. The designation will also put a restrictive cap on the size and height of new development in the area.

For more on the ruling, and the life of Jane Jacobs, you can hear my story on the WBAI EVENING NEWS tonight, 6pm EDT, by visiting the following site:

WWW.WBAI.ORG

There is also a detailed article published in the Toronto Globe and Mail Newspaper on the life of Jane Jacobs. It is available on the Web.

That address is:

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/RTGAM.20060425.wjanejacobs0425/BNStory/National/