By: Marc H. Morial
President and CEO
National Urban League
Much has been written about the giant shoulders Barack Obama stands on as he prepares to become America's first Black President. Everyone from Abraham Lincoln and FDR to Dr. Martin Luther King has been cited as inspirations. But with the recent passing of Eartha Kitt and Freddie Hubbard over the holidays, we were reminded that Obama's path to the White House was not only paved by the courageous lives of these great leaders but also by the transformative powers of iconic artists and entertainers. Some might argue that there has been no more poignant or effective way of conveying the dignity of the African American experience and building bridges of understanding than through the arts.
Eartha Kitt and Freddie Hubbard may not have thought of themselves as civil rights leaders, but their powerful multi-racial appeal played a big part in raising the nation's consciousness and giving birth to new possibilities. That is why I want to take a moment to pay homage to their memories.
It was ironic that Eartha Kitt died on Christmas day. Her most enduring and recognizable song may have been her sultry rendition of "Santa Baby," recorded in 1953 but now a Christmas standard. Born in 1927, Eartha Kitt was a self-professed "sex kitten," whose career spanned six decades. She spoke four languages, sang in seven, entertained audiences from Harlem to Paris and won international acclaim as a cabaret singer, dancer, actor and activist. Orson Welles once called her, "The most exciting woman in the world."
Whether winning accolades as Catwoman in the 1960s Batman TV series or earning a Tony nomination for her role in the 1978 Broadway production of Timbuktu, Eartha Kitt carved a unique niche in the world of entertainment and influenced many well-known singers including Dianna Ross, Janet Jackson and Madonna. She also left an indelible mark as an outspoken activist, who worked on issues ranging from help for homeless children to voting rights to HIV/AIDS awareness. In 1968, she was condemned for speaking out against the Vietnam War during a White House luncheon with President Johnson's wife, Lady Bird.
Freddie Hubbard, who has been called the greatest trumpet player of all time, died on December 29th. He was 70. A protégé of John Coltrane, Hubbard rose from humble beginnings in Indianapolis to play with the greatest jazz musicians of his time. At home in styles as varied as bebop, hardbop, and soul jazz, Hubbard may be best known for his 1977 double-album entitled, VSOP: The Quintet, in which he joined Herbie Hancock, Wayne Shorter, Ron Carter, and Tony Williams in a landmark live performance. He was a Grammy winner and in 2006 the National Endowment for the Arts honored him with their prestigious Jazz Masters Award. Freddie Hubbard made a lasting impact on the world of jazz and he influenced many younger trumpeters, including Wynton Marsalis.
The great philosopher, Ralph Waldo Emerson once said, "Every man is a quotation from his ancestors." As we celebrate the presidency of Barack Obama let us remember that he and all of us are quotes from a rich cultural heritage that includes the incomparable musical contributions of Eartha Kitt and Freddie Hubbard.
Enviroshop is maintained by dedicated NetSys Interactive Inc. owners & employees who generously contribute their time to maintenance & editing, web design, custom programming, & website hosting for Enviroshop.