Quoted from Wikipedia: "Odetta (born December 31, 1930) is an African-American singer, actress, guitarist, songwriter, and a human rights activist, often referred to as "The Voice of the Civil Rights Movement." Her musical repertoire consists largely of American folk music, blues, jazz, and spirituals. An important figure in the American folk music revival of the 1950s and '60s, she was a formative influence on dozens of artists, including Bob Dylan, Joan Baez, and Janis Joplin."
She performed from her wheelchair, and when she cracked her mouth to sing the first note, the sound that followed nearly blew me away. Reverberating the room, this woman didn't need her pianist to keep the place mesmerized! I was on the edge of my seat the whole time. It is so powerful when you meet someone who commands and captivates just with her presence of energy. This woman did that. And her singing was unforgettable. Her voice penetrated beyond our ears, our skin, our organs, to something deeper that we forget lies within us. I wish everyone could have heard this beautiful lady. Go get recordings!!
I am always so nervous to ask to take a picture with celebrities, but with strong encouragement here we are: me and living history, Odetta.
In addition to Odetta's breathtaking performance, we heard a speech delivered by a man named Harvey Alter who had a stroke and suffered from Aphasia, a disease (simply stated) where you know what you want to say but your brain and your mouth don't cooperate, preventing speaking almost completely. He found he could sing happy birthday after going two years without speaking, and learned to speak again through singing. He delivered one of the most eloquent speeches I have ever heard, closing with, "You may think I have been speaking to you tonight, but I have been singing the whole time." Click here to read an article about Harvey in the New York Times.
You can read more about the Awards and learn more about the organization with whom I work, The Institute for Music and Neurologic Function by checking out the website: www.musichaspower.org
Finally, a picture I took Thursday night.
Love,
Luci
