George Duke- A In Demand Legend Entertaining and Educating While Delivering Musical Greatness

As America and the world continue to evolve into a musical stratosphere of the unknown, there have been very few artists, musicians or producers who can say they’ve made a contribution to music in the 1960’s, 70’s, 80’s, 90’s, at the turn of the century, and still at it in 2011. George Duke is definitely one of a kind, as he’s contributed his own very unique greatness in sound and style with the likes of legends such as Nancy Wilson, Joe Williams, Dizzy Gillespie, Quincy Jones, Cannonball Adderly and Frank Zappa, to name a few. The Duke has not only laid down tracks with superstars, but produced award winning television specials with legends, who headline sound stages around the world. All of his work has made us dance and relax to endless sounds of Funk, Jazz, Rhythm and Blues. Without question, George Duke has been a triple threat in entertainment as part of a process to educate and entertain an audience way bigger than he could have ever imagined. After countless recordings, tours and productions, he’s still in the business of keeping the art form of “music” alive. His latest contributions are “The George Duke Band Live in Prague DVD”, “The DMS Tour” featuring George Duke, Marcus Miller and David Sanborn, and a few more surprises guaranteed to keep audiences dancing and critics talking.

Music has changed tremendously over the years, but the sounds of George Duke remain timeless, soothing and a formula that has taken multiple superstars to the top of the charts. Despite a worldwide recession, he continues to perform around the globe. “ I want to do this for as long as I can”, explains Duke. “Believe it or not I’m still having fun. As the saying goes, what goes up, must come down, and I know is at some point all of this will stop, but until then I’m still enjoying the ride. I just want to try to do more why I still have time left on this earth, and I probably won’t have time to do all that I want or would like to do, but something that I have not done is record and do some performances with artists from other countries- more ethnically oriented artists like African Indigenous artists, just plain folk who have good ideas and a good sound”.

After a life of performances around the world and having recorded with every popular artist from his era, Duke talks about why he continues to love what he does. “It’s simple, I love the smiling faces”, he continues. “My life is like a bubble, I’m always traveling, meeting people, and doing all of this has had great rewards for me. I believe that music has the power to heal people, to deliver people, and present a positive message in a positive way. And it’s been my goal to do that from day one. Now that I’m older, I’m now taking the opportunity to give back to all the many fans who have supported us over the years. At the ends of shows, I get out there to the audience and shake hands, take pictures and mingle with people. This current show is actually very successful because of that, and I got Marcus (Miller) and Dave (Sanborn) out doing the same. We’re all tired after the shows, but I see it a very worthwhile thing to get out there and see the people face to face, that one on one experience. The audience loves it, and it helps us because we get to see and learn things about making the audience experience a better one. I have a project coming up with Al Jerreau, and I’m working on getting him out there as well”.

Since “Live In LA”, released in 1971, to “Déjà Vu” released in 2010, Duke continues to make himself a household name. Unlike many in the entertainment business, he continues to work despite a bad economy. His records remain timeless regardless of the Internet age. “Art is important for us to keep alive, “ continues Duke. “ If you’re not into the digital thing now, you’re out of the game, and you’re in trouble. I love the Internet because it allows artists from all over the world to connect, study and discover new styles of music to make what they do better. The Internet in my opinion is saving music. It’s opening up a world to many of us that we didn’t know existed. You can get digital downloads with Itunes, Amazon and all of that. What I don’t like and has become tuff for musicians is the cuts in education and music departments in schools for the kids. The kids are suffering because of this. Obcourse we know it’s about finances, and that makes it very difficult. At the same time it makes it very difficult for those super talented artists out here looking to make a living at making music. The chances to see the industry return to what it use to be is not very good at all. Everything is changing, and not for the better”.

And what does he listen to, “ I listen to it all. We’re living in a new age of distribution with the Internet. CD’s are a thing of the past. The Internet has changed the entire world and I feel very fortunate to be living in this day and time. I’m glad about where we are going when it comes to music and entertainment. It was just a few days ago, Erykah Badu came over and brought some of her new tracks to let me hear. It’s really a slamming album. Then I like Jill Scott and all of her stuff. What I would like to see also is more collaboration between older artists and the new artists. I’ve done a lot of projects, and I can’t say that I get a lot of calls from the young kids who like what I do and won’t to collaborate. It seems that our worlds are so distant, and the music is somewhat so different, but I welcome the opportunity to work with some of them. One project that I do have is the new Christian McBride project. This is going to be a good project as well”. McBride is no newcomer to the industry being that he’s introduced a few projects (“Kind of Brown”, “Conversations With Christian”, and “Live At Tonic”, which are his most recent projects), but this is a good example of the old school working with a somewhat younger demographic, although McBride is considered a Contemporary Jazz Artist.

In closing Duke shares his support system, and talks about the future. “yea I do the music, but I can’t do it without a supportive family. “ My son handles the business and my wife handles everything else. It’s like she sat down beside me and never got up. She does it all. When I travel, I can call her and she’s got the schedule there so we know what’s next. I could not do this without her”. And what’s happening in the future? “ I’m currently on tour with Marcus Miller and Dave Sanborn. I’m also talking with Al Jerreau for a project, and there’s also a new project with Paxton Baker at Black Entertainment Television, and perhaps a few more projects. And touring, and maybe a project with Stanley Clark. For more information about George Duke, visit http://www.georgeduke.com/

Former TV Star Wilson’s- “Un-Ringing The Bell” Premieres At NC National Theater Festival

In the past few years the American economy has been practically destroyed by greedy politicians, Fortune 500 Companies expecting big government bale outs, and fanancial investors in for their own gain. Looking at the over all picture for the small man, many of us continue to be affected by job loss, the mortgage crisis, which has left many consumers lives in shambles, automotive franchises going up in smoke, and finally poor sales and rising prices in retail outlets. But it doesn’t stop there, when it comes to entertainment, Hollywood was hit with a brick, as production houses shut down, television shows were canceled and actors from every walk of life were left standing in hall ways, not only looking for that next big break, but in disbelief that their steady gigs were gone. For some, this reality hit harder than others as the bottom fell out, and their poisons of choice entered front and center, making them re-evaluate what it really meant to be part of the human race.

Actor Dorien Wilson was one of those casualties who felt a swift kick in the gut after Hollywood shut down countless productions, and offices that were once considered the bread and butter of the entertainment industry halted on projects. For once in his life, instead of concentrating on going that extra mile to deliver a character to the screen that people could relate too, he turned an about face to a very weary and destructive shell of his former self as the urge to drink took over. Poisons of his past led him to pockets of deep depression and remorse as he drank to forget his problems, the industry and the economy. Simultaneously, he was forced to deal with the death of his mother, which pushed him further into a state of denial that there was no job to go to. “I’ve enjoyed my career and my life”, comments Wilson. “ Here, I was the first African American on “Seinfeld” and ‘Friends’, and had work straight for like 15 years with shows like “The Parkers’, and all of a sudden one morning I woke up and there was no job to go to. This was a very hard thing. So I fell into a bout of depression, then my mother passed away, and that too had me on edge. I loved her so. And so things were not the same. I started drinking and things just got out of hand. If you were talking to me maybe 6 months ago, you would not have known me because I was really out there”.

To make amends and address his circumstances, Wilson turned to his many friends and family to get back on track. This was when he began developing ideas for a one man stage play which later became known as “Un-Ringing The Bell”, a comedic, yet introspective journey delving into real life experiences about his highs and lows in the entertainment business, alcoholism, depression and the passing of his mother. “ Un-Ringing The Bell” refers to when something is done you can’t undo it”, he continues. “I’ve been through a lot of things in my career, but this is the first time in 15 years things just stopped. I was so used to working television gigs because it was like a regular 9 to 5 job that lasted and lasted. Then I looked around to see who else was being affected, and I saw it was not just me, but there were a lot of us very talented actors not working. The reality tv thing had taken over. Hollywood was not hiring actors to do anything, but putting smaller budgets in to reality television series. So after getting myself together, and realizing that if I was not being called to work, I had to create something. Like the old saying goes, when the phone stops ringing, you have to create your own stuff”.

Wilson’s creation, “Un-Ringing The Bell”, features him portraying all the characters including Dr. Ira Feinsteine, a persnickety old man with a European accent. Legendary actress Marla Gibbs (Florence from The Jefferson’s), joins in to speak as the voice of his mother. Wilson pays homage to her in a very sincere way. He recently appeared on “The Monique Show” to talk about the project as well. “It was great to reunite with Monique, whom I played opposite of as Professor Oglevee on tv show “The Parkers” for 6 years”, says Wilson. “She and I have always had a good relationship, (she called me the night she was getting ready for the Academy Awards) and it was just ironic, because when she first got the BET Show, she had the entire cast of “The Parkers” on, and then a year later she called me about doing the show to promote this work. I’m really appreciative of her giving me the opportunity to talk about the project there. This was really good for me because I haven’t been in a television role for a while, people that recognize me are always asking, “when are you going to be on tv again? We miss you.”. This makes me feel very good about the work that I’ve done. And this is also good because I can always go back to theater”.

In the future Wilson says he’s working on writing a new theatrical play entitled “Under The Elm Tree”, and he’s also waiting to hear back about a role in a new upcoming project for television, and an Internet series, which may include some voice over work for an animation company. “I love the Internet”, he says in closing. For the future I will be writing more material to keep busy”. “Un-Ringing The Bell” will be showcased in Winston Salem, North Carolina at the National Black Theater Festival at 8pm nightly, from Tuesday, August 2^nd- Thursday, August 4^th, 2011, where there will be Red Carpet Treatment for Celebrity arrivals and a Celebrity After Party. For more information about actor Dorien Wilson, “Un-Ring The Bell” and The National Black Theater Festival, visit. http://www.nbtf.org/. Also view a recently added link to a performance by Wilson at http://youtu.be/XU0i8pgIwLs

Kardenas- Compassionate Provider For Man's Best Friend Releases Benefit Project

America has always been labeled the home of the free, the strong and the brave. Because of this, many from other countries have come to our shores to accomplish their dreams and Sergio Kardenas is no different. After living in America for 13 years, the Mexican born natives’ accomplishments include becoming an established photographer, filmmaker and model. He’s been touted as the “Jack Of All Trades” in Hollywood, rubbing elbows with a variety of celebrities including many in the African American community. For sure industry wide respect in any profession is a big deal, but respect is a major issue when people such as actor Boris Kodjoe, Actress Nicole Arie Parker, and Singer Kenny Latimore are on hand to speak highly of your work. Like many in show business, Kandenas tackles his next venture with a vengeance, where he strikes up the band as a singer, with album “The Time Machine”, which also incorporates hosting a variety of events that accentuate what it means to be a humanitarian and activist. (Seen in photo with Former Los Angeles Lakers Pro Basketball Player, Ervin "Magic" Johnson).

As a writer, it’s not everyday that I get to talk about, not to mention, interview people who were born and raised in México. Not quite my expertise, but I have to pay attention when that person or those persons make an impact on Africa Americans here in the United States. “ I’ve been taking pictures since I was 14 years old, “ says Kardenas. “ I love photography, and working with people. With this whole Hollywood thing, I feel as if I’ve been lucky. You don’t see to many Mexicans making it in Hollywood and I feel very fortunate for that. I’m trying to be famous for a totally different reason than most people who search out this Hollywood thing. I want people to hear what I have to say. That’s my goal”. Part of what he’s compassionate about includes working with animals and animal shelters where he provides food for pets of homeless people. He’s also passionate about people having insurance for medical reasons.

“I do not really have what I consider a political position as such, “continues Kandenas. “To me it is more a matter of trying to treat all beings with compassion and respect, not cutting deals and winning elections. But this country seems so polarized and on the brink right now. I mean, when you have a supposed candidate for President who is totally without a clue about the history of slavery-which has left a huge mark on this country. No, I do not think that I really have the personality for politics because I get too angry and impatient with stupidity and thoughtless cruelty. Though, I must say, I really admire the patience and coolness of President Obama who can deal with lunatic’s day in and day out and stay smiling. I don’t think I could”. And his explanation about the new project, “This project is not anything political. The new CD, "The Time Machine" actually started out with a stage play and developed from the songs for that. I’m taking the proceeds and using them to buy food for dogs including dogs of homeless people.”

Kardenas’ efforts to support the homeless population is for sure a well respected one a he’s received countless request to participate in a variety of events surrounding the African American celebrity initiative. Some of those events include hosting “The Black AIDS Institute”, event “Hero’s In The Struggle”, and most recently an event for the African American Critics Association in Los Angeles. “The facts are just plain and simple, I get more respect from African American’s”, Kardenas says in closing. “ They treat me good, and respect the fact that life is hard, that I’ve had a hard time trying to make it in this country. We’ve all had tough times, but I like to treat people right and be treated right.”

Past projects for Kardenas include “The Slayer Bureaucrat”, which is an exploitation film such as A Pam Grier style film of the 1970’s. As a photographer, he’s produced the book, “The Magazine of Sex” and working on a new project, “ The World of Kolorama” and his new film "Cafe '65". He’s had countless assignments as a photographer, which have allowed him the opportunity of doing several photo shoots with celebrities such as Arnold Schwartz nagger, Bruce Willis, Demi Moore for Planet Hollywood, Sylvester Stallone, and Ralph Moeller for Planet Hollywood. He’s also photographed such celebrities as Pat Benatar, Rupaul, Randy Jones from the Village People and many others. He’s appeared in television as an actor on several occasions, once portraying a photographer in television on “ JAG”, “Johnny Dangerous” and several other projects. To learn more about Sergio Kardenas, visit http://www.imdb.com/name/nm2758375/ and/or http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=632213476