Category Archives: Writing

Sterling Plumpp salutes Von Freeman

Von Freeman, one of Chicago’s titanic tenors, passed away this August, and his passing brought to mind the most beautiful lines ever written about him: “Be-Bop is precise clumsiness.       Awkward lyricism       under a feather’s control. A world in a crack. … Continue reading

Posted in Jazz History, Music & Meaning, Poetry, Reviews & Commentary | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Dempsey J. Travis: Refusing to Learn to Fail

Born in Chicago in 1920, Dempsey J. Travis became a self-made millionaire, one of the country’s most successful black entrepreneurs.  He was president and CEO of Travis Realty Co., but his many interests and his intense commitment to the community took him … Continue reading

Posted in Black Writers, Chicago Writing, Diversity & Multiculturalism | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

“Why Sinatra Grows on You”

                I like my pop drivel laced with rancor and acid and the raw sugar of curled- lipped youth peeling down the road, flying from syrupy old fogies who didn’t have the guts to just … Continue reading

Posted in Poetry | Tagged , | Leave a comment