GBH Openvault

Basic Black; Jazz and Rock Drummer Cindy Blackman

12/18/2008

CC Master Jazz and Rock Drummer Cindy Blackman Show #4005

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Series

Basic Black

Program

Jazz and Rock Drummer Cindy Blackman

Program Number

4005

Series Description

THe series was formerly known as Say Brother. Series title change as of 1/8/1998. This series is black produced and is one of public television's longest-running series that is rooted in and reflects the culture, concerns, achievements and history of people of African descent. Also includes controversial issues, African American artists, and events of special interest to the African American community.

Series release date: 1/8/1998

Program Description

Cindy Blackman discovered her love of drumming at age 7. "I was begging for drums prior to that — all my life, really," she says. "When I listened to music or when I was fortunate enough to see a live band, the drums and the drummer were the one thing that always caught my attention."

Today, Blackman navigates the worlds of jazz and rock. In a career that has spanned more than 20 years, she has played for many jazz greats, including Pharoah Sanders, Jackie McLean, Hugh Masekela, and Cassandra Wilson. She and her jazz quartet have released several albums. And rock fans know Blackman as the drummer for Lenny Kravitz.

In this episode of Basic Black, Blackman discusses her musical influences, the phone call that led to Kravitz, her experiences as a female drummer, and how she connects to music spiritually. Then we go backstage with Blackman during an impromptu drumming session at her alma mater, Boston's Berklee College of Music.

Asset Type

Broadcast program

Media Type

Video

Genres

Magazine

Topics

Race and Ethnicity

Social Issues

Citation

Chicago: “Basic Black; Jazz and Rock Drummer Cindy Blackman,” 12/18/2008, GBH Archives, accessed July 26, 2024, http://openvault.wgbh.org/catalog/V_E596FFDF384A480ABF02B1E9C5795589.

MLA: “Basic Black; Jazz and Rock Drummer Cindy Blackman.” 12/18/2008. GBH Archives. Web. July 26, 2024. <http://openvault.wgbh.org/catalog/V_E596FFDF384A480ABF02B1E9C5795589>.

APA: Basic Black; Jazz and Rock Drummer Cindy Blackman. Boston, MA: GBH Archives. Retrieved from http://openvault.wgbh.org/catalog/V_E596FFDF384A480ABF02B1E9C5795589