Louis Drysdale, et, al.
I just read something encouraging! I am in the process of reading about the life of Marian Anderson, and it is a most interesting and stimulating read for me!
In the book, which is about her entire life, she mentions a critical connection with a man by the name of Louis Drysdale. He was one of the most influential voice teachers of his time, and had great successes with singers of the likes of Maria Malibran, and Pauline Viadrot. She talks about the excitement with which she met and worked with him, and the tremendous benefit he was to her.
For me, however, the mot encouraging part of all of this was that Louis Drysdale was born in Kingston, Jamaica, the same city and country where I am from! Of course, that made my eyes light up like LED bulbs! It is encouraging to me because of all the Caribbean countries, Jamaica has always been a leader, and has always had a strong connection to the foremost parts of the world through its citizens. In Afro-America, the name Marcus Garvey is known and praised. He was an educated man who fought for civil rights for everyone of African origin. He was also Jamaican.
Robert Nesta Marley, O.J. (a.k.a. Bob Marley) is known as the father of Reggae music. He lived in Trench Town, which is just south of where I used to go to school. His music was spawned from the immense poverty in which he lived, and because of its depth, his music was given a voice. Marley, a devout Rastafarian, died in 1981 from cancer. At the time of his death, he had already won the acclaim of the entire world, and thus, Reggae music has put Jamaica on the map for which, every year, thousands of people flock to Jamaica for Reggae Sunsplash, a celebration of Reggae music, which takes place every year. So whenever you hear the word, ‘Reggae’ you can go ahead and think of Jamaica as well because that is where it is from.
In the country of Haiti, approximately 50% of its population practice vodou (or voodoo). It took a Jamaican missionary to go over there and begin the spreading of the Gospel of Christ to its shores! Because of his commission and belief in God, he went over in a boat, and brought the message of Christ to a hungry nation. Roman Catholicism is the official religion in Haiti, but voodoo might as well be considered the national religion, and although it is still very prevalent in Haiti, the movement of the Gospel of Christ is also very much at work, and people are coming to know God’s saving grace through Christ because of it. AMEN!
During the days of slavery in Jamaica, and even after its abolition, African slaves were constantly being abused, killed, raped, etc. It took the courage of one woman, a Maroon (which is a tribe still in existence in Jamaica) by the name of Nanny to lead and army of slaves to chase the British out of their land. She is revered as one of Jamaica’s national heroes.
Sir Willard White is a Jamaican bass-baritone who has sung all over the world, including at the Met. I have been following his career for a long time and I know that I have a similar trail to blaze. He was recently knighted by the Queen of England, and is an encouragement to me that I too can also make it, if I keep persevering on this road.
I am proud of the heritage from which I hail. I am proud to say that I a son of the Jamaican soil! With that, and most importantly, with God’s help, like Marian Anderson, Willard White and others before me, I too will make it…to the Met!
Moi
