Art Lives

Dr. Clifford Alexis was a virtuoso musician and composer, an innovative steelpan builder and tuner, a brilliant educator, and mentor and friend to people all over the world. Cliff first came to the U.S. in 1964 as a member of the National Steelband of Trinidad and Tobago. He performed all over the world with this group and as leader of his own groups, and then taught for 12 years in the St. Paul, Minnesota public schools, and 27 years at Northern Illinois University. He received an Honorary Doctorate Degree from NIU and the Chaconia Silver National Award from Trinidad and Tobago.

This is special episode of Art Lives. It is part of a 2008 interview presented now to honor Cliff, who passed away on Tuesday, January 29 at age 82.

People have shared incredible stories this week about Cliff, what he taught them, how he cared for them and how he changed their lives. He was dedicated to his family, yet somehow took care of countless others.

In the 1980s and 90s there was a lot of misinformation in the United States about the origins of the steel pan in Trinidad & Tobago, where Cliff was born. Many first and second generation steelpannists did not speak about their shared history, Cliff included. Finally, in the early 2000s, more players and pan builders agreed to speak on the record, including Cliff. (My doctoral research was inspired by Cliff’s pan story, and this interview, as well as other introductions he made, enabled my entire project.)

Cliff has said some of this information in other interviews, but he includes some wonderful details here, including Cliff’s touring years in the 1970s, and how he learned to love teaching. You will hear passion, honesty and comedy in this interview. I think friends, family and new listeners alike will enjoy hearing him talk about his remarkable life.

Art Lives Theme and Incidental music composed by Nicholaus Meyers. Art Lives Logo created by Eduardo Moreno. Art Lives is available here, Apple Podcasts and Stitcher.

Zahra Gordon is an award-winning Caribbean American poet, journalist and writer living in La Brea, Trinidad & Tobago. On this episode Zahra recounts her experiences growing up in both Trinidad and the United States. We learn of Zahra’s mission to rescue voices from the past before they disappear, and gain a glimpse into the vibrant ecosystem of thought that creates Zahra’s art.

Zahra’s blog, “Zee Speaks,” contains links to her published work. In addition, Zahra runs Speakeasy Solutions, which provides private tuition in English language, literature, reading and creative writing.

Zahra’s “Three Things:”

TEZA, a film by Haile Gerima

*Citizen, a book by poet Claudia Rankine

*The works of Kerry James Marshall

Zahra also mentioned authors Chester Himes, Zora Neal Hurston, and professor, scholar and poet R. Victoria Arana.

Art Lives Theme and Incidental music composed by Nicholaus Meyers. Art Lives Logo created by Eduardo Moreno. Art Lives is available here and on Apple Podcasts.

David Lloyd Bradley is a ceramacist and educator living in Phoenix, Arizona. David views his art as an agent of understanding and change. In this episode, David talks about his daily life as a professor at Paradise Valley Community College, how he connects his work to social justice concerns, his ongoing projects with suicide survivors and veterans, and how a recent Fulbright trip has blossomed into a continuing multimedia project documenting the lives and work of over three dozen Bosnian artists.

David’s Three Things:

*Scottsdale Public Art David mentioned one of their many annual events, the Canal Convergence.

*Balkan Social Justice Library Guide David compiled this LibGuide about Social Justice Art in the Balkans. Hosted by the Paradise Valley Community College library, it includes reading lists, photos, and videos, including some of David’s interviews with Balkan artists.

*David’s personal website, https://www.davidbradleyart.com

Art Lives Theme and Incidental music composed by Nicholaus Meyers. Art Lives Logo created by Eduardo Moreno. Art Lives is available here and on Apple Podcasts.

Clarice Cast is a multi-percussionist, composer and educator based in Los Angeles. On this episode Clarice describes her artistic upbringing in Brazil, university experiences in the USA, and her mulit-faceted career. She shares her thoughts on striving for perfection, maintaining self-compassion, and taking artistic chances.

Clarice’s “Three Things:”

• Her Mother
• The Pandeiro
• Dogs

This episode ends with an excerpt from Srishti, played by guitarist Fareed Haque and Clarice Cast, from Fareed’s album Trance Hypothesis.

Clarice’s website and Youtube channel host many of her videos, including this video with Catina DeLuna.

Art Lives Theme and Incidental music composed by Nicholaus Meyers. Art Lives Logo created by Eduardo Moreno. Art Lives is available here and on Apple Podcasts.

Violinist Daniela Arley and percussionist William Ramos perform in the Orquesta Sinfònica Nacional de Costa Rica, and together as Duo Arley-Ramos, featuring music for the violin & marimba.

In this episode, Daniela and William tell us about their respective musical histories, including William’s grandfather, who ran away with a circus. As members of the Orquesta Sinfònica Nacional de Costa Rica (OSN), Daniela and William get to play a great variety of music for enthusiastic audiences, yet still participate in other musical projects, such as their new duo collaboration. We discuss the importance of new creation, preserving the old classics, and the concept of “giving back.”

William has four albums, including Turrialba 1920s.

Here is a clip of William playing his arrangements of Costa Rican folk music.

This is a delightful clip of Daniela playing soon after she joined the OSN.

Art Lives Theme and Incidental music composed by Nicholaus Meyers, and performed by Nicholaus and Ken Jimenez. Art Lives Logo created by Eduardo Moreno. Art Lives is available here, Apple Podcasts and Stitcher.