From the archives: Report On Last Nights Paul Robeson Concert] Athlete, actor, activist: To many, this was a hero 11/29/00 BY JAY LUSTIG STAFF WRITER Pop star Whitney Houston hasnt made many public appearances lately, but she was there last night for the Paul Robeson tribute at the New Jersey Performing Arts Center. Why I stand here today is because of Paul Robeson, Houston said after speaking about being inspired by his voice and versatility. She then sang two numbers, a brief, a cappella version of the Porgy and Bess ballad I Loves You, Porgy, and the inspirational Youll Never Stand Alone. The Voice for the Millennium tribute at the Newark theater was a multimedia show, with one of the biggest crowd-pleasing moments coming from a vintage film segment of Robeson himself singing Ol Man River in his memorable bass baritone. Audience members donned 3-D glasses for a fantasy film segment in which an actor playing Robeson visits Harlems Cotton Club and sings Danny Boy with backing by Duke Ellington on piano. Robeson, born in Princeton in 1898, was a singer, actor, athlete and political activist. Paying tribute to Robesons theatrical career, Avery Brooks acted out several scenes from Othello on film, and James Earl Jones read from the Eugene ONeill play The Emperor Jones. Show-stopping numbers included Jesus Is A-Listening by the Marble Collegiate Community Mass Choir and Angela Bofills dramatic interpretation of God Bless the Child. Sam Harris drew a standing ovation for his equally dramatic version of Simon and Garfunkels Bridge Over Troubled Water, though no attempt was made to connect the song to Robesons life. Jazz musician Branford Marsalis, the Duke Ellington Orchestra, classical musician Denyce Graves and the Dance Theatre of Harlem all took to the stage to salute Robeson with their performances. Houstons mother, Cissy Houston, closed the show by singing a song she wrote for the occasion, called This Day. Backed by two gospel choirs, she sang such uplifting lines as: Starting right here, starting right now, lets do our best to make a brighter world. The concert was preceded by the first Paul Robeson Humanitarian Awards Dinner, a projected annual affair, in the ballroom of the Robert Treat Hotel. Awards were presented to eight people from fields reflecting Robesons many talents and pursuits and included former New York City Mayor David Dinkins and hip-hop guru Russell Simmons. Arista Records chief executive L.A. Reid was also honored, and returned the favor by giving the New York-based Paul Robeson Foundation $25,000. Afterward, Paul Robeson Jr., 72, quoted words his father wrote in 1936 that he said apply to our times: Beneath the accidents of race and culture which divide us lies the soul of man. Former Gov. Tom Kean, president of Drew University in Madison, was another of the honorees. In a time when we are crying out for heroes, this was a hero, Kean said. At a time when he should have been at his lowest ebb, persecuted and prosecuted by our own government for simply speaking his mind, Robeson refused to be bitter. In a concert he broadcast over cables from a church in Harlem to a hall in London, because our government denied him a passport to travel, Robeson quoted the great Chilean poet Pablo Neruda, telling his listeners, I have come to pound on your heart with love. Robeson, the son of a former slave, displayed a range of accomplishments during his life that seemed almost superhuman. Rutgers Universitys valedictorian speaker in 1919, he went on to be inducted into the National College Football Fall of Fame; earn a degree from Columbia Universitys law school; and receive a Grammy Award for Lifetime Achievement. He starred on Broadway and in films, mastered a dozen languages (and was able to sing in about 10 more) and supported many political and social causes, including civil rights. Last nights show, organized by the Robeson foundation, was taped for broadcast on PBS in March. Proceeds from ticket sales will benefit inner-city students at Rutgers University in Newark and the Paul Robeson Foundation Educational Mission, which educates people about Robesons life. Were going to realize a lot more than money, a lot of good exposure and increased awareness of Paul Robeson from this event, said William Pickens II, president of the foundation, who estimated that the evening would raise well over $100,000 for his organization. The foundation recognizes that most Americans know little about Robeson. Last nights event was the first major Robeson tribute to take place in his home state. Previous Robeson Foundation events were held in New York. Hes a son of New Jersey, and now hes come back home, Robesons son said at the beginning of the concert. It was a high-priced show, with the cheapest tickets costing $75. The highest-priced ones ($1,000) admitted holders to the preshow awards dinner at the nearby Robert Treat Hotel. The shows biggest attraction was the first appearance at NJPAC by Whitney Houston since she canceled a July 1999 concert there at the last minute. The East Orange native and Mendham resident said at the time that she had throat problems. The show was never rescheduled. Houston had a personal reason to support the tribute concert. Her father, John Houston, was Robesons godson. NJ 2012, remembrance of Whitney and Roberson nj/entertainment/music/index.ssf/2012/02/memories_of_whitney_houston_pa.html
Posted on: Fri, 17 Oct 2014 13:36:43 +0000
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