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ONE OF HARLEM’S The ‘Mixty Motions’ of FAMOUS SONS, THREE- TIME GRAMMY AWARD WINNER RALPH RALPH MACDONALD the clarion call: You Need Robert Greenidge, in Japan, MACDONALD, IS More Calypso sounds next, stunning Tom Scott (world- featuring Greenidge on renowned saxophonist, and OF TRINIDADIAN steelpan, Etienne Charles on musical director for the trumpet and, making the first Academy and Emmy Awards), PARENTAGE AND of three appearances on the with his signature “Stardust.” album, Trinidadian vocalist Impressed, Scott asked, GREW UP IN THE Roger George. “Who is that cat”, later saying “It’s just one bridge, to Greenidge, “That song was ‘BLACK CAPITAL OF to another bridge…just nice, man, but you only played connecting feelings, in one key.” Greenidge said THE WORLD.’ connecting the music” - and nothing. Next night he took that’s what MacDonald set the stage and literally blew Born in March 1944, about illustrating in track Scott away. Greenidge’s six, the musical tapestry genius became crystal clear MacDonald found his – Bridges. He describes Man to Scott as he listened. Says New York and Caribbean Dance with David Espinoza on MacDonald, “He was like ‘Oh heritages juxtaposed guitar as a ‘take-off’ of Steely my God!’” Stardust unfolded Dan and Carlos Santana, with completely ‘new stuff’ during his youth in Harlem. while Julian is named for the - and in a different key. All Appearing with his father late jazz saxophonist Julian Scott could say was “Ralph, Patrick MacDonald - aka ‘Cannonball’ Adderley. tell me to shut up; remind me A Brazilian trip birthed to keep my mouth shut the calypsonian The Great entertainment world, such as enduring friendship and Little Black Samba, featuring next time!” Macbeth - from very young, the flow of white comedians musical collaboration with Roger George and Greenidge. he charmed audiences coming up to Harlem and pannist extraordinaire Robert Up next is the sensuous, By choice, MacDonald’s catching all the famed black Greenidge (his favorite band soulful You Leave Me CDs are available only who heard him play acts, like Red Foxx et al, and is the mighty Desperadoes Breathless, the only ballad online, not in record stores. drums with his father’s stealing their acts/routines, Steel Orchestra from the on the CD. Sentiment is key Experience Mixty Motions at 12-piece orchestra. taking them downtown to hills of Laventille) once again in the final tracks - Mayaro www.RalphMacDonald.com, their white audiences, where surfaces as Greenidge’s Drive and Lord, Don’t Stop and MacDonald’s seventy- black acts were disallowed. incomparable talent is The Carnival. The former minute plus interview at MacDonald easily embraced Ralph MacDonald has featured on several of the evokes a drive through www.Panonthenet.com. his Trinidadian/Caribbean and journeyed much since those CD’s twelve tracks. Mayaro, Trinidad where ≥New York/African American days – from his fledgling Rhythm of the Drum was MacDonald met Grace, his cultures against the backdrop of the career with Harry Belafonte written by MacDonald’s present wife. The latter Harlem Renaissance. When acts like the at age seventeen, to today’s eldest son Anthony, while was originally penned by his Three Degrees and the Four Tops wowed super-successful songwriter, [Nicholas] Ashford and father and MacDonald later audiences at the Apollo, MacDonald was producer, performer and [Valerie] Simpson did lyrics added verses. His father’s there. Simultaneously his observations and businessman. And his music and vocals. Second is the orchestra always closed with experiences were being codified as he absorbed along the way has been filled title track, Mixty Motions, the that song; now he selected it his surroundings which were being impacted with Mixty Motions, reflected first of seven instrumentals, as both his tribute to his late with such as the charismatic, empathetic and in the name and feel of his followed by Simpson father and to close his latest militant Malcolm X who regularly schooled the latest CD. “My heart lies in vocalizing the R&B-tinged, album. disenfranchised Harlem masses adjacent to two places – New York, and unapologetic Love Finds You. Master percussionist that the subway at 116th Street and Lexington the Caribbean - so my music My Space already wowed he is, MacDonald surrounds Avenue. He noted goings-on in the is always filled with Mixty those attending the 2007 himself with people of Motions (‘Mixed [E]motions’)” Lincoln Center Steelpan comparative genius on his MacDonald says simply. His Jazz Father’s Day Concert; projects. He tells of pannist

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