The ethereal voice of Marian Anderson calls us together, the hard swinging Monty Alexander Trio keeps us in motion, as we finally cross over with 17 versions of "Deep River" featuring The Fisk Jubilee Singers, Fats Waller, The Five Blind Boys Of Alabama, Stix Hooper, the Phillipians, Jim Cullum, Marian Anderson, Horace Parlan, Paul Robeson, Grant Green Jr., Rev. James Cleveland, Toshiko Mariano, First Revolution Singers, Archie Shepp & Horace Parlan, Odetta, and Charles Lloyd.
She was the first black to achieve full membership in the Metropolitan Opera. Moreover, she opened the doors for many more who followed her. She recorded both classical music and spirituals. She honored both her love of opera and her love of her people. Whether one likes her singing in the European style is a matter of personal taste. But it would be in poor taste not to know about and appreciate the tremendous talents and dedication of Marian Anderson. —Kalamu ya Salaam
