Civil Rights Movement Spurs New Creative Wave

The recent events that spawned the ongoing civil rights movement are first and foremost great tragedies that we as a country need to remember as a country. But if there is a silver lining to these events, it is that they have inspired a new wave of creative energy from artists who want us to remember them and to allow them to change us as a country.

One such artist is Houston-based Samuel Howard Biggs. Hailing from Hiram Clarke, Houston, Samuel wrote a memorial for George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, Michelle Cusseaux, Rayshard Brooks, Stephen Clark and other recent victims of racism in our country. The track is entitled “Ashamed”, and runs 4:28, and is available on Facebook, YouTube and Band Camp. It features artwork by Dannye Jones, of Go Team Danny.

The ongoing isolation of the quarantine gave Samuel a little extra time and prompted him to draw from his personal experience and write about the events that are tearing up our nation. 

The track was written and produced by the Samuel Howard Biggs Orchestra, which basically means Samuel wrote the lyrics and music, recorded each instrument and then arranged them himself in a studio at his home in southwest Houston. The instruments include piano, strings, drums, synths, trumpet, floogle horn, cornet and baritone horn as well as all the vocals.

The inspiration for the lyrics go back more than 70 years, when Samuel’s father, the legendary jazz pianist Howard Biggs, was a serviceman in the U.S. army during World War II. The elder Biggs, who pioneered the doo wop sound, experienced the sting and humiliation of racism, even as he and other US. forces were fighting to stem the reach of Nazis in western Europe. That experience during the service and after left an indelible impression on the father, an impression that lasts through Samuel to this day. 

Samuel Howard Biggs orchestra tells true life stories based on music.  “This is not a song you’re going to hear at the beach or a club. … Hopefully, you’re going to hear it, ruminate on it and go forward and carry out change,” he said. The song should not elicit any applause. No one will cheer after this. Like some of the individuals who inspired this song, this story may not have a happy ending. 

Longtime friend and engineer Darren Emanuel provided engineering support and technical notes from Robert Rob Quest McQueen, aka Blyne Rob. Samuel sends a special thank you to Carlos Garza, Mike B., Eric Rico Knight, Devon “the dude,” the Coughee Brothers, Samuel DInkins III, Leo the Voice Polk, and the Odd Squad Family also helped with the work.

Kahim Sturgis, of Houston-based Lightrich Studios, was a last-minute addition to the project, and “really came through in a clutch moment to help complete our artistic vision,” Samuel said. “We are most grateful.” The lyrics are the start of a dialogue about race in America and are the first of additional songs to come.

Biggs said, “The ultimate goal is to play the music live.” One of my ideas is to appear on late night TV. My first choice would be to assemble a choice of legendary local musicians, like Samuel Dinkins III, Leo The Voice Polk, Sonya Cooper, and a host of others. His second choice and a little more intimidating choice is the late night circuit.

When asked what he would use as a band Mr. Biggs replied, “It would be cool if I could get the house band to back me up. Dig? We would just show up with the music and throw down with whatever we had”. 

When asked which show he would like to appear, Mr Biggs said, “That’s just it. I want to do all of them. Jimmy Kimmel with Cleto and the Cletones, or with Fred Armisen and the 8G Band on Late Night with Seth Myers. Stay human with John Baptiste, that is the house Orchestra for Stephen Colbert, as well as Saturday Night Live Orchestra, The Legendary Roots Crew,  on Jimmy Fallon, and Reggie Watts and the house band with James Corden.” 

He added, “No matter who is in the band,  we would just play with the available instruments, find an arrangement, and try to create a performance based on that. We would have to dig deep to respect the message and express the emotion Live. It would be raw, and powerful. It would be different every time.”

The video is here.