Stories
Reflections from legendary poet Ojenke
We lost a great light and inspirational pillar for the community this January, 2025. Ojenke created a profound poem for the PAPA 60th anniversary recording session, entitled UGMAA. It beautifully shared the roots, history, and inspiration that UGMAA and the Pan Afrikan Peoples Arkestra meant for the community and fans of the music. He was interviewed in his home a few months after the recording, and in this moment was sharing about the first time he performed poetry with Horace Tapscott and the Pan Afrikan Peoples Arkestra.
Michael Gurka Tribute Video
Michael Gurka funded the PAPA 60th anniversary recording session, put together by Jesse Sharps. He was a constant light in the community, a healer, a naturopathic bodyworker for Horace Tapscott and other musicians, and advocated and produced music for the musicians connected to PAPA. He was interviewed at the 2005 Gathering event at CAL Arts. He passed in September 2024 and his light will continue on.
Ancestral Echoes Story
Jesse Sharps sharing about when Horace Tapscott finished Ancestral Echoes. Recorded with Fundi Legohn before a remote Q&A for the 2021 Jecheon Film Festival in South Korea.
Fuasi Meets Horace & the Arkestra
Fuasi Abdul-Khaliq shares about when Jesse Sharps brought him to meet Horace Tapscott and see the Arkestra for the first time.
Fuasi shares about his composition Eternal Egypt
Fuasi Abdul-Khaliq shares about when he composed Eternal Egypt
Lately's Solo Story
Jesse Sharps telling artist Bongo RasStarr about Latelys Solo and the inspiration of trombonist Lester Robertson. From the 2005 Leimert Park session.