Pieces of a Man

Pieces of a Man

Music and "justice" as seen through the eyes of a prisoner on death row and musician at large. One-half of the duo Gil Scott-Heron and Brian Jackson, Brian and Keith LaMar talk about life growing through three generations of American conflict and how music has helped them to free themselves from the bondage of hate and resentment.

Episodes

January 2, 2021 34 mins

In the second half of the season finale, Brian and Keith touch on education, the uptick in support for the Justice for Keith Lamar campaign, redemption and friendship.

Some resources to support Keith Lamar:
Keith LaMar's website
Follow Keith on Twitter
Keith on Facebook
Follow Keith on Instagram

Keith's Native Sons Literacy Project

on vurbl: https://vurbl.com/station/1V2lr9dxBX...

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Keith's time out-of-cell is severely limited, due to the high numbers of prison staff out sick due to COVID, For this first of a two-part season finale, Keith lays it all out. Speaking from inside his cell, he talks about changes at the prison and reflects on an event that hit very close to home for him.

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Keith and Brian talk about a fallen Supreme Court heroine, Black heroines from the civil rights movement to Black Lives Matter and a fiery vocalist  who, along with the great jazz icon Max Roach,  moved the needle of black protest music early on in the sixties. With less than two weeks before the 2020 presidential election, Brian gets something off his chest.

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September 18, 2020 41 mins

With an election only weeks away, Keith and Brian walk through how much to expect someone else to do for you post-election (hint: very little).

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Keith turns the tables on Brian and gets him to spill the beans about his early life, how he found his musical path and the partnership that led him to be the bearer of a nearly 50-year legacy.


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With Keith LaMar for a second week, we turn to Keith's efforts to free himself from an  unlawful conviction and how he has maintained his sanity having been on death row and solitary
confinement for 27 years.

Brian answers some questions about whether or not he feels playing messages that for decades went unheeded was worth it in the end.

Links:
Keith LaMar’s website
Keith LaMar’s literacy proj...

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Monthly co-host Death Row inmate Keith LaMar and I talk about the aftermath of one of the most unusual Independence Days ever and the continued disconnect between African-Americans and the holiday.

We wind up on a more serene note discussing how the healing music of John Coltrane has inspired generations to reach within for the best of themselves, whether musicals or spiritually.


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