Wednesday, May 31, 2023

Third Arrest Made in Jam Master Jay's 2002 Murder Case

A third suspect has been indicted in the murder of rap legend Jam Master Jay.
Federal prosecutors in Brooklyn have filed murder charges against Jay Bryant, a Queens man, in
connection with the 2002 killing of pioneering hip-hop DJ Jam Master Jay, also known as Jason Mizell. This brings the total number of individuals accused of involvement in the slaying to three.

Bryant, 49, who was already in custody on a separate drug-related indictment, faces charges of murder while engaged in narcotics trafficking and other drug-trafficking counts. His arraignment has not yet been scheduled, and his attorney, César de Castro, stated that Bryant intends to plead not guilty.De Castro expressed skepticism about the indictment, highlighting the distinction between securing an indictment in a secret grand jury and proving the charges in court. He emphasized the importance of meeting the burden of proof during the trial.

Jam Master Jay achieved global fame and admiration for his musical contributions to the pioneering rap group Run-DMC, which also included Joseph "Run" Simmons and Darryl "DMC" McDaniels. The group emerged in the 1980s and played a crucial role in shaping the sound and style of hip-hop music, blending rap with rock and showcasing a distinctive street fashion aesthetic.

In August 2020, New York City and federal authorities announced murder charges against two other men, Karl Jordan Jr. and Ronald Washington, attributing the fatal shooting to a cocaine deal gone awry. Prosecutors alleged that Jordan and Washington "executed" Mizell, 37, after he attempted to exclude them from a multistate narcotics transaction involving several kilograms of cocaine. Court documents revealed that Mizell had received approximately 10 kilos of cocaine on consignment from a Maryland supplier just months before his murder.

According to the filing, Jordan and Washington were initially supposed to be Mizell's partners in the drug deal, but a dispute arose. The nature of the dispute was not specified, but Mizell's threat to exclude them triggered a fatal chain of events.

Jordan, 39, and Washington, 59, have pleaded not guilty and are scheduled for trial in January 2024.

Prosecutors allege that on October 20, 2002, Bryant, Washington and Jordan entered Mizell's recording studio on Merrick Boulevard in Queens. Washington allegedly brandished a gun and ordered an individual in the studio to lie on the floor. Jordan approached Mizell and fired two close-range shots, one of which fatally struck him in the head.

Seth D. DuCharme, the acting U.S. attorney in Brooklyn, characterized the incident as a cold-blooded murder, stating that the perpetrators "walked in and murdered him in cold blood" when Jordan and Washington were initially charged in 2020.

According to the indictment, Bryant was observed entering the building just before the shooting, and clothing containing his DNA was found at the crime scene. The indictment further claims that Bryant confessed to participating in the murder, even going so far as to inform someone that he was the shooter. However, prosecutors dispute this assertion, believing that Jordan fired the fatal shot.
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Tuesday, May 30, 2023

Bill Lee, Respected Jazz Bassist and Composer for Spike Lee, Dies at 94

Renowned jazz bassist Bill Lee, known for his collaborations with artists like Bob Dylan and Duke Ellington and for composing scores for his son Spike Lee's films before their artistic collaboration faltered, passed away at his Brooklyn home on Wednesday (May 24) at the age of 94.Spike Lee confirmed the news on Instagram, sharing poignant portraits of his late father along with a link to The New York Times obituary. Bill's musical genius graced several of Spike's films, including "She's Gotta Have It" (1986) and "Do the Right Thing" (1989).

Bill began his career as a session musician in Atlanta and Chicago before moving to New York in 1959. His bass can be heard on Bob Dylan's haunting ballad "It's All Over Now, Baby Blue," and he collaborated with Max Roach as a composer on multiple albums.


In the 1990s, a rift formed between Spike and Bill due to unresolved financial and family disputes. However, they found moments of reconciliation at special events commemorating their shared cinematic achievements, such as the 20th-anniversary screening of "Do the Right Thing" in 2009 and a 25th-anniversary gathering in 2014.

Bill's musical contributions extended beyond his collaboration with his son, leaving an indelible mark on the realms of jazz and cinema. He lent his extraordinary talents to over 250 record albums, working with icons like Aretha Franklin, Simon and Garfunkel and Harry Belafonte.


Surviving Bill Lee are his wife, three sons, a daughter, a brother and two grandchildren. Despite their differences, Spike Lee acknowledged his father's profound influence, stating, "Everything I know about jazz I got from my father. I saw his integrity, how he was not going to play just any kind of music, no matter how much money he could make."

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Wednesday, May 24, 2023

Simply the Best: Tina Turner's Iconic Voice Silenced at 83

Tina Turner, the renowned singer and performer who rose to fame alongside her husband Ike Turner in the 1960s and '70s before achieving solo success with the iconic hit "What's Love Got to Do With It," has died at the age of 83.

According to a statement from her manager. Turner, a Swiss citizen for the past decade, passed away on Tuesday at her home in Küsnacht near Zurich after battling a long illness.

Born Anna Mae Bullock in segregated Tennessee, Turner overcame tremendous obstacles during her career. Despite enduring physical abuse, emotional devastation, and financial ruin throughout her tumultuous 20-year marriage to Ike Turner, she defied the odds by establishing herself as a solo superstar in her 40s and remained a highly sought-after live performer for many years.

Turner's repertoire spanned various genres, including pop, rock, and rhythm and blues. Her hits, such as "Proud Mary," "Nutbush City Limits," and "River Deep, Mountain High," as well as '80s chart-toppers like "What's Love Got to Do With It," "We Don't Need Another Hero," and her cover of Al Green's "Let's Stay Together," captivated audiences worldwide.

Known for her distinctive wigs and raspy contralto vocals, Turner sold over 150 million records worldwide, won 12 Grammy Awards, and received inductions into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame twice—first as part of Ike and Tina Turner in 1991 and later as a solo artist in 2021.

In 2005, she was honored with a tribute at the Kennedy Center, with accolades pouring in from notable figures including Beyoncé and Oprah Winfrey.

Turner's indelible impact on music history, both as part of Ike and Tina Turner and as a solo artist, as well as her bravery in sharing her life story through various mediums, solidified her legacy as the Queen of Rock & Roll.

She also left her mark on the silver screen, making an iconic appearance as Aunty Entity in the 1985 film "Mad Max Beyond Thunderdome," showcasing her talent as an actress alongside her musical prowess.

"In Memoriam: Two-time Inductee Tina Turner worked hard to reimagine the role of a Black woman in rock & roll—one that was firmly placed front and center. During her time in the duo Ike and Tina Turner (inducted in 1991), her electric onstage presence forever raised the bar for live performance," tweeted the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
"Their hits 'River Deep–Mountain High' and 'Proud Mary' endure to this day. But this Queen of Rock & Roll went on to make music history again with her solo career (for which she was inducted again in 2021) and with her bravery in sharing her life story as a book, film, and Broadway musical. There was nothing her deep, robust voice couldn't do, as displayed on her solo hits like 'What's Love Got to Do with It' and 'Private Dancer'."

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