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Houston Joins the Jason Moran Bandwagon at Discovery Green

ABOVE: Jason Moran performs with his trio, The Bandwagon, featuring niece, Raven Moran on guitar at Discovery Green for the ‘Jazzy Sundays’ concert series (Photo courtesy of Facebook) The Kinder Foundation’s series of “Jazzy Sundays” continued Sunday night at Discovery Green. The headliner was jazz pianist and composer Jason Moran. Born in Houston in 1975, […]
The post Houston Joins the Jason Moran Bandwagon at Discovery Green first appeared on BlackPressUSA.

Published

3 years ago

April 19, 2023

Forward Times Staff

ABOVE: Jason Moran performs with his trio, The Bandwagon, featuring niece, Raven Moran on guitar at Discovery Green for the ‘Jazzy Sundays’ concert series (Photo courtesy of Facebook)

The Kinder Foundation’s series of “Jazzy Sundays” continued Sunday night at Discovery Green. The headliner was jazz pianist and composer Jason Moran. Born in Houston in 1975, Moran grew up in the Pleasantville area. He attended Houston’s High School for the Performing and Visual Arts, graduating in 1993. As a senior, he was student director of the jazz combo, under a jazz program then led by Robert Morgan.

Moran went on to graduate from the Manhattan School of Music and join the band of saxophonist Greg Osby. Since then, he’s become a noted composer and musician in his own right. This weekend, he returned to Houston with his trio, The Bandwagon, featuring Tarus Mateen on bass and Nasheet Waits on drums. This time, they were joined by a special guest: Moran’s niece Raven Moran on guitar.

Jason Moran poses with aunt, Denise Moran Lee at Discovery Green (Photo courtesy of Facebook)

Together they worked through a dense, evolving set of songs: a rollicking, lengthy composition to open, a sophomore selection that (despite a propulsive rhythm section) genuinely swings a gentle, scaled-down ballad. Despite the buzz around him — the din of an outdoor crowd, photographers coming on stage to snap photos – Moran seemed entirely unfazed, lost in the music. He broke the spell briefly to address the crowd before his next song.

He introduced “I’ll Play the Blues for You,” by legendary bluesman Albert King. “He used to come by my house,” Moran said, adding that “he made the piano actually sound fun.” But Moran wasn’t kidding around after the band finished playing.

As the Bandwagon began the next song, Moran took the mic. “We’re talking about books now,” he said. “Talking about how dare anyone be able to take away a book.” He spoke on the importance of reading and his hope that Texas doesn’t become one of the states banning books in schools. He began quoting novelist Toni Morrison, reciting a passage in her book Song of Solomon:

“And talking about dark! You think dark is just one color, but it ain´t. There´re five or six kinds of black. Some silky, some woolly. Some just empty. Some like fingers. And it don´t stay still. It moves and changes from one kind of black to another. Saying something is pitch black is like saying something is green. What kind of green? Green like my bottles? Green like a grasshopper? Green like a cucumber, lettuce or green like the sky is just before it breaks loose to storm? Well, night black is the same way. May as well be a rainbow.”

From there, Moran launched into his song “Black is a Rainbow.”

Next, he launched into “Feed the Fire,” written by the late jazz pianist and composer Geri Allen.

Jason Moran performs with his trio, The Bandwagon, featuring niece, Raven Moran on guitar at Discovery Green for the ‘Jazzy Sundays’ concert series (Photo courtesy of Facebook)

He concluded with “For James,” a tribute piece he wrote for the little-known bandleader and composer James Reese Europe. He was one of the foremost originators of what we now call jazz.

Europe started out as a pianist in New York City. Then he began writing for theater. In 1910, he founded and incorporated The Clef Club — a first-of-its-kind musicians’ union, contracting agency and social organization. The Clef Club Orchestra soon swelled to over 200 members, according to the Library of Congress. In 1912, he brought the orchestra to Carnegie Hall. (According to NPR, “The ‘Concert of Negro Music,’ as it was billed, is often remembered today as the first jazz concert in the prestigious concert hall, though “jazz” wasn’t a word Europe ever used.”) The concert introduced both Black and ragtime composers/musicians to that venue.

During World War I, Europe obtained a commission from the New York National Guard. He fought as a lieutenant in the 369th Infantry Regiment. He managed to balance duties as both a soldier and a military bandleader. The Boston Globe shows he succeeded at both: “As a marching band, the 369th Infantry Regiment is credited with introducing jazz to the continent that shares Europe’s name. As a machine-gun unit, the 369th Regiment fought so fiercely and heroically alongside French forces (American troops were then segregated by race) that the German troops dubbed them “Hollenkampfer” (German for “Hellfighters”).” The band amazed audiences in France, and after the war ended, Europe returned home as a hero. He continued to tour before being fatally stabbed by a band member in 1919.

Europe’s story inspired Moran’s album, From the Dance Hall to the Battlefield. “For James” is the last track on that album, and Moran has used it in his performances for years. Last night, he surprised the audience by breaking into song, singing along with the melody and encouraging them to do so, too. He led the crowd in vocalizing, first singing and then humming – compelling them to pay tribute to one of jazz’s great ancestors.

The post Houston Joins the Jason Moran Bandwagon at Discovery Green appeared first on Houston Forward Times.

The post Houston Joins the Jason Moran Bandwagon at Discovery Green first appeared on BlackPressUSA.

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2026 Lucid Air Grand Touring Review — Is This $136K EV Sedan Worth It?

AUTONETWORK ON BLACKPRESSUSA — Finished in Stellar White Metallic with the Tahoe Grand Touring interior, this Lucid makes a strong first impression. The shape is sleek and low, but it still feels elegant instead of trying too hard. Features like soft-close doors, powered illuminated door handles, 20-inch Aero Lite wheels, and the Glass Canopy Roof help the car feel expensive before you even start it.

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4 weeks ago

May 3, 2026

Oakland Post

The 2026 Lucid Air Grand Touring is the kind of luxury EV that makes people stop and ask a simple question: Is this really better than a Tesla Model S, Mercedes EQS, or BMW i7? At $136,150, it has to do more than look futuristic. It has to feel special every time you get in it.

Finished in Stellar White Metallic with the Tahoe Grand Touring interior, this Lucid makes a strong first impression. The shape is sleek and low, yet it still feels elegant rather than trying too hard. Features like soft-close doors, powered illuminated door handles, 20-inch Aero Lite wheels, and the Glass Canopy Roof help the car feel expensive before you even start it.

Inside is where the Air Grand Touring really makes its case. The 34-inch Glass Cockpit Display and retractable Pilot Panel screen give the cabin a clean, modern look that still feels different from other EVs. The Tahoe Extended Leather and Lucid Black Alcantara headliner lifts the sense of occasion, and the front seats are a highlight. They are 20-way power-adjustable, heated, ventilated, and include massage. That matters because luxury buyers at this price expect comfort first.

Rear passengers are not ignored either. You get 5-zone heated rear seating, a rear center console display, and power rear and rear side window sunshades. Add in the Surreal Sound Pro system with 21 speakers, and the Air feels like a true long-distance luxury sedan.

Lucid also gives this car serious EV hardware. The dual-motor all-wheel-drive system, 900V+ charging architecture, and Wunderbox onboard charger are big talking points. Buyers in this segment care about range, charging speed, and everyday ease, not just raw performance. That is where the Lucid continues to stand out.

On the technology side, the Air Grand Touring includes DreamDrive Premium, with 3D Surround View Monitoring, Blind Spot Warning, Automatic Park In and Out, Automatic Emergency Braking, and a Driver Monitoring System with distracted and drowsy driver alerts. This one also has DreamDrive Pro, which adds future-capable ADAS hardware.

There are still some real-world annoyances. Based on your notes, the windshield wiper control is hard to find and use, and that matters more than people think in a high-tech car. When controls become less intuitive, even a beautiful interior can feel frustrating.

Still, the 2026 Lucid Air Grand Touring succeeds where it matters most. It feels luxurious, advanced, comfortable, and thoughtfully engineered. For buyers who want an EV sedan that feels truly premium and less common than the usual choices, this Lucid makes a very strong case.

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Snoop Dogg Celebrates 10 Til’ Midnight at the Compound

LOS ANGELES SENTINEL — The album is paired with a film that stars Snoop Dogg, Hitta J3, G Perico, and Ray Vaughn, and one of the strongest elements of the whole project is that the production stayed rooted right here in Los Angeles.

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4 weeks ago

May 3, 2026

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Snoop Dogg celebrated the premiere of 10 Til’ Midnight at his Inglewood recording studio & multipurpose facility, The Compound, but the night felt like much more than an album release. It felt like Los Angeles. It felt like legacy. And it felt like another major move from one of the city’s greatest cultural architects as he continues to prove that he is not just dropping music — he is building moments, shaping narratives, and pushing the culture forward in real time.

What made the event so powerful was the clarity behind the vision. During a panel conversation with DJ Hed, Snoop opened up about the heart behind 10 Til’ Midnight, explaining that the project was created to help bridge older and younger generations while also speaking to the long-standing divisions between Bloods and Crips in a unique way through film. That alone gave the project a different kind of weight. This was not just about songs. This was about using creativity as a tool for connection. This was about taking a story rooted in Los Angeles and telling it in a way that could bring people together.

Snoop Congratulated By Rapper & Fellow 10 Til Midnight Cast Member G Perico (CreativeLB/KreativeKapturez)

The album is paired with a film that stars Snoop Dogg, Hitta J3, G Perico, and Ray Vaughn, and one of the strongest elements of the whole project is that the production stayed rooted right here in Los Angeles. The film was shot in the city, including at WePlay Studios in Inglewood, which gave the entire project an even deeper hometown feel. It was not just a West Coast story in content — it was a Los Angeles-made production from the ground up.

That matters because, in a city like this, authenticity still carries weight. Snoop understands how to make sure that what he creates does not just represent Los Angeles on the surface, but actually comes from it.

What also makes 10 Til’ Midnight significant is that it represents another major step in Snoop’s evolution as both an artist and executive. Public reporting around the project identifies it as his 22nd studio album, but the bigger story is what it represents in this season of his life. This is one of several consecutive moves he has made in his 50s that show he is still building, still expanding, and still finding new ways to reinvent what the next chapter looks like.

Snoop Dogg at the Premiere of 10 Til Midnight (CreativeLB/KreativeKapturez)

Now, as the head of Death Row Records and the newly aligned leader of Death Row Pictures, he is taking the brand into a new dimension. That is what made this moment feel bigger than music. Snoop is not just protecting the legacy of Death Row — he is stretching it. He is expanding it beyond records and into film, visual storytelling, and larger creative worlds that can continue carrying the label’s impact forward. Public reporting has noted that this project arrives as part of that broader cinematic push.

That is a major Los Angeles move because the city has always been built on the intersection of music, film, neighborhood identity, and cultural storytelling. With 10 Til’ Midnight, Snoop is leaning all the way into that intersection.

The room at The Compound reflected that. It felt like a private premiere, but it also felt like a statement — a reminder that Snoop Dogg’s staying power has never been based only on nostalgia. It comes from his ability to remain connected, remain visionary, and remain in tune with how to move the culture without losing the essence of who he is.

That is why this premiere mattered. It was not just about celebrating another album. It was about witnessing a Los Angeles legend continue to evolve, continue to unify, and continue to use art to tell stories that hit deeper than entertainment alone.

In that sense, 10 Til’ Midnight became more than a project launch. It became another example of how Snoop Dogg is still taking Los Angeles to the next level — using music, film, and legacy together to build something bigger than a moment.

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OP-ED: Small Businesses Need Minnesota to Act on Pass-Through Tax Policy

MINNESOTA SPOKESMAN RECORDER — A Twin Cities immigrant entrepreneur who built several businesses including grocery stores in underserved neighborhoods is calling on Minnesota lawmakers to extend the Pass-Through Entity tax option before it expires, warning that its loss would hit small businesses already recovering from Operation Metro Surge with higher federal tax bills.

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4 weeks ago

May 3, 2026

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A Twin Cities Small Business Owner Is Urging Minnesota to Extend a Tax Policy That Could Save Thousands of Businesses

By Daniel Hernandez | Minnesota Spokesman Recorder

I came to the United States as a teenager with a clear goal: to build something meaningful through hard work. I put in long days in construction, restaurants, and landscaping; doing whatever it took to learn, save, and eventually start my own business.

Over time, I built and ran several successful ventures, including an event photography company, a magazine, a tax and accounting firm, and now grocery stores serving neighborhoods across the Twin Cities where other retailers chose not to invest. I’ve created jobs, supported families, and committed to communities that deserve stability and opportunity.

That’s why I’m speaking out now.

Small business owners in Minneapolis and the communities we serve are recovering from serious disruptions, including the impacts of Operation Metro Surge. That event hit immigrant communities especially hard. In my own case, I lost nearly half of my 60 employees and saw revenue drop by about 85%. While I worked to provide competitive wages, health benefits, and paid time off, the real hardship fell on the people who lost their jobs and income.

Even as we rebuild, small businesses are facing another challenge. The Minnesota Legislature is considering letting an important tax policy expire: the Pass-Through Entity tax option.

Here’s what that means in plain terms.

Many small businesses, including mine, are pass-through businesses. That means the business itself doesn’t pay income tax. Instead, the owners report the income on their personal tax returns. But under current federal rules, there’s a limit on how much state tax we can deduct. That often leads to higher federal tax bills.

The Pass-Through Entity option fixes that. It allows the business to pay the state tax directly, which means the business can fully deduct those taxes on its federal return and lower the total amount of income taxed federally. The result is straightforward: small business owners pay less in federal taxes, without reducing what the state collects.

This policy is not new or controversial. Thirty-six states already offer it. It doesn’t cost Minnesota anything, it’s revenue neutral. And it benefits more than 66,000 businesses across the state.

In a state where the cost of doing business is already high, it’s hard to understand why we wouldn’t offer the same basic tax treatment as states like California and Illinois.

Small businesses have carried a heavy load in recent years, through a pandemic, rising costs and public safety disruptions. We’ve adapted, reinvested and stayed committed to our communities. What we need now are practical policies that support that work, not make it harder.

If the Minnesota House does not act soon, many businesses will face significantly higher federal tax bills. That’s money that could otherwise be used to hire workers, raise wages or reinvest in local neighborhoods.

I urge Gov. Tim Walz and members of the House Tax Committee to pass House File 3127 and extend the Pass-Through Entity election.

Small businesses are the backbone of our communities. We’ve proven our resilience. Now we need our state leaders to show the same commitment to us.

Daniel Hernandez is the owner of Colonial Market located at 2100 E. Lake St.

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