"Musicians, all through the ages, when laws
and times have changed, have been a part of it somehow or another...You've
got to have a song...You've got to have something to build up
your courage, or your belief in yourself. "
Horace Tapscott
Horace Tapscott,
master pianist and composer from Watts, Los Angeles, made his
music for the people for more than 50 years. Over 300 musicians
passed through his Pan Afrikan Peoples Arkestra during that time.
Horace was the very definition of an artist for the people. He
was famous for loading the whole band onto a flatbed truck and
riding through the streets, playing for the people during the
Watts Rebellion in the 60s. Horace played at ArtSpeaks concerts
in LA , and was a good friend of the Artists Network.
Tapscott passed away at his home on February 28, 1999. Fellow
musicians who knew and loved Horace and his music paid tribute
to him at two very special concerts, one in LA and one in New
York City in the winter and spring of 1999. The AN helped produce
both of the tribute concerts, and we created the Horace Tapscott
Cultural Resister award. Horace was the first recipient.
Performers at the New York City tribute concert for Horace,
at the Knitting Factory, June 15, 1999:
Hamiet Bluiett
Don Byron & Uri Caine
Will Connell
Ray Drummond
Billy Hart
Sabir Mateen
Wilber Morris
Marc Ribot & Roy Nathanson
Sonny Simmons
Randy Weston
