SHOW 6 - JASON MICHAEL ON PHYLLIS HYMAN

I'm getting prouder and prouder of this show as time goes on. This one is my new favorite one yet, for so many reasons!

My first show of the Spring semester is a conversation with Jason Michael about his book, "Strength of a Woman: The Phyllis Hyman Story." Phyllis Hyman was one of the shining stars of my youth. The very personification of the word FABULOUS. My running buddy Marla & I were ADDICTS to Phyllis's live shows at the Blue Note in NYC in the early 90s. Marla thinks we were around older, but I place us around 17-ish when we'd be right under Phyllis hemline studying a diva at work. So much of how I comport myself onstage (and, to a certain degree, offstage as well) has been influenced by watching Phyllis.

When she took her life in 1995, I remember being more devastated than I was when even "closer" deaths (family members, etc.) occurred. I literally could not believe that Phyllis was so disconnected from how much love we, her "public", had for her. (Its somewhat surprising to me, in retrospect, that I could ever have had such a level of naivete.)

My fear is that one day I'll be surrounded by generations of younger people who will have absolutely no idea who Phyllis is. So in putting this show together, I saw it as my chance to educate people about her life and her music, and I approached it as a "love letter to Phyllis" and a way of joining up with Jason Michael in his endeavors to bring Phyllis's name to a wider level of recognition.  I don't shill for authors, musicians, or anyone -- BUT PLEASE BUY JASON MICHAEL'S BOOK! It is important that she never be forgotten.