Recent Press Clippings
Oakland Tribune April 4, 2000
The Post Feb 13, 2000
Oakland Tribune April 4, 2000:
BIOGRAPHIC Law school graduate gets children in tune
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A funny thing happened to Gregory Joe Bledsoe on the way to the courthouse.
Instead of becoming a legal advocate for children, the Oakand resident
and law school graduate decided to take his case directly to the kids.
Bledsoe, who has taught elementary school for the last 15 years, has been
a language arts teacher at Stonehurst Elementary School in Oakland for
six years. He combines his love of music with a talent for giving the children
a self-esteem boost.
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Originally from Long Beach, Bledsoe came to the Bay Area to attend San
Jose State University, where he got his teaching credential. He then attended
Hastings Law School,
Bledsoe skips law career for stint teaching children where he graduated
in 1977. Why did you go to law school? I thought I could get into
legislation of laws that would assist in the education of children. I worked
as a law clerk for a while and started substitute teaching. I quickly learned
that I was more effective in helping children through teaching than being
a lawyer.
What kind of music do you sing and when did you start singing!
I do reggae, popular jazz, funk and inspirational. The term I use
is mind moving motivational music.
I started singing when I was about 5 or 6 in the church choir, and
I sang in my junior high glee club, but then I didn't sing again until
after law school. I joined a group called the Voices of Legacy. We sang
a cappella spirituals in Bay Area under Mary Cobb.
I created my own group and started singing professionally. How did
you get into singing to the children in order to work on their language
skills?
I was teaching at Lockwood Elementary School and I knew that children
could recite lyrics in songs, even though they couldn't spell the words.
I understood the strength of music and thought it would he nice if we had
more positive lyrics for the children to sing, so I started developing
positive songs for them to sing.
I now have two CDs out at this time -- "From the Source" and "Sunshine
Shadow." My band is called Source of Light and we perform at 13 churches
on a regular basis as well as fairs, festivals, concerts and school assemblies.
At the assemblies, I do something called "Instruments on Parade"
about the origins of musical instruments. I interweave my poems and songs.
And I always have a teacher and a group of students come on stage to become
part of the band too.
What are the most positive things about your work? Seeing the gleam
in a child's eye, to see that they understand a concept. Also, watching
their self-esteem grow as they learn to master certain things. I stress
that they have to take responsibility for themselves. They create their
own circumstances and it starts everyday with how they treat those around
them. I have been around children in certain family situations, but I tell
them no matter what your situation is, you can rise above it. Many people
have been in bad situation, but have risen above it. It all starts with
your own thinking. I use poems that I sing that seem to stay in their heads.
Can you sing one?
Whatever you do comes back to you So watch the things you say and
do unto others in a loving way. Watch the things you do and say Whatever
you do is multiplied It's coming back to you No way to hide So do unto
others in a loving way Watch the things you do and say.
What made you want to work with children?
My elementary school teacher Mrs. Smith, who was my teacher in the
third and fourth grade. She did not give up on me. And there was something
about that lady that made me see that I could be whatever I dreamed of
becoming.
If I can touch the hearts and minds of children like that,
there's no limit on what they can become if they put their minds to it.
The lyrics to my songs are about self-empowerment and taking responsibility
-- not about playing the victim, or blaming someone else for the way you
are. You can change the world around you by changing yourself.
Do you have any success stories?
Well, I recently ran into a young man who was my student when
he was in the fourth grade. He's in college now, working on becoming a
chemist, and he said he remembered the words "Whatever you do, it comes
back to you." He said the words stuck with him and have helped him
become who he is today.
-- Susan Young
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The Oakland Post
Feb 13, 2000:
Profiles and Personalities
by Charles Aikens |
Bledsoe Accepts Mayfield's Music Torch |
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A few months before Jerry Brown was elected as Oakland Mayor and
attempted to make this city a more exciting place by putting more art and
music not just into the city, but into schools, one of the performing artists
contacted was Gregory Joe Bledsoe, who sang to a packed audience at Jerry's
"We The People" Auditorium.
Bledsoe, who performs with his Source of Light Band, has a voice
range that has been compared to Al Jarreau, Phillip Bailey and the late
soul singer and writer Curtis Mayfield. It was Curtis,
James Brown and Richard "Dimples" Fields who were early carriers
of the social conscience torch of music. Now it's time for
Gregory Joe Bledsoe to emerge as the torch bearer.
"I was inspired by Curtis' socially conscious message
music of equality and love for all," said Bledsoe, "This was added to my
musical development and spiritual growth which has evolved over the years
to produce what I term Mind-Moving Motivational Music." With Curtis, Richard
and Marvin Gaye gone, the question arises "Who will replace them?", and
the smooth voiced Bledsoe is the logical answer, as it was Mayfield who
inspired him with his pride and perseverance music. Marvin Gaye was also
an influence , as he followed in the soul music realm of Mayfield, along
with James Brown. Gaye emerged as one of the nation's most popular and
influential singers with his "What's Goin' On", in 1971,
and it was a deeply personal and spiritual refection on family and social
issues - even the Vietnam War. In this song, Gaye had nearly complete
control over his art. Both Gaye and Mayfield captured the spirit of their
time with songs that have endured as classics far beyond their context.
Before Mayfield died at 57, about ten years after being paralyzed,
he produced a string of hits that not only influenced Bledsoe, but many
other artists, not many of whom can compare with Bledsoe.
Years ago, Bledsoe was inspired after listening to Mayfield's positive
songs "People Get Ready", "We're A Winner", "I'm So Proud" and "Keep On
Pushing". The latter was a song that rallied blacks behind the civil rights
movement in the 1960s and '709, at a time when black radio was dominated
by love songs and dance tunes. Like Mayfield, Bledsoe feels that music
should be positive, and sung in a manner that gives the listener "food
for thought." Unlike Mayfield, Bledsoe has not yet been labeled music's
champion of civil rights, but his Source of Light Band is a story in itself.
He wants to use music to enlighten, while also helping to create a better
place for everyone just like Ma~field had intended. With his natural and
unique singing talent, Bledsoe is sure to succeed.
Bledsoe developed his singing interests in high school, where he
sang in a choral 1 group. Upon graduating from college and law school,
he began singing with "Voices of Legacy", an a capella group that sang
spirituals in the Bay Area. From 1952-1985 he teamed with his brother,
and poet/storyteller Tureda Mikell, to perform as the group "Children of
Light", which became
the basis for his development of lyrics for songs.
One year later, Bledsoe became an elementary school teacher. After
hearing so much negativity in songs, he began employing a positive approach
to teaching, and it helped raise the self esteem of his students. ~~ -Bledsoe's
creative methods for inspiring his young elementary school students at
Lockwood, and he continues using these methods at Stonehurst Elementary.
Bledsoe knows it's not easy following in the footsteps of African-American
music legends. As a law graduate of Hastings, he is fully disciplined and
able to handle all the intricate language of contracts. In addition to
marketing his albums From The Source and Sunshine/Shadow on his own label,
he distributes his music, some of which is on consignment at record stores,
churches and Marcus Bookstores.
Source of Light music is a delightful blend of jazz fusion, reggae,
pop and inspirational music. Most of his tunes are soothing, exciting and
danceable. All ages can enjoy it as an alternative to negative lyrics.
"Love Is The Answer" and "Love Keeps On" are two songs this reviewer thinks
could become hits.
With Richard "Dimples" Fields, Marvin Gaye and Curtis Mayfield gone,
the new strength of character of Bledsoe could emerge to overcome the unbelievable
odds of achieving national and international acclaim and success. "I'm
not seeking to be a musician who wears each cloth," said BIedsoe. "I know
poverty stifles creativity and I just want to keep producing positive music
that represents something I believe in. My music is holistic, which is
the way I believe my life should be lived." He is also a strict vegetarian.
In closing he added, "I want to create music that motivates, inspires
and captivates my audiences. He could also elevate and console his audience,
because the he sings is for rejoicing.
For his performance schedule, Call (510) 763-6304 or
check www.sourceoflight.com.
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IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS, PLEASE E-MAIL US AT: light@rcn.com
or call 510-763-6304 |
