The Story of Brooklyn-born Christopher Wallace and his transformation into Notorious B.I.G., one of the most influential hip-hop artists, opens in movie theaters around the country on Friday.
The Fox Searchlight film “Notorious” follows the career of Wallace, who was born to Jamaican parents, emerged from the crack-ridden streets of Bedford-Stuyvesant and rose to the top of the music charts during his brief career.
He was killed in an unsolved shooting in Los Angeles in 1997.
During his career, Wallace was well known as Notorious B.I.G., Biggie Smalls and Big Poppa.
In the film Wallace is portrayed by Jamal (Gravy) Woolard. Angela Bassett stars as the rapper’s mother, Voletta Wallace. Derek Luke takes on the role of Sean Combs, Anwan Glover is featured as Snoop Doggy Dogg and Antonique Smith plays singer Faith Evans, Wallace’s widow.
The film is directed by George Tillman and produced by Wayne Barrow and Mark Pitts.
Brooklyn Borough President Marty Markowitz, who was due to host a preview of the film, last week at the Brooklyn Academy of Music, issued a proclamation to the late performer’s family.
In addition to the film, Evans has penned an autobiography written with Aliya King titled “Keep the Faith: A Memoir.” The book, published by Grand Central Publishing, a division of the Hachette Book Group, looks at Evans’ life with Wallace and her place in the star-studded, tumultuous world of hip-hop music. The book is available in bookstores.
For more on “Notorious,” visit the movie’s web site, www.foxsearchlight.com/notorious.
Celebrating Dr. King and Obama
A dual-purpose affair - commemorating the legacy of the Reverend Martin Luther King, Jr. and celebrating the historic election victory of President-elect Barack Obama - will be held on Saturday in Brooklyn, presented by the Caribbean Images Television program and web site.
Caribbean Images Television’s 12th annual Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Awards, will be held at Paradise Manor, 51 Avenue U (between West 11th and West 12th Streets) from 8 p.m. to 1 a.m. The event will feature acknowledgment of a number of outstanding individuals who have helped improve the quality of life in New York.
There will be an art exhibition, performers such as E-Uneek, a free souvenir journal for patrons and dance music by DJ Vice.
Those planning to attend should R.S.V.P. and purchase tickets in advance. For information call 718-693-0848 or visit www.caribbeanimagestv.com online and send e-mail to caribtvpp@yahoo.com or caribtvpp@caribbeanimagestv.co.
Caribbean Images Television covers news from Creole- and English-speaking nations in the region. It can be seen Tuesdays at 2:30 p.m. and Fridays at 8 p.m. on WNYX UHF-TV Channels 26 and 77, and Saturdays at 6 p.m. on BCAT Cable TV Channels 34 and 67.
Alexander’s technique
Even with an extensive international touring schedule, Jamaican jazz pianist Monty Alexander manages to perform in New York City at least once a year. The extraordinary musician-composer will be performing at Birdland, 315 W. 44th Street for four nights, January 21-24.
At the Birdland engagement, the versatile performer will lead a classic piano-bass-drums jazz trio for the first two nights. In the final two nights, he’ll put on his “Jazz and Roots” ensemble, which features reggae and jazz rhythm sections.
There will be two sets each night, at 8:30 p.m. and 11 p.m. For tickets and information, call 212-581-3080. Also, visit https://birdlandjazz.com/ and www.monty alexander.com.
Remembering the Grandmaster
Calypso great Lord Kitchener and his musical contributions will be the subject of a free symposium in Brooklyn on Friday at Medgar Evers College. The event is presented by the Trinidad and Tobago Folk Arts Institute and the college’s School of Professional and Community Development.
Titled “Grandmaster Kitch, Calypso Titan,” the symposium will include presenters examining various aspects of the late composer’s work. Presenters include musical arranger Frankie McIntosh, art history Prof. Lawrence Waldron of St. John’s University, educator Winthrop Holder and former Trinidad and Tobago radio personality David Elcock.
The symposium will be held in Room S122 of the S Building at Medgar Evers College, 1637 Bedford Avenue., (between Carroll and Crown Streets) from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. The event is the first in a series of programs by the institute and the college exploring the folk culture of Trinidad and Tobago. Call 718-783-6161 for information.
This column is reprinted from the January 11 Sunday editions of The New York Daily News. If you have items suitable for this column please e-mail them to jmccallister@nydailynews.com.
