Advocate for Preserving America's Classical Music, "JAZZ",
it's African American Legacy, Roots and Heritage!
MARVIN X
Marvin X was born May 29, 1944, Fowler CA, nine miles south of Fresno in the central valley of California. In Fresno his parents published the Fresno Voice, a black newspaper.
Marvin attended Oakland’s Merritt College where he encountered fellow students how became Black Panther Party co-founders Bobby Seale and Huey Newton. They taught him black nationalism. Marvin’s first play Flowers for the Trashman was produced by the Drama department at San Francisco State University, 1965. Marvin X dropped out to established his own Black Arts West Theatre in the Fillmore, 1966, along with playwright Ed Bullins. Months later Marvin would co-found Black House with Eldridge Cleaver, 1967.
Marvin introduced Eldridge Cleaver to Huey Newton and Bobby Seale. Eldridge immediately joined the Black Panther Party. Huey Newton said, “Marvin X was my teacher, many of our comrades came from his Black Arts Theatre: Bobby Seale, Eldridge Cleaver, Emory Douglas and Samuel Napier.”
One of the movers and shakers of the Black Arts Movement (BAM) Marvin X has published 30 books, including essays, poetry, and his autobiography Somethin’ Proper. Important books include Fly to Allah, poems, Beyond Religion, toward Spirituality, essays on consciousness, and How to Recover from the Addiction to White Supremacy, a manual based on the 12 step Recovery model.
Marvin received his MA in English/Creative writing from San Francisco State University, 1975. He has taught at San Francisco State University, Fresno State University, UC Berkeley and San Diego, Mills College, Merritt and Laney Colleges in Oakland, University of Nevada, Reno. He lectures coast to coast at such colleges and universities as University of Arkansas, University of Houston, Morehouse and Spelman, Atlanta, University of Virginia, Howard University, Univ. of Penn, Temple Univ., Medgar Evers College in Brooklyn, UMASS, Boston.
His latest book is the Wisdom of Plato Negro, parables/fables, Black Bird Press, Berkeley. He currently teaches at his Academy of da Corner, 14th and Broadway, downtown Oakland. Ishmael Reed says, “Marvin X is Plato teaching on the streets of Oakland."
For speaking, readings and performance, contact Marvin X @ jmarvinx@yahoo.com,
510-200-4164. www.blackbirdpressnews.blogspot.com
BAM Master Poet Marvin X and the BAM Poets Choir & Arkestra are now available for booking.
The group performed at the University of California, Merced, Feb./Mar. 2014
Oakland's Malcolm X Jazz/Art Fest, May 17, 2014.
For booking: 510-200-4164
Poet/Bandleader Marvin X, sax man David Murray and trumpet man Earl Davis
Marrvin X Goin to Chicago to discuss Sun Ra
Marvin X has agreed to participate in a conference on his friend and mentor, Sun Ra. He was invited to be a panelist by Chicago musician David Boykin: Greetings Brother Marvin X - I'm a saxophonist in Chicago interested in bringing you to Chciago to participate in a panel discussion during a conference on Sun Ra and possibly arranging some other speaking engagements and possibly performing together in May of 2015, around sun Ra's Birthday May 22. Please let me know if you are available and interested. I will continue to keep you informed as the planning of the conference proceeds. Peace. David
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