[img]583|left|Eric L. Wattree||no_popup[/img]I'd like to introduce you to a young man known to those of us who love and support his tremendous talent as simply Caesar.
I rarely use this space to discuss anything other than politics. But in a sense, bringing Caesar to your attention is a political issue. His life represents the epitome of self-sacrifice in pursuit of integrity.
As you can see (at http://www.wattree.blogspot.com), Caesar could easily take his rightful place among the top world class entertainers.
Unfortunately, from my point of view, he's chosen to reject the many opportunities that come his way in order to protect a musical tradition. He actively resists efforts by the music industry to, in his words, “exploit the arts for a fast buck.”
We've had many arguments over this issue.
I took the position that he's denying the world a great talent. I argued that it would be better for everyone involved if he'd simply play along until he gained the clout and exposure to go his own way.
He demolished my argument with one simple question: “Isn't that exactly what you condemn our politicians for doing?”
Touche, Caesar.
It was no surprise that Caesar was able to handle my argument with such aplomb. There's much more to him than his voice. He's an intelligent and multifaceted individual as well.
About His Inheritance
Born Irvin R. Caesar in Chicago in 1965, he attended Percy L. Julian High School where he played guitar in the jazz band, football, basketball and baseball. The football team won three Chicago city championships, and he was captain of the team in his senior year. After graduation, he went on to play outside linebacker for Southern University in Baton Rouge, La., where he received a degree in Business Management.
He inherited a sense of purpose from his father, also named Irvin Caesar, a political activist during the 1960s who worked closely with Vice President Hubert Humphrey.
After obtaining his degree, young Caesar went on to work first, as a procurement officer and then operations manager for American Manufacturers in Houston. The company provided humanitarian assistance to over 40 countries around the world. Later, he went to Islamabad, Pakistan, as a contractor for the United States Agency for International Development (USAID). He worked to provide humanitarian assistance to Afghan rebels, then at war with the Soviet Union.
To our benefit, this young man's intelligence, background and depth of experience didn't go to waste. You can hear every bit of his intellect, compassion, and commitment to humanity literally dripping from each note he sings. You don't simply hear this young man, you experience him. Ironically, Caesar was born the same year Nat King Cole died.
While I've never been one to wax metaphysically, when I listen to this young man's velvet tones, I can't help but wonder if perhaps, Nat decided that he wasn't quite done.
Eric L. Wattree is a writer, poet, and musician, born in Los Angeles (Watts). He’s a columnist for the Los Angeles Sentinel, the Black Star News, and a contributing writer to Your Black World, the Huffington Post, ePluribus Media, and several other online sites and publications. He's also the author of “A Message From the Hood.”
Mr. Wattree may be contacted at wattree@verizon.net
You may learn more abut Mr. Wattree at wattree.blogspot.com
Religious bigotry: It’s not that I hate everybody who doesn’t look, think and act like me. It’s just that God does.
