Jackie Shane - "Any Other Way"

In honor of Black History Month all of February’s posts will feature black artists and artists of color.

Before Sylvester, before Alex Newell, there was Jackie Shane. Nashville raised and Toronto famous, she was Canada’s Patti LaBelle, Etta James, or Tina Turner. With sounds like the Crystals or the Shirelles, I can only imagine what would have happened if Phil Spector had gotten his hands on her.

Jackie Shane was a black transgender soul singer who packed nightclubs in 1960s Toronto before she stepped out of the spotlight for decades, only to re-emerge with a Grammy-nominated record in her 70s.

Almost five decades passed between Ms. Shane’s 1960s career in Canada and her 2018 Grammy nomination for best historical album, for “Any Other Way.” The record introduced her to a new generation of fans, and today her face is part of a towering mural in downtown Toronto.

“I do believe that it’s like destiny,” Ms. Shane told the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation this month. “I really feel that I have made a place for myself with wonderful people. What I have said, what I have done, they say it makes their lives better.”

Jackie Shane was born in Nashville on May 15, 1940, and grew up as a black transgender child in the Jim Crow South. But she made her name after she moved to Toronto around 1959, becoming a force in its music scene and packing its nightclubs.

She scored the No. 2 spot on the Canadian singles chart in 1963 with her silky cover of William Bell’s “Any Other Way.” The song is about putting on a brave face for the friend of an ex-girlfriend, but Ms. Shane gave it a subversive twist when she sang, “Tell her that I’m happy, tell her that I’m gay.”

Ms. Shane said she identified as female from the age of 13, but throughout her 1960s career she was publicly referred to as a man. Speaking to The New York Times in 2017, she said she sometimes described herself to peers as gay.

“I was just being me,” she said. “I never tried to explain myself to anyone — they never explained themselves to me.”

Ms. Shane told the CBC this month that she had moved to Canada after witnessing a group of white men attacking a black man one night in Nashville.

“One cannot choose where one is born,’’ she said, “but you can choose your home.”

In Canada, Ms. Shane mingled with music royalty, sharing a stage with Etta James, Jackie Wilson and the Impressions and other stars. But in 1971 she abruptly left it all behind.

In the following decades she became a cult heroine and a legend online, where fans speculated about where she had gone. The answer, it turned out, was Los Angeles.

She told The Times in 2017 that she had left Toronto to be with her mother, Jessie Shane, who was living alone after the death of Ms. Shane’s stepfather in 1963.

Ms. Shane watched history march on from the comfort of relative anonymity. In her interview with The Times, she shared her thoughts on the legalization of same-sex marriage (“We’ve had to fight for everything that should have already been on the table”) and shook her head at the state of pop music (“I’m going to have to school these people again”).

One thing Ms. Shane did not do during her decade of Canadian stardom was record a studio album. That changed in 2017, when the Chicago-based label Numero Group released her anthology, which was later nominated for a Grammy Award.

Ms. Shane shared her life philosophy with the CBC.

“Most people are planted in someone else’s soil, which means they’re a carbon copy,” she said. “I say to them: ‘Uproot yourself. Get into your own soil. You may be surprised who you really are.’ ”

Words to live by if ever there were.

So today, with gusto and glamour, I choose the indomitable Jackie Shane’s “Any Other Way” as my, grow in your own soil, be uniquely yourself, shame is a word not meant for you, song for a, break through the darkness and into the light, choose your home, choose the life you want, Tuesday.

Jackie Wilson - "(Your Love Keeps Lifting Me) Higher And Higher"

In honor of Black History Month all of February’s posts will feature black artists and artists of color.

Jack Leroy Wilson Jr. (June 9, 1934 – January 21, 1984) was an American soul singer and performer. A tenor with a four-octave range, Wilson was a prominent figure in the transition of rhythm and blues into soul. Wilson was considered a master showman and one of the most dynamic singers and performers in pop, R&B, and rock & roll history, earning the nickname "Mr. Excitement".

Wilson gained initial fame as a member of the R&B vocal group Billy Ward and His Dominoes. He went solo in 1957 and scored over 50 chart singles spanning the genres of R&B, pop, soul, doo-wop and easy listening, including 16 R&B Top 10 hits, in which six R&B of the repertoire ranked as number ones. On the Billboard Hot 100, Wilson scored 14 top 20 pop hits, six of which reached the top 10. Jackie Wilson was one of the most important and influential musical artists of his generation.

Wilson was posthumously inducted to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1987. He is also inducted into the National Rhythm & Blues Hall of Fame. Two of Wilson's recordings were inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame in 1999. He was honored with the Rhythm and Blues Foundation's Legacy Tribute Award in 2003. In 2004, Rolling Stone magazine ranked Jackie Wilson No. 69 on its list of the 100 Greatest Artists of All Time.

So today, lifting myself, I choose Jackie Wilson’s "(Your Love Keeps Lifting Me) Higher And Higher" as my, go on and leap, spread your wings, believe you can and you will, song for a, today is the day, why not now, one more dream to follow, Monday.

Teddy Pendergrass - "If You Don't Know Me By Now (feat. Harold Melvin & the Blue Notes)"

In honor of Black History Month all of February’s posts will feature black artists and artists of color.

His voice was smooth and velvety, and with that charismatic smile and soulful eyes he was able to both sooth and heat up listeners. He had a truly unique talent that allowed him to lead his audiences on a journey through his music. When Teddy sang, you listened.

Theodore DeReese Pendergrass (March 26, 1950 – January 13, 2010) was an American singer. Born in Philadelphia at Thomas Jefferson Hospital, Pendergrass was raised in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He initially rose to musical fame as the lead singer of Harold Melvin & the Blue Notes. After leaving the group over monetary disputes in 1976, Pendergrass launched a successful solo career under the Philadelphia International label, releasing five consecutive platinum albums, a record at the time for an African-American R&B artist. Pendergrass's career was suspended after a March 1982 car crash left him paralyzed from the shoulders down. Pendergrass continued his successful solo career until announcing his retirement in 2007. Pendergrass died from respiratory failure in January 2010.

So today, with trust that the right path is opening unto me, I choose Teddy Pendergrass’ "If You Don't Know Me By Now (feat. Harold Melvin & the Blue Notes)" as my, lift your head up, the crown is already on your head, yours is the world and all that’s in it, song for a, follow the light, build your bridges, forge your own path, Friday.

Ben E. King - "Stand By Me"

In honor of Black History Month all of February’s posts will feature black artists and artists of color.

Benjamin Earl King (né Nelson, September 28, 1938 – April 30, 2015) was an American soul and R&B singer and record producer. He is best known as the singer and co-composer of "Stand by Me"—a U.S. Top 10 hit, both in 1961 and later in 1986 (when it was used as the theme to the film of the same name), a number one hit in the United Kingdom in 1987, and number 25 on the RIAA's list of Songs of the Century—and as one of the principal lead singers of the R&B vocal group The Drifters, notably singing the lead vocals of one of their biggest global hit singles (and only U.S. #1 hit) "Save the Last Dance for Me".

So today, standing strong, I choose Ben E. King’s “Stand By Me” as my, stand firm, make them move around you, your convictions are yours to uphold, song for a, know what is right, the truth is inside you, like truth I will always stand beside you, Thursday.

Otis Redding - " (Sittin' On) The Dock Of The Bay"

In honor of Black History Month all of February’s posts will feature black artists and artists of color.

He was a legend, an Icon, and by gosh look at how handsome he was.

Otis Ray Redding Jr. (September 9, 1941 – December 10, 1967) was an American singer and songwriter. He is considered one of the greatest singers in the history of American popular music and a seminal artist in soul music and rhythm and blues. Redding's style of singing gained inspiration from the gospel music that preceded the genre. His singing style influenced many other soul artists of the 1960s.

Redding was born in Dawson, Georgia, and at the age of 2, moved to Macon, Georgia. Redding quit school at age 15 to support his family, working with Little Richard's backing band, the Upsetters, and by performing in talent shows at the historic Douglass Theatre in Macon. In 1958, he joined Johnny Jenkins's band, the Pinetoppers, with whom he toured the Southern states as a singer and driver. An unscheduled appearance on a Stax recording session led to a contract and his first single, "These Arms of Mine", in 1962.

Stax released Redding's debut album, Pain in My Heart, two years later. Initially popular mainly with African-Americans, Redding later reached a wider American pop music audience. Along with his group, he first played small shows in the American South. He later performed at the popular Los Angeles night club Whisky a Go Go and toured Europe, performing in London, Paris and other major cities. He also performed at the Monterey Pop Festival in 1967.

Shortly before his death in a plane crash, Redding wrote and recorded his iconic "(Sittin' On) The Dock of the Bay" with Steve Cropper. The song became the first posthumous number-one record on both the Billboard Hot 100 and R&B charts. The album The Dock of the Bay was the first posthumous album to reach number one on the UK Albums Chart. Redding's premature death devastated Stax. Already on the verge of bankruptcy, the label soon discovered that the Atco division of Atlantic Records owned the rights to his entire song catalog.

Redding received many posthumous accolades, including two Grammy Awards, the Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award and induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and the Songwriters Hall of Fame. In addition to "(Sittin' On) The Dock of the Bay," "Respect" and "Try a Little Tenderness" are among his best-known songs.

To today, wastin’ time, I choose Otis Redding’s “ (Sittin' On) The Dock Of The Bay” as my, let them come, let them go, stand your ground, song for a, smooth and calm, light and breezy, happy and joyful, Wednesday.

Greg Street ft. Nappy Roots - "Good Day"

In honor of Black History Month all of February’s posts will feature black artists and artists of color.

Nappy Roots is an American alternative Southern rap quartet from Louisville, Kentucky. The group met in Bowling Green, Kentucky in 1995 while attending Western Kentucky University. They are best known for their hit singles "Po' Folks", "Awnaw", "Roun' The Globe" and "Good Day". They were the best selling hip hop group of 2002. The group consists of Milledgeville, Georgia native Fish Scales and Kentucky natives Skinny DeVille, B. Stille and Ron Clutch.

In 2006, Oakland, California native R. Prophet left the group, and in 2012 Kentucky native Big V aka Vito Banga also left. Both are pursuing solo careers.

So today, lookin’ for a good day, I choose Greg Street ft. Nappy Roots’ "Good Day" as my, smile your way through, all the good things, believe it into existence, song for a, why not, no real reason, it can be what you want it to, Tuesday.

Beyoncé - "Find Your Way Back"

In honor of Black History Month all of February’s posts will feature black artists and artists of color.

The Queen B. No more needs to be said about her legacy and her advocacy.

Sometimes things get lost. Sometimes they come back. Hold on to what you can. Let go of what you must. Learn to find the magic, the divinity, in your own truth.

So today, letting go and hoping, I choose Beyoncé’s "Find Your Way Back" as my, look for the dream, hope for the outcome, accept the truth, song for a, find your way, in time, with love, Friday.

Alexis Ffrench - "Dreamland (Solo Piano Version)"

In honor of Black History Month all of February’s posts will feature black artists and artists of color.

Alexis Ffrench is a British classical soul pioneer, composer, producer and pianist. Not only is Ffrench the UK's biggest selling pianist of 2020, he has headlined London's Royal Albert Hall, collaborated with fashion houses Miyake and Hugo Boss, played Latitude Festival, worked with Paloma Faith, composed several film scores and shares the same management team as Little Mix and Niall Horan.

Ffrench's music has amassed over 200 million streams and both albums Evolution and Dreamland reached No. 1 in the classical music charts. "Even calling yourself 'a classical artist' is a barrier of entry to many people. My music has a classical signature in its DNA, but it's borderless, a synthesis of many styles."

So today, in awe, I choose the dreamy Alexis Ffrench’s “Dreamland (Solo Piano Version)” as my, sing a little song, find your way over the lines, beyond the boundary, song for a, lilting, loving, listening to their heart, Thursday.

The orchestral version, with a solo dancer, is also incredible, so it’s here for good measure.