This Lecture Ron gave at the Red Bull Academy was like taking a journey back to the past, to the origins of this music we call “house” with personal anecdotals that are forever imprinted in his memory and play a significant role in his ongoing journey of musical creation, experimentation, artistic expression, growth and the various music/sound portraits he creates within his DJ sets. Take the time to take a walk through Ron’s career while he shares his journey in manner that models a traditional griot or West African storyteller.
According to wikipedia,The griot delivers history as a poet, praise singer, and wandering musician. The griot is a repository of oral tradition. As such, they are sometimes also called bards. According to Paul Oliver in his book Savannah Syncopators, “Though [the griot] has to know many traditional songs without error, he must also have the ability to extemporize on current events, chance incidents and the passing scene. His wit can be devastating and his knowledge of local history formidable.” Although they are popularly known as ‘praise singers’, griots may also use their vocal expertise for gossip, satire, or political comment.
The definition of a griot listed above, accurately describes Ron in this lecture he gave at the Red Bull Academy. If you are truly interested in knowing the origins of the house music scene in Chicago and New York and the “marriage” between the innovators and geniuses who hail from both cities, you need to get in and watch this lecture. I have not heard anyone describe the origins of the scene in such a personal heartfelt manner. If you are a historian at heart, you will enjoy the ride. Ron takes you through his career ups and downs and explains what was going on in the scene along each bend in the road. When I saw how long this video was, I wasn’t sure I was going to make it through the entire 2 hours without being bored, but Ron keeps the interview interesting throughout. Catch Theo Parrish in the corner with his add-on to Ron’s story. He had to remind Ron not allow folks to jump from “Altered States” to Prescription Records, and to talk about all of the music and things that took place in his career in between those 2 milestones. Anytime you have to have a friend remind you of your accomplishments, you know you have really embarked on an extensive and extremely meaningful career that keeps growing and going with new milestones that have yet to be reached and attained.
Check out the lecture, and ignore the uncomfortable moments in which music is being played and everyone is sitting there trying to mask their adult onset ADD, by sitting still! Any REAL House Music aficionado will be enthralled by this oral historical account of our scene by Ron Trent!
Thank you RED BULL ACADEMY!
Written by Nailah El
