A. B. Spellman facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
A. B. Spellman
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| Born | Alfred Bennett Spellman August 12, 1935 Nixonton, North Carolina, US |
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| Alma mater | Howard University |
| Period | 1965–present |
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| Literary movement | Black Arts Movement |
| Notable works | Four Lives in the Bebop Business (1966) |
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Alfred Bennett Spellman (born August 1935) is a talented poet, a sharp music critic, and a dedicated supporter of the arts. He is known for being part of the Black Arts Movement, a time when African American artists created powerful works. Spellman first became famous for his poetry book, The Beautiful Days, published in 1965.
In 1966, he released Four Lives in the Bebop Business. This book shared the stories of important jazz musicians. From 1975 to 2005, he worked for the National Endowment for the Arts. This organization helps fund and promote art across the United States. He played a big part in supporting jazz music in America. In 2023, a recording he worked on, Passion for Bach and Coltrane, won a Grammy Award for Best Classical Compendium.
Contents
About A. B. Spellman
Early Life and Education
Alfred Bennett Spellman was born on August 12, 1935. His hometown was Nixonton, North Carolina. Both of his parents were teachers. He went to P.W. Moore High School in Elizabeth City. There, he was active in sports and clubs.
After high school, he attended Howard University in 1953. At Howard, he joined the chorus and acting groups. This is also where he started his writing journey. He met Leroi Jones, another writer, at Howard. Baraka's passion for Black art greatly inspired Spellman. He earned a degree in political science in 1956. He then studied law for a short time.
Becoming a Writer and Critic
In 1959, Spellman started writing about music. He wrote for magazines like Metronome and Down Beat. He reviewed jazz music and musicians. His first book of poems, The Beautiful Days, came out in 1965. People really liked it, and it made him more well-known.
His reputation grew even more with Four Lives in the Bebop Business. This book, also called Four Jazz Lives, was published in 1966. It explored the lives of jazz greats like Cecil Taylor and Ornette Coleman. Jazz music has always shaped his poetry's style and rhythm. In 2016, poet Joy Harjo called him a "major ancestor of jazz poetry." During the 1960s, Spellman also wrote notes for several Blue Note Records albums.
Supporting the Arts Community
In 1967, Spellman toured the country with other African-American poets. He then joined Rhythm Magazine. He wrote poems and essays there until 1969. After that, he gave many lectures at universities. These included Morehouse College and Harvard.
Spellman also started the Atlanta Center for Black Art. This center helped develop arts in Black communities. It offered art classes and performances. Many local university staff helped teach and perform. This helped bring art to more people beyond college campuses.
Working for the National Endowment for the Arts
In 1973, Spellman began working for the National Endowment of the Arts (NEA). The NEA is a U.S. government agency. It supports art projects and organizations. He became the director of a program there in 1976. He held this important role for eight years.
Later, he served as a deputy chairman for the NEA. He helped guide how the NEA supported artists. He worked there until he retired in 2005. His work at the NEA helped many artists and art programs across the country.
Later Works and Family Life
In 2008, Spellman released a new poetry collection. It was called Things I Must Have Known. He believes that small publishers are very important for poetry. He says they help new poets share their work. Larger companies often publish less poetry.
A. B. Spellman married Karen Edmonds Spellman in 1969. They have two daughters. One daughter, Toyin Spellman-Diaz, is an oboist in the Imani Winds group. His other daughter, Kaji Spellman Douša, is a pastor. Spellman was also married to Danielle Ryvlin Spellman. Their son, Malcolm Spellman, is a writer and producer in Hollywood.
