8 Bars with Sheila Elaine Anderson
Our guest is radio host, author and producer Sheila Elaine Anderson.
8 bars with, is a series on Educated Guesses where we offer up 8 questions to a special guest for them to ponder and freestyle on. The questions aren't necessarily questions as much as they are prompts or linguistic ink blots meant to stimulate thought. The responses can be short and pithy, long and loquacious or somewhere in between.
Sheila Elaine Anderson, AKA “The Queen of Hang,” is one of the most ubiquitous and well-loved personalities on the jazz scene. She has been an on-air host at radio station WBGO-FM in Newark since 1995, where she’s conducted penetrating, in-depth on-air interviews with many jazz artists including Regina Carter, Monty Alexander and Benny Golson. She’s authored three books: The Quotable Musician: From Bach to Tupac (2003), The Little Red Book of Musicians Wisdom (2012) and How to Grow As A Musician, What All Musicians Must Know to Succeed (2019). Anderson is also a curator/producer, who has produced the Jazz in the Garden series at the Newark Museum, the Somerville Jazz Festival, the Jazzmobile Summerfest Series and the Harlem Jazz Shrines.
Born in Buffalo and based in Harlem, Anderson grew up in a politically active family, and in a thriving jazz scene. A graduate of Baruch College, Anderson worked in the publishing business in 1983 for Random House, Grove Press, John Wiley and Sons, and W.H. Freeman & Sons, Inc. She served as president of the Bookbinders' Guild of New York from 1995-97, was a staff writer for the Caribbean-based Oceana magazine and was a columnist for Hot House Jazz Guide. Ms. Anderson also created The Art of Jazz, a weekly 30-minute TV program for Time Warner Cable in New York City from 1995-2003, which earned her a Manhattan Neighborhood Network (MNN) Award for Community Media.
1. Growing up in Buffalo
I am a proud Buffalonian. My great, great grandfather, Dr. Ben Taylor moved to Buffalo in 1832 (from where, we don't know). The 60's was a great decade to grow up in. I lived in a "segregated" middle class Black community called "Cold Springs" and was surrounded by artists, activists, politicians and other professionals who took an interest in us young people. We were raised to strive for excellence. Unfortunately during the 1970's, many of those people left the city (I moved in 1980). Buffalo produced radio legends; Frankie Crocker, Jerry Bledsoe, Gary Byrd as well as musicians; Grover Washington Jr., Ronnie Foster and Dr. Lonnie Smith.
2. The Buffalo jazz scene
Buffalo was on the chitlin circuit so all of the great jazz musicians came through town. There were several spots for them to perform. We had The Little Harlem, The Revilot, The Tralfamadore (where Spyro Gyra got their start) and others that had closed by the time I was of age to go. Unfortunately the jazz scene has greatly diminished but kept alive by various organizations who sponsor jazz festivals throughout the year.
3. NAACP
My aunt Amelia Anderson was the secretary of the Niagara Movement (she's in the iconic founder's picture) and my grandmother (mom's side) was a state officer in Indiana so becoming a member was in my DNA. At the age of 16, after being local youth chapter president for 3 months, I was elected New York State youth president. For three years I held that position, I was a member of the National Youth Work committee. At age 19, the same year that Benjamin L. Hooks took over as executive director,I was elected to the National Board of Directors as the Region II youth member. I came of age during those years. It was exciting and humbling to have met so many people who were civil rights leaders.
4. Jazz Radio in the digital age (WBGO)
Because WBGO is a public radio station that is member/listener supported we are working to adjust to the ways that people now consume radio. It's challenging. Public radio, in general, is struggling to survive. I grew up listening to WBFO that played the best jazz. They no longer feature any jazz and have become a news/talk station.
5. The art of the radio interview
LISTENING and preparation is key to conducting any interview. Ask direct questions. The second question should be a follow up to the person's answer. Allow the person to tell the story.
6. Your favorite interviews
I have so many favorites, however, the top of my list are T.S. Monk, Monty Alexander, Oscar Brown, Jr., Ron Carter, Al Jarreau and Ruth Brown.
7. Writing books
Whew, it's not easy! I always begin with an outline. Two of my three books are interview based. In an odd way, once I begin writing, they write themselves.
8. The Origin of "The Queen of Hang."
On air host Michael Bourne gave me the moniker. My first WBGO shift (1995) was "Sunday Morning Harmony". I worked in the publishing industry before making my transition into jazz and I felt that I had a gap in my knowledge of the music and wanted to learn more from musicians. To immerse myself into the jazz community, on a weekly basis, I went to every jam session, clubs, and as many venues presenting jazz. One day I was driving and Michael had named the wrong artist playing at the Village Vanguard. I called to correct him. He got back on the mic and said, "I misspoke, Sheila Anderson, ‘The Queen of Hang’ called to tell me who was playing. If anyone would know it is her." Somehow the name stuck! LOL!
9. Bonus Question:
Arts & culture in Newark
The scene has changed so much in the years that I've been on air. There are fewer venues that present the Arts but with NJPAC and The Newark Museum of The Arts and other venues Newark still has a vibrant cultural community that continues to grow.