Composer, musician to perform in Oakland
OAKLAND – The multi-talented James McBride will offer an evening of literature and music when he appears with his swinging jazz band, “James McBride and The Process,” at the next Drue Heinz Lectures. The author of the best-selling memoir, “The Color of Water: A Black Man’s Tribute to His White Mother,” McBride is also an award-winning composer and musician. He discusses his work and the creative process of writing and composing, at 7:30 p.m. Monday at Carnegie Music Hall in Oakland.
McBride began his journey to literary prominence when the Boston Globe published an essay he wrote on Mother’s Day in 1981. Readers, moved by the piece, encouraged McBride to write a book. More than a decade after McBride approached his mother about telling her story, “The Color of Water” was published to critical acclaim. The memoir has sold more than 1.5 million copies, McBride’s appearance is one of 12 programs scheduled for the 2002-03 season of The Drue Heinz Lectures. Also speaking this year are travel adventure writer Bill Bryson, presidential historian Michael Beschloss, legendary newspaperman Pete Hamill and educator and memoirist Jill Ker Conway, among others. Subscriptions and single tickets are available.
Students and groups are eligible for discounted tickets. Tickets and information may be obtained by calling 412-622-8866.
The Drue Heinz Lectures is produced by Pittsburgh Arts & Lectures in association with Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh and is sponsored by The Drue Heinz Trust and DUQ 90.5 FM. McBride’s lecture is supported by the H.J. Heinz Company Foundation.