{"id":771,"date":"2012-06-02T21:16:36","date_gmt":"2012-06-03T02:16:36","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/dennischandler.afmadlib.com\/?page_id=771"},"modified":"2025-01-30T17:43:44","modified_gmt":"2025-01-30T22:43:44","slug":"ma-hiao-hui-meets-dennis-chandler-east-meets-west","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/dennischandler.com\/index.php\/ma-hiao-hui-meets-dennis-chandler-east-meets-west\/","title":{"rendered":"Asian Fusion: DC Making Music with Web Fleming & Ma-Xiao-Hui"},"content":{"rendered":"

2000 Video … Thank you, Willie Bailey for this Dub. <\/strong><\/p>\n

In Celebration … to Honor Web <\/strong><\/p>\n

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https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/dennis.chandler.566\/videos\/1384494495841144<\/a><\/p>\n

Dennis and Another Asian Fusion Friend … Found … Via Tag and Web … <\/strong><\/p>\n

What a Wonderful World  <\/strong><\/p>\n

The above 2000 Jam at our home … was after those three threaded the boards … the night before. Where did they share the stage … doing their respective acts … then doing time together, (so to speak). At the … annual … always-sold-out-early … CHINESE NEW YEAR CELEBRATION … (today called LUNAR NEW YEAR). The 2000 one was held in CLEVELAND’S HISTORIC CHINATOWN … (today called ASIANTOWN). <\/p>\n

The 2000 MILLEMMIUM CELEBRATION … brought in the famed Asian Media Star Lanny Shum. He came to Web’s hometown … from his home in TORONTO. He said, “I came to Cleveland … for the SHEER PLEASURE of PLAYING … for and with MY MENTOR … HAK SAN!”  As you will witness … it was … as Lanny said, …”… pure pleasure …”<\/p>\n

A Heavenly Thank You … goes up to  ASIAN ACTIVIST … FAMED  RESTAURATEUR … OWNER of KING WAH, HO WAH and LI WAH … DONNA HOM, of Blessed memory.<\/p>\n

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A SPECIAL  ANNIVERSARY  TO CELEBRATE <\/strong><\/em>…<\/p>\n

May you have time to spare … to allow me to share … about the wonderful world of Web. I believe its a tale meant to be told. May you feel the Blessings unfold<\/strong>.<\/em> <\/p>\n

30+ years ago … back into our Life<\/em> … came our PRETEND BRO aka BILL TAGGART.<\/p>\n

First, let me tell you about how<\/em> he came back<\/i> into our respective lives … in July ’93. Then, farther down … the detailed account … of that August meeting with Web.    <\/p>\n

So … In July of ’93 … Bill Taggart was having a rare night off from doing duty. What kind of duty? The Show Biz kind. (Bill was … and still is … here in 2024 … a much-in-demand Stagehand … Projectionist … Soundman. He’s an all-round man’s man … an IATSE man. I can say that … ’twas Teamsters who trained me)  <\/p>\n

Bill told us he was having a rare night off from doing duty. What kind? Show Biz kind. (He was and still is an exceptional IATSE devotee … more about that way below).<\/p>\n

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Bill Taggart was “toolin’ around” … traveling from his ‘hood in Cleveland … to suburban Mentor. Tag came cruisin’ to a classic car cruise … held at a classic place. Why do I call it classic?<\/p>\n

To hubby-Dennis … it was classic … for it was the very same Diner … that a youthful-Dennis used to cruise to … from his ‘hood. The nearby post-world-war-two housing projects called “Euclid Homes” … was where the Chandler Family lived. So going for ice cream … meant their Uncle Martin’s Freeze Ice Cream Stand … which was right next to that Kenny King Diner. Is it any wonder Dennis loves all things, Diner.  <\/p>\n

1993 … Here he was in Mentor … as musician-Dennis … entertaining on the back side … of the same Diner. That’s where and when Tag came back into our lives, as I alluded above, at  Annabelle’s.<\/p>\n

What’s-in-a-Name-Department …    <\/p>\n

About that renamed Kenny King Diner … It was bought by Annabelle Lucas … who had it moved to Mentor, Ohio … where she renamed it “Annabelle’s”. BTW: CRUISER EMERITUS JOE ARTALE … shared that he has the whole saga of the move … journaled and filmed. Who is Joe? Founder of Rock’n’Roll Capitol Street Machines but before RNRCSM … he was head of the Nifty Fifties \/ Sixties Car Clubs. Historian Artale and Annabelle … would make cool presenters of cruising memories. Then Dennis can do some cool cruisin’ music. Oh, wait!  Make it in parking lot somewhere … and …  I know the perfect projectionist to run the film.   <\/p>\n

Back to about Dennis’ love of all things, Diner. Annabelle Lucas … being the Diner’s first owner … got him hooked on GRILLED CHEESE SANDWICHES. Getting Dennis to do music? Easy, peasey. Just bait him with Diner food. Then when Annabelle married Michael Neshkin … things really took a turn … onto the nearest highway ramp. What do I mean? Those-two-lovers-of-diner-stuff … graciously invited us to travel with them. We joined them for many-a-mystery-road-trip. To see what else … DINERS. We went on trips to Chicago, Pittsburgh, etc. It was especially entertaining … for Patient-Dennis to take after he took … those cancer treaments called, “Consolidated Chemo”. About Dennis beating AML Leukemia … go to this website’s page …  https:\/\/dennischandler.com\/index.php\/the-journey\/<\/a><\/p>\n

Timeless too was when … later that Summer of ’93 … in  August … Bill brought out to the Diner … and into our hearts … dear Web Fleming. <\/p>\n

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On January 15, 2023 … Baritone Web Fleming passed …<\/strong><\/p>\n

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Click on the Link to learn about the INCREDIBLE LIFE he had … Web’s obituary is at …
\nhttps:\/\/www.secorfuneralhomes.com\/obituary\/webster-fleming\/<\/a><\/p>\n

Psalms, book of the Old Testament is composed of “SACRED SONGS … SACRED POEMS … MEANT TO BE SUNG”. Psalm 30:5 … says, \u201cWEEPING MAY LAST THROUGH THE NIGHT, BUT JOY COMES IN THE MORNING”.<\/p>\n

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Web was honored with that name decades ago. It was conferred on him while he was living in Asia and touring the Far East. For that time and place … Web was unique<\/em>, to say the least. He became famous as … an AFRICAN AMERICAN … SINGING CHINESE OPERA … and in a dozen dialects, too. Web Fleming also became known for his interpretation of JUSTICE BAO of the SUNG DYNASTY (999-1062).<\/p>\n

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East Meets West … North & South … <\/strong>World Class Musicians<\/strong> Meet … then Jam<\/strong><\/p>\n

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To learn about the lady from Shanghai, as I call her … go to https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Ma_Xiaohui<\/a><\/p>\n

Links below are for (3) MP3 RECORDINGS we did way back in 1998. The back-story of these newfound files follows. When Web returned from his Far East tour … he wanted to meet famed ERHUIST MA XIAO-HUI. Who? Headliner at the LUNAR NEW YEAR CELEBRATION (held earlier in the month at Li Wah Restaurant in Cleveland’s Asia Town). That gig was prior to this night of jammin\u2019 (at our home here in Solon \u2026 hence my title of “A Musical Salon in Solon”). The jam was IMPROMPTU … STUNNING. The session made WEB want to sing for her \u2026 and he did. It made me want to record them \u2026 and I did, (thank God). Enjoy “Spirituals”. You will hear Web\u2019s BIG Baritone voice. (BTW decades ago he had the honorific title “Hak San” conferred on him. Loosely translated it means “Black Mountain”!) Web is accompanied by Ma on her Erhu … an ancient 2-stringed instrument … and Dennis on his piano.<\/p>\n

Here are those 3 LINKS:<\/p>\n

Spirituals<\/a>  \u00a9  Baritone Web Fleming accompanied by famed ERHUIST Ma Xiao-Hui and Pianist Dennis Chandler. Amazingly they were sitting back to back \u2026 \u201cspeaking\u201d \u2026 in the Universal language of Music. <\/p>\n

Orient Express<\/a>  \u00a9  An original impromptu instrumental … performed by famed ERHUIST Ma Xiao-Hui and Pianist Dennis Chandler. Amazingly they were sitting back to back \u2026 \u201cspeaking\u201d \u2026 in the Universal language of Music.<\/p>\n

Cityscape<\/a>  \u00a9  Another original impromptu instrumental … performed by famed ERHUIST Ma Xiao-Hui and Pianist Dennis Chandler. Again amazingly done as they were sitting back to back \u2026 \u201cspeaking\u201d \u2026 in the Universal language of Music.<\/p>\n

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Why Web loved running the rails … big and little … he was from Willard, Ohio. Learn more are the historic town … go to  https:\/\/www.willardohio.us\/history-of-willard.html<\/a><\/p>\n

https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Willard,_Ohio<\/a><\/p>\n

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HOW … PIANIST DENNIS … MET … ERHUIST MA<\/strong><\/p>\n

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LUNAR NEW YEAR 2025 … makes me want to post this … 

“In 1998 \u2026 Dennis was looking forward to again doing musical duty at LiWah … albeit … without Webby. Why? The popular Baritone Web Fleming aka Hak San … was overseas … in the Far East. That meant Web wouldn\u2019t make it back to his hometown … to … Cleveland’s Chinatown.

So, filling in … was to be \u2026 another dear mutual musical friend. The popular broadcaster BILL GORDON aka BILL \u201cSMOOCHIE\u201d GORDON. (Who was B.G.? Go to the page with his name and learn more about this Media and Talk Show Pioneer).

Yes … Musical-Director-Chandler was to accompany the popular Bill Gordon.
Then after \u2026 Pianist-Dennis was to reprise … his role as \u201cThe Ed-U-Tainer\u201d \u2026 playing his own set.
Well, you remember what they say, \u201cthe best laid plans\u201d, etc. A dilemma happened. What\u2019s that?

Defined in one dictionary … and I excerpt \u2026
\u201cA dilemma is a difficult situation where a person must choose between two or more options … that are equally unsatisfactory.
For example, someone might face a dilemma when deciding whether to continue driving in a dangerous storm or stop searching for a lost dog. The term comes from the Greek word for \u201cdouble proposition\u201d. It was originally a technical term in logic, but is now used more generally to describe any problem without a satisfactory solution\u201d. (End of Excerpt)

Yes, it was a dilemma. The dropping of his piano \u2026 definitely put \u2026 Dennis-the-Neurodivergent \u2026 in a-stressed-state-of-mind. (No NY state-of-mind \u2026 this time!)

Thank goodness Dennis is \u2026 a Neurodivergent. What do I mean?
Defined in one dictionary … and I excerpt \u2026

\u201cNeurodivergence is not a disorder … but rather a natural variation in human brains. It\u2019s similar to the concept of biodiversity … which describes the natural variation of life forms in a given habitat. The term \u201cneurodiversity\u201d is used to describe the idea that all people have a unique way of processing information … and that this is a normal human experience.
The neurodiversity movement … encourages people to tap into their unique strengths … to help them adapt to their environment.\u201d (End of Excerpt).

Sooo \u2026 Thank goodness \u2026 for Dennis’ AMBIDEXTERITY. (He is able to use the right and left hands \u2026 equally well. Well, almost \u2026 with equal ease \u2026 if … he is NOT stressed!)

His split-dominate-brain \u2026 often can be doubly concerning. For example … this night in 1998. He questioned himself … “was the keyboard damaged \u2026 the electronics jarred?”
He quickly jumped … from one side of his brain to the other, so to speak.
Pianist-Dennis busied himself checking the settings \u2026 with his right hand. Then \u2026 with his left hand \u2026 he started to \u201crun\u201d the bass keys \u2026
in a boogie-woogie style. (FYI \u2026 a style of timing that gospel singers routinely call for \u2026 \u201ca left-hand like God\u201d. Definition? Meaning the perfect-timing of a stride-style of accompaniment) …

Dennis\u2019 hands \u2026 caught the eye and ear of \u2026 \u201cTHE LADY FROM SHANGHAI\u201d.
Ma, again impressed with his playing \u2026 spoke
to her \u201chandlers\u201d. They hastily put together his piano bench, placing it under him.
Dennis was so distracted … that he didn\u2019t even notice them holding the piano up, in midair!

From its case, Ma proceeded to pull her instrument, the ERHU. Oh, the sounds she coaxed from that ancient 2-stringed instrument!
She entreated Dennis to continue \u2026 with his boogie-woogie beat and piano stride-style \u2026 that he started with.
Then she begged him to play BLUES. Later, they jammed with some JAZZ, too. What a sight …

These two master musicians, who never spoke to one another before \u2026 were now communicating \u2026 in the Universal Language of Music \u2026 right there in the lobby at Asian Town Plaza.
What a MUSICAL MEMORY.

Shout Out of Thanks … to a couple of other characters \u2026
First off \u2026 # 1.) Li Wah owner Donna Hom.<\/p>\n

Secondly \u2026 # 2.) Bill Taggart. Who? He was the one who played stagehand, literally.
To explain \u2026 in the past \u2026 \u201cTag\u201d always offered to act as a roadie. This time around \u2026 he did end up as such \u2026 holding up \u2026 Dennis\u2019 keyboard.<\/p>\n

Thirdly \u2026 # 3.) Our dear friend Billy Evans. Who? He was a former-security-guard for many media-types (and politicians, too). Well \u2026 what he did do for Den \u2026 was \u201chold up\u201d his other end \u2026 (of his piano).
Plus … Billy also “blocked” DC from exiting \u2026 before the headline artist \u2026 Erhuist Ma \u2026 could get her instrument out. So “jamming up” DC … got this-little-gig-in-the-entryway … going.

Sadly, our friend Billy Evans passed … in 2022. He was often called “Billy from The Front Row\u201d. I\u2019m sure he was given a front row … Above. Plus since he could never sit still … I’m sure he would love to be called upon to serve … making for one “Super Security Guard”.
What am I saying. He probably was pressed into immediate duty. Watching over writer William F. Miller \u2026 aka \u2026 our “Pal Bill” … plus Mrs. Miller …, his wife \u201cMareeanna\u201d \u2026 and now … dear Webby.
What Lights.
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WE GO BACK … TO LEARN HOW WE MET SOME OF OUR ASIAN FRIENDS<\/strong><\/p>\n

We go waayy back in time … to before the above shots were taken … to talk about the theme of Asian Fusion. (Sooo get a BIG cup of coffee or tea \u2026 and toast Webby!) The late Journalist WILLIAM F. MILLER and his wife MARIANNA aka MARIA MILLER … loved to hear good melodic music. They and Bill’s brother, “Petey” aka Pete Miller (award-winning photojournalist) … would come to hear musician-Dennis wherever he was playing … whatever genre music he was making … and with whomever he was making it with, so to speak.<\/p>\n

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Plain Dealer Columnist Mary Strassmeyer … oftentimes joined in on the fun … sitting on Pianist-Dennis’ piano bench. She was used to sitting next to him … as a fellow theatre seatmate. To explain … we shared great seats … third-row-on-aisle-seats. First at the Hanna Theatre … then at other theatres located in Playhouse Square. Her seat was courtesy of her job at the newspaper (read: free). Our seats were paid for with hard-earned dollars from our sales subscription jobs at Theatre League of Cleveland. What was that? A satellite office of the Impresario Sam L’Hommedieu. He <\/span>toured Broadway shows under the auspices of his Theatre League of ____ chain. Coincidentally he was the veteran concert promoter who would book BB into venues that he managed. In the small-world-department … the Warner theatre was part of the RKO \/ Stanley Warner Theatre chain … for whom I worked back in the mid-’60s … with Taggart, too. <\/span><\/p>\n

Back to about the location of Mary, Mary’s seat. Recall I wrote she worked for a newspaper. Her seat was considered that of a critic. So she acted like one. She would share with DC … some searing comments … whenever she did NOT like what she saw … or what she heard. To explain further …<\/span><\/p>\n

DC and M,M often had the same perceptions. Let’s just say … that both were old school and liked only the musicals that had melody in the tunes. The kind that a theatre-goer could hum going up the aisle after the play was over. Goodness knows … because our seats were so far down front … there were no memorable melodies to share. What they did share was some very searing … but … funny notes (pardon the pun).<\/span><\/p>\n

Mary, Mary is missed by many. Especially by Pianist-Dennis. He sorely misses her on the bench beside him … asking for their mutually favored tunes. The ones that can be found in his library of Great American Songbooks. But, we have the memories … and … we have extra theatre programs from Seatmate-Strassy. Her memory is a Blessing.  <\/p>\n

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Learn more about the iconic columnist …  <\/p>\n

https:\/\/case.edu\/ech\/articles\/s\/strassmeyer-mary<\/a><\/p>\n

https:\/\/clevelandmagazine.com\/in-the-cle\/the-read\/articles\/hear-no-evil-see-no-evil-speak-no-evil<\/a><\/p>\n

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“Who is that character?” Journalist William F. Miller answered, “Oh, wait. I wrote articles about that  ‘Asian’  actor”. That’s Web on the left … portraying the mystical Pao Kong aka Justice Bao Gong aka Bao Zheng. Who? The ancient character considered by many to be … the origin of the tale titled, “Here come the Judge<\/em>“. In the photo on the right is our “Pal Bill” joined by Baritone Web Fleming and a harmonizing poser.<\/p>\n

About Journalist William F. Miller and how his ink helped this city …
\nhttps:\/\/archive.triblive.com\/…\/new-kensington-native…\/<\/a>
\nhttp:\/\/pdalumni.blogspot.com\/…\/william-f-miller-dies.html<\/a>
\nhttp:\/\/www.clevelandpeople.com\/other\/william-miller.htm<\/a>
\nhttp:\/\/obitsohio.blogspot.com\/…\/william-f-miller-73…<\/a>
\nhttps:\/\/www.wplucey.com\/…\/memories-of-plain-dealer…<\/a>
\nhttp:\/\/clevelandinternationalhalloffame.com\/…\/bill-miller\/<\/a>
\nhttps:\/\/www.playhousesquare.org\/…\/playhousesquare…<\/a>
\nhttps:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=HZWvOzuZGVI<\/a>o<\/p>\n

So since Bill Miller worked at the Cleveland Plain Dealer he got to meet and know many … in the nearby ASIAN community. Plus the award-winning journalist found people more open to being interviewed … over Dim Sum. The Millers, along with mutual friend CONGRESSMAN DENNIS KUCINICH, arranged for musician-Dennis to become part of many<\/em> various entertainment events around town … including AsianTown. There accompanist-Dennis found himself playing … then backing Baritone Web singing … (and sometimes dancing, too).<\/p>\n

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Plus Web as Hak San performed in character … as Pao Kong aka Justice Bao Gong aka Boa Zheng. What fun fellowships at those Lunar New Year Celebrations. Donna Hom’s Li Wah Restaurant … a home away from home. A good place to practice our “House Rule … First you play … then you eat!”  <\/em><\/p>\n

https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Asiatown,_Cleveland<\/a><\/p>\n

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About Pao Kong aka Justice Bao Gong aka Bao Zheng … go to …<\/p>\n

https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Bao_Zheng<\/a><\/p>\n

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Whenever Dennis entertained at Li Wah … he would do a variety act of various piano styles during his<\/em> set. Then he would act as accompanist for Baritone Web Fleming for his.<\/em> They both enjoyed immensely … playing to this diverse and most<\/em> appreciative audience.<\/p>\n

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Yes … back in the day … those two guys named Bill … really did serve us well.<\/p>\n

Still with us down here … is “Pal Dennis” aka Dennis Kucinich. He deserves credit for many “acts” of kindness. For example … as mutual friends … he helped us get BB King … a Key to the City of Cleveland (when DK was mayor). He arranged along with another aficionado of the Blues … Councilman Jay Westbrook … for proclamations, too. Then years later … recognition in the Congressional Record for BB (when DK served as Congressman Kucinich).<\/p>\n

https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Dennis_Kucinich<\/a><\/p>\n

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Soo … you see it was particularly pleasant to catch up with these peeps whenever we crossed paths. Oftentimes it was DK speaking … DC playing … and Journalist Bill Miller taking notes, (pardon the pun). It was for me a sort of … News-Over-Dim-Sum-Date. DK deserves kudos for the devoted public servant he is … and has always been. I credit him as a good sport, too. The photo below shows how much so … this night of Lunar New Year Celebration … in Asian Town … in our hometown.<\/p>\n

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Speaking of some \u201cSatchmo singing\u201d \u2026 the photo shows then Congressman Dennis Kucinich getting serenaded. DK serves all in the community \u2026 which this night included those in attendance (at Li Wah\u2019s Lunar New Year Celebration). Baritone Web sang ala Louis \u201cSatchmo\u201d Armstrong style. The song? \u201cWhat a Wonderful World\u201d \u2026 and it was.<\/p>\n

Speaking of spirituals … it was years ago that a very young<\/em> Web Fleming sang baritone … as a member of the world renowned<\/em> choir from Cleveland, Ohio. It was called, \u201cWings Over Jordan\u201d. The storied history of that great choir\u2019s effect worldwide<\/em> can be found on Wikipedia. There is a link I listed further down below. In the meanwhile here is a page from Web’s copy of his “Wings Songbook” …<\/p>\n

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Here is an excerpt from Wikipedia \u2026<\/p>\n

\u201cWings Over Jordan<\/i> broke the color barrier<\/a> as the first radio program produced and hosted by African-Americans to be nationally broadcast over a network. The program was the first of its kind which was easily accessible to audiences in the Deep South<\/a>, featuring distinguished black church and civic leaders, scholars<\/a> and artists as guest speakers. One of the highest-rated religious radio programs in the United States<\/a>, it also had an international shortwave<\/a> audience on the British Broadcasting Corporation<\/a> (BBC), the Voice of America<\/a> (VOA), and Armed Forces Radio<\/a>. 
\nFor Students … The Uninformed … can learn about \u201cWings\u201d, as they were affectionately called \u2026 go to \u2026<\/p>\n

https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Wings_Over_Jordan_Choir<\/a><\/p>\n

It was during the days prior<\/em> to the turbulent civil rights movements. A<\/em> very young<\/em> Web Fleming saw the struggles and \u2026 for the first time \u2026 he also saw what fame can do. Web said, with his robe on and in good voice (read: BIG voice) \u2026 he was seen and heard \u2026 in a more (shall we say) \u2026 favorable light. Why? The choir<\/em> was graciously received \u2026 for they were world renown<\/em>. How so? Those early radio broadcasts of NEGRO SPIRITUALS were heard all around the world \u2026 as explained above. BTW where did those airwaves originate from? Right near where Web later lived \u2026 in his adopted hometown \u2026 Cleveland, Ohio. (I can NOT imagine what it meant to Web \u2026 to be asked to be a soloist with that Choir \u2026 and at that time!)<\/p>\n

Back to the year ’98 and another jam<\/em> that followed the one where Dennis and Ma met (at  Asian Plaza). The next subsequent night of inspired-playing? It was down home, literally. We hosted them here at home  … with a musicale … I called, “A Salon in Solon”. That’s where musician Dennis introduced BARITONE WEB FLEMING to Ma. Web had just returned home to Cleveland from that above-mentioned tour … to the Far East. (Recall that is why Web was not able to do the booking in Asian Town).<\/p>\n

Ma met Web … who was introduced to her by his honorary Asian name …<\/em> \u201cHAK SAN\u201d. That name loosely translated means \u201cBLACK MOUNTAIN\u201d.  It was the name given to him decades ago … when he was a big star<\/em> … in the FAR EAST. They began speaking<\/em> to one another … then singing<\/em> to one another … in Cantonese and Mandarin! <\/p>\n

Talk about … an Asian fusion … an Eastern feel … a Southern sway. What happened next was quite a sight to behold. Just ask Web\u2019s nephew STAN DAVIS. (Who, by the way is a fine baritone singer himself). The sight to behold? It was pianist-Dennis and Erhuist-Ma … sitting back to back <\/em>… performing spontaneously<\/em> … some original music. They were impromptu but I prompt<\/span>ly recorded it. It was stunning, as I wrote above.<\/p>\n

What happened after Ma and Dennis did their two instrumentals?<\/em> Learning that Baritone Web was a member <\/em>of that famed<\/em> NEGRO CHOIR, \u201cWINGS OVER JORDAN” … made Ma want to hear Web sing. This time she wanted songs from his and Dennis\u2019 repertoire of “Gospel & Negro Spirituals\u201d. Then, after th<\/em>at set<\/em> … the three of them … Ma, Dennis and Web started to do … a set of <\/em><\/span>Blues. <\/em>It was Souful, to say the least. <\/em><\/p>\n

After the Musicale held at home in her honor, Ma shared with Dennis that she\u2019s \u201cconsidered a BIG star\u201d and \u201cperhaps their collaboration-of-creativity might bring official sponsorship for the two of them to tour overseas?\u201d Ma further reasoned that because of her role as a Shanghai Traditional Orchestra Principal<\/strong> and as the Artistic Advisor of the Hong Kong Youth Music Society<\/strong>, she felt she could help co-ordinate a \u201cBLUES IN THE SCHOOL\u201d concert series overseas, too. (Dennis had done such in his hometown state of Ohio). Ma expressed that they could tour, record together again. She paid him a high compliment, \u201cDennis Chandler, you are a world class musician and I think I know one when I see one!\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

Well, hearing her say that of him was … gracious. Learning how to tour there … turned out to be pragmatic. Why? Sadly, at that time … grants from our government’s NEA (National Endowment for the Arts) … got cut. <\/em>That was then. This is now. So if not now … when? Where’s a MacArthur grant writer … when you need one. I’m still waitin’ on one … while I’m writing … all this.\"\"<\/em><\/p>\n

Bill’s personality has been a perennial one. In the the past his popularity earned him some cool accolades. A consummate professional … he always knew how to act. Even in what I would call difficult roles. One role comes to mind here … when he was elected PRESIDENT of IATSE LOCAL 160. He also did duty at IATSE Local 27. So, any song requests from “Tag”. No problem. No “double dog dare” needed. Why? A fellow Union-Bro … never says, ‘No'”. Why do I put it like that? Dennis is a LIFETIME MEMBER of Cleveland Local 4 of AFM … American Federation of Musicians … a former Vice President of the Board of Directors named Emeritus upon retirement. Thus Tag gets to name … any tunes he’d like to hear. <\/p>\n

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Thank you, Dr. Nianfa Tang for hosting … in your home … a salon in Solon, as I like to call … musical gatherings. Yours made that Mid-Autumn Moon Festival night … special. It was appreciated.<\/p>\n

Also appreciated is your involvement with all things, Asian. That Lunar New Year Celebration of ’98 … of 2000, etc. What seemingly serendipitous meeting of minds … and music. Priceless are my memories of Dennis playing with … Ma, Web and Lanny. Thank you.    <\/p>\n

Bears repeating … BILL, I know Hilltop Productions has you working the gigs like the SUNDANCE FILM FESTIVAL. But… ‘tween changeovers \u2026 pause and reflect. So we can send out GOOD VIBES to you. Please know we will be FOREVER GRATEFUL to YOU \u2026 for INTRODUCING US to WEBBY! Stay Healthy. Stay Safe. We love you, Dennis & Liz.\"\"<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

We will never forget you, dear Webby!<\/p>\n

Liz Chandler
\nWebsite Writer      <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

2000 Video … Thank you, Willie Bailey for this Dub. In Celebration … to Honor Web  https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/dennis.chandler.566\/videos\/1384494495841144 Dennis and Another Asian Fusion Friend … Found … Via Tag and Web … What a Wonderful World   The above 2000 Jam at our home … was after those three threaded the boards … the night before. 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