By Clifford L. Williams,
Globe City Editor

After receiving her award as a “Sister of Fire” from the Women of Color’s Resource Center (WCRC) on Sunday night at Oakland’s Scottish Rite Temple, musician and cultural historian Linda Tillery gave the audience a sampling of what one should look for when listening to gospel music.
   “If you hear someone sing an old spiritual reminiscent of the songs from the movie Cabin in the Sky, hit ’em,” she said. “True traditional spirituals come from the heart and soul of a person where you reach deep down and bring out that spirit.”
    Tillery proceeded to sing a rhythmic “soulful-spiritual” that soon had audience membersclapping, tapping and swaying from side to side.
    Tillery’s performance occurred at the ninth annual Sister of Fire Awards, at which California State Assemblywoman Karen Bass, poet and spoken word artist Ishle Yi Park and representatives from California Latinas for Reproductive Justice and the Service Women Action Network were also recognized for their achievements in providing exemplary leadership in community organizing, political advocacy, the arts and social analysis.
    The ceremony also celebrated the leadership of WCRC’s longtime executive director, Linda Burnham, who is leaving to pursue other opportunities. The event was emceed by fellow Sister of Fire recipient Angela Davis.
    Once dubbed the “Diva of the African Diaspora,” San Francisco native Tillery started a musical movement in the early 1990s with her groundbreaking Cultural Heritage Choir.
    An accomplished vocalist since the 1960s, Tillery was first introduced to field recordings of traditional African American music while singing for a play in 1992. Her subsequent ethnomusicological research uncovered a treasure-trove of spirituals, work songs, field hollers and slave songs and formed the basis of the choir’s repertoire. Tillery has dedicated the past 17 years to the research, teaching and performance of African American vernacular music.
    Her powerful alto has been showcased in the Zazu Pitts Memorial Orchestra, Bobby McFerrin’s Voicestra and on over 100 recordings by diverse artists such as Santana, Boz Skaggs, Kenny Loggins, Sheila E., Holy Near, John Santos, Vicky Randle, the Whispers and the Turtle Island String Quartet.
    When asked how the younger generation feels about her music, Tillery spoke highly of their contributions to African American music. “I thank the young people who have created their own musical culture,” she said. “There’s so much more under the sun. We have a responsibility to each other to be supportive of what we each create. … I also try to educate young people about where we come from and the roots of our musical legacy.”
    Regarding her Sister of Fire Award, Tillery said, “It’s always a great feeling when you’re recognized by your community. No one wants to feel they’ve been working for years and haven’t been recognized. I feel very proud to be in the company of the other awardees. It gives me courage and a desire to keep on working.”

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