Hosea Plays On by Kathleen Blasi

 Hosea Plays On is a beautiful story about a musician and community activist who lived in Rochester, NY. The author’s note at the end gives a full description of who Hosea was. In a gentle and loving way, Blasi teaches kids the value of community, and of recognizing some of the people who live near you, and are an integral part of your community in ways you might not otherwise realize. There are people like this in my own community, whose names I don’t know, but whose faces were familiar to me and my children, and who always extended us greetings: the man who planted all the extraordinary seasonal flowers on Pearl Street (and who once gave me a hug when I needed it most); the Jamaican immigrant who squeezes himself into a tiny box, contorting himself in ways that seem impossible; the long-bearded balloon man who we once invited to perform at a birthday party. These are people my kids grew up seeing regularly, and whose faces we would miss. 

The book also teaches the great value of music and of generosity. Hosea, who doesn’t appear to possess a lot of material goods, donates an instrument he purchases with money earned from street performances to a young boy who looks up to him. Blasi teaches young children (and adults!) about the individual legacies we leave on after we pass, about memory, and about the lingering value of relationships. This is truly a tribute book. Like Hosea, the author also lives in upstate New York, and writes about what she calls “every day heroes.” This is her first picture book. For more information about Kathleen Blasi, please visit her website. 

The history of Blacks and music in America is immense. From gospel to jazz to blues to rock & roll, the contributions of Blacks are definitive. Hosea plays many instruments, including the sax and the trumpet. Reading this book provides an opportunity to introduce younger children to music by some of the great musical artists, including B.B. King, Bessie Smith, Billie Holiday, Charlie Parker, Dizzy Gillespie, Duke Ellington, Ella Fitzgerald, John Coltrane, Josephine Baker, Louis Armstrong, Ma Rainey, Miles Davis, Nina Simone, Sarah Vaughn, Sonny Rollins, and Wynton Marsalis, to name just a very, very few. Please visit the following links for a taste of some of this music. Enjoy!!

B.B. King (animated interview with music)

Bessie Smith (interview with Bonnie Raitt & other musicians of her impact on them – more for parents)

Charlie Parker (children’s story introducing Charlie Parker & Be Bop – wait for the music!)

Dizzy Gillespie (interview about Be Bop & Gillespie playing; and this B&W video of him playing)

Duke Ellington (mini-biography; more for parents than kids, & B&W video of “It Don’t Mean a Thing”)

Ella Fitzgerald (singing “Dreams Are Made For Children”) and this brand new animated version of “Taking a Chance on Love”

John Coltrane (introduction for kids via art & videos)

Josephine Baker (preview of children’s book)

Louis Armstrong (animated version of “What a wonderful world”)

Miles Davis (cartoon intro. to Miles Davis & kids’ encyclopedia entry)

Nina Simone (children’s songs; I wish someone had played me this!)

Sonny Rollins (from the Kids’ Encyclopedia – some good pics! & live performance. He turned 90 on September 7, 2020!)

Wynton Marsalis (this whole album looks great!)

… and one more funky one, just for fun! Starfish & Coffee by Prince (with the Muppets), one of my husband’s favorites! Per my dear friend and jazz aficionado, Jason: “this is a funky and jazzy pop tune derived from rhythm and blues (which is derived from jazz which is derived from blues which is derived from spirituals and work songs which is derived from the rhythms that originated in Africa – which is where all human DNA can be traced!)”

Questions for further discussion:      

o   Who do you know in your community that is a public figure like Hosea? 

o   Have you ever talked to him/ her? 

o   How often do you pay attention to the people who you routinely see in your community spaces?

o   Has Covid-19 changed your interactions with people like this in your communities? 

o   Do you think Hosea was lonely? Or do you think he felt cared for by the people who listened to him play music?

A few more children’s books on music:

Berman, Kathleen Cornell. Birth of the Cool: How Jazz Great Miles Davis Found His Sound

Biere-Haquet, Alice. Nina: Jazz Legend and Civil Rights Activist

Russell-Brown, Katheryn. A Voice Named Aretha

Schroeder, Alan. Satchmo’s Blues

Weatherford, Carole Boston. Before John Was a Jazz Giant: A Song of John Coltrane