Keith Snipes’ Powerful New Recording Is A Call For Social Justice
[Photo courtesy of Keith Snipes]
Keith Snipes is one of my favorite singers in Baltimore. His singing reflects his roots in theatre. He always presents his songs in dramatic form, as an actor delivers a monologue. He has a resonant voice that conveys powerful emotions ranging from love to outrage. And his lyrics usually convey hope for freedom and a just world. Songs are his way of making the world a better place. As I said in a previous profile of him, “music is his ministry.”
So I’m delighted that he has released a new single called “The Least of These.” The title is from the New Testament (Matthew 25:40), in which Jesus says, “Whatever you do unto the least of these, you do the very same to me.” The Biblical verse and Snipes’ song are calls to care for those less fortunate, those in need of a caring, helping hand. It is a call for justice and equality—a profound political message particularly at this moment in history when the very rich are intent on taking social benefits away from people in need.
The song begins, “There’s a little girl trying to read in a room that has no heat. There’s a little boy with no toys and nothing at all to eat. There’s a father with a plan, but no one understands his plight. There’s a mother who’s likely to cry herself to sleep tonight.” These are the least of us, and Snipes’ song is a powerful call to care for them—a call conveyed not only by his lyrics but also in the poignant emotion that comes through his voice.
This song is a great example of the deep connection that often exists between jazz and social consciousness and of the potential of jazz to reach a transcendent reality.
On this recording Snipes is backed up by several of Baltimore’s best jazz musicians—Tim Green on saxophone, William McMillan on piano, Obasi Akoto on bass, and Lee Pearson on drums and percussion. Their backing captures the somber and urgent mood of the song. And Tim Green plays a lovely, brief solo leading into Snipes’ second rendition of the song.
This is a remarkable recording, which you can find on his website (keithsnipes.com), on Spotify, and other music platforms. I urge you to listen to it and let yourself feel the emotional, moral, and political depth of it. And I for one am looking forward to future recordings from this very powerful singer.
–By Michael Friedman
Michael Friedman is a retired social worker and social advocate who is also a semi-professional jazz pianist and photographer; his photographs of jazz artists are on permanent display at Keystone Korner in Baltimore. He plays keyboard in a trio on the second Wednesday of the month at Benny’s in Little Italy. He writes regularly for the Baltimore Jazz Alliance newsletter. www.michaelbfriedman.com
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