SGN Page 21

Dont rain on his Pride parade

Dont rain on his Pride parade
Grammy nominated jazz artist Andy Bey talks to the SGNabout his music, HIV status and why coming out is so important by Albert Rodriguez - SGN A&E Writer At 60-plus years of age, Andy Bey isnt letting anything slow him down. And why should he? The artist, who began his career five decades ago singing alongside such jazz luminaries as Lena Horne and Dinah Washington, is clearly at the top of his game. Last years well-received American Song earned Bey his first Grammy nomination and was featured on year-end best-of lists by BET, Village Voice and Jazz Times. Thats not all. The Jazz Journalists Association honored him with the Male Vocalist of 2004 award, a symbol of deep respect from the music press, aside from that of his own peers. Bey performs at Dimitrious Jazz Alley on June 28-29 with veteran guitarist Paul Meyers. Visit www.jazzalley.com for times and ticket prices, and to make reservations. He is scheduled to join Cyndi Lauper, Fred Hersch, Billy Porter and John Tartaglia later this month for The Lincoln Centers True Colors concert, as part of New Yorks Gay Pride festivities. From his apartment in the Big Apple, Bey spoke recently to the Seattle Gay News about his music, being HIV-positive and why its so important to come out. Talking slowly with carefully selected words, I was marveled by his wisdom, courage, sincerity and openness. This is a man that needs not only to be admired by the Gay community for his contributions to jazz music, but for leading by example as well. Heres what Andy Bey had to say when he stepped into The Music Lounge. Albert Rodriguez: How do you like performing in Seattle? Any special memories of being in this city? Andy Bey: Its a very musical town. You seem to be very much into music. Ive only been there short periods of time. Rodriguez: Take us back to the morning of the Grammy nominations when you were recognized for your album American Song. What was that like? Bey: I felt very good about it. There were some very talented nominees. I felt very pleased that it happened. We were invited to go out and be a part of the ceremony and catch all the different shows. It was interesting seeing all these diverse talents in the business and meeting other artists. Rodriguez: You came out publicly in the early 90s when Gay artists were seldom heard of and mainstream media had yet to make it a novelty. Bey: I just think it was important to come out for my own sanity so I wouldnt feel like I was hiding. I think its important for anyone to eventually come out and deal with it. If youre holding onto something, a secret, you have to deal with the possibility of being caught. I think when everybody knows, you can separate the real from the unreal and go on with your life. Rodriguez: Are the circumstances different these days, so that it wouldve been easier for you to come out now instead of then? Bey: Its beneficial. Im not saying that Id want to go out and become HIV-positive. But I think sometimes suffering can transform your life into something nobly. It makes you stronger. You use it to grow, rather than to be defeated. Some people can become very bitter by pain. Everyone has to deal with pain at some point in their life. But the main thing is to grow from that and use it to transform our lives into something better. Rodriguez: But is the transition easier now for artists to come out? Bey: Its never going to be easier. Had I not become HIV-positive, maybe it would have been a different story. Sometimes it takes some devasting pain to transform you. I knew that I had to survive and I wasnt just going to lay down and die. I had something to live for. I didnt plan to come out. Someone was interviewing me and we were talking like were talking now, and it just sort of happened. Certain people in the business knew anyway. So it wasnt like this big secret. But when I became positive, it became even more important for me to liberate myself if I was going to try and stay focused on other things, like my music. Rodriguez: Is there any special way you celebrate Gay Pride? Bey: I dont really celebrate Pride to be honest. (laughs slightly) Rodriguez: You dont go to the New York parade or participate in any of the festivities coinciding with Gay Pride? Bey: Im not a person that goes out marching. I just try to set the best example I can set. I have the same missions everybody else has. I m going to do this thing at Lincoln Center that is about Gay Pride with Fred Hersch and a few other artists. If they need me, Im always there. I always try to make myself available. Rodriguez: How do you feel about the acceptance of Gay culture in our society in the year 2005? Bey: Its come a long way. Look at television, theatre, Broadway and look at all the great situations where Gay people are involved and have made a difference. But theres still this thing going on where its unacceptable, in terms of politics. We have to remember that God loves us in spite of this. Whether were an achiever, whether were black, straight, white, Gay, Lesbian, brown, purple. God doesnt pick sides. Rodriguez: God is love. Bey: And love is not that mushy thing people think it is. Its being there for somebody. Being respectful to somebody. Its holding the door for somebody. Simple things. Rodriguez: How true. Maybe well use that as our mantra for Gay Pride. Thank you so much for talking with us this morning. Your CD is remarkable. We look forward to seeing you at the Jazz Alley! Bey: Thank you. Im looking forward to being there.