Special Guest Artist
Victor Orlando
Inner City Cultural Center II Presents Gil Scott-Heron Bluesology...
Gil Scott-Heron Bluesology shares the life and music of the man Melody Maker called "The Most Dangerous Musician Alive" and many dubbed the forefather of rap music. Created by Tuesday Conner and Directed by Phylliss Bailey Brooks, Gil Scott-Heron Bluesology is an extraordinary theatrical experience with a fierce band of spoken word artists and musicians spittin’ fire and blazin’ stages with the legends daughter, Gia Scott-Heron and Special Guests Artists Father Amde Hamilton of The Watts Prophets with Victor Orlando of The Gap Band on percussion.
Gil Scott-Heron (1949 – 2011) was a civil rights activist, musician and author known throughout the world for his work. His gift of taking the daily news and turning it into social satire filled with truth, and attaching rhythms that were in themselves thought-provoking was part of his genius. Gil professed to be a "BLUESOLOGIST" because his music was jazz and blues and his spoken word reflects the turbulence and uncertainty of our times with a satirical edge told in the tradition of oral poetry and storytelling. In 2012, posthumously Gil Scott-Heron finally received a Grammy for "Lifetime Achievement Award". In 2021 Gil Scott-Heron was inducted posthumously into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame as a recipient of the "Early Influence Award". Gil Scott-Heron Bluesology encompasses his creativity from 1970 to 2010.
Woven between the timeless words of Gil Scott-Heron, this electrifying cast weave their own personal poetic journeys into the story and ignite a rip roaring fire. The ensemble includes the creator of Gil Scott-Heron Bluesology and Poets Jazz House Tuesday Conner; Conney Williams of the World Stage; Yawo Watts of Oralgasm; Lorenzo Frank from S.W.A.A.M.; ArtUs Mansoir a Multi–Talented Entertainer and the ORACLE aka Denise Lyles-Cook.
What started as a one-night-only event for Black History Month in 2023 took on a life form of it's own. Initially co-directed by International Award Winning Filmmakers and sisters Tuesday and Lynne Conner, Gil Scott-Heron Bluesology stood above 400 shows at the Hollywood Fringe Festival 2024. Gil Scot-Heron Bluesology won the International Fringe Festival Encore Series Award. This launched them into a month long theatrical run celebrating Black History Off-Broadway at the SoHo Playhouse in New York City 2025. The decision to elevate the show for a New York audience and entrust the direction of the production to director, Phylliss Bailey Brooks resulted in igniting the fire higher. Gil Scott-Heron Bluesology is not just a performance, it's an experience.
You'll hear his words again, you'll cry and you'll laugh and your heart light will glow, you'll fight back some tears, you'll sing, you'll know lyrics you haven't heard in a long while and you'll learn about the man...the icon, the legend, Gil Scott-Heron.
Special Guest Artist
Father Amde Hamilton
This is us...and those that believe in us
The Director...
Phylliss Bailey Brooks
Actress | Entertainer | Producer
She is a passionate teaching artist for Dream A World, Inc. and for over 30 years she has been able to work on-set with some of tv’s most renowned producers, directors, writers, and the most talented crews in the industry.
An Inner City Cultural Center Alumnus.
Singer | Rapper | Poetess | Event Hostess | Producer
Gia Scott-Heron, daughter of the legendary poet Gil Scott-Heron is affectionately known as Miss Gia is an award-winning essayist, slam poet, spoken word, and recording artist. She has been interviewed and featured in numerous publications, including the Los Angeles Times' Entertainment section and various radio stations. Gia writes and performs poetry in honor of her father’s legacy. Her recent release is entitled “The Difference” and is available on iTunes and CdBaby.com.
Writer | Producer
Costume Designer by Trade, Writer at Heart, Tuesday steps out on a limb and directs her first short film “Young & Na!ve”. Immediately Tuesday becomes an International Award Winning Writer and Filmmaker. Her intensity as a Fashion Designer catches on fire as a Writer. Tuesday is the Founder of Poet’s Jazz House and Inner City Cultural Center II. She began to produce events at the age of seventeen at the Foxx Follies Theatre. Tuesday, like her predecessor C. Bernard Jackson is dedicated to providing artists a space to learn and grow and a place to perform and sell their art.
This freelance multimedia powerhouse producer's creative vision has a long track record of successfully guiding a wide variety of projects from development to completion. From live stage productions and films to International Award Winning theatrical experiences and Short Films. Tuesday soars on the wings of the angels who taught her. Tuesday was privileged to costume Broadway shows, Film, Recording Artist, Television and Tours around the world; from Mr T. to Eric Roberts and Chaka…Chaka Khan. Tuesday produced one of the hottest comedy clubs in The Valley and one of the coolest poetry lounges in the country, says CBS and BackstageWest. She plans to take Gil Scott-Heron Bluesology around the world. Tuesday Conner is an Inner City Cultural Center Alumnus.
Percussionist | Producer | Composer
VictorOrlando.com
Victor Orlando's passion for music brought him to Los Angeles over 45 years ago from Dallas, Texas. He's been performing professionally for 48 years and counting. Considered the “percussionist to the stars”, Victor Orlando is a Grammy nominated musician, songwriter, actor, comedian, writer, producer and director. Victor has recorded and performed with The Gap Band, Buddy Miles, Billy Preston, Yarbrough and Peoples, Billy Preston and LL Cool J. Victor has been seen in numerous television programs and first run films. Victor Orlando’s Grammy-nominated CD - N Da House brought him his long-deserved acclaim.
Victor is always at work creating music and performing live around Los Angeles and the World. Mr Orlando is always out sharing his music and building harmony in his community. In 2013 at the 23rd Annual LA Music Awards Mr. Orlando was honored with the Hollywood FAME Award – Lifetime Achievement Percussionist.
Poets Jazz House
...just somewhere to go in the midst of searching your soul.
International Award Winning Director & Producer
Original director of GIL SCOTT-HERON BLUESOLOGY, Lynne has directed five of her sister Tuesday's productions since March 28th, 2025 at the Willie Agee Playhouse. Their tribute to Gil Scott-Heron won the International Fringe Encore Series Award. Lynne also produced Tuesday's film, "YOUNG & NA!VE" an apology to every child ever sexually molested; it won thirty six awards from around the world.
Recently Lynne booked a Pharmaceutical Commercial in San Francisco. She is in the film by Van Elder KINGS OF L.A. streaming on Roku and in YOUNG, WILD, FREE directed by Thembi Banks which Premiered at the Sundance Film Festival. Her goal is to continue soaring, healing and telling the truth as an actress and director. Check out the YouTube series M.A.D. (Mom’s A Diva) by Paris Nicole. Lynne directed and produced her own short film, RAISING KINGS. Lynne was an actress and producer on THE DRAGONFLY TALE by Lorey Hayes and it's winning awards across the country. Lynne has been in theatre and theatre companies since 1976 and includes the Black Creators Collective presenting live theatre throughout L.A. Lynne is an Inner City Cultural Center Alumnus.
