Was on YouTube (searching for the documentary I still haven’t finished) when I arrived at a link to my relative Neal Creque, jazz performer. Here’s what the wikipedia article on Neal Creque has to say:

Neal Creque (1940-2000) whose real name is Earl Neal Creque was an American jazz composer, born April 13, 1940 and originally from the Virgin Islands; he was based in the Cleveland area up until his death. ^[1]

He also composed music with Mongo Santamaria including the grammy nominated song Sofrito which was sampled by Jennifer Lopez on the album J.Lo.

He was a sought after session musician and his credits include Stanley Turrentine, Theresa Brewer, Leon Thomas, Grant Green, Harold Ousley, Bernard Purdie, and Eddie “Cleanhead” Vinson.

I met him once when I was little, according to my mother, but unfortunately I don’t remember.  I really enjoy his music though, it has this funk, jazz and latin fusion that I’m really digging.  Here’s the video/song I was listening to on YouTube!

DJ AM (R.I.P.) doing a brief Serato demonstration. Mix is pretty tight. Still have fantasies of buying Serato and having a set-up in my future house just for my own enjoyment. Until then I will be using Djay, which is still a pretty impressive program that works without external hardware (digital vinyls, turntables, etc).

DJ AM passed away in 2009, but I was re-introduced to him actually while playing DJ Hero. Wish I knew more about him (and even had a chance to see him before) before his sudden death.

One of my favorite movies growing up. Trailer is kind of cool too.

Just recently re-watched Strictly Business because it was on my NetFlix Instant. Not only is Samuel L. Jackson in this movie, but almost 20 years later, I can watch it with a more adult eye and see that the film still holds up.

The movie is entertaining and has something to say about being an African-American in the corporate sphere. I also liked the way the film dealt with expectations and stereotypes present in the interpersonal relationships of the African-American in the film.

I can honestly say that I want to make movies like this.

I’ve been spending this winter break finishing up projects from 2009 (I have a handful that need to be closed out), watching movies (for research), and writing scripts that I’m going to shoot in 2010.

Finally got the website close to where I want it: You can check out an early version at www.crequevision.com/index-4.html (not much there now, but it’s taking some time – I’m slower at getting to this then I thought).

Stay tuned.

I don’t believe in resolutions (Happy New Years) so I’m not going to say that I will post here more for the New Year, but I will say that it is a part of the plan to post more to the blog in general (2010 and beyond)…

Talk soon,
Neil

Farm in North Carolina

Since school started on August 24th, it’s been grinding to complete Butterscotch.  Butterscotch is a short film in which a bum gets over his recent break-up with a materialistic girlfriend.

We are expected to picture lock on Thursday – Sept. 24th and then we are required to have a completed picture by Oct. 5th.

It’s exciting times… check for updates.