I have been thinking about the passing of Roberta Flack and Roy Ayers quite a lot lately. Both artists filled my home and my heart with melodies that seemed to bring me closer to understanding myself and my place in this convoluted world. Both artists represented a type of blackness that explored unbridled joys and pains as they exhibited unparalleled talents on their respective instruments. We are better as a people having listened to their music and to lose two greats in such a short span of time gives me pause.
When I lost my grandparents almost twenty years ago, I was consumed with a type of sadness I could not put into words. The overwhelming wave of grief was something I had never experienced and I wondered if my heart might break from the weight of it all. As I spoke to people in order to find guidance on my grief journey I will never forget some wise words imparted to me, “To love is to feel a constant sense of loss.”
It took me years to fully understand that statement, but as I get older and experience so many dynamic friendships and begin to truly appreciate the artistry and genius of those like Roberta Flack and Roy Ayers, I understand now what a blessing it is to know love, to feel love, and to give love in return. These artists gave us so much. They gave of themselves for decades to adoring fans. They played the piano or the xylophone and transported us to places in our hearts that we sometimes didn’t know existed.
I met Roberta Flack briefly in 2002 at the Lisbon airport and shared some of my chicken nuggets with her after a long flight delay. She was as magical and gracious and warm as one might imagine. I was lucky enough to see Roy Ayers in concert at a smallish venue in New York City in 2023 as he performed with GZA and Big Daddy Kane. Yes you read that correctly. It was pure perfection seeing this multigenerational trio of talented Black men on stage, each masters of their respective crafts. I feel blessed to have been in the presence of Black brilliance.
So as I process the passing of these two musical giants and brace myself for this new phase in life where artists who have been in my life for decades become our ancestors, I must remain steadfast in my gratitude. To experience greatness and love these talents is to tap into what life is all about.
So how do we best honor these giants? I for one am introducing my students and younger generations to the genius of their music. The intricacy of the melodies of the simplicity and bliss in some lyrics and the pain and protest in others. We can keep their legacies alive by enjoying their music and refusing to put them on the shelves. We must celebrate their efforts, their hard work, and their creative talents and sacrifices — and we must never forget the love they poured into their music and into us.
Christina Greer is an Associate Professor of Political Science at Fordham University. She is the author of the new book, “How to Build a Democracy: From Fannie Lou Hamer and Barbara Jordan to Stacey Abrams.” She is also the cohost of the NYC centered podcast FAQ.Nyc.