Nashua resident Rawn Spearman (1920-2009) was a long-standing student of Harlem renaissance poet Langston Hughes. The actor and baritone singer, spent time at MacDowell Colony working on a documentary about Hughes. And in 2001 was awarded the Lotte Jacobi Living Treasure Award by Gov. Shaheen.
In 1997, he organized a performance of Ask Your Mama, 12 Moods for Jazz, Hughes epic poem, designed to be performed with music. Spearman's performance at the Capital Center for the Arts sold out.
Spearman came to the NHPR studios to speak with Perspectives host Laura Kiernan about Hughes life and work, and about the upcoming performance.
Spearman recites Hughes poem Jazzonia.
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Jazzonia, by Langston Hughes
Spearman recites Hughes poem Note on a Commercial Theatre.
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Note on a Commercial Theatre, by Langston Hughes.
