It’s not often that you combine the words radical activist and composer to describe someone.
But that was Fred Ho, reports the New York Times.
Ho fought a courageous fight against cancer, dying yesterday at the age of 56.
He was not afraid of death.
He dreamed that one day his music would spark revolution.
Ho was born in Palo Alto, California on August 10, 1957.
The self taught musician made quite a name for himself, receiving grants and support from New York City, the Public Theater, the Kitchen and the Brooklyn Academy of Music.
He described himself as a “revolutionary matriarchal socialist and aspiring Luddite.”
Ho was greatly influenced by the Black Arts movement of the 60’s. His music combined jazz with opera and Afro-Asian culture.
Prior to his death, he recorded a fascinating interview with the New York Times which you can see below.
