Cecelia Gross

dearest cece, it is long years without you, and still empty. i wish i had known of your illness. i would have come to see you and continue our conversations about w.e.b. du bois, ellison, wright, imamu baraka, ellington, coltrane, and so many others. your brilliance and knowledge of history, literature, music, arts, and politics, and in particular, african american history and culture, opened me to a world i never knew but have since treasured. you always lifted me up with your open...

dear cece, while time has passed since you left, nothing will diminish the impact you had and still have on those lucky enough to have known you. you lived and taught with brilliance, deep insight, and with an unconditional love of ideas, history, the arts, people, and goodness. you were and remain a light in my life, and i will keep you with me always. my heart is with you forever, my dearest soulmate. royal

dearest cece, it is now 7 years since you left us, but you lift my life and music. you gave me a real sense of the history, literature, and meaning in african american culture and its deep expressions in the arts. you were brilliant in every field you taught, one of the most accomplished sensitive people i have ever experienced. i only wish i had known. i keep your smile, your heart, and your spirit with me each day. you are in my music always, love, royal

dear cece, you opened thousands of students and people to a higher consciousness about history, literature, and for me, african and african american culture, musical history, and meaning,. no amount of time will change your presence in my life, my music, and my heart.

i only wish i could have been with you over the last years.

you helped me on my journey in music performance, teaching world music, and life.

i was lucky to have known you and will never leave you, nor you...

When the dance of life is over the spirit lives on to reveal the essence of truth.

BB

When the dance of life is over the spirit lives on to reveal the essence of truth.

Cece

I will always remember the wonderful memories that we made together.

Reggie

dearest cece,

you are with us always in music and dance, in thought and action, in life and visions, in my heart, in spirit and music

royal

i was a close friend of cece's in the late 1970s and early 1980s in the berkshires in western massachusetts. i lost connections with her over the years and only found out today that she had passed. i wish i could have been with her over the years and will miss her deeply. cece was brilliant and i enjoyed our discussions and learning about history, culture, and politics. she always had a smile and humanity about her, no matter the circumstance. she gave me a smile that i will never lose. i...