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notapradagurl7 · 7 months ago

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Hi 👋 🥰 can you do and Orlando Johnson x reader?

Reader and Lando have been dating for a while and things are great. When she first came to the college and became friends with the crew (Simone,J.R.,etc) they all welcomed her with open arms the catch is no one ever told her the history that Lando and Simone share.

Simone and Lando never mentioned it and it never was discussed it front of her so she never knew about their once upon a time, until she sees something that makes her question everything. (Maybe Simone and lando bump into each and have a lingering gaze and almost kiss by mistake or something and reader goes asking around idk 🤷‍♀️)

She’s left wondering if Orlando and Simone might still have lingering feelings (they don’t in here) but she’s still needs some reassurance 😍😌😈from Lando.

Is It True?

Black Fem! Reader x Orlando Johnson.

Summary: See Ask, You’ve been dating Lando for a while now but what hasn't been mentioned to you was his past with Simone. You questioned Cam and J.R. but you were left wondering if Orlando and Simone might have lingering feelings, they don’t. Orlando is more than certain that he wants you and only you.

Taglist: @megamindsecretlair @hxneyclouds @becauseimswagman1 @miguelspvssy @liatreads @satoruya @life-in-the-slut-house @galaxybam2 @babybratzmaraj @nahimjustfeelingit-writes @sweettea-and-honeybutter @lavnderluv @soft-persephone @theblacklewinsky

Word Count: 22,39k

A/N: Happy holidays, don't forget to leave a like, a comment and reblog to support, don't to ask for a request as well. To all those ghost readers, can you please leave a comment or reblog, I work hard on these fics, damn😭

Warnings: +18, the reader being stressed out a bit, almost emotional cheating, secrets in friend group, dirty talk, oral(fem receiving), fingering, reassurance from Orlando, mention of Simone and Orlando’s past relationship, mention of burnout, praise, anxiety, angst.

————-

The sound of the bell rang through the classroom, causing you to yawn in exhaustion. You couldn't wait to go back to your dorm and sleep for the upcoming break that you needed.

Standing up from the chair, slinging your bag over your shoulder and bid a farewell to your favorite professor with a smile. “Bye Professor Lewis,”

The black woman with deep mocha brown skin smiled back at you, waving back, her locs tied back in a ponytail dressed in her orange sweater, black pants and shoes on her feet. “Goodbye Y/N, have an amazing break!”

Your melanated skin shines beautifully, your black and blonde dreadlocks tied back in a ponytail and swayed gracefully. Dressed in a gray turtle neck sweater and black pants, comfortable black boots on your feet, preparing for the cold weather.

You hurried your way out, and maneuvered through the melanated students with your eyes darting around the hallway until you spotted your boyfriend Orlando. He was standing by the coffee stand with his eyes landing on you.

“Hey beautiful, how was class?” He asked in a warm tone, passing you a mocha latte and kissing your lips.

You leaned in, kissed his lips back sweetly and smiled. “It was good, glad that it's over now, I'm heading back to my dorm so I can sleep okay?” you said, your tone warm yet sleepy a bit.

Orlando nodded with that smile of his, “I'll see you there in a few okay baby?” he replied in a tone of urgent yet gentle.

“Okay, I'll see your fine ass later, bye handsome,” You smiled, a warmth fluttered through your chest.

You and Orlando had been dating for a while for now, damn near close to six months of your relationship. Everything was going great.

When you first came to Bringston University, becoming fast friends with Simone, J.R., and Cam and they all welcomed you with open arms.

However, the twist was that no one ever mentioned the history that Lando and Simone had together. Simone and Lando never brought it up, and it was never talked about in your presence, so you were unaware of their past.

Heading off toward the hallways, you finally made it to your dorm and unlocked your door, a sigh of relief left your lips. Deciding to take a shower first, changing into a black tee shirt, a hoodie, sweatpants and some Nike slides with socks on your feet.

Your dreadlocks hung in front of your face, laying your head on the pillow as you fell into a peaceful sleep, and putting your phone on the charger.

After an hour, you awaken in your sleep and hear a knock on the door, it isn't your door though. You pulled your phone away from the charger, hearing voices from your creaked door. It was Simone and Lando.

“What the hell?” you mumbled with a soft groan, standing up from your bed. Sliding on your slides.

You tip-toed toward your door, wondering why they were talking to each other when Orlando was supposed to meet you at your dorm.

You had a gut feeling that something wasn't right, from the way they looked at each other, and their conversations.

What if Lando and Simone must have been still longing for each other’s touch?

While you were left alone in the past to be thrown away from Lando, as if you weren't important.

Shouldn't your love outweigh Simone’s? Your same lips that touched Lando’s didn't leave a mark for him to remember?

Was this your worst moment to face? Betrayal from your boyfriend and best friend.

Your lips fell into a frown once you saw Simone speaking Orlando in the hallway of the dorms, you backed up a bit to make sure they didn't see you. Simone and Lando resumed to speak and look at each other with that same lingering gaze as if they still yearned for each other’s touch.

You mentally planned to not get caught and only listen for a bit.

"Orlando, I just-" Simone's voice drifted through the thin walls, laced with a hint of vulnerability that made your heart race uncomfortably.

"Simone, we talked about this," Orlando replied, his tone firm yet gentle. "It's in the past. I'm with Y/N now, and that's where I want to be."

You pressed your back against the door, your heartbeat loud in your ears. The past? What did that mean for you? The words felt like daggers, each one piercing through your confidence, unraveling the bond you thought you shared with Orlando.

"Yeah, I get we have to tell Y/N about our past, she deserves to know, not be kept in the dark," Simone countered, her voice wavering slightly.

"I agree, I already feel bad enough that it’s kept a secret, stop it." Orlando's voice softened, a note of pleading creeping in.

"You know I care about you, but it's different now. Y/N is my present and my future."

You ran off quickly and went out of your dorm with a heart that stung, determined to get the answers that you needed. One specific friend popped up in your head which was J.R. and Cam since they lived next to each other in the dorms.

They were honest with you, which you appreciated from them, you knocked on the door timidly and heard a voice, the door creaked open, revealing J.R. who opened it with a smile.

Your heart heavy with the weight of uncertainty, the room filled of muffled music and laughter. But as soon as they saw you, the laughter faded into a silence.

“What’s up Y/N? What’s wrong?” Cam asked you, his brows raised.

J.R. looked up from his phone, concern etched on his face. “Yeah, you good? You know you can talk to us,”

You took a deep breath, feeling the lump in your throat tighten. “Does Orlando have a past with Simone?” you asked them.

“They do, what happened?” Cam asked again, his lips fell into a frown at your sadness.

“Yes, I overheard Orlando and Simone talking near her dorm, it felt like there was still something between them, I had a gut feeling, guys,” You confessed, pouting your lip.

Cam moved closer and wrapped an arm around your shoulder with care, “Orlando does care about you but it's understandable to feel this way, that history is too complicated,”

“Yeah, but what if he still has feelings for her? Am I just a distraction?” You asked them, wiping tears from your eyes again.

“

You swallowed hard, blinking tears as they ran down your face. Emotions swirling but they were valid to feel.

“T-thank you for telling me the truth, but don't you two ever keep secrets from me ever again okay?”

J.R. and Cam placed their hands on their chests, “We promise to be truthful to you, don't ever keep secrets from you,”

“I just wish he would been honest with me from the start

“It doesn't make it right to keep secrets from the people you love, it doesn't protect them, only hurting them, we apologize for everything,” Cam chimed in, bringing you a tissue and you blew your nose.

The young males wrapped their arms around you in a warm, protective embrace. Sniffing softly in their chests, wiping tears away using the tissue. Their faces softened at you.

Just as you turned to leave, the door swung open, and Orlando stepped in, a bright smile on his face that faltered when he saw your expression. "Y/N?

What's going on?"

Glancing back at J.R. and Cam who gave supporting nods, standing by your sides. “Orlando, can we talk please?”

“Of course,” he replied, concren flashing in his eyes. Stepping forward and looked in your eyes.

“I overhead you and Simone talking, I need to know if it’s true, if you still have feelings for her?” You asked him.

“No, I need you to be honest with me, do you still care about her?” You interrupted, your voice trembling with emotion.

“Simone and I had something in the past but it’s just that—a past, what I feel for you is real, and it’s stronger than anything I ever felt for her. I chose you,”

“Then why didn’t you tell me? Why keep it a secret,”

“I didn’t want you to feel like you were competing with someone who isn’t in my life anymore,”

“Am I just a rebound or replacement,”

Orlando stepped closer, “You’re my girl, Y/N. I want to build a future with you, I’m done with the past,”

“Okay, I want to believe you,”

And then you mentioned, “You were supposed to meet me at my dorm,”

Afterwards, you and Orlando arrived back at your dorm room, and he sat down on your desk chair, his eyes still on you in concern. You sat on the edge of your bed with your plush Hello Kitty in your hands, Orlando won it for you at the college amusement fair.

The silence spoke more volume than words ever could, it bothered both of you.

“I'm still pissed off about you, Simone and everyone in our friend group keeping fucking secrets from me,”

Orlando stood up from the chair, and crouched down to your level. Cupping your face in his hands,

“You’re still my girl, I reassure you that I’m yours,”

“How don't you show me then?” you shot back, your boldness showing.

His eyes widened a bit with his lips turned into a sinful smirk, “Oh? So you need more than reassurance from me yeah?” he asked you.

You were still mad at him but you needed his touch, leaning in for a passionate kiss, your tongue slipped into his mouth and his tongue twirled with yours perfectly, you moaned softly. Your hand rubbed over his bulge, His dick hardens in his sweatpants from the friction.

And with that, he took off your leggings alongside your panties while leaving your tee shirt on, you looked the other way until he gripped your chin, forcing you to look into his eyes.

“Eyes on me, baby,”

He ducked his head between your legs, his tongue trailing a wet stripe onto your folds, sucking roughly around your throbbing clit. “Oh..shit, Orlando,” you moaned harshly.

Your faces, moans and his name in between spurred him on, keeping the same steady pace, your folds clung to his fingers, sucking him back in, wetness leaking on his. “See? You can feel it, everything,” he whispered.

His fingers slid between your wet folds, his warm breath against your neck sent chills down your spine. He always made you see galaxies instead of stars. Fuck that, the entire solar system.

Your body responds instinctively, arching towards him with a soft moan escapes your lips, “Just like that,” you mumbled, rolling your hips to the pace of his digits.

“You taste amazing, baby girl,” he murmured, his voice low and soothing.

Orlando..” you breathed, losing yourself in the blissful sensation, lying down on the bed.

You bit your lip, trying to gather the strength to meet his gaze, but the pleasure clouded your thoughts. "I can't..." you whispered, hands balling in the blankets.

“It’s okay, I’m right here,”

His fingers pushed deeper, moving in a ‘come here’ motion, his thumb rolling onto your clit, staying in tune with every heartbeat. “I can't get enough of your pussy grips around me, you’re so beautiful,”

His mouth wrapped around your nipple, his freehand give your other breast attention, pinching it roughly. Keeping his fingers inside of you, that same pace. “You’re my only favorite girl,” he mumbled,

“Shittt!” You cried out, arms wrapped around his neck. Pulling him close, legs trembling in his grip.

You were close to the edge of your climax, the knot in your stomach tightened and was ready to be pulled apart, and your mouth parted wide open. Your essence gushed onto his fingers once again, replacing his fingers with his mouth, swallowing and licking your pussy clean.

There was no way you could leave him, a part of you wanted to but he knew better than to do this again, Orlando reassured you, and showed you that he wanted only you.

As you were still in a daze from your climax, he picked you up in his arms. Carried you gently, running you a hot bath, placing you inside. He kissed your forehead, he changed the sheets on of your bed and carried you with brand new pajamas.

————-

#black!reader #black fanfiction #orlando johnson x reader #all american homecoming #all american #martin bobb semple #lando x black reader #lando johnson x reader #black writer

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free-queer-books · 17 days ago

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Romance Bookworms Stuff Your Kindle Day - June 20th, 2025

An enormous one-day book blast of 1600+ romance books! The link above goes directly to their list of books with LGBTQ protagonists.

The ist of the books sorted by representation is below the read-more, as this is a very long list - 277 books with LGBTQ protagonists by my count! Given the length, I'm listing only the identites that were mentioned on the event page unless I happen to know more about a specific book.

Asexual and acespec characters

One Touch by Linden Rowe - ace representation (Amazon)

Deceiving the Cursed Beast by Jen Lynning - demisexual female character (AmazonJ)

Scars of the Sun by Noelle Upton - demisexual female character

Giles Ashby Needs a Nanny by K. Sterling - demisexual character

An Epic Construct by D.C. Emerson - asexual best friend (Amazon)

Bear characters

More Reason to Stay by Ryder O'Malley (Amazon)

Bisexual and pansexual characters

Double Dare by Jeanne St. James - bisexual (multiple stores)

Upside Down by Liz Gavin - bisexual (multiple stores)

Of Boys and Games by Mona Black - bisexual (multiple stores)

Kiss Me If You Can by Cheryl Terra - bisexual (multiple stores)

Rescuing Krampus by Robin Jo Margaret - bisexual (multiple stores)

Tainted Evidence by Rachel Grant - bisexual (multiple stores)

Her Elysium by Emmy Engberts - bi/pan awakening (multiple stores)

Taking Out the Trash by Zoey Indiana - bisexual (multiple stores)

The Scottish Play by Phoebe Alexander - bisexual heroine (Amazon)

For Keeps by K.C. Everly - bi awakening (Amazon)

Knight of the Hunted by Elizabeth Dunlap - bi awakening (Amazon)

A Match Made in Evan by Anna Sparrows - bi awakening (Amazon)

Oblivion's River by Shoshana Rain - bi4bi (Amazon)

Mazikeen: Hands of Fate by M Pettengill - bisexual character (Amazon)

Unscripted by J.R. Gray - bisexual awakening (Amazon)

Step Daddy by Morticia Knight - bisexual awakening (Amazon)

Sweat Connection by Katherine McIntyre - disaster bi character (Amazon)

Something to Someone by Grace Turner (Amazon)

Becoming a Bi-con by Sarah Zane (Amazon)

The Krakan's Castaway by Cassandra Medcalf - bisexual character (Amazon)

Scars of the Sun by Noelle Upton - pansexual male character (Amazon)

The Heartbreak Show by Jesikah Sundlin - bisexual male character (Amazon)

Giles Ashby Needs a Nanny by K. Sterling - bi rep (Amazon)

Adora by A.D. Ellis - bi awakening (Amazon)

Tastes of Honey by Frances M. Thompson - bisexual character (Amazon)

Like Cracks in the Sidewalk by Sadie Jay - bi romance (Amazon)

Blood on the Ice by Cassandra Featherstone - bisexual characters (Amazon)

Freedom: What are you willing to sacrifice for love? by Cassidy Langue - bisexual (Amazon)

All the Oceans by Polly Emorie - bisexual (Amazon)

Wrapped Up In You by Melody Claire - bisexual (Amazon)

The Bully's Dare by Adora Crooks - bisexual romance (Amazon)

The Arcana Ignited by Anya Clara - bi awakening (Amazon)

The B-Side by B. Harmony - bisexual (Amazon)

Used by Shanon Elliot - bisexual female character, pansexual male character (Amazon)

Play By Heart by Ariella Zoelle - bisexual awakening (Amazon)

Hot Summer's Prey by Latrexa Nova - bisexuals (Amazon)

We Own the Stars by D.J. Russo - bisexual (Amazon)

SoloPlay by Amanda Usen - bisexual female character (Amazon)

Hunting For a Home Base by Adriana Golden - bisexual awakening (Amazon)

A Polar Expedition by Cass O'Shire - bisexual (Amazon)

Misfit Betrayal by Daria Binx - bi awakening (Amazon)

F/F books

Femme Like Her by Fiona Zedde (multiple stores)

Caught With Zeus by Arizona Tape (mulitple stores)

Reign of Secret by L.L. Hunter (multiple stores)

Alchemiya by Katey Hawthorne (multiple stores)

Mer Made by S.T. Lynn (multiple stores)

Her Purrfect Familiar by Pepper McGraw (multiple stores)

Her Elysium by Emmy Engberts (multiple stores)

A Blooming Spring Love by Emily Engberts (multiple stores)

Cursed Slumber by Luna Lockhardt (multiple stores)

Unthaw My Heart by Harmony Noble (Amazon)

Murder by Multiples by Rachel Ford (Amazon)

Level or Live by Miya Kressin (Amazon)

Their Search for Ms. Right by Janet Lee Smith (Amazon)

Becoming a Bi-con by Sarah Zane (Amazon)

Summer Love by Gemma Addison Dove (Amazon)

A Taste of Red by Stephanie Lee (Amazon)

Claimed by Her Bear by Ariel Marie (Amazon)

Infatuations by Barbara Winkes (Amazon)

Little Miss Santa Claws by Beka Westrup (Amazon)

The Paradox of Survival by Anna Lynn Hammar (Amazon)

Her Mortal Champion by Luna Lawson (Amazon)

Freedom: What are you willing to sacrifice for love? by Cassidy Langue (Amazon)

All the Oceans by Polly Emorie (Amazon)

Bitter Winds by Marina Tempest (Amazon)

Off with Her Head by Dana LeeAnn (Amazon)

Maiden Over by Renee Dahlia (Amazon)

My Carmilla by Anita Zara (Amazon)

Tangled Encounters by Madison Nicole (Amazon)

Bean There, Found You by Cameron Tate (Amazon)

Keeping Alessa by Jenna Kent (Amazon)

Mainely Books Club Collection: Books 1-4 by Chelsea M. Cameron (Amazon)

Cursed By Malignant Magic by Jenesis St. Clare (Amazon)

Truly, Madly, Deeply by Claire Dugmore (Amazon)

Lesbian Boss by Kitty Jones (Amazon)

Sigrid & Elyn by Edale Lane (Amazon)

My Valentine's Deception by Giselle Nyte (Amazon)

Candid Camera by HA Blackwood (Amazon)

Virtue by Ida Brady - contains FF, FM, and FMF scenes (Amazon)

Queen of Love by Cynthia Dane & Hildren Billings (Amazon)

The Honeymoon Mix-up by Frankie Fyre (Amazon)

F/M books

Kiss Me If You Can by Cheryl Terra (multiple stores)

Rescuing Krampus by Robin Jo Margaret (multiple stores)

Tainted Evidence by Rachel Grant (multiple stores)

Oblivion's River by Shoshana Rain (Amazon)

Deceiving the Cursed Beast by Jen Lynning (Amazon)

Something to Someone by Grace Turner (Amazon)

The Sneaky Lass by Kennedy Sutton (Amazon)

The Kraken's Castaway by Cassandra Medcalf (Amazon)

Scars of the Sun by Noelle Upton (Amazon)

The Heartbreak Show by Jesikah Sundlin (Amazon)

Diamond Heat by Jess Washoe (Amazon)

Used by Shannon Elliot (Amazon)

Hot Summer's Prey by Latrexa Nova (Amazon)

We Own the Stars by D.J. Russo (Amazon)

SoloPlay by Amanda Usen (Amazon)

A Polar Expedition by Cass O'Shire (Amazon)

Oath Keepers MC: Hybrid Collection by Sapphire Knight - MF, MMF, and MFM stores (Amazon)

Virtue by Ida Brady - contains FF, FM, and FMF scenes (Amazon)

F/NB books

Of Melodies and Maledictions by Maddox Grey (multiple stores)

A Lady's Finder by Edie Cay (multiple stores)

Femme characters

Femme Like Her by Fiona Zedde (multiple stores)

Gay characters

His Coffee Shop Crush by Elle Waters (multiple stores)

A Daddy for Christmas: Brighton by TL Travis (multiple stores)

Blood in the Water by Tami Veldura (multiple stores)

The Dragon Heir's Omega by London Kemaker (multiple stores)

My Omega's Return by Rosa Swann (multiple stores)

One Touch by Linden Rowe - gay awakening (Amazon)

More Reason to Stay by Ryder O'Malley (Amazon)

Wish We Were There by Lionel Hart (Amazon)

Hammering Hearts by Alex Danvers (Amazon)

His Fatal Love by Leighton Greene (Amazon)

Winter and the Wolves by Kinkaid Knight (Amazon)

Prince and Assassin by Tavia Lark (Amazon)

Maximus by Stella Rainbow (Amazon)

Hunted by the Omega by S. Rodman (Amazon)

Rust and Stardust by Atreus Rosewood (Amazon)

Valor on the Move by Keira Andrews (Amazon)

Friendly Skies by Marie Sinclair (Amazon)

Nova's Training by A.D. Young (Amazon)

Throwing Hearts by N.R. Walker (Amazon)

Twisted Villain by Bella Slash (Amazon)

Hollywood Slide by Cyd Sidney (Amazon)

Slapshot To The Heart by Lina George (Amazon)

Mage of the Dragon Prince by Zarina Aston (Amazon)

What You Need by Avril Ashton (Amazon)

Chasing Seth by J.R. Loveless (Amazon)

Vespertine by Leta Blake & Indra Vaughn (Amazon)

Lesbian characters

Her Elysium by Emmy Engberts (multiple stores)

A Blooming Spring Romance by Emily Engberts (multiple stores)

Murder by Multiples by Rachel Ford (Amazon)

Claimed by Her Bear by Ariel Marie (Amazon)

Infatuations by Barbara Winkes (Amazon)

Her Mortal Champion by Luna Lawson (Amazon)

Tastes of Honey by Frances M. Thompson (Amazon)

Freedom: What are you willing to sacrifice for love? by Cassidy Langue (Amazon)

All the Oceans by Polly Emorie (Amazon)

Bitter Winds by Marina Tempest (Amazon)

Keeping Alessa by Jenna Kent (Amazon)

Lesbian Boss by Kitty Jones (Amazon)

My Valentine's Deception by Giselle Nyte (Amazon)

Queen of Love by Cynthia Dane & Hildred Billings (Amazon)

The Honeymoon Mix-up by Frankie Fyre (Amazon)

M/M books

Honey Mead Murder by Dalia Donovan (multiple stores)

Solstice Surprise by Gabbi Grey (multiple stores)

His Coffee Shop Crush by Elle Waters (multiple stores)

Icarus and the Devil by Layla Reyne (multiple stores)

Surrender Love by Kayelle Allen (multiple stores)

Shift Work by TA Moore (multiple stores)

A Daddy for Christmas: Brighton by TL Travis (multiple stores)

Road to a Cowboy by Amy Aislin (multiple stores)

Tough Cute Omega by Eva Lyra (multiple stores)

What Would You Do? by PT Long (multiple stores)

Blood in the Water by Tami Veldura (multiple stores)

The Gentleman and the Spy by Neil S. Placky (multiple stores)

Dante by Stella Shaw (multiple stores)

My Omega's Return by Rosa Swann (multiple stores)

Timeslip by Clare London (multiple stores)

A Knight to Remember by Jackie Keswick (multiple stores)

Detour by Talia Carmichael (multiple stores)

Love by Chance by Blake Allwood (multiple stores)

Storm Warning by Rae Simmons (Amazon)

What He Needs by E.M. Denning (Amazon)

The Sinner's Penance by K.C. Carmine (Amazon)

His Hunter by MM Farmer (Amazon)

Not Strictly Ballroom by Jem Wendell (Amazon)

Unspoken Rules by Penny Fox (Amazon)

A Match Made in Evan by Anna Sparrows (Amazon)

Defending Freedom by T.S. Ankney (Amazon)

Waiting for Daddy by A.W. Scott (Amazon)

Alpha Island by Tia Fielding (Amazon)

Mistaken by Charity Parkerson (Amazon)

Seeking Daddy by Joe Satoria (Amazon)

One Touch by Linden Rowe (Amazon)

You Started It by Hinsel Meyer (Amazon)

Fauxmance in the Falls by J.E. Birk (Amazon)

An Alpha forr Osvaldo by Allie W. Scott (Amazon)

Sunshine and the Vamp by Bailey Grayson (Amazon)

Chasing Magic by Toby Wise (Amazon)

Doc by Abrianna Denae (Amazon)

Saving Ziggy by Alex J. Adams (Amazon)

Model Citizen by Lissa Kasey (Amazon)

More Reason to Stay by Ryder O'Malley (Amazon)

Blu, My Protector by RS McKenzie (Amazon)

Mocha Lattes & Candy Hearts by Peyton Holmes (Amazon)

His Mate by Vengeance by Mel Aitchess (Amazon)

Wrong Number, Right Bear by Lorelei M Heart and Colbie Dunbar (Amazon)

Mad World by Laura Ciociola (Amazon)

Wish We Were There by Lionel Hart (Amazon)

A Daddy for the Chubby Omega by Anna Winehart (Amazon)

Body Count by L Eveland (Amazon)

Weaker Than Instinct by Becca Seymour (Amazon)

Hammering Hearts by Alex Danvers (Amazon)

Unscripted by J.R. Gray (Amazon)

Pumpkin Patch Cutie by Lacey Daize (Amazon)

The Bear's Brave Omega by A.J. Cane (Amazon)

His Fatal Love by Leighton Greene (Amazon)

Step Daddy by Morticia Knight (Amazon)

Sweat Connection by Katherine McIntyre (Amazon)

Breakaway by E.M. Lindsey (Amazon)

The Last Grift by Elle Keaton (Amazon)

Forbidden by Phoenix Black (Amazon)

Pain in the Ice by Arden Stelle (Amazon)

Ancient History by A.J. Truman (Amazon)

Man Crush by Isobel Starling (Amazon)

Redraw Your Hand by CD Rachels (Amazon)

Prince and Assassin by Tavia Lark (Amazon)

A Swan for Christmas by M.M. Wilde (Amazon)

Maximus by Stella Rainbow (Amazon)

The Soldier's Familiar by TJ Nichols (Amazon)

Deviant Legacy by Sophie Dyer (Amazon)

Asher by Louisa Masters (Amazon)

Tooth Fairy Lies by Emma Jaye (Amazon)

Inside the Sandcastle by Megan Linden (Amazon)

Paint Our Song by Maia Kinley (Amazon)

Hunted by the Omega by S. Rodman (Amazon)

Something Unintended by Rory Maxwell (Amazon)

The Incubus's First Real Meal by Riley Rivers (Amazon)

Beyond Reason by Lee McCormick (Amazon)

Praise You by Ashley Rayne (Amazon)

Rust and Stardust by Atreus Rosewood (Amazon)

Wild Heart by Spencer Spears (Amazon)

Taming the Tackle by Rye Cox (Amazon)

Giles Ashby Needs a Nanny by K. Sterling (Amazon)

Life Lessons by Kaje Harper (Amazon)

The Tenor's Shadow by J.B. Warrick (Amazon)

Valor on the Move by Keira Andrews (Amazon)

Adora by A.D. Ellis (Amazon)

Magic Marco by Argentina Ryder (Amazon)

Quill Me Now by Jordan Castillo Price (Amazon)

Like Cracks in the Sidewalk by Sadie Jay (Amazon)

Blood on the Ice by Cassandra Featherstone - tagged as MM, but I think this doesn't involve the POV character (Amazon)

Friendly Skies by Marie Sinclair (Amazon)

Wrapped Up In You by Melody Claire (Amazon)

Faded Dreams by BL Maxwell (Amazon)

Bad Joey by Rhys Everly (Amazon)

Throwing Hearts by N. R. Walker (Amazon)

Room for Love by Quinn Ward (Amazon)

Twisted Villains by Bella Slash (Amazon)

Bring Me Home by Annabeth Albert (Amazon)

Moon by Wendy Rathbone (Amazon)

Summer of You by Joelle Lynne (Amazon)

Hollywood Slide by Cyd Sidney (Amazon)

Slapshot To The Heart by Lina George (Amazon)

The Answer by Piper Scott (Amazon)

Room 405 by Trisha Linde (Amazon)

The Shadows Beyond by TJ Rose (Amazon)

The B-Side by B. Harmony (Amazon)

The Angel's Kiss by Nicholas Bella (Amazon)

Two Thousand Dreams by Jocelynn Drake (Amazon)

Shroom for Improvement by Jemma Croft (Amazon)

Play By Heart by Ariella Zoelle (Amazon)

Mage of the Dragon Prince by Zarina Aston (Amazon)

Lost and Found by Lucy Lennox & Sloane Kennedy (Amazon)

What You Need by Avril Ashton (Amazon)

The Only Way to Live by M.A. Innes (Amazon)

Reborn by Richard Amos (Amazon)

Fated to the Dragon Prince by Silvana Falcon (Amazon)

Omega Shadow by Quin Michaels (Amazon)

The Beauty Within by H.L. Day (Amazon)

Chasing Seth by J.R. Loveless (Amazon)

Once Upon a Dance Club Wish by Jessica E. Subject (Amazon)

Forbidden Devotion by Lee Colgin (Amazon)

Hunting For a Home Base by Adriana Golden (Amazon)

Just A Little Love by Kerry Kilpatrick (Amazon)

Unhinged Titan by E.V. Olsen (Amazon)

Red Hot Fate by Dylan Reece (Amazon)

Lust by Sienna Moreau (Amazon)

Stealing the Silver Fox by Daniel May (Amazon)

Vespertine by Leta Blake & Indra Vaughn (Amazon)

Pitcher Perfect by Lee Blair (Amazon)

The Mobster's Mate by Kiki Clark (Amazon)

Polyamory books

Double Dare by Jeanne St. James - MMF (multiple stores)

Found by Jayne Rylon - MMF (multiple stores)

Valkyrie Condemned by Nixie Jade - why choose (multiple stores)

Upside Down by Liz Gavin - MFF (multiple stores)

Don't Fight It by Samantha Cole - MMF (multiple stores)

Game On by L.E. Eldridge - tagged as M/NBI/F, but I think it's only MF in this novella (multiple stores)

Parisian Ghosts by Janna Ruth - FMM (multiple stores)

Of Boys and Games by Mona Black - reverse harem (multiple stores)

Kiss Me If You Can by Cheryl Terra - polyamory (multiple stores)

Dirge by Lesli Richardson - MMF with MM (multiple stores)

The Dragon Heir's Omega by London Kemaker - MMM (multiple stores)

Stolen Omega by Layal Heart - MMMMFF with MMF and FFM (multiple stores)

Her Escape by Skylar Heart - MMMFM with MM (multiple stores)

Taking Out the Trash by Zoey Indiana - MMMMFFMM (multiple stores)

The Heiress Auction by Evie Croft - why choose (Amazon)

Jordan by Michelle Dare - MMM (Amazon)

Poor Rich Boys by Ally Vance & Yolanda Olson (Amazon)

The Scottish Play by Phoebe Alexander - FFM (Amazon)

A Touch of Royalty by Anita Primrose - poly (Amazon)

For Keeps by K.C. Everly - MMF (Amazon)

Dark Cravings by Darcy Hayes - FFM (Amazon)

Knight of the Hunted by Elizabeth Dunlap - reverse harem (Amazon)

Rise of the Witch by C. Rochelle - why choose with MM (Amazon)

Absentia Mori by M. Violet - heroine ends up with multiple love interests per blurb (Amazon)

A Sanguine Solstice by Alex Le Bruyere - FFM (Amazon)

Doc by Abrianna Denae - M/M with consensual non-monogamy (Amazon)

Chasing Their Bride by Loryn Fox - MMMF with MM (Amazon)

Be My Sinner by A.L. Maruga - MMFM with MM (Amazon)

To Catch a Rook by Cora Flynn - MMMF with MM (Amazon)

Hunter's Moon by Gwyneira Blythe - reverse harem with MM (Amazon)

Hardwick Hall by Jess Savage - MFF (Amazon)

On Death's Door by Miranda May - reverse harem with MM (Amazon)

Our Pretty Little Cupid by Casie Fairbanks - why choose (Amazon)

Winter and the Wolves by Kinkaid Knight - MMM (Amazon)

The Heroes and the Heiress by Kaylee Pike - MMF with MM (Amazon)

Why Not Both? by Kristin Lance - MMF with MM (Amazon)

Comfort of Lies by N. Slater - MMF with MM (Amazon)

Nest of Lies by Tea Ravne - why choose with MM (Amazon)

Rudimentary Distortion by Mila Crawford - MMF (Amazon)

And Omega Makes Four by Aria Grace - MMMM, reverse harem (Amazon)

All the Rage We've Ever Lived by Carlotta Page - likely eventual MMF (Amazon)

Ruined by Teal Rose - FFMMM (Amazon)

Absolved In Death by M. Bonnet - why choose with MM (Amazon)

Orange Lake by Aly Tatum - MMMF with MM (Amazon)

Fortune Fae Academy: Book 1 by J.R. Thorn - why choose with MM (Amazon)

Queenie & the Krakens by Aleera Anaya Ceres - reverse harem with MM (Amazon)

Drown the Sea by Elisha Kemp - reverse harem with MM (Amazon)

Feral Alphas by Sierra Knoxly - MMMMMFM (Amazon)

Tastes of Honey by Fances M. Thompson - FFX (Amazon)

Roommates: A Queer Why Choose Romance - FFFM with FF (Amazon)

The Jekyll and Her Hydes by Sierra Rowan - reverse harem (Amazon)

Pi by Thia Mackin - MMF with MM (Amazon)

Her Fairy Court by Sicara J. Weaver - MMF (Amazon)

Nowhere to hide by Jaye Pratt - likely reverse harem from book blurb (Amazon)

The Truth of Our Secrets by Heather Leighson - MMF (Amazon)

Captured: The Alien Clutch Prequel by D. Dove - MMM (Amazon)

The Bully's Dare by Adora Crooks - MMF (Amazon)

The Arcana Ignited by Anya Clara - likely eventual MMF (Amazon)

Only Orlando by Charlie Novak - MMM (Amazon)

Red is for Roxy by Meg Stratton - MMFFMM (Amazon)

Loving Ladybug, Part One by Jane Handler - MMF (Amazon)

Love on the Ice by Bre Rose - why choose with MM (Amazon)

Packed: Book One: Kol by Aiden Frost - MMMFMM (Amazon)

Son of Sin by M.M. Riott - polyamory (Amazon)

Gambler's Conceit by Adara Wolf & R. Phoenix - MMMM (Amazon)

Carnal Nights by Pinky Cockburn - MMF (Amazon)

Young, Wild, & Three by Amity Malcom - MMF (Amazon)

Final Straw by Cassie Lein - why choose (Amazon)

Trio by Kimber Delaney - MMF (Amazon)

Dirty Little Secrets by KG. Reuss - why choose with MM (Amazon)

Omega Domain by A. Purr - reverse harem with MM (Amazon)

Day of Judgement by Aurora Crane - MMM (Amazon)

Misfit Betrayal by Daria Binx - MMFM (Amazon)

The Midnight Manor by Morgan Blackwell - MMFF (Amazon)

Gemini Kings by Laura Navarre - Reverse harem with MM (Amazon)

Oath Keepers MC: Hybrid Collection by Sapphire Knight - MMF, MFM' and MF (Amazon)

Virtue by Ida Brady - contains FF, FM, and FMF scenes (Amazon)

Sapphic books

Femme Like Her by Fiona Zedde (multiple stores)

Caught With Zeus by Arizona Tape (multiple stores)

A Lady's Finder by Edie Cay (multiple stores)

Reign of Secret by L.L. Hunter (multiple stores)

Alchemiya by Katey Hawthorne (multiple stores)

Her Purrfect Familiar by Pepper McGraw (multiple stores)

Her Elysium by Emmy Engberts (multiple stores)

A Blooming Spring Love by Emily Engberts (multiple stores)

Cursed Slumber by Luna Lockhardt (multiple stores)

Murder by Multiples by Rachel Ford (Amazon)

A Sanguine Solstice by Alex Le Bruyere (Amazon)

Becoming a Bi-Con by Sarah Zane (Amazon)

Summer Love by Gemma Addison Dove (Amazon)

A Taste of Red by Stephanie Lee (Amazon)

Claimed by Her Bear by Ariel Marie (Amazon)

Infatuations by Barbara Winkes (Amazon)

Little Miss Santa Claws by Beka Westrup (Amazon)

Her Mortal Champion by Luna Lawson (Amazon)

Tastes of Honey by Frances M. Thompson (Amazon)

Freedom: What are you willing to sacrifice for love? by Cassidy Langue (Amazon)

All the Oceans by Polly Emorie (Amazon)

Bitter Winds by Marina Tempest (Amazon)

Off with Her Head by Dana LeeAnn (Amazon)

Maiden Over by Renee Dahlia (Amazon)

My Carmilla by Anita Zara (Amazon)

Tangled Encounters by Madison Nicole (Amazon)

Bean There, Found You by Cameron Tate (Amazon)

Mainely Books Club Collection: Books 1-4 by Chelsea M. Cameron (Amazon)

Cursed By Malignant Magic by Jenesis St. Clare (Amazon)

My Valentine's Deception by Giselle Nyte (Amazon)

Queen of Love by Cynthia Dane & Hildred Billings (Amazon)

The Honeymoon Mix-up by Frankie Fyre (Amazon)

Trans, nonbinary, and gender-diverse characters

Of Melodies and Maledictions by Maddox Grey - nonbinary love interest (multiple stores)

A Lady's Finder by Edie Cay - nonbinary/sapphic romance (multiple stores)

Game On by L.E. Eldridge - tagged as M/NBI/F. The sequel novella, Game Over, has a nonbinary beta, but I don't think that character is introduced in this novella (multiple stores)

Alchemiya by Katey Hawthorne - Woman crossdressing as a man and presenting as a man in society, but unsure if crossdressing is willing (multiple stores)

Mer Made by S.T Lynn - trans woman character (multiple stores)

Her Escape by Skylar Heart - trans man (multiple stores)

Unthaw My Heart by Harmony Noble - trans woman (Amazon)

Murder by Multiples by Rachel Ford - butch-like character passing as a man (Amazon)

Model Citizen by Lissa Kasey - m/m gender fluid romantic mystery (Amazon)

The Sneaky Lass by Kennedy Sutton - woman crossdressing as a man, but unsure how willing (Amazon)

The Heartbreak Show by Jesikah Sundin - gender non-conforming male character (Amazon)

Diamond Heat by Alex Washoe - trans woman character (Amazon)

Tastes of Honey by Frances M. Thompson - nonbinary character (Amazon)

Roommates: A Queer Why Choose Romance by April Gaisford - nonbinary character in book blurb (Amazon)

An Epic Construct by D.C. Emerson - nonbinary gender realization, genderfluidity representation (Amazon)

What You Need by Avril Ashton - trans man character (Amazon)

Other books tagged with LGBTQ protagonists

Power Play by Amelia Wilde (multiple stores)

Dragon's Instinct by Elva Birch (Amazon)

Bewitched Blooms: A Fundraiser Anthology for Zoë - collection of short stories, some with queer characters (Amazon)

Stalking the Mafia Man by Tierney Storer - has LGBTQ characters (Amazon)

Savannah's Temptation by Ellie Sandoval (Amazon)

Drunk for Revenge by Chrissy Nicole (Amazon)

A Cruel Game of Fate by Jessica Lane (Amazon)

Songbird by Sarah Williams (Amazon)

Amethysts & Alchemy by Rachel Rener (Amazon)

Locked by L.R. Douglas (Amazon)

Our Unexpected Beginning by Lenore Danvers (Amazon)

Aphotic Born by Elizabeth Myrva (Amazon)

Fake Flowers, Real Feelings by Domina Easton (Amazon)

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april-is · 3 months ago

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April 19, 2025: spring, Safia Elhillo

spring Safia Elhillo

After Louise Glück it’s late now, it’s early, no way to know which season it is of the total years of my life, weren’t we only just nineteen, tonya & i, wasn’t she only just alive, long-limbed & cross-legged on my dorm room floor, wasn’t it springtime of a year so unlike this one, thirteen years past, cool nights in line outside the nuyorican hoping to make it on the list, wasn’t it a friday night like this one & the only people i wanted to love were poets, earrings swaying against their necks, dancing in the dark of the room where we all knew each other’s secrets, weren’t we all just at that party, wasn’t i only just eighteen, pointed northward on a chinatown bus to that city, to watch ai elo onstage at the apollo, wasn’t she only just alive, smoking with camonghne, asking me my favorite song, cackling on the apartment floor, on the air mattress we used as a couch, how is it that it was long ago, how is it i am on the other side of it, long ago, how did i leave that city, that time when we were all together, everyone alive, wasn’t the dream to be a poet, wasn’t the plan to live forever, our powers newly acquired, newly in love with what we could do, didn’t we all belong to each other, to that work, going after to the pizza shop to recite what we’d memorized, weren’t we all just there, wasn’t it warm outside, wasn’t the road long & clear, isn’t it early still, isn’t it late, & why am i still here, did i survive or was i left behind, & what season is it that we are no longer together & some of us have gone?

Hear the author read this.

Also by Safia Elhillo: + For My Friends, in Reply to a Question + vocabulary

Today in:

2024: Dear Proofreader, David Hernandez 2023: The Socks, Jane Kenyon 2022: Ode to Friendship, Noor Hindi 2021: Heartbeats, Melvin Dixon 2020: Sunday Night, Raymond Carver 2019: Virginia Street, Jennifer Hayashida 2018: What Seems Like Joy, Kaveh Akbar 2017: Aunties, Kevin Young 2016: For the Union Dead, Robert Lowell 2015: The Cambridge Afternoon Was Gray, Alicia Ostriker 2014: Spirit of the Bat, Peggy Shumaker 2013: Thanks, W. S. Merwin 2012: Sweetness, Stephen Dunn 2011: I Remember, Anne Sexton 2010: Letter, Franz Wright 2009: 23rd Street Runs Into Heaven, Kenneth Patchen 2008: HOUSEHOLD ACTIVITY NO. 26, J.R. Quackenbush 2007: from Briggflatts, Basil Bunting 2006: The Chores, Frannie Lindsay 2005: Direct Address, Joan Larkin

#time #age #the art of losing #grief #memory #safia elhillo #oof #weren't we all just #poet with MENA heritage

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freshlyblaked · 1 year ago

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iconic

Omg somebody finally uploaded Dallas jr returns to YouTube

#linda gray #dallas: j.r. returns #1996 #🧼#cbs #dallas

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lgbtqreads · 2 years ago

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Hi, do you have any recs for adult ace romance books from the last 2 - 3 years? I'd like to read something more recent but it's kinda hard to find anything that's not ya. Thank you in advance <3

Sure, try The Romantic Agenda by Claire Kann, Go Truck Yourself by J.R. Hart, A Milky Way Home by Hsinju Chen, and Ace of Hearts by Lucy Mason - they’re all from the last year or so. (I also loved The Charm Offensive by Alison Cochrun, which has rep that’s either gray-ace or demisexual, the character isn’t sure yet.)

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hannaedits · 2 years ago

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Book Review: Unnatural Fate by J.R. Gray

Gray is excellent at writing angst, and I could tell from the very first page that I was in for tears with this book. This fated mates story doesn’t even start at the moment these star-crossed lovers meet (though we do get that in a flashback). We’re dropped into the middle of the action, at a moment when Vin and Dominic are at their lowest point, fighting their natures, their worlds, and their…

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#book review #gay romance #J.R. Gray #paranormal romance #queer romance #romance #Unnatural Fate

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power-chords · 2 years ago

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youtube

So, I'm walking down Coldharbour Lane, head hung low, three or four in the morning. The sun's coming up and the birds are out singing. I let myself into my pad, wend myself up that spiral staircase and stretch out nice on the Chesterfield.

Pithecanthropus Erectus already on the CD player and I just push that remote button to sublimity. And listen to the sweet, sculptural rhythms of Charles Mingus. And J.R. Monterose and Jackie McLean duet on those saxophones and the sound makes its way out the window mingling with the traffic noises outside, you know, and all of a sudden I'm overcome by a feeling of brief mortality.

'Cause I'm getting on in the world, coming up on forty-one years. Forty-one stony gray steps towards the grave, you know, the box awaits its grisly load. Now I'm gonna be food for worms.

And just like Charles Mingus wrote that beautiful piece of music "Epitaph" for Eric Dolphy, I say, so long, Eric. So long, John Coltrane and Charles Mingus. So long, Duke Ellington and Lester Young. So long, Billie Holliday and Ella Fitzgerald. So long, Jimmy Reed. So long, Muddy Waters, and so long, Howlin' Wolf.

#I love the sopranos remix as much as anybody but the opening monologue/spoken bridge are literally so critical.#alabama 3 #Youtube

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jpbjazz · 3 days ago

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LÉGENDES DU JAZZ

IRA SULLIVAN, ‘’LE DON QUICHOTTE DU JAZZ’’

“Ira as a musician was fearless, a natural. A lot of people said (to Sullivan): How can you play trumpet and saxophones and flute? I don’t think it’s something that Ira really thought about much. His approach was so organic that when he switched from one instrument to another, he didn’t have to be thinking about anything. He just adjusted his embouchure accordingly and had the ability and the gift to do that.”

- Marc Berner

Né le 1er mai 1931 à Washington, D.C., Ira Brevard Sullivan était déménagé à Chicago avec sa famille lorsqu’il était enfant. Issu d’une famille de musiciens, Sullivan était destiné à devenir multi-instrumentiste: son père lui avait appris à jouer du cornet et de la trompette à partir de l’âge de trois ans et demi, et sa mère lui avait enseigné jouer du saxophone. Plus tard, Sullivan avait appris à maîtriser de nombreux autres instruments à vent, dont les saxophones ténor, soprano, alto et baryton, de sorte qu’il était devenu pratiquement impossible de déterminer quel était son principal instrument. Également multi-instrumentiste, le père de Sullivan avait joué de la trompette, du trombone, de la clarinette et du saxophone. Quant à sa mère, elle avait joué du piano et du saxophone alto. Les tantes de Sullivan avaient également joué du violon, du piano et de la batterie. Un de ses oncles avait même été membre de John Philip Sousa Band. Un autre avait joué du cornet avec des groupes de ragtime. Mais les multi-instrumentistes étaient nombreux dans le jazz. En quelque sorte le descendant de Benny Carter qui avait été à la fois saxophoniste, trompettiste, clarinettiste et tromboniste, et qu’il considérait comme une de ses premières influences avec les trompettistes Harry James et Clyde McCoy, Sullivan avait reconnu lors d’une entrevue qu’il avait accordée en 1992: ‘’ Je suis passé de la crèche à la trompette!’’

Trois ans et demi, c’est quand même un peu jeune pour apprendre à jouer de la trompette, car la dentition définitive ne s’établit qu’entre six et treize ans. Enfant-prodige, le jeune Sullivan a fait ses débuts à la radio en interprétant le classique ‘’Sugar Blues’’ au cornet et en imitant Clyde McCoy, un trompettiste très populaire à l’époque. À l’église, il joue des cantiques en duo sur avec un prêtre trompettiste. À l’âge de neuf ans, Sullivan commence à se produire dans des orchestres scolaires, mais cette fois comme saxophoniste. À Chicago, Sullivan avait eu l’occasion d’entendre de nombreux musiciens. Il expliquait:

“That was a beautiful thing about Chicago. When you went to see a movie in downtown Chicago, you got a live band performing. It could be just Glenn Gray and his Casa Loma Orchestra or even just a dance band. But I was always thrilled, you know, when the curtains opened. And one day I remember, I was 14, I saw Woody Herman’s band, with that theme song, you know, they’d come out with. That was really a very exciting time in my life {...}. Then, of course, I heard Dizzy Gillespie’s big band. Then when I was about 18, I went to my high school prom, and Gene Krupa was playing in town.”

DÉBUTS DE CARRIÈRE

Entre 1945 et 1947, Sullivan avait participé à ses premières jam sessions dans les environs de Chicago. En juin 1953, à l’��ge de vingt-deux ans, Sullivan avait fait ses débuts sur disque (comme saxophoniste ténor) dans le cadre d’une session dirigée par le trompettiste Conte Candoli. Participait également à la session le saxophoniste J.R. Monterose et le contrebassiste Chubby Jackson. La session avait donné lieu à la parution d’un 78-tours qui comprenait les pièces ‘’Flamingo’’ et ‘’Mambo Junior.’’ Les deux pièces avaient été rééditées plus tard sur 33-tours avec deux autres morceaux enregistrées lors de la même session.

Engagé en 1952 pour travailler avec l’orchestre-maison du Bee-Hive Lounge de Chicago, Sullivan a l’occasion d’accompagner de grands noms du jazz comme Roy Eldridge, Howard McGhee, Benny Green, Sonny Stitt, Paul Quinichette, Lester Young et Wardell Gray. Les autres membres du groupe étaient Norman Simmons au piano, Victor Sproles à la contrebasse et Vernel Fournier à la batterie.

Sullivan avait connu un des plus grands moments de sa jeune carrière lorsqu’il avait avait joué durant une semaine avec Charlie Parker en janvier 1955. Selon certaines sources, des enregistrements privés de Sullivan et Parker auraient été conservés. La même année, Sullivan avait également accompagné le saxophoniste ténor Wardell Gray, un saxophoniste aujourd’hui pratiquement oublié qui a la particularité d’être décédé à quelques mois de Parker en 1955.

Peu avant sa mort, Parker avait même invité Sullivan à venir le rejoindre à New York. Mais l’expérience tourne court, car Parker décède une semaine après l’arrivée de Sullivan à New York, le 12 mars. Sullivan expliquait: “I played for a week with Bird in Chicago. He asked me to come to New York to play with him, and then he passed away a month later. But a doctor had gotten him so healthy that I had some great days with him, playing and talking about art and literature. He was always trying to educate himself and was one of the warmest individuals I’ve ever met.”

Rentré à Chicago, Sullivan accompagne alors le pianiste et compositeur Bill Russo. Il s’agit d’une période très active pour Sullivan, qui enregistre son premier album comme leader entre janvier et novembre 1956. Sur l’album intitulé The Billy Taylor Trio Introduces Ira Sullivan, le multi-instrumentiste joue à la fois de la trompette et des saxophones alto et ténor. Il est accompagné par le pianiste Billy Taylor, le contrebassiste Earl May et le batteur Ed Thigpen. L’album comprend des versions de classiques comme ‘’You Don't Know What Love Is’’, ‘’In a Mellow Tone’’ et ‘’They Can't Take That Away From Me.’’ La même année, Sullivan se joint aux Jazz Messengers d’Art Blakey, principalement comme saxophoniste ténor, ce qui lui permet de travailler avec le trompettiste Donald Byrd, le pianiste Kenny Drew et le contrebassiste Wilbur Ware. Sullivan part aussi en tournée avec le groupe, mais comme il déteste jouer sur la route, il décide de tirer sa référence après sept mois. “I vowed never to do that again”, avait expliqué Sullivan plus tard. Homme de famille, Sullivan préférait demeurer dans ses ‘’pantoufles’’, ce qui explique pourquoi il n’avait jamais vraiment été connu du grand public. Son épouse Charlene confirmait: “He was a family man. He turned his back on fame in favor of family.”

Décidant de se concentrer sur son travail d’accompagnateur, Sullivan participe (comme trompettiste) au premier album du saxophoniste ténor J.R. Monterose. Prennent également part à la session des sommités du jazz comme le pianiste Horace Silver, le contrebassiste Wilbur Ware et le batteur Philly Joe Jones. La session se déroule à Hackensack, au New Jersey, le 21 octobre 1956. La polyvalence de Sullivan comme trompetttiste et saxophoniste alto, ténor et baryton ainsi que son talent de musicien bop, est alors de plus en plus reconnue.

C’est en juin 1955 que Sullivan amorce une longue collaboration avec le trompettiste Red Rodney, qui avait remplacé Miles Davis après son départ du groupe de Parker en 1949. Du 22 au 24 novembre 1957, Sullivan participe également à l’enregistrement d’un album du trompettiste intitulé Red Rodney: 1957. Sullivan et Rodney étaient accompagnés sur l’album par le pianiste Tommy Flanagan au piano, le contrebassiste Oscar Pettiford et par Philly Joe Jones et Elvin Jones à la batterie. Sur l’album, Sullivan se produit principalement au saxophone ténor, sauf sur la pièce ‘’Red Arrow’’ où il s’exécute à la trompette.

C’est également à cette époque que Sullivan avait commencé à travailler avec le producteur Gregg Koester. En 1953, Koester avait fondé à St. Louis une première compagnie, les disques Delmar, ainsi nommée parce que ses bureaux étaient situés sur l’Avenue Delmar. Déménagée à Chicago cinq ans plus tard, la compagnie sera rebaptisée Delmark. Au cours des années, la compagnie avait produit de nombreux artistes de jazz et de blues, dont Bunk Johnson, Dewey Jackson, Frank Melrose, Little Brother Montgomery, Speckled Red, Roosevelt Sykes, Sunnyland Slim, Bill Reinhardt Franz Jackson, Art Hodes, Jodie Christian, Sun Ra, l’Art Ensemble of Chicago et Roscoe Mitchell. Quoi qu’il en soit, c’est beaucoup grâce à Koester et aux disques Delmark que Sullivan avait commencé à enregistrer régulièrement à partir de cette époque.

Le 24 décembre 1958, Sullivan retourne en studio pour enregistrer avec un groupe comprenant Nicky Hill au saxophone ténor, Jodie Christian au piano, Victor Sproles à la contrebasse et Wilbur Campbell à la batterie. Dans le cadre de la session, Sullivan joue à la fois de la trompette, du ‘’peck horn’’ et des saxophones alto, ténor et baryton. Un des faits saillants de la session sera la pièce ‘’Nicky's Tune.’’ Sullivan avait longtemps joué avec la section rythmique du groupe. Ancien élève de la Wendell Philips High School, Christian avait travaillé avec de grands noms du jazz comme Coleman Hawkins, Lester Young, Clifford Brown et Dexter Gordon. Quant à Sproles et Campbell, ils avaient étudié sous la direction du légendaire ‘’Captain’’ Walter Dyett (1901-1969) au DuSable High School de Chicago. De 1935 à 1962, Dyett avait formé de nombreuses sommités du jazz dont Gene Ammons, Fred Below, Ronnie Boykins, Sonny Cohn, Nat King Cole, Richard Davis, Bo Diddley, Von Freeman, John Gilmore, Johnny Griffin, Eddie Harris, Johnny Hartman, Milt Hinton, Clifford Jordan, Jesse Miller, Pat Patrick, Walter Perkins, Julian Priester, Wilbur Ware et Dinah Washington. Sproles, qui avait connu Sullivan lors de son séjour au club Bee-Hive, était d’ailleurs loin d’être un pied de céleri: il avait notamment enregistré avec Sun Ra, accompagné la chanteuse Alberta Hunter et fait partie des Jazz Messengers d’Art Blakey. Quant à Campbell, il avait joué avec Lester Young, Roy Eldridge (1947), Charlie Parker (1954) et Sonny Stitt (1958).

Le 26 juillet 1959, Sullivan était retourné en studio avec les mêmes musiciens, à l’exception du saxophoniste Nicky Hill qui avait été remplacé par Johnny Griffin. La session donnera éventuellement lieu à la publication d’un des meilleurs albums de la carrière de Sullivan, Blue Stroll. Originaire de Chicago, Griffin était également un ancien élève de Dyett. De mars à octobre 1957, Griffin avait fait partie des Jazz Messengers d’Art Blakey avant de se joindre au quartet de Thelonious Monk avec qui il avait joué durant quatre mois en 1958. L’album Blue Stroll avait été enregistré au petit studio de Richard Cunliffe situé sur North Avenue à Chicago. Pour l’occasion, le batteur Campbell avait même dû se louer une batterie bon marché, car la sienne était restée enfermée dans la salle de danse du Sutherland Hotel !

Décrivant ses ambitions comme musicien, Sullivan avait déclaré en 1959: ‘’J'ai et j'ai eu une ambition toute ma vie. Jouer de mon instrument. Je n'écris pas, je n'arrange pas, je ne lis même pas bien. Je veux juste jouer.’’ Souvent comparé à un autre multi-instrumentiste, le célèbre Rahsaan Roland Kirk qu’il avait d’ailleurs lui-même découvert, Sullivan avait eu l’occasion d’enregistrer avec ce dernier en juin 1960. Sur l’album, Sullivan jouait principalement de la trompette, sauf sur la pièce ‘’Soul Station’’ où il s’était produit au saxophone ténor. Participaient également à la session le pianiste et organiste Billy Burton, le contrebassiste Don Garrett et le batteur Sonny Brown. Deux ans plus tard, Sullivan s’était joint au pionnier du saxophone électrique Eddie Harris avec qui il avait enregistré quatre pièces avec une formation composée de Bunky Green au saxophone alto et, sur deux pièces, de Melvin Rhyne à l’orgue et de Joe Diorio à la guitare.

Le 12 mars 1962, Sullivan enregistre avec son quintet au club Birdhouse de Chicago l’album Bird Lives!, un hommage à Charlie Parker. Dans le cadre de la session, Sullivan joue uniquement de la trompette et du flugelhorn. Il est accompagné de Nicky Hill au saxophone, de Jodie Christian au piano, de Don Garrett et de Dorel Anderson à la contrebasse et de Wilbur Campbell à la batterie. Figurent au programme les compositions de Charlie Parker ‘’Klactoveedestene’’, ‘’Perhaps’’ et ‘’Mohawk’’, les standards ‘’Fly Me to the Moon’’ et ‘’On the Alamo’’ et deux pièces d’Ornette Coleman dont ‘’When Will the Blues Leave?’’ Même s’il s’est installé en Floride la même année, Sullivan avait continué de se produire avec des artistes majeurs. Même s’il joue surtout à Miami et Fort Lauderdale (notamment dans les églises et les écoles), Sullivan avait eu l’occasion de retrouver les Jazz Messengers d’Art Blakey en 1969. De fait, jusqu’en 1980, Sullivan se produira presque exclusivement en Floride même s’il participe à l’occasion à quelques sessions d’enregistrement à Berkeley, en Californie.

Sullivan s’était installé en Floride à l’invitation de Jerry Coker, un vétéran des big bands qui avait contribué à la fondation du programme de jazz de l’Université de Miami. Après avoir d’abord décliné la proposition (“I’m a player, not an academician’’, avait-il répondu ), il finit par se laisser convaincre. Le départ pour la Floride avait éventuellement aidé Sullivan à s’affranchir de sa dépendance envers les narcotiques. Comme il l’avait expliqué au critique Larry Kart en 1977: ‘’It wasn’t a voice from on high, but you know the line ‘Death is nature’s way of telling you to slow down’ — it was that kind of thing. The Creator came in and said, ‘It’s all over for you; you’re going to change.’ I didn’t have a special discipline, didn’t go through any program. It was a very painful way to do it — painful not only for me but also for my family. But it worked.”

C’est également dans les années 1960 que Sullivan avait ajouté le saxophone soprano et la flûte à son arsenal. Le 2 mars 1967, Sullivan enregistre à Miami dans le cadre d’une session où il joue de la trompette ainsi que du saxophone ténor et soprano. Participent également à l’enregistrement Lou Norman au trombone et au saxophone baryton, Dolph Castellano au piano et au clavecin, William Fry à la contrebasse et Jose Cigno à la batterie et aux timbales. Très ouvert aux nouvelles musiques, Sullivan commence également à fréquenter à l’époque de jeunes musiciens prometteurs comme Pat Metheny, Jaco Pastorius, Danny Gottlieb et Mark Egan. Il entreprend également une carrière de professeur. Chaque été, il enseigne notamment au Young Musicians Camp de l’Université de Miami. Plusieurs des musiciens que Sullivan avait formés, que ce soit dans les salles de classe ou sur scène, comme le pianiste Jim Holman et le vibraphoniste Jim Cooper, l’avaient éventuellement invité à participer à leurs propres albums. Sullivan avait également collaboré à l’album Stories and Negotiations du batteur Mike Reed. Reed, qui était éventuellement devenu archiviste et historien du jazz, avait dédié une des pièces de l’album à Sullivan.

En mars 1970, Sullivan retrouve le saxophoniste Eddie Harris dans le cadre d’une session mettant en vedette Joe Diorio et Cornell Dupree à la guitare, et Donald ‘’Duck’’ Dunn à la batterie. En décembre de l’année suivante, Sullivan s’était d’ailleurs produit en duo avec Diorio au club Flick de Coral Gables, en Floride. Lors de cette prestation, Sullivan continue de démontrer ses talents de multi-instrumentiste en jouant à la fois de la trompette, du flugelhorn, de la flûte et des saxophones ténor et soprano.

De retour en studio en décembre 1975 et en février-mars 1976, Sullivan enregistre quelques standards comme ‘’Jitterbug Waltz’’ de Fats Waller. La session comprend aussi une prestation en duo avec Tony Castellano au piano. En août 1977, ira même jusqu’à improviser du free jazz dans un passage de la pièce ‘’Spring Can Really Hang You Up the Most’’ dans le cadre d'une émission radio à Laren en Hollande. Participent également à la session le guitariste Joe Diorio, le pianiste Tony Castellano, le contrebassiste Niels-Henning Ørsted Pedersen et le batteur Steve Bagby. Au cours de l’émission, Sullivan avait également interprété la composition ‘’Now's the Time’’ de Charlie Parker au flugelhorn et, de nouveau, le classique ‘’Jitterbug Waltz’’ au soprano.

En octobre 1977, Sullivan est de retour à Chicago dans le cadre de deux sessions aux côtés de ses fidèles complices Jodie Christian au piano et Wilbur Campbell à la batterie et au vibraphone. �� cette occasion, Sullivan interprète les classiques ‘’That's Earl, Brother’’ de Dizzy Gillespie et ‘’I Got It Bad and That Ain’t Good’’ de Duke Ellington. Un mois plus tard, Sullivan se dirige vers Berkeley pour participer à l’enregistrement de la pièce ‘’United Blues’’ du contrebassiste Ron Carter. La pièce sera publiée plus tard sur un album du batteur Philly Joe Jones. Dans le cadre du morceau, Sullivan se produit à la flûte et aux anches, tandis que Nat Adderley interprète les parties de cornet. La collaboration avec Adderley se poursuivra d’ailleurs en décembre dans le cadre de l’enregistrement de la pièce Neptunis du trompettiste de Benny Bailey et du standard ‘’Polka Dots and Moonbeams.’’ Le saxophoniste Dexter Gordon participe également à la session.

En décembre de la même année, toujours à Berkeley, Sulllivan retrouve Ron Carter et Nat Adderley dans le cadre d’une session dirigée par le pianiste Red Garland et mettant aussi en vedette le saxophoniste Harold Land et le batteur Frank Butler. Parmi les pièces enregistrées, on remarque les standards ‘’Sweet Georgia Brown’’ et ‘’I Want to Be Happy’’ ainsi qu’une composition de Nat Adderley intitulée ‘’Red Alert.’’ Trois jours plus tard, Garland et Butler retournent la politesse à Sullivan en participant avec le contrebassiste Monty Budwig à un album en quartet du multi-instrumentiste. Plusieurs standards sont interprétés dans le cadre de la session, dont ‘’But Beautiful’’, ‘’I Wish I Knew’’, ‘’Like Someone in Love’’ et ‘’Three Little Worlds.’’ En octobre 1978, Sullivan participe à un Jazz Showcase à la radio, à Chicago, avec le pianiste Eddie Higgins.

DERNIERES ANNÉES

En 1980, Sullivan forme un quintet avec son ami Red Rodney. Ce dernier avait dû quitter la scène du jazz en 1958 en raison de sa dépendance envers l’héroïne. Revenu dans l’actualité du jazz dans les années 1970, Rodney s’était notamment produit à la Salle Pleyel de Paris dans le cadre d’un hommage à Charlie Parker en 1974. Mais le véritable retour de Rodney aura lieu en 1980 aux côtés de Sullivan. Sur l’insistance de Sullivan, le répertoire du groupe comprend à la fois des compositions originales et des standards du jazz. En mai et juillet 1980, les deux compères enregistrent au Village Vanguard de New York. À cette occasion, Sullivan joue à la fois de la trompette, du flugelhorn et des saxophones alto, ténor et soprano. Le trompettiste Jack Walrath, un ancien du groupe de Charles Mingus, avait écrit cinq des thèmes du spectacle, tandis que Sullivan et Rodney s’étaient partagé chacun une composition, ‘’Monday's Dance’’ et ‘’Red Hot Blues.’’ Trois albums avaient été issus de ces concerts: Live at the Village Vanguard, Hi Jinx at the Vanguard et Alive in New York.

En juin 1981, avant de se produire à la Grande Parade du Jazz, à Nice, le duo se retrouve aux studios Nola de New York pour enregistrer l'album Night and Day. Le 15 juillet suivant, le quintet de Sullivan et Rodney, formé du pianiste Cedar Walton, du contrebassiste Buster Williams et du batteur Billy Higgins, se produit avec le violoniste Didier Lockwood dans le cadre de l’enregistrement du standard ‘’Autumn Leaves.’’ Le lendemain, c’est au tour de Sullivan et Rodney d’être les invités du groupe Alto Madness du saxophoniste Richie Cole dans le cadre de l’enregistrement du classique ‘’I Can't Get Started.’’ De retour aux États-Unis, Sullivan enregistre l’album Does it All, qui comprend la participation du bassoniste Michael Rabinowitz sur deux titres, ‘’Central Park West’’ de John Coltrane, et ‘’Dolphin Dance’’ d'Herbie Hancock). Sullivan enchaîne ensuite avec l’enregistrement d’un album avec cordes. L’album nécessitera plusieurs sessions échelonnés de janvier 1982 à mai 1983. Pour l’occasion, Sullivan délaisse le saxophone pour se concentrer sur la trompette, le flugelhorn et la flûte. En février 1985, Sullivan enregistre un disque plutôt mystérieux dans lequel il alterne entre la trompette, le sax alto et la flûte alto et auquel un inconnu, le trompettiste Peter Minger, collabore également. Poursuivant sur sa lancée, Sullivan enregistre alors un disque en duo avec le guitariste Ted Shumate.

Dans les années 1990, Sullivan continue de diriger ses propres groupes et de se produire dans la région de Chicago. Le trompette Bobby Lewis se rappelle d’ailleurs que Sullivan se joignait à son groupe Ears à chaque fois qu’il en avait l’occasion au cours de cette période. Sullivan faisait aussi des apparitions annuelles au Chicago Jazz Festival, se produisant notamment dans le cadre du Jazz Showcase de Joe Segal, aux côtés du pianiste et vibraphoniste Stu Katz. Sullivan avait participé au festival pour la dernière fois en 2019. Un enregistrement en concert de certaines de ses performances a été publié en 2011 sous le titre de A Family Affair: Live At Joe Segal's Jazz Showcase.

À Chicago, Sullivan participe aussi à l’occasion à des sessions avec des musiciens comme le vibraphoniste Jim Cooper, le trompettiste Brad Goode et les saxophonistes Lin Halliday et Frank Catalano.

En août 2008, Sullivan se produit au Millennium Park de Chicago avec le trompettiste Arthur Hoyle, le tromboniste Julian Priester dans le cadre d’un groupe dirigé par le batteur Mike Reed. De retour en Floride, Sullivan avait aussi enregistré des duos avec le guitariste avec Joe Diorio (1993), collaboré avec le South Florida Jazz Orchestra, le big band de Billy Ross (1996) et accompagné les trompettistes Melton Mustafa et Peter Minger à Fort Lauderdale (1997). Il avait également joué en trio à la radio avec la pianiste Marian McPartland et le contrebassiste Don Miller (décembre 2000). En 2014, Sullivan avait aussi accompagné la chanteuse Erin McDougald dans le cadre d’un concert avec le flûtiste-saxophoniste Marc Berner.

Même si la qualité du jeu de Sullivan à la trompette avait commencé à décliner avec l’âge, il se produisait toujours sur scène à l’âge avancé de quatre-vingt-six ans. Comme saxophoniste alto et soprano et comme flûtiste, Sullivan avait également participé au cours de cette période à l’enregistrement de l'album Sun Stone du sextet du pianiste Roberto Magris. Excellant sur plusieurs types de saxophones, Sullivan pouvait notamment jouer comme Charlie Parker à l’alto, même s’il avait toujours conservé son propre style. Le pianiste et vibraphoniste Stu Katz, qui connaissait Sullivan depuis 1954, confirmait: “It was really the dawn of that era, and I heard him play in person, and on the spot I thought: I’ve got to follow this guy around as long as I live. This guy has it. For sure he was very powerfully inspired by Charlie Parker, but he maintained an originality and an ability to take that inspiration and not sound like a clone – even though he could. He could play just like Charlie Parker, particularly on alto saxophone.”

Tel un Don Quichotte du jazz, Sullivan avait toujours refusé d’imiter les autres musiciens de Chicago qui avaient décidé de s’installer à New York pour faire leurs preuves. Il expliquait: ��Everyone always said: You gotta go get your New York stamp. And I’d reply: We lay in wait for cats from New York here. I had everything I needed in Chicago.”

Mais jouer avec Sullivan représentait parfois tout un défi. Comme plusieurs grands musiciens dont Coleman Hawkins, Sullivan annonçait rarement à l’avance le répertoire qu’il entendait jouer lors de ses concerts. Katz confirmait: ‘‘Il a été la première personne avec qui j'ai travaillé à ne pas appeler une mélodie. Il s'attendrait juste à ce que je sache ce qu'il allait faire. Et il marquait une mélodie après l'autre au fur et à mesure que cela lui venait à l'esprit, et c'était son approche de la musique. Vous ne pouviez pas arrêter de vous concentrer, car au milieu d’une chanson, il pouvait tout changer.’’

Ira Sullivan est mort à sa résidence de Miami, en Floride, le matin du 21 septembre 2020 des suites d’un cancer du pancréas. Il était âgé de quatre-vingt-neuf ans. Ont survécu à Sullivan son épouse Charlene, ses fils Brev et Brogan, sa fille Leslie et deux petits-enfants. Un de ses protégés, le trompettiste Brad Goode, l’avait qualifié de ‘’one of the greatest soloists in the history of the music.’’ Considérant Sullivan comme un musicien sous-estimé, Goode avait ajouté: “The world didn’t always recognize or understand the depth of his artistry. A lot of people didn’t realize it. But we (musicians) did. We always did. And we always appreciated what he was giving to us.”

Décrivant les talents de multi-instrumentiste de Sullivan (il jouait à la fois de la trompette, du flugelhorn, de la flûte, et des saxophones alto, ténor, soprano et baryton), le flûtiste et saxophoniste Marc Berner avait commenté: “Ira as a musician was fearless, a natural. A lot of people said (to Sullivan): How can you play trumpet and saxophones and flute? I don’t think it’s something that Ira really thought about much. His approach was so organic that when he switched from one instrument to another, he didn’t have to be thinking about anything. He just adjusted his embouchure accordingly and had the ability and the gift to do that.” “He was always on top of his game’’, avait ajouté le trompettiste Bobby Lewis.

Sullivan avait adopté comme musique-thème le standard "Amazing Grace", qui était considéré comme un des hymnes de la lutte contre la discrimination raciale aux États-Unis. Au cours de la semaine suivant la mort de Sullivan, la communité du jazz avait publié Love Letter to Ira Sullivan, une compilation de plus de quarante versions de la pièce.

SOURCES:

CHINEN, Nate. ‘’Ira Sullivan, Who Built a Legendary Jazz Career on Both Trumpet and Saxophone, Is Dead at 89.’’ WBGO, 24 septembre 2020.

EINHORN, David. ‘’Ira Sullivan: The Lonely Revolutionary.’’ All About Jazz, 21 février 2020.

‘’Ira Sullivan.’’ Wikipedia, 2025.

‘’Le multi-instrumentaliste américain Ira Sullivan est décédé.’’ Jazz Radio, 24 septembre 2020.

REICH, Howard. ‘’Chicago jazz great Ira Sullivan dies at 89.’’ Chicago Tribune, 23 septembre 2020.

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