The Happy Negro Podcast
By Will Hammond
New Summer New Episode!
We are back! After a long hiatus, I have decided to do some mini-episodes of my francophile podcast...still polishing the kinks and finding fun ways to integrate the french experience. This summer has been fun and so I wanted to give my 2 cents on travel, food, family, etc. So enjoy, share, give feedback...
July 8, 2023
Interview With Comedienne Clara Bijl (Original Airdate: Nov 08, 2018)
Initially this was going to be a YouTube french food vlog but technical difficulties prevented me from releasing it. But we have the amazing french comedienne Clara Bijl who lives in the Bay Area and does a comedy night at the Golden Squirrel in Oakland on Wednesday and Saturday nights. We talk about her life as a working artist and we dive into tasty french crepes at the now defunct Brittany Crepes in Berkeley...bon appetit and enjoy the show!
Episode 13: Interview with Singer-Songwriter Tracey Ann
Original airdate: May 04, 2018
Greetings and Salut! It has been a minute since the last show but I promise we have more in store. This episode features the words and music of my good friend and musician, Tracey Ann who has released her new album "Magic Invisible Jet Plane" on my label Dreamtree Entertainment. We found a bunch of songs that she recorded awhile back and decided it was time to release them to the world. She also discusses a future children's album project that we will drop later this year.
Magic Invisible Jet Plane is the first release of original works created and performed by Tracey Ann who was born and raised in the San Francisco Bay Area and lives now in Los Angeles. Tracey Ann grew up singing both folk songs and classical music with family and in choirs. She began teaching herself to play guitar as a teen in order to continue the family tradition of playing music at family gatherings. It wasn’t long before she learned to combine poetry writing with singing ad basic chord progressions, playing in private settings and small cafes. Truly original and straight from the heart, you will discover in this music a stirring grassroots passion.
Episode 9: Interview With Singer Stellis Groseil (Niomoye)
Original airdate: Nov 23, 2017
Happy Holidays! We interview the amazing singer and musician Stellis Groseil who hails from the town of Rennes in Brittany, France. She has been performing around the region with her funk/pop band Cut The Alligator making moves and now she has ventured on her own with a new project, Niomoye. We discuss her affinity with American soul and the love of music in general...enjoy!
Episode 12: How To Learn and Speak French
Original airdate: Mar 19, 2018
Bonjour! This will be a very short but sweet return to the podcast. It has been awhile and I apologize for thinking this was episode 11 when it was actually number 12!
In this episode we travel to a French meetup night at Bissap Baobab in Oakland. Ca. We discuss how adults are able to learn a language and what tools they can use to make the most of their travel. We also interview French teacher Floriane who has only been in the U.S. for less than a year.
We expect more podcasts to come to discuss music, Bay Area culture and more...stay tuned!
Vive La France!
Original Airdate: Jul 15, 2018
Bonjour!
After a week of no Wifi, cell service (broken) and many baquettes, we are finally here with our first episode of Season 2! My french has improved this year (according to my mother-in-law) and I have excited to learn more cultural nuances about the French. This episode we talk about spending a couple of days in Paris with the kids, an interview with a Berkeley francophile and artist and a ride around the Seine River on the Bateau-Bus...enjoy and a bientot!
Interview with Robert Henry Johnson (Rest In Peace Bobby)
As soon as I heard the news of Bobby's passing, I immediately thought of our last real conversation about the arts, Bay Area connections, and our hope to soon get together and reclaim our creative connection. I will miss you my brotha,,,keep dancing!
Robert's Bio: Robert Henry Johnson is a dancer and playwright who mixes movement style and literary influences with equal fluidity. The son of jazz singer Lady Mem'fis and guitarist Robert Gonzales, he was one of the first students to graduate from San Francisco's School of the Performing Arts. He attended the San Francisco Ballet School on full scholarship. His performances are an arresting mix of muscular virtuosity, manic energy and naked emotion.
Le Croisic: A Dedication and Song to A Summer Paradise
Welcome to a new episode of The Happy Negro Podcast (aka Le Black Joyeux) This episode and song is a tribute to one of the most beautiful towns in Brittany, France. Will Hammond is a Bay Area soul and jazz artist who travels to France every summer with his french wife and kids. We hope the people of Le Croisic are safe and healthy in these crazy Covid times.
Episode 2: Off The Grid and.....WTF?!
Original airdate: Aug 21, 2017
In this episode I discuss with my lovely wife and co-host about being on vacation and being off the grid. We also interview the French family about all the craziness that is....Orange Man! (This episode was originally recorded August 24th 2017)
Episode 7: You Don't Look French (Interview with Kevin 'Tommie' Smith)
Original airdate: Nov 01, 2017
In this episode, we speak with my best friend and son of Olympian Tommie Smith who protested at the 1968 games in Mexico. Kevin was also raised in Paris, France as a young boy and discusses the type of implicit bias he received as a Black American. (this episode was originally record on Oct 29, 2017)
Episode 14: Interview with playwright Reg Clay
Episode 06: Interview with Mark Greenside (author of "I'll Never Be French")
Original airdate: Oct 18, 2017
We are on our 6th episode! We have the pleasure of talking to writer, author and activist Mark Greenside who has written a book entitled "I'll Never Be French" on his travels and anecdotal failures in Brittany, France. The book is amazing, funny and a great read (also translated into the French language). He has also written a new book called "Not Quite Mastering The Art of French Living" which talks about living part-time in France, driving, shopping, etc. We are so proud to have Mark on our show! Enjoy!
Episode 11: Interview with singer-songwriter Tara Kemp
Original airdate: Feb 06, 2018
The Happy Negro Podcast is PROUD to have our dear friend Ms. Tara Kemp on the show! Tara and I have known each other since the Warner Bros days when we wrote her hit gold-selling single, "Hold You Tight" and now we reflect on the good and not-so-good ol days…we also discuss her latest release “Paris In Spring” featuring Toni Tone Tony’s Dwayne Wiggins and her new label…stay tuned!
Episode 03: Trains, Planes, Boats and French Food!
Original airdate: Aug 30, 2017
On this episode, we discuss our most favorite subject: french food! We learn about the etiquette of shopping in the supermarket Carrefour, the fun of the outdoor food market and eating at the crêperie. We also travel to one of the many isles in the Golfe Du Morbihan, Brittany and discuss "ferme à table" (farm to table) with promoter and my wife's cousin Laura...bon appetit!
Episode 05: This Woman's Work
Original airdate: Oct 11, 2017
Our 5th episode celebrates women! Specifically French women who live and work in the Bay Area. We start by talking with my wife who was born in France but grew up in London. We also interview Marianne Vila-Irissou who is an administrator for French business school Inseec in San Francisco. Lastly we speak with Charlotte Attry, a journalist who develops American stories for French media. Hope you enjoy!
Episode 08: It Takes A Village (Interview with Dr. Dawn Williams)
Original airdate: Nov 09, 2017
On our 8th episode, we discuss the education system with my colleague, Dr. Dawn Williams. She is a French and Spanish teacher and has much knowledge in dealing with kids with PTSD and restorative justice. Dr. Williams' husband is also an actor and policeman and he is in a play at the Berkeley Marsh Theater called "Cops and Robbers" (https://themarsh.org/cops_and_robbers/jinho-the-piper-ferreira/) In the spirit of Autumn and the upcoming holidays I want to say thanks to Dr. Williams for her work as an educator and my mom and grandmother for raising me to be a happy and healthy human...enjot the show!
Episode 04: Francophiles, Francophones & Expats
Original airdate: Sep 26, 2017
On this episode, we will be discussing the latest NFL Boycott and protests, more about the French culture and an interview with an American family who decided to take a sabbatical and move to Paris and escape the chaos.
Episode 1: A Fish Out of Water
Original airdate: Aug 21, 2017
Bay Area singer/songwriter and francophile Will Hammond Jr., talks about his travels to Paris and Brittany, french tradition, food and expressions with musician Drew Thomas (Transit of Venus) and a discussion with swim instructor Mimi Moungovan about how he overcame his fear of swimming in the Golfe du Morbihan.