" I write soft songs / hard poems / 3rd eye music . . . "
S. Pearl's published literary works include BLACK WOMEN FOR BEGINNERS (Writers and Readers, 1993, reissued in 2007, distr. by Random House), two poetry w/jazz CDs, HIGHER GROUND (2008) and ON THE SHARP SIDE, and the plays DEARLY BELOVED and THE SISTUHS. She worked with esteemed actress Beah Richards on THERE'S A BROWN GIRL IN THE RING, a collection of the actress' essays, later adapting them to stage. NPR [Nat'l Public Radio] has broadcast approximately 40 of S. Pearl's essays and commentaries. (www.NPR.org).
During the 1960’s and 70’s, Sharp was a part of New York City’s vibrant Black arts movement, founding the performance group Poets & Performers. After moving to Los Angeles she formed Poets Pay Rent, Too, a literary production company. In 1991 she premiered MIXED MEDIA POEMS, a concert program of her poetry with jazz musicians and artists. That same year Harlem River Press issued her fourth collection of poetry, TYPING IN THE DARK, and re-issued her third collection, SOFT SONG, unique in its presentation of full color art reproductions by some of her favorite artists.
S. Pearl's acting credits include a small role in Gordon Parks' classic THE LEARNING TREE, starring roles in the films HOLLOW IMAGE (ABC-TV), with Morgan Freeman, Dick Anthony Williams and Hattie Winston; MINSTREL MAN (CBS-TV) opposite Glynn Turman and Ted Ross, co-star in THE DONNA CHEEK STORY (NBC-TV), guest roles in episodic programs and many commercials. In the mid 1980's she began to focus more on working behind the camera, creating the semi-animated film short PICKING TRIBES, LIFE IS A SAXOPHONE, on poet Kamau Daa'ood; and BACK INSIDE HERSELF, a poetic short. [See the Back Inside Herself
2009 Remix on YouTube ] In THE HEALING PASSAGE/ VOICES FROM THE WATER (2004), winner of seven festival awards, she addresses the present-day residuals of the trans-Atlantic slave trade through the work of cultural artists.
Based in Los Angeles, S. Pearl is now bringing "Water to the Well," with performances and workshops that merge the literary and healing arts.
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