Arie’s Talented Parents

What a revelation to read the wonderful article about India Arie (“Doing It Her Way,� by Randy Lewis, July 28). I am old enough to be her father, but I love her music and sense of independence. In fact, her father and mother are friends of mine and my wife from our days in Lansing, Mich. We have not been in touch for many years, so it is nice when a newspaper article can help bring us together again, particularly around the talents of an offspring.

The article did not mention that India’s mother used to sing around the Lansing area, as did my wife ... often together. I helped India’s father adjust to college at Michigan State University and played ball with him as well. We remained friends when he was drafted by the Denver Nuggets, my hometown, as Ralph and Joyce Simpson became friends with my parents and friends there. India’s parents may be separated, but they have clearly raised a talented and wise daughter.

PHILIP S. HART

Los Feliz Oaks