Rambling Rose
By Rosa Pryor
Houston Person is among the many musicians who will be performing at the Cape May Jazz Festival this year in Cape May, N.J., Nov. 6-8. (Courtesy Photo)
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The Little Jazz Giants is a young band with roots in Camden, N.J. Their music has been described as a mixture of "hard bop and memory lane." The musicians, who range in age from eight to 18, seek to preserve the traditional sounds of jazz that originated from the depths of New Orleans and span the corners of the world. They will be performing at the Cape May Jazz Festival on Nov. 6-8. (Courtesy Photo)
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Ernie Andrews, a world renowned singer/entertainer of jazz and blues has been singing professionally since his early teens. He was born and raised in Philadelphia and discovered by songwriter Joe Greene, who took him to the studio at age 17. Ernie Andrews became a singer to reckon with. His signature song is "Bridge Over Trouble Waters." Ernie will be performing at the Rosa Pryor Music Scholarship Fund, Black & Gold Ball on Oct. 24 at the Forum Caterers. (Courtesy Photo)
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Shelton D. Redden, Most Worshipful Grand Master Most Worshipful Prince Hall Grand Lodge of Maryland, will be honored by the Baltimore City Branch NAACP, who will host the 2009 Annual Freedom Fund Banquet on Oct. 28 at Martin's West, 6817 Dogwood Road. (Courtesy Photo)
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Arthur Hoffman and Eleanor Janey are the master and mistress of ceremony for the Rosa Pryor Music Scholarship Black & Gold ball on Oct. 24. (Courtesy Photo)
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‘LET'S RAMBLE’
Hello, everyone. We have another day and another week to have some fun. This week the Reginald F. Lewis Museum will showcase their book club on Oct. 24 featuring L.A. Banks. Mrs. Banks will visit the museum to discuss her latest book, Thirteenth. Ms. Banks is the recipient of the 2008 Essence Storyteller of the Year Award and has written over 35 novels and contributed to 12 novellas in multiple genres under various pseudonyms. A book signing will follow the discussion. Also on the 24th become an illustrator for a day with award-winning artist Bryan Collier. Collier will read excerpts from his book Rosa. He will discuss how to illustrate stories and have children create their own books. Collier's works include Rosa, Uptown, Martin's Big Words and Visiting Langston a book signing will follow the program.
The Caton Castle presents a tribute to Arthur Prysock with Vernon H. Wolst Jr. on vocals and saxophones; Jackie Harriston on organ and Percy Smith on drums on Oct. 24, 5-9 p.m. at the Caton Castle, 20 S. Caton Ave. They will have food on sale. For more information, call Vernon Wolst at 443-414-9511.
The St. Bernardine's Women's Club is sponsoring an "Evening of Jazz" featuring Phil Butts and the Sunset Band on Oct. 25 from 5-9 p.m. at Harcum Hall, 614 Mt. Holly St. It is cabaret style, BYOB, free set-ups and lite fare. For tickets or information, call 410-303-6089
The Kwanzaa celebration is Dec. 27 and the Reginald F. Lewis Museum wants vendors to showcase their African and African-American crafts, jewelry, clothing and other items at the museum's marketplace. Vendors will be provided tables and chairs. If you are interested in applying call Terry Taylor at 443-263-1829 or e-mail Taylor@maamc.org.
Miss Maybelle, Baltimore's own comedian and the spokesperson for Katz Insurance, has been given her own day of recognition by Mayor Shelia Dixon. Oct. 23 has been proclaimed by the mayor as Miss Maybelle Day. The Miss Maybelle Day celebration tour will start at Morgan State University’s Student Activity Center at noon and travel to Trend Setters Hair Salon, 547 Old Town Mall at 1 p.m., Coppin State University’s Student Activity Center at 3 p.m. and the Security Square Mall glass dome area at 4 p.m. At all of these venues you can meet Maybelle and get an autographed picture and T-shirt. Appearing along with her will be the historical doo-wop group The Swallows, one of the hottest female acts on the East Coast.
Shirley Duncan, better known as the "Queen of Hand Dancing," was invited to Detroit, Mich., to attend a dance workshop where she learned different dances to share at her classes in Baltimore. She was also invited to attend the Living Legend Award Ceremony. Kevin Collins of Detroit submitted Shirley’s name and commended her as a living legend for promoting hand dancing There were 13 people being honored and her name was submitted to Kevin Collins from Detroit as a living legend from Baltimore who promoted hand-dancing and keeping it alive. Congratulations, Shirley. Shirley has continued to keep hand dancing alive in Baltimore and she teaches classes in Randallstown at the Gala Community Center on Fridays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays.
On Oct. 24 Shirley is having a fall dance in Columbia at Kalher Hall. Kevin Collins from Detroit will be teaching a Detroit swing workshop that morning at 11 a.m. at Park Hill Child Care Center located 2270 Park Hill Ave. For more information call 410-523-0575.
Disney on Ice is coming to the 1st Mariner Arena on Oct. 28 and will be in town through Nov. 1. To purchase tickets for your organization or company contact Megan at 1866-248-8740, ext. 102 or visit www.ticketmaster.com and use the promotion code FGS30 to receive a discount.
The Cape May Jazz Festival is Nov. 6-8 and you have to make your reservations now for the hotels. This year the festival will give tribute to the "Count" featuring the Count Basie Orchestra, Barbara King, Radam Schwartz Organ Quintet, Richie Cole Quartet, Gary Allegretto Blues Quartet, Divine Jazz Combo, Bill McGrady Trio, Alan Weber and Frenz, Ravi Coltrane Quartet, Houston Person, Denise Thimes, Teddy Royal with Organ Trio, Memphis Gold Blues, The Little Jazz Giants, Young Lions Jazz Trio, Robin VanDozee Trio, Frank Bey and Swing City Blues Band and Tom Zmuda and Thursday Night Jazz and so many more. For more information reserve seating and tickets at visit www.capemayjazz.org or 877-7CMJAZZ.
Baltimore NAACP Branch is honoring Prince Hall Mason Grand Master Shelton Redden. He will be among the outstanding Marylanders who will be honored at the organization's Annual Freedom Fund Banquet on Oct. 28, at 6 p.m. at Martin's West. The other 2009 NAACP honorees are Dr. Carla Hayden, director of the Enoch Pratt Free Library System; Wayne R. Frazier Sr., executive director, Maryland/Washington Minority Contractors Association; Phoebe Haddon, dean, University of Maryland School of Law and Arnold Jolivet, founder and director, Maryland Minority Contractors Association.
The branch will also honor and pay special tribute to Army Reserve Specialist Kendell K. Frederick, a native of Trinidad who died serving his adopted country in Iraq in 2005 before he was granted United States citizenship. Their keynote speakers include Maryland Lt. Governor Anthony Brown, who is the honorary chairperson of this year's Freedom Fund Banquet. Also scheduled to address the banquet are NAACP, CEO Benjamin Jealous, Sen. Ben Cardin and Congressman Elijah Cummings. For additional information regarding tickets, contact Tessa Hill Aston or Joseph Aston at 443-226-9459.
Well folks, it is about that time. If you need me, call me at 410-833-9474 or e-mail me at rosapryor@aol.com. UNTIL NEXT WEEK, I'M MUSICALLY YOURS. I'LL SEE YOU AT THE NEWSSTAND.