Keystone Korner Baltimore Celebrates Women History Month
By Rosa Pryor, Special to the AFRO
Hello everyone, how are you? I believe we missed the real winter season, thank goodness! We are truly blessed not to have had 20 inches of snow, ice blizzards, hurricanes or forest fires that will burn down our town. Instead we have great jazz shows to go to; hang out with the party animal dancing at cabarets and day parties. We are so blessed.
Jazz Expressways Foundation will host their Jazz/Blues Breakfast Fundraiser show on March 14, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the All Saints Roman Catholic Church, 4408 Liberty Heights Ave. in Baltimore. Featuring live entertainment by the dynamic saxophonist, Isaac Parham and his band, serving open buffet, BYOB, vendors and a lot of fun and dancing. For more information, call 410-833-9474. This event and our event in June will be dedicated to jazz advocate Mildred Battle. Our show in June will feature Brad Collins.
I want to tell you about a jazz photographer, named Jeffrey Kliman who will present a new exhibit of his work at the Keystone Korner Baltimore. Striking photos of the Great Women of Jazz and the Classic Baltimore Jazz Scene will be on display at the Korner staple throughout the spring in an effort to celebrate Women’s History Month and the 100th Anniversary of Women’s Suffrage. From 1996 to 2003, Mr. Kliman was the house photographer for the Kennedy Center’s “Mary Lou Williams’ Women in Jazz” festivals, Ms. Betty Carter’s “Jazz Straight Ahead” mentoring residencies, and Dr. Billy Taylor’s “Jazz at the Kennedy Center”. He also shared a two-man gallery exhibit with his mentor, the iconic Herman Leonard.
Yvonne Cook celebrating her birthday with her lady friends at one of Baltimore’s local spots.
Kliman’s images have been seen in Jazz Times & DownBeat Magazines and on album covers for many jazz labels. His jazz images are part of the permanent archives of the Smithsonian’s American History Museum.
Friends hanging out and enjoying themselves; Phillip Strambler, Donald Rainey, Travis Winky and Victor Green.
You must go and see his beautiful exhibit at Keystone Korner Baltimore, located at 1350 Lancaster St. in Inner Harbor East. While you are there, you might as well check out the show on March 13 and 14 to see Joe Lovano Quartet. An amazing jazz flautist, saxophonist and clarinetist, one of the most recognizable jazz saxophonists of his era and have a cocktail on me. Just tell NEA Jazz Master Todd Barkan and Robert Wiedmaier the owners that I told you.
Pamela “Ms’ Maybelle” Rene Leake, Baltimore’s own renowned comedian, WOLB 1010 AM Radio Personality with Larry Young, Fashion Show Producer for “Full Figure Woman and Community Advocate has now started a non-profit organization so she can feed and clothe the homeless and the hungry people in her community. God Bless you “Ms. Maybelle”.
The family of Mildred “Millie” Battle would like to express their thanks to everyone for everything last week while helping them through this difficult time. Special thanks to Carlos Hutchins, who was a great help, and the family’s organization of the repast. Phil Butts, Bobby Rucks, Marshall Booze and DJ Miles, a few of Millie’s favorite musicians, performed at the home-going party. Thanks to Millie’s Posse’ who helped her daughter, Wanda, and the family contact Mildred’s friends. May she rest in peace!
Please check out the latest exhibition from Jeffrey Kent, the Peale’s artistic director “Surface from Under the Microscope: The Henrietta Lacks Series” is on view at the National Academy of Sciences. It explores the story of Henrietta Lacks, an African American tobacco farmer who died of cervical cancer. Her cells taken months before she died without her knowledge became one of the most important tools in medical research. Those of you who are interested in arts or science would enjoy this exhibition. It is on display until March 13.
Well my dear friends, I have to go. We will talk soon. But remember if you need me, call me at 410-833-9474 or email me at rosapryor@aol.com. UNTIL THE NEXT TIME, I’M MUSICALLY YOURS.