Hello and Happy New Year to you, my friends. It seems like we made it to another year. Can you believe it? 2013! Well, let’s hope and pray that this year will be better than last year.
Camay Murphy is a very special, well-known lady in our community and the East Coast because of her contributions and support to organizations, individuals and to the jazz world. She is the daughter of the legendary jazz musician Cab Calloway. She worked as a cultural development consultant at Coppin State University in 1994 (when it was called a college). She founded the Cab Calloway Jazz Institute and Museum, paying tribute to her famous father. Murphy is the widow of the famous photographer, journalist and my mentor, John Murphy III. Camay, I salute you my friend, may you have many more birthdays.
Since we are talking about Washington, D.C.; I just want to mention that Gerald Albright, contemporary jazz saxophonist, will perform at Blues Alley, January 11-13 for two shows each night: 8 p.m. and 10 p.m.
Getting back to what is happening in Baltimore…it is that time of the year again, can you believe that the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Parade is upon us already? The city changed the parade date this year, so mark your calendar for Jan. 19 at noon. The move is both good and bad. First of all, scheduling the parade for a Saturday instead of the traditional third Monday in January will give a lot more people a chance to attend. On the other hand, though Lord help those people who just want to get out and shop or try to get through downtown then. But if you decide to go, the parade will step off at the intersection of Martin Luther King, Jr. Boulevard and Eutaw Street, proceed south on Martin Luther King Boulevard, Jr., and end on Baltimore Street. I will see you there!
My lands of mercy! Bilal Ali Productions is hosting another fantastic round of smooth jazz and R&B. This time it will be scheduled monthly starting Jan. 12 at the Best Western Ballroom, 1800 Belmont Avenue at 8 p.m. For more information, call 443-540-7797.
Alright folks, this event is from me to you personally, because it is about my chapter of the Eastern Star, Trinity Chapter # 5 of Prince Hall Masons. We are doing a chicken and fish fry fundraiser dinner at the Grenadier Club, 1226 McCulloh Street on Jan. 11 from 11 a.m.to 7 p.m. We will even deliver dinners if it is for 10 or more people. So I will be looking for you folks to come by or call me at 410-833-9474 or Monique Lewis 443-939-1556 to put your orders in.
There is one more thing I want to tell you before I leave you and that is Radio personality Lauren Thompson has launched the “Entrepreneur Radio Network,” through her media marketing and promotional firm. The station streams 24/7 at www.wnowfm.com and features R&B music and talk with blocks of programming time available for authors, artists, net workers and entrepreneurs. Does it sound like something that can benefit you? Check it out! For more information, call 443-345-WNOW.
That’s it for now, remember if you need me, call me at 410-833-9474 or email me atrosapryor@aol.com. UNTIL THE NEXT TIME, I’M MUSICALLY YOURS.