The 1st Annual Jimmie Lunceford Jamboree Festival Week organized by The W.E. A.L.L. B.E. Group, Inc. will be held from
. Ronald Herd II, the founder and Chief Executive Artivist of The W.E. A.L.L. B.E. Group Inc., answered his calling after a spiritual encounter with Sun Ra courtesy of the late Prof. Giuseppe Pirone which led him to learning more about jazz and its greatest artists including Louis Armstrong, Billie Holiday, Jimmie Lunceford, Dinah Washington, Miles Davis, John Coltrane, Charlie Parker, and James Reese Europe during his freshman year at Washington University in St. Louis. He never would have imagined while doing years of research that he would discover that his late paternal grandmother, who grew up with Charlie Parker as a friend of her brothers, actually performed with the Jimmie Lunceford Orchestra when they visited Kansas City. This research also connected him to the late great Mr. Emerson Able, Jr., a Memphis music legend, co-founder of The Southern Heritage Classic and true Jimmie Lunceford disciple as well as a tireless and longtime advocate for Lunceford to be properly recognized in 'The City Of Good Abode' which helped him to form 'The Greatest Jazz Swing Band Of All Time!!!' Ron and Mr. Able eventually became 'partners in crime' as they vowed to bring Lunceford's legacy to life. Ron is working on a documentary and book in honor of Jimmie Lunceford. You can support those important efforts by donating to the following link:
The festival is a family-friendly event. It is geared towards both the youths and adults. Bring your children so that they can began seeing the importance of their history and learning from the adults. Knowledge-Of-Self is a foundation for both a sound education as well as a purpose driven life.
Below Is The Agenda & WE Hope That You Can Participate:
Kickoff at Manassas High School– Monday, October 23, 2017 @ 12:45 pm c-2:15pm c
(Also Open To The Public)
"He would come over to the school each and every time he would play Memphis. His band would perform for the [Manassas] student body, and our band, the Little Rhythm Bombers, would play for him. This is where most of us, as students, saw him. He would bring the big band over to Manassas and perform."
--Memphis Music Great, Educator & Manassas Rhythm Bomber Emerson, Jr.
WHERE: Manassas High School
1111 Manassas StREet
MEmphis, TN 38107
"Memphis Rhythm Was His Business: A Jimmie Lunceford Discussion."
Panel Discussion – Tuesday, October 24, 2017 @ Benjamin Hooks Public Library (6:00pm c- 8:00 pm c)
In the Memphis Room, 4th Floor @ The Ben Hooks Memphis Public Library
3030 Poplar Ave, Memphis, TN 38111.
Moderator: Melvin Massey
Panelists: Ronald Herd, II, Seth Taylor, Carla Thomas, Elaine Turner, Dr. John Bass, Dr. James Gholson, Dr. Reverend Kenneth Whalum, Jr, Dr. Bill Hurd, and Phillip Joyner
2017 Jimmie Lunceford Jamboree Festival Homecoming Court
King and Queen/Prince and Princess along with court recognition – Old Daisy Theatre, Wednesday, October 25, 2017 (6:30 pm, reception at 6:00 pm)
Where: 330 Beale St, Memphis, TN 38103
2017 Jimmie Lunceford’s Jamboree Festival Court
Joyce Cobb, Logan Westbrook, Howard Grimes, Dr. Bill Hurd, Kirk Whalum, Michael James (Miscellaneous), George Coleman, Charles Lloyd, Steve Lee, Epke Abioto, Toni Green, Glover Mosely, Ronnie Williams, Johnnie Yancy, Malvin Massey, James Gholston, Dr. David and Yvonne Acey, Carla Thomas, Carl Flake, Larry Dawson, James Alexander, Garnett Brown, Deborah Gleese Barnes, Johnnie Turner, Barbara Cooper, Elaine Turner, Noah Bonds, Grover Mosely, Herbert Smith, Clarence Christian, Velma Jones , Maxine Starling Strawder, Andre Matthews “Chief”, Anthony Holmes, Alfred Rudd, Nokie Taylor, Bennie West, Vivian Branch, Miran Decosta Willis, Deborah Manning Thomas, Deke Pope, Anthony Jones, Lonnie McMillian, “Boo” Mitchell, Frank Phillips, Candice Ivory, Honeymoon Barner, Charles William, William “Albert” Bell, Charles Little “Buck” Riley, Naomi Moody, Harold Scott, Harold Scott, Ozzie Smith, Willie Hall, Judy Farmer, “Boo” Mitchell, Stephanie Bolton, Wendi Moten, Percy Wiggins, Booker T, Jones, David Dorton, Sandra Bray, John Gary, Al Green, Bobby Rush, Sidney Kirk, Herman Green, Donald Brown, Calvin Newborne, John Bass, Eddie Harris, Eddie Harris, Audie Smith, Vanessa Thomas, Harold Maebern, Kelly Hurt, and Frank Phillips
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Movie Night: "Blues In The Night" (1941) @ The Stax Museum Of American Soul Music
---Thursday Oct. 26, 2017 (6pm c-9pm c)
WHERE: Stax Museum Of American Soul Music
926 E. McLemore Ave
Memphis, TN 38106
“Blues in the Night” Movie – Stax, Thursday, October 26, 2017 @ 6 pm c–9 pm c need to arrive early and seated before 6:30 on a first come, first serve basis with movie passes)
Also 10 minute short film featuring The Jimmie Lunceford Orchestra and a panel discussion
Moderator: Jackie Murray
Panelists: Ronald Herd, II, Phillip Joyner, Steve Lee, Dr. David Acey, and
Ekpe Abioto
Jimmie Lunceford Jazznocracy Art Show/Talk & Jam Session (tentative) during Trolley Night – Friday, October 27, 2017 (6 pm - 9 pm)
Jimmie Lunceford & The Future Of The Memphis Sound: Panel Discussion, Saturday, October 28, 2017 -- Cossitt Public Library @ 12 noon
Where:
33 S Front St, Memphis, TN 38103
Moderator: Jackie Murray
Panelists: Ronald Herd, II, Ekpe Abioto, Deborah Gleese Barnes, Cequita Monique McKinnley and Seth Taylor (tentative)
Jimmie Lunceford Jamboree Jazznocracy Concert, October 28, 2017 (location tbd)
Event is open to musicians, singers and dancers to perform Jazz tributes in honor of Jimmie Lunceford.
Jimmie Lunceford’s Tribute Finale @ Brinson's, Sunday, October 29, 2017 4pm-7pm
What: Jazz-A-Fire Series
When: Sunday Oct. 29
4-7 p.m.
Price: $12
www.memphisblackartsalliance.org
Performances and bring your own instrument to join.
Where: Brinson's
341 Madison Downtown
Memphis, TN 38103
Phone: 901-524-0104
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NOTE: More Events & Updates Will Be Added As Information Becomes Available.
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More Ways To Support The Jimmie Lunceford Jamboree Festival Movement...
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Wear #JAZZNOCRACY: Buy Jimmie Lunceford Jamboree Festival Related Tee-Shirts!!!
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Donate To The 2017 Jimmie Lunceford Jamboree Festival & Documentary Film Fundraisng Efforts!!!
Make A Tax Deductible Donation Online:
Or Send A Check Or Preferably Money Order Addressed To 'The W.E. A.L.L. B.E. Group Inc.' To The Following Mailing Address:
Attn: Bro. Ron Herd II
The W.E. A.L.L. B.E. Group Inc.
P.O. Box 752062
Memphis, TN 38175
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Learn More About Jimmie Lunceford @ W.E. A.L.L. B.E. TV!!!
Rhythm Was His BusINess: Jimmie Lunceford, A Life IN #JAZZNOCRACY
WATCH NOW:
