The Official Press Release For The 1st Annual Jimmie Lunceford Jamboree Festival

The Official Press Release For The 1st Annual Jimmie Lunceford Jamboree Festival
Oct. 19-21, 2007 In Memphis,Tn

When: Friday Oct. 19, 2007-Oct. 21, 2007
Website: http://www.jimmieluncefordjam.blogspot.com
Contact: Ron Herd II
Phone: 901-299-4355
E-mail: jimmie.lunceford.jam@gmail.com

The Purpose Of Jimmie Lunceford Jamboree Festival:

To Honor And Bring Awareness To The Forgotten And Impressive Legacy And Achievements Of Jimmie Lunceford, The First High School Band Orchestra Leader/Conductor In The History Of The Memphis City Schools…Lunceford, A Fisk University Graduate, Was Hired As A Teacher of English,Spanish And Physical Education At Manassas High School Back In The 1920s...He Also Served As The School's Baseball And Football Coach...He Started The First Memphis City Schools' Band/Orchestra With Money Out Of His Own Pocket And Donations From The Community...

He Later Took His Band Of High School Students And Turned Them Into A Professional And Popular Local Memphis Band Known As The Chickasaw Syncopators…

In the early 1930s Lunceford took his band to the legendary Cotton Club in Harlem, NY to take over as the house band for Duke Ellington and Cab Calloway…The group eventually became known as The Jimmie Lunceford Orchestra…The Jimmie Lunceford Orchestra would regularly broadcast live from the Cotton Club gaining a huge national audience…Jimmie Lunceford would constantly beat the great swing bands of his era in numerous “battle of the bands” contests including those led by Count Basie, Duke Ellington, Benny Goodman and Chick Webb…The Lunceford Orchestra Was Known For Their Amazing Ensemble Play, Singing , Choreography And Overall Showmanship...The Lunceford Orchestra was considered by many including Glenn Miller and Miles Davis to be one of if not the best swing band ever!!!

Unfortunately Jimmie Lunceford (after dying under mysterious circumstances on July 12, 1947 in Seaside, Oregon) has been forgotten by many in the Memphis Community for 60 years and counting…

Jimmie Lunceford, the essence of a true teacher, never forgot about Memphis or Manassas High School and would constantly come back to talk to students at Manassas High School and hold free concerts despite being one of the most popular bandleaders in the country, Black or White…

The purpose of this event is to bring awareness about Jimmie Lunceford and to instill community pride in the achievements and accomplishments of a native Memphian who never forgot Memphis…Jimmie Lunceford’s remains are interred at the famous Elmwood Cemetery along with his wonderful legacy...Hopefully three days in October and many years to come we plan to change that.

Scheduled Events For The 1st Annual Jimmie Lunceford Jamboree Festival (Please Visit http://www.jimmieluncefordjam.blogspot.com For Up To The Minute Event Updates And Changes)

Fri. Oct. 19, 2007~Jimmie Lunceford Jamboree Festival Symposium @ Manassas High School

Time:9am-12pm
Where: Manassas High School~781 Firestone Blvd. Memphis, TN 38107
Admission: Free And Open To The Public
http://jimmieluncefordjam.blogspot.com/2007/10/jimmie-lunceford-jamboree-festival.html

Sat. Oct. 20, 2007~Jimmie Lunceford Jamboree Festival Wreath Laying Ceremony @ Elmwood Cemetery

Time:9am-10am
Where: Elmwood Cemetery~824 S. Dudley Street. Memphis, TN 38104
Admission: Free And Open To The Public
http://jimmieluncefordjam.blogspot.com/2007/10/oct-20-2007-9am-10amjimmie-lunceford.html

Sun. Oct. 21, 2007~Jimmie Lunceford Tribute Special

Time: 4pm-6pm
Where: Tha Artivist Presents…W.E. A.L.L. B.E. Radio
http://www.blogtalkradio.com/weallbe (on-line)

Please Visit The Official Jimmie Lunceford Jamboree Festival Website:
http://www.jimmieluncefordjam.blogspot.com