posted by Robert J. Carmack @blues2jazzguy
RIP HERB JEFFRIES Sept. 24, 1913 – May 25, 2014. Herb Jeffries is last surviving member of Duke Ellington’s early 1940s Band. The Bronze Buckaroo as he was known during his days as a singing actor of early black cinema. 
Read the LA Times in-depth story on this great man. (click on link)
http://www.latimes.com/local/obituaries/la-me-herb-jeffries-20140526-story.html#page=1
posted by Robert J. Carmack @blues2jazzguy
Singer/ songwriter, Jessica Cleaves Passed away early this morning. at the present time there are no details to share.. a family statement is expected in the very near future.
Born: December 10 1948 – Transitioned: May 2 2014
The Friends of Distinction formed in 1968 in Los Angeles with original members Floyd Butler, Harry Elston, Jessica Cleaves, and Barbara Love. Butler and Elston had worked together in The Hi-Fi’s in the mid 1960s, often opening for Ray Charles. Other members of the Hi-Fi’s were Marilyn McCoo and Lamont McLemore, who would later co-found The Fifth Dimension.
The Friends of Distinction were discovered by American football player Jim Brown, who also discovered Earth, Wind & Fire, and were signed to RCA Records. Ms Cleaves was also a featured singer in the early days of Earth , Wind and Fire. and , in more recent time she was quite visible with George Clinton’ & Parliament. 
Jessica was born in Los Angeles. Jessica Cleaves was born to Mary Gladys Cleaves , a librarian, and Lane C. Cleaves II, a U.S. Postal employee.
Jessica’s paternal grandfather, Lane C. Cleaves Sr., was presiding Bishop over Phillips Temple, CME.
Cleaves’ godson filmmaker Armand Araujo , begun filming her life story Jessica Cleaves, My Friends of Distinction in 2013.
Who Remembers these two plays and what were the circumstances in which you remember? please comment.
WHAT THE WINE-SELLERS BUY- RON MILNER
SLOW DANCE ON THE KILLING GROUND – WILLIAM HANLEY
a young Clarence Williams III showcases his acting skills – 1964
Veteran Actor Glynn Turman ,is the only actor connected to both plays. He made his Los Angeles stage debut in Vinnette Carroll‘s “Slow Dance on the Killing Ground.” An impressive 1974 performance in “The Wine Sellers” earned him a “Los Angeles Critics Award” nomination and a Dramalogue Award. 
The play was also produced on Broadway as “What The Wine Sellers Buy.” He won his first NAACP Image Award for his work in the play “Eyes of the American.” Most recently, Glynn Turman was honored with his first Emmy Award after 50 years on stage & screen.
APRIL IS JAZZ APPRECIATION MONTH
Jazz Appreciation Month was created to be an annual event that would pay tribute to jazz as both a living and as a historic music. Schools, organizations, even governments, celebrate JAM with events ranging from free concerts to educational programs. The first year was 2001, and initial funding was provided by the Ella Fitzgerald Charitable Foundation.
(Miss Fitzgerald’s archives are housed at the Smithsonian).
Hipster Sanctuary.Com are proud to sponsor and support organizations , groups and individuals that help carry the legacy of Jazz on Stage, Film, Radio or Television . in keeping with that noble mission, we highly recommend the following event(s) below;
Theatre Perception Consortium presents The Club Alabam Directed by Tu’Nook
Situated on “The Block” in the heart of Central Avenue, the Club Alabam served as a primary site for the “West Coast Renaissance of Jazz” in Los Angeles. Previously called the Apex Club, the club opened in the Fall of 1928 and was owned by the drummer Curtis Mosby. “Mosby’s Bluesblowers” provided the house big band that performed for top entertainers like Duke Ellington.
Mosby’s brother Evan, another Central Avenue fixture, became known as the “unofficial mayor” of Central Avenue . While the Club Alabam faced Central Ave. , competition from other “blues incubators” like the Last Word, the Down Beat, Shepp’s Playhouse, Watt’s Joe Morris’s Plantation and Johnny Otis’s Barrel House. Locals considered the Club Alabam the classiest establishment on Central Avenue, complete with valet parking and a in-house chorus line . the Club Alabam served mainly the black upper-middle class, but it became a popular spot among the black working class as well.
Alex Lovejoy owned the “Breakfast Club,” the club’s second floor room, which served fried chicken, hot biscuits, and drinks.
On any given night at the famed Club Alabam, only the best of the best performed and sat-in with the house bands over the years ,such as Mile Davis, Lester Young, Duke Ellington, Billy Holiday, Dorothy Dandridge.. Like the Harlem integrated club, Cotton club, It too attracted white high-profile Hollywood entertainers. Even the likes of a very inebriated W.C. Fields who enjoyed frequent visits accidentally fell asleep inside the adjacent Dunbar Hotel and became the first to integrate the hotel unknowingly.
This hot Jazz musical Revue will take a slice of life at the Club Alabam during the 1940s and 50s ,by presenting a bevy of allstar musicians, singers and actors who portray the likes of Cab Calloway, Billie Holiday, Dorothy Dandridge, Ella Fitzgerald and Josephine Baker.
Call 323-552-8283 for RSVP/ Advance Tickets Limited Seating
Performance Dates: April 27, May 4 and May 11
SUNDAY Afternoons Only at 4:pm
The Performers Corner 214 Hardy Street Inglewood, Calif. 92509
Media and Publicity: RJC Mediatainment-951-840-7120 twitter:@blues2jazzguy email: blues2jazz2003@yahoo.com
Theatre Perception Consortium Presents
THE CLUB ALABAM Directed by Tu’Nook
featuring the artistry of
BILLIE HOLIDAY ELLA FITZGERALD JOSEPHINE BAKER
CAB CALLOWAY JOE WILLIAMS LITTLE WALTER
NINA SIMONE DOROTHY DANDRIDGE
&
ROBBY ROYALE IMPRESARIO~HOST
APRIL 27 MAY 4 MAY 11 SUNDAY AFTERNOONS 4:PM
PERFORMERS CORNER 214 HARDY ST. INGLEWOOD,CA. 90301
CALL for Information & Advanced Reservations RSVP LIMITED SEATING 310 -910 – 0392 or 323-552-8283
twitter:@blues2jazzguy email:blues2jazz2003@yahoo.com
Advance:$20 Door:$25 {refreshments available }
RJC Mediatainment & Hipster Sanctuary.Com
Celebrating Black Music Month
Presents
A Love Supreme 50th Anniversary:The Spirit of John Coltrane’s Legacy
an Evening of Living Art – live Jazz – Performance Poetry
Guest Artist Exhibit on Display
Hosted by R.J. Carmack
The Performers Corner 214 Hardy St. Inglewood, CA.
JUNE 21 2014 ONE NIGHT ONLY – TWO Shows 8PM & 10PM
Email inquiries:blues2jazz2003@yahoo.com -RSVP -Tickets starts May 20th -$20 includes one adult beverage or soft drink
STAY PLUGGED INTO The HIPSTER SANCTUARY.COM
