Hello everyone, it has been such a sad time in the last several months. It’s just overwhelming. I began to think about this column, what I could I write about to bring our spirits up in a positive way and think of something other than our friends and family who have been getting sick and dying from this dreadful COVID-19. I thought for this column I will talk about something that will make you smile and remember the good old days. So check this out!
So come on and do some “Rambling” with me! This was a few years ago when exciting things were hap- pening in the entertainment world in Baltimore. I re- member when I used to hang in Club Paradise located at 1300 Laurens Street when they featured live enter- tainment of jazz and R&B bands every week with local groups such as Tracy Curbeam, Panama, Tiny Tim Harris and the D0-It-All Band; Keith Soul and the Rollex Band. My goodness what a good time we had.
Hey! What about the Cat’s Eye Pub that was located at 1730 Thames Street in Fells Point? I am not sure if they are still there, but I remember it was really a nice cozy spot,. It was a little jazz club where every Mon- day the club featured the Phil Cunneff Trio with Ben Frock on trumpet and fluegelhorn, Jeff Reen on bass and Philip Cunneff on drum.
Do you remember Duffy’s Restaurant that was lo- cated 3436 Frederick Avenue? Oh, I do! I remember when Carlos Johnson and his band were there every Thursday night to a packed house.
I remember a jazz concert a few years ago at the East Coast Jazz Festival that was held in the Double- tree Hotel in Rockville, Maryland. My goodness that was a “HOT” concert! If I close my eyes, I can see it all over again. Music lovers came from all over to catch this one; Check out the line-up if I can remem- ber myself. I believe it was: the U.S. Army Blues Jazz Ensemble; Paul Laurence Dunbar High School Jazz Ensemble with Charles Funn, director; Ernie Andrews with the Duke Ellington School of the Arts High School Jazz Ensemble; Dick Morgan Trio; Buster Williams; Keter Betts Trio; Allison Miller Trio; Ron- nie Wells and Ron Ellston; Jackie Williams; Junior Mance; Dennis Fisher Trio; Richie Cole Quartet with Lady Byron on the B-3 Organ; Dr. Lonnie Smith Trio; Junior Mance Trio; Frank Morgan Quartet; Valery Ponomarev Quartet; Ron Kearns Quintet. And that is all I can think of from the top of my head, but I do know it was many more. I also remember
I had a damn good time and that this festival included about 23 main stage ticket events and about 100 free, open to the public events. Oh mannnn, I could use a show like that now.
How am I doing so far? Are you smiling yet? Okay, I got some more fun memories. Do you remember when the Maceo’s Lounge located 1926 N. Monroe Street had live entertainment every Wednesday and Thursday nights featuring Bobby Ward Trio on Thurs- day nights and every Wednesday night Tiny Tim Har- ris and his band performed.
There was another concert stuck in my mind that happened right here in Baltimore. I can’t remember what year for sure, I believe it may have been in 2003 when WEAA 88.9 was celebrating their 25th Anniver- sary andthey put on a fantastic concert at the Gilliam Concert Hall of the Murphy Fine Arts Center on the campus of Morgan State University. The musicians I remembered performing were Cyrus Chestnut; Gary Bartz; Michael Bowie; Winard Harper; Dantae Winslow; Andy Ennis; Wendell Shephard, Dr. John Lamkin; Charlie Covington Timmy Shepherd; Michael Austin and I believe the hosts for this event were Ruby Glover; Sandi Mallory and Gary EllerbeOkay, my dear friends, I am hoping this week col- umn made you smile and start a positive conversation with your buddies and friends just long enough to take your mind off the COVID-19, masks and no live en- tertainment anyhere, because nowhere is safe these days. Make sure you pick up the Baltimore Times every week or read it on line and leave your comments.
Stay home, stay safe and 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.
Courtesy Photo
James and Brenda Hamlin, owners of the Avenue Bakery celebrate their 50th Wedding Anniversary this month. All of your patrons including Rambling Rose say, “Congratulations!”