Happy Life Affirmation To The One And Only James Melvin Lunceford!!!
(June 06, 1902-July 12, 1947)
(June 06, 1902-July 12, 1947)
*W.E. A.L.L. B.E. News & Radio Special* Paying Homage To Forgotten Memphis City Schools Education & Jazz Great Legend Jimmie Lunceford...Tha Artivist Improvises...
You Are Beyond Category...
You Are Beyond Category...
Although you went to your Blue Heaven over 60 years ago, your songs and films are still around entertaining another generation of unsuspecting yet joyful fans...However, it could be said that you are the true Most Known Unknown no disrespect to 3-6 Mafia, just rhyme and reason...
You started the first Memphis City Schools music education program without help or $$$ from the City Schools @ Manassas High (even today they still act like they don't have any money for the youthful masses unless when it comes to paying off incompetent cronies and other useless a**es)...You took nine young ambitious and eager boys from New Chicago in North Memphis and made them anew and into men by sharing your love and gift of music...
Your band of merry men (including your buddies from Fisk University) left the comforts of Memphis and Manassas High School in 1930 for greener, greater & jazzier pastures to parts unknown even to you and your crew...In spite of lack of funds you were determined to make your mark by playing with The House's Money...A True Game of Chance With The Will To Be Free...Your drive and insistence outweighed financial difficulties and man's indifference...
Through true hustle and flow you became the number one jazz band for all African Americans in the land, earning the nickname 'The Harlem Express'...Your band started to broadcast live from the Good Ole Cotton Club in the Year Of Our Lord 1934 and you became the American Idol of Miles Davis, Quincy Jones, Glen Miller AND MANY, MANY MORE!!!
Your Genius In Action Was Immortalized In Film While Your Orchestra Played Blues In The Night...
You, Gen . Lunceford, led a music revolution in swing time and created a Jazznocracy!!!
Your Band was the biggest attraction at the Apollo Theatre for 10 straight years and was the first to play an integrated audience at the Paramount Theatre...You were the toast of the town, The King Of New York!!! You were the Master and Commander as well as the Undisputed Champ of the Battle of the Bands...Your Band Was Considered 'The Greatest' By The Masses, Not Chick's,Not Duke's, Not Even Count's Mattered...
You was a King uncrowned with no country to rule...And yet you still practice the golden rule...
You never forgot your roots and went back to plant more seeds with the glee and joy of a Johnny Appleseed...And my o my look at the beautiful fruits your tree bears!!!
Rhythm Bombers', Isaac Hayes', Booker T. Jones', Dee Dee Bridgewaters', Booker Littles', Phineas Newborns' , George Colemans', Kathryn Perry Thomas', Arthur Lees', Charles Lloyds', Emerson Ables', Maurice Whites', Larry Lees' and Johny Aces' o my!!!
And yes indeed so, so much more!!!
You just didn't "climb mountains" you also "flew over them"...
You flew and owned your own airplane at a time when the government tried not to teach the Tuskegee Airmen how to fly, kill and die for good ole Uncle Sam...
You Always Embraced Equality & Never Inequity, Always Strived For Excellence & Never Settled For Mediocrity...
Your Dreams And Ambitions Knew No Bounds Or Limitations...
You was on top of the world until a racist hate mongering White man snatched your life with Apollo Sandmanlike efficiency...The curtains closed and the lights went dim once you left the stage...
You Used Your God Given Gifts To Warm Humanity's Heart And Soul...
And Yet 'The City Of Good Abode' Has Left One Of Her Favorite Sons Forgotten & Out In The Cold...
Where Is The Brass Note On Beale??? Where Are The Markers??? Where Are The Eulogies???
Where's The Outrage??? Where's The Love??? Why So Much Indifference & Hostility???
They Are Still Missing...
However, One Day In The Heat Of The August Night In The 60th Year Of Your Passing, 'An Artivist' Had An Epiphany...
Resurrect Jimmie's Memory By Teaching His Story To The Citizens Who Can't Even Recall His Memory Or Shamefully Neglect History!!!
What Can Profit A People If They Have No Identity???
The Hope Endures, The Dream Never Dies And The Beat Goes On!!!
Lunceford Lives!!! Lunceford Lives!!!
The Rhythm Of Life Is Our Business!!!
---Bro. Ron Herd II a.k.a. R2C2H2 Tha Artivist
Photo by Mike Maple
You started the first Memphis City Schools music education program without help or $$$ from the City Schools @ Manassas High (even today they still act like they don't have any money for the youthful masses unless when it comes to paying off incompetent cronies and other useless a**es)...You took nine young ambitious and eager boys from New Chicago in North Memphis and made them anew and into men by sharing your love and gift of music...
Your band of merry men (including your buddies from Fisk University) left the comforts of Memphis and Manassas High School in 1930 for greener, greater & jazzier pastures to parts unknown even to you and your crew...In spite of lack of funds you were determined to make your mark by playing with The House's Money...A True Game of Chance With The Will To Be Free...Your drive and insistence outweighed financial difficulties and man's indifference...
Through true hustle and flow you became the number one jazz band for all African Americans in the land, earning the nickname 'The Harlem Express'...Your band started to broadcast live from the Good Ole Cotton Club in the Year Of Our Lord 1934 and you became the American Idol of Miles Davis, Quincy Jones, Glen Miller AND MANY, MANY MORE!!!
Your Genius In Action Was Immortalized In Film While Your Orchestra Played Blues In The Night...
You, Gen . Lunceford, led a music revolution in swing time and created a Jazznocracy!!!
Your Band was the biggest attraction at the Apollo Theatre for 10 straight years and was the first to play an integrated audience at the Paramount Theatre...You were the toast of the town, The King Of New York!!! You were the Master and Commander as well as the Undisputed Champ of the Battle of the Bands...Your Band Was Considered 'The Greatest' By The Masses, Not Chick's,Not Duke's, Not Even Count's Mattered...
You was a King uncrowned with no country to rule...And yet you still practice the golden rule...
You never forgot your roots and went back to plant more seeds with the glee and joy of a Johnny Appleseed...And my o my look at the beautiful fruits your tree bears!!!
Rhythm Bombers', Isaac Hayes', Booker T. Jones', Dee Dee Bridgewaters', Booker Littles', Phineas Newborns' , George Colemans', Kathryn Perry Thomas', Arthur Lees', Charles Lloyds', Emerson Ables', Maurice Whites', Larry Lees' and Johny Aces' o my!!!
And yes indeed so, so much more!!!
You just didn't "climb mountains" you also "flew over them"...
You flew and owned your own airplane at a time when the government tried not to teach the Tuskegee Airmen how to fly, kill and die for good ole Uncle Sam...
You Always Embraced Equality & Never Inequity, Always Strived For Excellence & Never Settled For Mediocrity...
Your Dreams And Ambitions Knew No Bounds Or Limitations...
You was on top of the world until a racist hate mongering White man snatched your life with Apollo Sandmanlike efficiency...The curtains closed and the lights went dim once you left the stage...
You Used Your God Given Gifts To Warm Humanity's Heart And Soul...
And Yet 'The City Of Good Abode' Has Left One Of Her Favorite Sons Forgotten & Out In The Cold...
Where Is The Brass Note On Beale??? Where Are The Markers??? Where Are The Eulogies???
Where's The Outrage??? Where's The Love??? Why So Much Indifference & Hostility???
They Are Still Missing...
However, One Day In The Heat Of The August Night In The 60th Year Of Your Passing, 'An Artivist' Had An Epiphany...
Resurrect Jimmie's Memory By Teaching His Story To The Citizens Who Can't Even Recall His Memory Or Shamefully Neglect History!!!
What Can Profit A People If They Have No Identity???
The Hope Endures, The Dream Never Dies And The Beat Goes On!!!
Lunceford Lives!!! Lunceford Lives!!!
The Rhythm Of Life Is Our Business!!!
---Bro. Ron Herd II a.k.a. R2C2H2 Tha Artivist
Photo by Mike Maple
Playing Taps For A Forgotten Jazz Great: Ron Herd II a.k.a. R2C2H2 Tha Artivist warms up on his trumpet Saturday to play a tribute to band leader and arranger Jimmie Lunceford, who taught in Memphis in the 1920s and went on to perform throughout the world.
*W.E. A.L.L. B.E. News & Radio Special*
The Jimmie Lunceford Jamboree Festival Tribute Show~10-21-07
Show:
http://www.blogtalkradio.com/weallbe/2007/10/21/tha-artivist-presentswe-all-be-radio
Summary:
http://weallbe.blogspot.com/2007/10/10-21-07radio-jamboree-salutes-famed.html
*Also Check Out We Remember Jimmie Lunceford~8-26-07
Show:
http://www.blogtalkradio.com/weallbe/2007/08/26/tha-artivist-presentswe-all-be-radio
Summary:
http://weallbe.blogspot.com/2007/08/we-remember-jimmie-lunceford-on-we-all.html
* Interview With Eddy Determeyer, 2007 Jimmie Lunceford Legacy Award Honoree & Author Of The First Ever Jimmie Lunceford Biography, Rhythm Is Our Business
Show:
http://www.blogtalkradio.com
Summary:
http://weallbe.blogspot.com
For More Lunceford News Visit:
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