Hanging Out with Jazz Giants

Budd and I had the incredible good fortune of going to see Dr. Lonnie Smith and his trio last night as part of Duke University's Soul Power program.  Having been a longtime fan and friend of Dr. Lonnie, we were able to get backstage and hang out in the Green Room. 
Budd Wilkins and Dr. Lonnie Smith

Lou Donaldson and me!

Dr. Lonnie Smith, is, of course, my musical idol, as I've indicated in an earlier post.   But along with him, he has played for many, many years with alto sax legend and Badin, NC native Lou Donaldson, and Budd and I had the chance to meet and talk with Mr. Donaldson, as well as tenor sax great David "Fathead" Newman and jazz virtuoso guitarist Peter Bernstein.  We were simply in awe and starstruck the whole time (at least I was).  It's so rare to have access to your favorite musicians, but jazz musicians are so accesible and so kind to their fans. 
Jazz Giant Lou Donaldson warming up before the show

To say the show was magnificent is such an understatement.  The performers had young people dancing in front of the stage, and I nearly gave myself whiplash, I was so excited.  I have to give proper respect to drummer Herlin Riley, who could stand up to the best drummers in jazz, living or dead, and to Peter Bernstein, a quintessential guitarist.  The nearly 3 hour set was soulful, tight and a musical ambrosia for the ears.  

After the show, we were blessed enough by the kind folks at Duke University to go back to the Green Room and hang again with our idols.  I'm posting some photos below.  
Dr. Lonnie Smith and me

Nearly all the way home, I cried tears of joy.  Just to be there, listening to the band banter back and forth, tell old stories, to be able to ask Lou Donaldson, "What made you write Alligator Boogaloo?" while he ate his dinner - it was nothing short of magical.  Mr. Donaldson is a jazz legend who played with everyone from Ellington to Charlie Parker.  He's been around the world and back and he knows where it's at.  He personifies the great things about jazz, especially when he told the audience, "This is your music; American music".  It was a privilege and an honor to meet Mr. Donaldson.

And every time I am lucky enough to be in the presence of Dr. Lonnie Smith ranks with the greatest moments of my life.  Not only is he THE consummate Hammond B3 performer, he is one hell of a nice guy.  And I love him dearly.  His music changed my life in dramatic ways, and for that, I will always be grateful, be a fan and be an evangelist for his music.   All these gentlemen, Dr. Lonnie Smith, Lou Donaldson, David Fathead Newman, Houston Person, Peter Bernstein and Herlin Riley, are jazz giants, and last night's performance was clearly the best jazz concert I've ever witnessed.  I'm still star-struck today.   I know Budd's going to post about this and will probably write a lot more eloquently than me.  But I'm still star-struck today.

Jazz Guitar Great Peter Bernstein and me 

Jazz Giant David "Fathead" Newman and me 

Budd & Tina Wilkins with Dr. Lonnie Smith 

Dr. Lonnie Smith, David Fathead Newman and Houston Preston 

Birthing an Event - Like Birthing A Kid?

I am so excited about Blogsboro.com's first event, "Joetry - An Open Mic Event of Poetry, Prose, Song and Coffee" that's going to be held at The Coffee Break, 1820 Spring Garden Street on Jan. 27 at 4:00 p.m.  The Coffee Break is just a terrific space perfect for this kind of event, and the good folks who own and run the place have graciously allowed us to hold the event in their great venue. 

I know my good friend and partner, Billy "The Blogging Poet" Jones will be reading from one of his books...I hope he does "Carrot on a Stick" again.  I just love that poem.  And my darling Budd will also be reading an excerpt from one of his stories.  We're hoping to attract many more performers and make it a wonderful and fun event.  Jerry from The Coffee Break tells me that Patrick Murphy will also be doing a musical performance.

This promises to be the start of something really wonderful; a place for artists to gather, perform, and enjoy each other, as well as a place for the public to come and hear, and enjoy yummy beverages and desserts from The Coffee Break.  I'm so impressed with this new business, and want to do all I can to help keep it around.  Once you've been there, you'll see how cozy and inviting it is, and how great the offerings are.  I saw my friend Elizabeth Castelda from Coldwell Banker Triad Realtors there last night, and she remarked how much she liked The Coffee Break.  It's a great place to network and close a business deal.  Elizabeth's got something exciting and "green" in the works in Greensboro which we will be profiling here on Blogsboro soon.

Since this is the first event I've put together for Blogsboro, I'm just flush with pride.  I do hope you will join Team Blogsboro as we work together to keep art, poetry and music (and a great new business) alive and well in Greensboro.

Poetry Alive and Well in Greensboro

My husband, Budd Wilkins, took these photos last night at the poetry reading hosted by Jordan Green of Yes! Weekly.  We had a wonderful time, and Budd also read an excerpt from his latest short story, Plush Life.  Clement Mallory and Ron Whitehead were mesmerizing and performed for an appreciative crowd.  The Blogsboro Team hopes to host some events like this in the near future, so stay tuned!  We would like to personally thank Jordan for his hospitality, and his wonderful poem.

Listeners 

Clement Mallory

Billy Jones reciting Carrot on a Stick

Our very own Billy Jones
Clement Mallory's amazing performance

Having a good time!
The "In-to Poetry" Crowd
Danny on guitar
Jordan reading his poem
Ron Whitehead
Ron Whitehead 

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Peeplz Presents:

Sceneies- Peeplz We've Scene

A Humorous Collection of Visual Art about America's Subcultures

Saturday, December 15

at The Space on Tate Street