The Rondelle55 Chronicles

Thursday 18 October 2018

Calypso Thursdays: Lionel Belasco

Lionel Belasco (1881 – c. 24 June 1967)

Pianist, Composer and Bandleader, Lionel Belasco, is most remembered for his Calypso recordings. He led his own band in 1902 and began recording in 1914. He owned a Publishing company and composed regarded Folk and Waltz pieces. He died in 1967; please take a listen here and Happy Calypso Thursday: Venezuela, Juliana and Miranda (Waltz)

Source: https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lionel_Belasco
Background information
Name: Lionel Belasco 
Born: 1881
Died: 24 June 1967 
Origin: Maracaibo, Venezuela or Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago 

Wednesday 17 October 2018

Eddie Durham's All-Star Girl Orchestra

Eddie Durham's All-Star Girl Orchestra

African American Women's Band, Eddie Durham's All-Star Girl Orchestra, was created by Arranger, Eddie Durham in 1942. The Band which toured the US and overseas consisted of around 22 members. The Band helped to Raise war bonds, uplifted morale and performed at Military Camps and United Service Organization (USO) Centers during world war ll. The Band disbanded in 1946 and some members went on to join the Darlings of Rhythm. No videos of the Band are available on YouTube, have a great Wednesday

Source: https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eddie_Durham's_All-Star_Girl_Orchestra
Name: Eddie Durham's All-Star Girl Orchestra
Origin: US
Years active: 1940's
Members:
Dolly Jones Armenra - Trumpet
Edna Williams - Trumpet
Jean Starr - Trumpet
Nova Lee McGee - Trumpet
Thelma Lewis - Trumpet
Flo Jones - Trumpet
Lela Julius- Trombone
Jessie Turner - Trombone
Sammy Lee Jett - Trombone
Ellarize Thompson - Alto Saxophone, Flute, Clarinet, and Violin
Alma Cortez - Baritone Saxophone
Lorraine Brown Guilford - Saxophone
Josephine Boyd- Saxophone
Margaret Backstreet "Padjo" - Saxophone
Edith Farthing - Upright Bass
Violet "Vi" M. Wilson - Bass

Tuesday 16 October 2018

Hip Hop Tuesdays: Snypaz

Snypaz

Chicago Hip Hop Group, Snypaz, began their tenure in 1993 and worked with Do or Die and Scarface, before signing with a major Label. They remain active; please take a listen here and Happy Hip Hop Tuesday: My life as a Snypa

Source: https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Snypaz


Background information 
OriginChicagoIllinois,United States
GenresHip hop
Years active1993 – Present
LabelsVirginRap-A-Lot
Associated actsScarface,YukmouthDo or DieHussein Fatal
Members2/4
Chilla
R-O-B
Sic Wic
Killwood Syrup

Monday 15 October 2018

Tribute Mondays: Theresa Harris

Theresa Harris (December 31, 1906 – October 8, 1985)

Television and Film Actress, Singer and Dancer, Theresa Harris, began her acting career in 1929, but was mostly uncredited in many roles during her 1930's run. She starred on Radio Programs in the 1940's, and also had some prominent roles for RKO Pictures. The 1950's saw her taking up roles on Television shows. She retired in 1958 and died in 1985. Thanks for your contribution Ms. Harris, you are appreciated. Please take a listen here and have an exciting Monday: Daddy won't you please come home and My! My! (with Eddie Rochester Anderson)

Source: https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Theresa_Harris


BornDecember 31, 1906
HoustonTexas,U.S.
DiedOctober 8, 1985(aged 78)
Inglewood, California, U.S.
Resting placeAngelus-Rosedale Cemetery
EducationJefferson High School
Alma materUCLA Conservatory of Music
Zoellner's Conservatory of Music
OccupationActress, singer, dancer
Years active1929–1958
Spouse(s)George Robinson

Sunday 14 October 2018

Gospel Groups: The Freedom Singers

The Freedom Singers

Gospel Group, The Freedom Singers, began as a Student Quartet and went on to become Civil Rights Movement icons. Their popularity was aided by Pete Seeger and The SNCC (Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee) during the Civil Rights Movement. As their popularity grew from their touring with the SNCC during events in over 40 cities and also their performance during the March on Washington in 1963, so did their impact on helping to bring light to segregation in the South. Please take a listen here and have an relaxing Sunday: We shall over come and We shall not be moved

Source: https/en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Freedom_Singers
Background information
Name: The Freedom Singers 
Origin: Albany, Georgia, US
Labels: Mercury Records
Members: Rutha Mae Harris, Bernice Johnson Reagon,
Cordell Reagon, Charles Neblett, Bill Perlman,
Bertha Gober, Emory Harris, Marshall Jones, and Matthew Jones.

Saturday 13 October 2018

Jazz Greats: Art Taylor

Arthur S. Taylor, Jr. (April 6, 1929 – February 6, 1995)

Jazz Drummer, Art Taylor, was one of the important Musicians that helped to define the sound of modern Jazz drumming. He began his career as a teenager, and went on to work with many Greats ( Coleman Hawkins, Bud Powell, Sonny Rollins, Art Farmer, Miles Davis and many others). He also led his own Band and wrote a well received book and performed consistently up to his last years. He died in 1995; please take a listen here and have a great Saturday: AT's Delight, Syeeda's Song Flute and  Taylor's Wailers (full album)

Source: https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Art_Taylor


Background information
Birth nameArthur S. Taylor, Jr.
BornApril 6, 1929
New York City
DiedFebruary 6, 1995(aged 65)
New York City
GenresJazz
Occupation(s)Musician, composer
InstrumentsDrums

Friday 12 October 2018

Alvin Queen

Alvin Queen (Born August 16, 1950 Bronx, New York, U.S.)

Jazz Drummer, Alvin Queen, worked with Ruth Brown, Wild Bill Davis and others at aged 16 years old. He went on to work in numerous Jazz outfits and still remains active after over 50 years in the industry. Please take a listen here and have an enjoyable weekend: Drum solo and Naima's love song

Source: https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alvin_Queen
Background information
BornAugust 16, 1950
Bronx, New York, U.S.
GenresJazz
Occupation(s)Musician, label owner
InstrumentsDrums
Years active1966–present
LabelsNilva
Website

Thursday 11 October 2018

Reggae Thursdays: Garnett Silk

Garnet Damion Smith {2 April 1966 – 9 December 1994) 

Well regarded Reggae Vocalist, Garnett Silk, began his career as a Jamaican Deejay on Sound Systems and went on to work in a duo with Tony Rebel. He converted to the Rastafari Religion in the later 1980's and was convinced to become a singer by Derrick Morgan. He went on to score many hits, before his career was cut short by his untimely death in an house fire, in which he tried to save his mother in 1994. Please take a listen here and Happy Reggae Thursday: Mama, Seven spanish angels, It's growing, Oh me, oh my, Zion in a vision, Place in your heart, Kingly character and Hello Mama Africa

Source 1: https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Garnett_Silk

Source 2: https://www.discogs.com/artist/194652-Garnett-Silk


Background information
Birth nameGarnet Damion Smith
Born2 April 1966
OriginManchester, Jamaica
Died9 December 1994(aged 28)
Mandeville, Jamaica
GenresReggaedancehall
Years activelate 1970s–1994
LabelsVPGreensleeves,HeartbeatAtlantic
Associated actsIn