Swing Bands: The Harlem Playgirls

The Harlem Playgirls

African American Swing Band, The Harlem Playgirls, had their run from the mid 1930's to the early 1940's. They toured consistently and performed at the Apollo Theater, Savoy Ballroom and other places of great repute. Some members went on to work in the International Sweethearts of Rhythm and the Prairie View Co-eds. There are no videos of their performances on YouTube. Have an exciting Wednesday

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

Background information
Origin	Midwestern United States
Genres	Swing
Years active	1935-1940s

Members: Lela Julius, Vi Burnside and others 

Hip Hop Tuesdays: Lil Keke

Marcus Lakee Edwards (born March 29, 1976)

Southern Rapper, Lil Keke, is a member of the Screwed Up Click. He scored his most successful hit in 1997 from his debut Album and continues to release material, his most recent being in 2018. Please take a listen here and Happy Hip Hop Tuesday: It was all a dream and Southside

Source: https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lil'_Keke

Background Information
Birth name	Marcus Lakee Edwards
Born	March 29, 1976(age 42)[1]
Origin	Houston, Texas, United States
Genres	Hip hop
Occupation(s)	Rapper
Years active	1993–present
Labels	Swishahouse,Warner Music Group, TF Records,Universal Motown, Screwed Up Records , SoSouth/Fontana
Associated acts	Screwed Up Click,Fat Pat, Krazy, DJ Screw, Herschelwood Hardheadz, Big Hawk, Z-Ro, Lil' Flip,UGK, Paul Wall,Slim Thug,Chamillionaire, Al Kapone, Big Pokey

Tribute Mondays: Don Pullen

Don Gabriel Pullen (December 25, 1941 – April 22, 1995)

Bandleader, Composer, Jazz Pianist and Organist, Don Pullen, was an excellent Composer of Blues, Bebop and modern Jazz pieces. He attended the Johnson C. Smith University to study Medicine, but switched to playing Jazz beginning in 1964. He also worked as an Arranger at various Record labels, Composed for many and worked as a Sideman with Jimmy Rushing, Nina Simone and others. He died in 1995; thanks for your contribution Mr. Pullen, you are appreciated. Please take a listen here and have a sweet Monday: Nommo (with Mitford Graves), Healing force, Kadji and Dialog between Malcolm and Betty (1997)

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

Background information
Birth name	Don Gabriel Pullen
Born	December 25, 1941 Roanoke, Virginia, United States
Died	April 22, 1995(aged 53) Los Angeles, California
Genres	Jazz, avant-garde jazz
Occupation(s)	Musician, composer, arranger, record producer, bandleader
Instruments	Piano, organ
Years active	1964–1995
Labels	Timeless, Blue Note, Sackville,Black Saint,Atlantic,Palcoscenico,Mosaic, SRP
Associated acts	Milford Graves,Charles Mingus,Mingus Dynasty,Art Blakey, David Murray, John Scofield, George Adams, Hamiet Bluiett, Jane Bunnett

Kenny Barron

Kenny Barron (born June 9, 1943)

Jazz Pianist, Kenny Barron, is hailed for his appearances on hundreds of Recordings, both as a Bandleader and Sideman and also for his influential contributions to mainstream Jazz. He taught Piano and Keyboard harmony at Rutgers University for over 25 years and is currently a Teacher at the Juilliard School of Music. Please take a listen here and have a relaxing Sunday:  You had better listen (with Jimmy Owens), Sunset and Delores Street, S.F.

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

Background information
Born	June 9, 1943(age 75) Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States
Genres	Jazz
Occupation(s)	Musician, composer
Instruments	Piano
Years active	1960s–present

Jazz Greats: Don Byas

Carlos Wesley " Don" Byas (October 21, 1912 – August 24, 1972)

Jazz Tenor Saxophonist, Don Byas, was a Bandleader and Sideman that worked mostly in Bebop and played with Count Basie, Duke Ellington, Art Blakey, and many others. He led his own Band at aged 20 years old and went on to score hits both as a Solo and featured Musician. He died in 1972; please take a listen here and have a good Saturday: Stormy Weather, Them there eyes, You Set Me on Fire (with Andy Kirk) , Salt peanuts (with Dizzy Gillespie and Trummy young), How high the moon and Laura

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

Source 2: https://www.discogs.com/artist/255563-Don-Byas

Background Information
Birth name	Carlos Wesley Byas
Born	October 21, 1912 Muskogee, Oklahoma, U.S.
Died	August 24, 1972(aged 59) Amsterdam, Netherlands
Genres	Bebop, swing
Instruments	Tenor saxophone

Weldon Irvine

Weldon Jonathan Irvine Jr. (October 27, 1943 – April 9, 2002)

Composer, Playwright, Poet, Pianist, Organist and Keyboardist, Weldon Irvine (also known as Master Wel), worked in many Genres (Funk-Jazz, Jazz, Hip Hop, Funk, Rhythm and Blues and Gospel) and wrote over 500 songs during his tenure. He mentored Rappers Q-Tjp and Mos Def and was the Bandleader for Nina Simone, writing "To be young gifted and black." Please take a listen here and have an enjoyable weekend: Love your brother and Time capsule

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

Source 2:  https://www.discogs.com/artist/20585-Weldon-Irvine

Background information
Name: Weldon Jonathan Irvine Jr.  Born: Oct. 27, 1943 Died: Apr. 09, 2002 Origin: Hampton, Virginia, US Label: RCA Records, Strata-East, Nodlew