Soulful Sundays – Edward Kennedy “Duke” Ellington
Born on April 29, 1899 in Washington, D.C., Edward Kennedy "Duke" Ellington was a musician, bandleader and a prolific composer who has more than a thousand compositions to his credit. His parents, James Edward and Daisy Kennedy Ellington, both pianists, nurtured his artistic abilities. Duke, who got his name from one of his friends, began taking piano lessons at age seven. In high school, he studied art and was awarded a scholarship to the Pratt Institute but turned it down.…
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Weekly Photo Challenge – Up
[caption id="attachment_6717" align="aligncenter" width="398" caption="Stairs at the Victoria Falls Hotel"][/caption] [caption id="attachment_6719" align="aligncenter" width="395" caption="Cape Point Lighthouse"][/caption] [caption id="attachment_6718" align="aligncenter" width="390" caption="Metropolitan Life Ins Co Tower, New York"][/caption]
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Things I Love About Harlem, Pt 2
A few days ago, I posted a list of ten things I love about Harlem and promised to share a few more. Here they are: Harlem Stage – A performing arts center that “celebrates and perpetuates the unique and diverse artistic legacy of Harlem and the indelible impression it has made on American culture.” Harlem Stage is located on Convent Avenue at W 135th Street, across from the Aaron Davis Hall, a 750-seat theater, experimental theater and rehearsal studio that’s used…
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Travel Photo Thursday – Plaza Hotel
[caption id="attachment_6708" align="aligncenter" width="398" caption="Plaza Hotel, New York"][/caption] [caption id="attachment_6706" align="aligncenter" width="395" caption="Plaza Hotel"][/caption] Located on the east side of Grand Army Plaza at Fifth Avenue and 59th Street, the Plaza is a luxury hotel in New York City. After extensive renovations, the Plaza reopened in 2008 with 282 hotel rooms and 152 private condominium units. In 1986, it was designated a National Landmark building.
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Shaking in New York City
I was sitting at my desk checking messages on my phone when my chair started shaking. At first, I thought my chair was wobbly but the shaking was rhythmic. It was a side to side movement that was gentle and definitely perceptibly. Something caused me to look in the direction of the table lamp. Without a doubt, the shade was shaking. No mistake about it. Maybe the breeze is stronger than I think it is, I say to myself. But…
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RIP Nicholas Ashford
According to news reports, Nicholas Ashford of Ashford and Simpson passed away yesterday here in New York. Ashford, who was born in South Carolina grew up in Michigan. He moved to New York City in the early 1960s and met his future wife, Valerie Simpson in Harlem's White Rock Baptist Church. They began collaborating musically with Ashford writing most of the lyrics, Simpson composing. They also recorded together. But it's their work as songwriters for performers such as Ray Charles,…
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Harlem Eats – Where to Find Good Food in Harlem, Part 1
When I moved to Harlem more than 10 years ago, you could count on one hand the number of restaurants and banks on 125th Street and surroundings and still have fingers left over. Now, I can sample Senegalese, Jamaican, Cuban, French, American, Italian, Ethiopian, Chinese, and some new fusion foods without having to take a subway downtown. Oh, and now I have my pick of several branches of the major banks just on 125th Street alone. Here are a few…
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Soulful Sundays – Ernest Ranglin
For most people, reggae is Jamaican music. But before there was reggae, there were other types of music, most notably ska. Guitarist Ernest (Ernie) Ranglin is one of the musicians credited with creating ska. In addition to his involvement with ska, Ranglin created the soundtrack for the Bond film, Dr. No, which was [caption id="attachment_6658" align="alignright" width="300" caption="Jazz Guitarist, Ernest 'Ernie' Ranglin"][/caption] filmed in Jamaica. Born in Jamaica 79 years ago, Ranglin started playing at an early age after listening to his musician uncles…
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Weekly Photo Challenge – Flowers
Like most folks, I love looking at flowers. In fact, I have been on vacation many times and returned with mostly photos flowers. Here are a few that I hope you'll enjoy: [caption id="attachment_6641" align="aligncenter" width="391" caption="Flowers from the NY Botanical Garden"][/caption] [caption id="attachment_6639" align="aligncenter" width="300" caption="Flowers from the NY botanical Garden"][/caption]
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Random Views of Harlem, 4
My new favorite place to spend an afternoon by the water, West Harlem Piers Park. [caption id="attachment_6631" align="aligncenter" width="426" caption="George Washington Bridge Seen from West Harlem Piers Park"][/caption]
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