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The RHODE Island rhythm & blues preservation society |
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Founder of the Month of August as RI State Rhythm & Blues Heritage Month |
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Cleveland Kurtz President/CEO
Photo By: Jean Coates |
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Home of Classic Rhythm and Blues and The RI Preservation Hall Rhythm & Blues Band |
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Founded in 2003, the Rhode Island Rhythm & Blues Preservation Society is an all volunteer, independent 501©(3), nonprofit, diverse membership organization dedicated to promoting and preserving the African American legacy, heritage, tradition and history of the classic rhythm & blues music style through activities, events and public education. Among its many services, the Society provides instruments to underprivileged children, financial assistance to nonprofit organizations that provide and/or support afterschool music programs for underprivileged kids and educational projects and programs to support and improve public awareness of the music style and its local history.
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RIRBPS Headquarters 12 Kipling Street Providence, RI 02907 (401) 461—0012
Email: clevekurtz@gmail,com |
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For a membership application or more information about us please write us at 12 Kipling Street, Providence, RI 02907. Because of serious and continuous abuse of our email address on this web site, the address has been removed. We regret any inconvenience that this may cause in connecting with RIRBPS.
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Rhythm |
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Blues |
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RIRBPS |
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October—December 2011 |
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RIRBPS NEW ADDRESS
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MEMBERSHIP APPLICATION. Page 5
SPONSORS! Page 6
PROVIDENCE STREET NAMED FOR JEFFERY OSBORNE: Story on page 7
220 SALVATION FORECLOSURE: Story on page 7
PERFORMING RIRBPS MEMBERS AVAILABLE FOR BOOKINGS and GIG SCHEDULES : Page 8
THE GOLDEN TONES QUINTET: FROM GOSPEL TO R&B: Story on Page 9
LIFE AND TIMES DURING RI R&B ERA: Story on Page 9
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EDDIE “ PROF” COATES: RIRBPS Preservation Hall R&B Band. Classic R&B |
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Preservation Society |
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Rhode Island |
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Preservation Hall Band Guitar: Paul “Sweet P” Williams and Prof Coates on Hammond Organ.
Photo By: Norm Grant 2006
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220 salvation Photo By: Sylvia Ann Soares
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Recently, on a fascinating tour of Salvation 220’s music jam and Bible study center in the basement of Reverend David Hector’s home on 220 Camp Street, I saw a black 40’s telephone, the kind with the old party line system, the kind where everybody knew everybody else’s business. For forty years, Hector, now70, has guided this sanctuary, sharing quality live music, Bible study and social support for the needy. My ‘tour guide’ was Roger Lanctot, who has worked with the Reverend. for thirty-nine of those years. The open basement is a virtual museum and Roger, despite referring to himself as an ‘amateur historian,’ is not only highly knowledgeable on US and local history pertaining to race, humanity and justice, but also a fascinating guide. As I photographed, Roger filled me in on pertinent facts regarding this haven, cherished by neighbors and visitors, and which is sadly facing foreclosure. Subsequent visits gathered more info from Hector and Lanctot. Donations are incoming and needed.
One can easily imagine those lurking in the wings, salivating over this charming, well-kept two-story one-family house whose historic plaque reads 1876. The tidy, well-organized basement area is alive, joyous with collectibles and items donated in gratitude for inspiration and community warmth shared by Reverend Hector and lovely wife Elizabeth. Youth visitors marvel as they step into the past with those who were actually there. There is the first electric refrigerator from the early 30’s, a monitor top Crosley frig. There are Campbell soup collectibles including a clock with the Campbell soup girl, bottles of Hope Beverage Soda, a Betty Boop wall sconce, Elvis Presley and other toys, a ship model, and much more. A churchwoman friend donated, in gratitude for spiritual inspiration and strength, an old blacktop stove now holding wrought iron pot and other collectible kitchen items. There is a poster of The United First Born Church of Jesus Christ started by Hector’s mother Alice D. and a hanging of a Cherokee Indian, reminder of Reverend Hector’s Cherokee grandmother in North Carolina. Among other wall displays is a picture of 17 year old Arthur Hazard and Randy Ash of Randy’s group the Stompers. Randy grew up a few blocks away on Camp Street in the area torn down by the 60’s redevelopment. After his stint in Vietnam, a hail of rocks at T.F. Green Airport greeted Arthur. He was welcomed at Reverend Hector’s with open arms and later given a Selmer sax, with which he performed for years. Each precious life item, too numerous to mention, carries a story of love. Second-hand couches, armchairs and folding chairs welcome guests.
The walls are covered with photos and posters of musicians who have visited and donated time, expertise or funds. Upon the threat of the foreclosure, hundreds of signatures, letters and donations arrived from supporters, including the pictured Danny Draher, Chicago blues guitarist. Among the impressive list of numerous supporters are Professor Richard Petronelli, Jiu Jitsu trainer and Pawtucket policeman, Louis Reed. Pictured on the walls are gospel singer Ed Hawkins; Leonard Malls, keyboard; Dr. Lonnie Smith, internationally known and authentic master of the Hammond B3 recently voted Downbeat’s #1 jazz organist; organist Seleno Clarke of the New York club ‘Smokes;” Herbie King, drummer from Boston and Harold Jones former drummer with Count Basie. Pictured are locals such as Buddy George and James Bochetti, drums; Louie Camp, sax and Alice Nives who learned sax from Arthur Hazard. Smiling from the wall is one of the 220 performers, actor-singer-impressionist Ben Powers, who played Thelma’s boyfriend on “Good Times,” and the actress author of this article. Jeffrey Osborne played drums at Salvation 220. Other known faces attest to the quality and respect of Reverend David Hector’s work. Some mentioned here are online and on Youtube, Facebook, etc.
Needy musicians who received instruments are now career artists in New York and elsewhere. Some were taught by forty-one year friend and partner, organist Lonnie Gasperini, who instituted the instruments for children program early on. Donated, purchased or repaired instruments were given away or used in music lessons by accomplished visiting artists such as RI Philharmonic former 1st clarinet Vinnie Lado and trombonist Dr. Louis Fuchs. Both taught here. WPRI Walter Buteau’s brother in-law, John Whetstone, musician and supporter, brought his sons to study, one of whom now has his own band. The list of visiting musicians over the years is endless.
International visitors at 220 include an immigrant Pakistani family, Russians, Cape Verdeans and European French. First generation Filipino Professor Hondolero, Ph.D.MA.D.Sc. In Martial Arts and in the Philosophy and Science of Marital Arts, played his tenor/alto/soprano sax and trumpet there. Talented young lady, Ikeko Tsuruga of Japan, graced the organ alongside Dr. Lonnie Smith. Japanese Masami Ishaiakawa learned to play blues guitar with Hector and was a sensation at the Cuban Revolution.
Facing most of the room is an organ and drum set where sat a line of musicians including regular organist Lonnie Gasperini, the famed Dr, Lonnie Smith and organist ‘Prof’ Ed Coates, Founder of the RI Rhythm and Blues Preservation Society. Violinists, flutists, brass, percussion, vocalists and countless others have graced the house. Many evenings were videotaped. Besides celebs, David is in one video playing a complex fugue on tenor sax. In one scene, a six-year-old boy is in background playing the spoons on the blacktop stove. Scintillating songstress Mae Palmer set the place aflame. She patted Hector’s now deceased son Joseph on the head during “Unforgettable.” There was Willie Love, tenor sax, Henry Van Leesten, vocals, Big Sam, drums, Bob Laferrieri, tenor sax, Peter Farmer, tenor sax and many more. We see students that Lonnie Gasperini brought to play alongside the pros. Students and professors from Berklee College of Music attended. The list is long. |
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220 SALVATION: A RHODE ISLAND LEGENDARY RI BLUES TO JAZZ JAM VENUE NEEDS DONATIONS TO SURVIVE FORECLOSURE!!!!
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Full Story on Page 7 |
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A musician in his own right, Reverend Hector has played with gospel and R&B groups, on the late David Parker and his long running ABC Channel 12 gospel show "Chariot Wheels,” and with Fox Point Mike Solomon, sax, Thomas ‘Tanas’ Soares, bass and David Parker, piano. He played with Slide Hampton, R&B in Fall River, for three days with Wilson Pickett in New Bedford, singer Johnny Nash, Fatman Wilson and Professor Noble Thin Man Watts, sax. He jammed in Boston with bassist Sam Rivers and Joe Ferguson, sax and flute, and with ‘Dr. B’ in a mix of Jazz and R&B featuring Dr. B, sax, Paul Black, organ, and Joe Ferguson, sax. He jammed with Huston Person, jazz tenor sax at Ellie’s Lounge on Westminster.
Atop a 40’s radio console belonging to Hector’s mother Alice is a photo of her and five sisters. Mother Alice, inspiration to Hector’s spiritual work, started The United First Born Church of Jesus Christ in a storefront on 241 Wickenden Street in Fox Point across from Manny Almeida’s bar. Hector’s parents, Isaiah and Alice, being Black, could not gain approval to purchase the building, but a Jewish attorney supporter Thomas Perlman purchased and sold it to them. This was a far cry from the treatment received by Mother Hector, a single woman arriving in Ohio from North Carolina. While she bent over a drinking fountain, she was violently kicked in the hind by a White man who cursed that this fountain was not for n-----s. After a few moves, the church eventually came to its present location on 190 Camp Street with Reverend Hector’s cousin Miss Mamie as overseer. It stands alongside the Camp Street Community Ministry with whom they work, as does Reverend David.
Hector’s parental family lived on Council Street where now stands the main Post Office, on Wickenden Street, Waterman Avenue in East Providence and on Lippitt Street now torn down. His mother ran a restaurant on Camp Street. Renowned jazz pianist Hal Galper, a young Etta James and gospel singer Bobby James visited the Hectors' music mission on Wickenden. Reverend David Hector and wife launched the major mission of music and spirituality after they moved to 220 Camp Street in 1970.
Salvation 220’s Bible study and community programs served beyond the call of duty. Hector has never charged a cent for hosting Bible study, music jams, for local gospel and R&B tours or for concerts with major named musicians and gospel artists. Besides free music lessons from professionals, youth groups frequented horseback riding at Lincoln Woods. The girls would make ham and peanut butter sandwiches for chaperoned jaunts to Rocky Point in nine cars and a van. There were birthday parties for kids and a backyard haunted house visited by Myrth York and Mayor Cicilline. In 2003, twenty youth who rehearsed with Lonnie and Roger gathered on the Hectors’ brightly decorated Christmas porch, caroling with candles. Warmly dressed neighbors arrived, some participating from across the street in folding chairs. In warm weather, youth took bicycles tours on Sunday afternoons after church from Mt. Hope through Fox Point and up Blackstone Boulevard to the ice cream parlor for lemonade. They engaged in one of Hector’s passions, collectible bicycles, and proudly rode around Billy Taylor Park showing Hector’s classic collection for the 350 Anniversary of Providence in 1986.
His Salvation 220 gospel group and the R&B group contained much of the same musicians. The jazz concerts included some of the same. Brown University Richard Arigo, Masters in Astronomy and in Computer Sciences, was MC to many events. They featured talent that the commercial industry was not lucky enough to bring together, those being the following. They were Educator Joe Ferguson, flute and sax; pianist Hal Galper; bassist Sam Rivers; Peter Farmer, sax and trumpet; Willie Love, sax; ‘The Albino Kid’ from Berklee School of Music; Lonnie Gasperini, organ; Freddie Starks, keyboard; Arthur Starks, bass; Leonard Nalls, organ; Berklee Educator Bobby Green, alto sax; Randall Ashe, sax; Arthur Hazard, sax; Buddy George, drums and flute; Frank Savoy, drums; Bob Laferrieri , sax; Rick Allen, guitar; Tony Patrick, keyboards and Henry ‘Kareem’ Van Leesten, vocals. At Hector’s, Hispanic Christina Aponte who left a distressed situation in New York was welcomed into the circle and trained to sing gospel. Salvation 220 Gospel group played Congdon Street Church, Olney Street Baptist Church, Church of the Redeemer, Bethel AME, Mt. Hope Calvary Church of Deliverance, Ebenezer Baptist Church and others. In 1995, they performed at Advent House Shelter to clapping, singing, tambourine-wielding guests, bringing people to their feet for the final number, “Jesus, the Miracle Man.”
One all afternoon, later discovered to be National Saxophone Day, Salvation 220 held a jazz concert at the Fourth Baptist Church on Hope Street (now Mt. Hope Community Baptist,) featuring the aforementioned musicians, for neighborhood youth, parents and Brown University students. The intent was to introduce the youth from diverse backgrounds to the common appreciation of quality music and to inspire creativity. The event was dubbed ‘Presidents Day’ to impart a bit of history. The show opened with a visit from the lively, leaping Presidents. Jimmy Carter, Roger Lanctot in a rubber Carter mask, tossed peanuts. Following was Bob Laferrieri in a George Bush, Sr. mask and gestures, and finally Reverend Hector in a Ronald Regan mask flashing the peace sign. Carl Henry’s daughter received a plaque honoring her deceased DJ father, owner of Carl’s Diggins on Randall Street, later North Main. The youth were enthralled and audibly appreciative. Willie Love clowned for the kids and led a New Orleans style march through the audience. When the musicians left the stage, the kids ran up attempting to play the instruments left standing. A number of these musicians have since passed on. Previously, Joe Ferguson had heart surgery and mentioned how these events were breathing life back into him.
In collaboration with the late David Parker of the Channel 12 show “Chariot Wheels," Reverend Hector produced concerts at the Fourth Baptist Church on Hope. They featured nationally recognized artists, such as, Edwin Hawkins and The New York Community Choir. A Christmas show at The United First Born Church of Jesus Christ at 190 Camp Street featured the Grammy winning Winans Family. Salvation 220 paid the expenses for these stars, including bodyguards and limos. Each May, Appreciation Services honored three ministers, local or out of state, along with those whose community work was unrecognized. Honorees received all expenses and were picked up in limos.
The present day Hectors would provide transportation to Salvation 220 gatherings for seekers from Better Days Nursing Home in Pawtucket, Lockwood Plaza and Charlesgate Apartments and Nursing. They attended Sunday morning services at The United First Born Church of Jesus Christ, plus Sunday afternoon or weekday Bible study at 220 Camp. These folk looked forward to their weekly weekday jam sessions, for some their only outing. Visitors from Advent House, Martin DePorres, Crossroads and the Urban League program are frequent. Reverend Hector recalls waves of attending immigrants, Irish, Italian and Cape Verdean. All are invited and some attend seven days a week. There is free coffee, soft drinks and pastries for all. Gus, guitarist and owner of NY System hot dogs on Smith Street once brought hot dogs for all. Working always with the Camp Street Community Ministry/Camp Street Ministries, and pouring in their own funds, Salvation 220 offered support and guidance in social assistance. They helped rehabilitate alcoholic and drug addicted musicians and retrained them. The jams and Bible studies helped visitors to transcend their physical pain, their challenging lives and loneliness. They returned home with uplifted spirits resounding with the joy of healing camaraderie.
Operating funds generate from donations and the pooling of volunteer resources and Hector’s investments in collectibles. The most noted are classic bicycles and other items. The sale of a $10,000 bicycle, garnered in a day, allows the gift of a house down payment or social assistance or offering transportation to a stranded guest. One Thanksgiving, at their Harvest Festival, Salvation 220 gave out free turkeys. Through the years, they gave out holiday baskets. There were Christmas gifts for kids and adults. One year, when they ran out of gifts, they pooled money among volunteers and friends which they gave to the senior citizens. They buried Mt Hope’s Billy Taylor and Bailey’s Funeral Home accepted weekly payments in good faith. A barb-q in the Hector yard assisted. Mrs. Hector was later on the Mt. Hope Neighborhood Committee for the naming and designing of the park. The stories are many. “We raised our own money,” says Hector all kinds of ways, but we never took any dirty money.” Assistant Roger Lanctot tells of the official who one day all but forced them to take $10,000. The next day he upped it to $25,000 insisting that they pick it up that day. They contemplated the offer but refused the next day. The man was vehement at their refusal. A few weeks later, he appeared in the paper as indicted for shady business dealings. Says Hector, “See, I operate on faith. If we need it, I know I can do it and we go after it.”
Joe Hector, Hector's son, inherited Hector’s spirituality and compassion. The community loved him, but on September 23, 2011, the 17-year-old became the victim of a mistaken identity drive-by-shoot a few blocks from his home on Camp Street. The Mt. Hope Community Baptist Church funeral was packed and lines ran three blocks. A passerby approached the church doorkeeper to inquire as to the identity of the deceased as grown men were weeping openly on the street. It was in that time that stories of the youth’s compassion surfaced.
One story revealed that Joe Hector offered frequent consolation to a neighborhood youth with AIDS who was an outcast and the brunt of insults. At one point, he was requesting that mother Elizabeth wrap his food to go. He was taking it to two little boys abandoned by their drug-addicted mother. They were living alone with no electricity or heat, and they were frightened that DCYF would separate them. Joe would have a peanut butter sandwich later. Eventually, the Hectors found out and provided the children with utilities and companionship until their uncle was located. There are many stories of this loving soul, Joe, held in high esteem by his MET School classmates. Find him on internet and Myspace.
A memorial stood for months in front of Councilman Danny Lopes’ home where the incident occurred, and one friend sat at that altar for three days and nights. Mrs. David Hector arranged a memorial concert in 2002 in Billy Taylor Park supported by Councilman Kevin Jackson with R&B, Latino and gospel music. The park was jammed with well-wishers. Following the incident, the Hectors and Ann Marie D’Alessio of RI Victims Advocacy and Support Center held counseling sessions in their Blue Room. There youth learn cold facts about violence such as that 92% of killed youth of color are killed by one of their own kind. In 2009, the Projo reported that the highest paid Rhode Islander was a guard at the ACI earning $60,000 and $100,000 in overtime. The estimated projection for jails needed is based on the percentage of fourth graders who cannot read.
The old black 40’s phone in the Hector basement recalls the party line system as an effective grapevine tool. Today, our cell phones and internet should be more effective at raising funds needed to save this Salvation 220 sanctuary, this temple to music, spirituality and humanity.
© sylvia ann soares (This is an abridged version by SASoares.) See Salvation 220 on Facebook. Mail donations to Reverend David Hector, 220 Camp Street, Providence, RI 02906. Mention RIRBPS w/donation. Record your donation date with sylviaannsoares@yahoo.com or 401-861-9871, amount optional.
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SALVATION 220 By Sylvia Ann Soares, Director of Education RI Rhode Island Rhythm & Blues Preservation Society |
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Sylvia Ann Soares |