Preserving  the Heritage

Promoting the Music

 Educating The Public

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MORE pROGRAMS

For more RIRBPS information

CONTACT

Rich Pena

(401) 821-1084

  

MUSIC PROGRAM

The music activities and events are the centerpiece of our music program.  The program  showcases free R&B music style performances from the 40s to 60s. The program is the fund raising tool of the organization. It hosts our jam sessions, and uses of a diverse group of bands and performers. This program supports community organizations by offering  entertainment services free of charge under certain conditions. Funds raised by the program are used to support projects, programs, membership and organization operations that benefit the members and general public.

 

THE R&B HALL OF FAME AWARDS PROGRAM

The Society’s Hall of Fame Awards Program has identified over 100 local artists and music supporters, from pioneers to honorable mentions, whose contributions have been instrumental in the promotion and preservation of the rhythm & blues music style.  The Hall recognizes and honors the achievements of solo artists, vocal groups, bands, DJs and R&B club owners who are nominated by our Program committee and selected by members of our Board of Directors.  The plan is for each recipient to receive a plaque and their name entered on the Hall of Fame Scroll of Honor.

 

 

 

KEEPING r&b ALIVE

RIRBPS

RHYTHM & BLUES HERITAGE DAY PROCLAMATION PRESENTED AT THE JOHN BROWN HOUSE, PROVIDENCE, RI

 

Dr. Edward A. Coates, President of the RI R&B Preservation Society is presented a Proclamation  by  Mrs. Lynn McCormack, Director  Of Arts, Culture and Tourism for the  City of Providence . The Proclamation declares August 17, 2006 as the RI Rhythm & Blues Heritage Day and  signed by David Cicilline, Mayor of the City of Providence. 

 

Left to right: RIRBPS VP Mr. Rich Pena, RIRBPS President Dr. Ed Coates, City of Providence Director of Dept. of Arts, Culture and Tourism, Mrs. Lynn McCormack, RI Historical Society Librarian, Mrs. Karen Eberhart and Director of the RI Historical Society, Mr. Bernard Fishman.

 

                       Photo by: Norm Grant

The Castileers: Local recording artists

 

Left to right: Ronald Henries, George Smith, Reginald Jones, Del Pagett and Ronald Barros        

         

  Phot0:   RI Historical Society  provided by Ronald Henries.

 

 

 

LOUIE CAMP: EARLY RI RHYTHM & BLUES ICON AND PRESERVATIONIST.

 

By Ed (Prof) Coates

 

Louie Camp, the legendary local saxophonist and band leader may be gone but not forgotten. Louie's imprint on the Rhode Island musical scene was huge. He predated even the equally famed Ken Lyon as one of the originals on the local diversity blues/R&B/rock scene in RI. I recently received an inquiry about Louie that brought back some fond memories of this unforgettable sax player. It should be noted that the first major local R&B/rock music event in the state was put together by Louie and another local legend, Benny Woods, at the old Johnston Theater in 1954. To give you another idea of how large a line Louie cast on the local scene: John Rossi, the long time drummer for Roomful of Blues cut his chops playing in bands with Louie.  Rossi credits Louie as the guy who taught him how to play. Nearly every veteran local musician has a Louie story. Even I had the pleasure to jam with Louie at venues like Hectors, the Celebrity Club, Ellie Lounge, CV Club, Snubs Lounge and the Silver Slipper.

 

Louie was also famous for playing gigs where no gig had ever existed before; he played house parties, weddings and virtually every off-the-beaten track bar and dive that ever existed in the area. He ate, drank and slept the 40s heavyweight sax player Red Prysock and had that frenetic Prysock R&B sound down pat, sometimes with a touch of jazz. Louie was a regular at David Hectors Wednesday Night Jam Sessions on Camp Street.  As the late local R&B Sax Player Ray McCabe once said, “Louie is one of a kind, who is tough imitate”. He was a gentle, low keyed, sweet sort of guy that loved his music, entertainers and his day gig serving wieners at New York System Restrurants.

 

Louie was one of the local giants that helped to promote R&B music in RI and is considered one of the true contributing fathers to the music heritage in the state. Louie is a nominee for entry into the RI Rhythm & Blues Hall of Fame where his memory and contribution will live forever.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

LOUIE CAMP

 RI Early Rhythm & Blues Saxophone Player

Photographer: Unknown

DAVE “ BEBOP” HAMEL REMEMBERS LOUIE!

 

“Louie Camp date of birth: July 22, 1939 and he passed away on December 1, 1999.  His funeral was held from the Pennine Funeral Home in Providence.  He is buried in St. Ann's Cemetery in Cranston...section 33...lot 676.

 

 His full name is Louis Campagnone.  I have a card I got at his wake and funeral.  He was a very big influence on me and he was a good friend, and through my association with him, I met many more great musicians and friends.  I go to many jam sessions and his name is often brought up in conversations.

 

Many people, myself included,  have some great "Louie stories" which are really amusing and stories about how he helped many musicians get started by letting them "sit in" with his band.  He is fondly

remembered and missed by many musicians and friends and fans of R&B music. - Dave 'Bebop Hamel”.

 

LOUIE CAMP REMEMBERED!

 

YES, Louie, I had the pleasure of working with him for 12 years and played at his funeral. He loved the Hammond b3 Organ sound and we both sat in with Jimmy McGriff at the House of Blues, For those of you who believe in the Gospel message, Louie accepted the Lord Jesus Christ on his death bed while in the hospital just before he died, so I'll see him again. I also had a great time playing on the only CD Louie was ever recorded on. It was the late Jeff Terra's CD.. Groovin in the Galaxy...Jeff was a guitar player formerly with DD and the Road Kings and he recorded Louie...We all miss Louie, its true he let lots of people sit in. I have many stories to share about Louie but it will take up too much time...One is, he always counted his equipment when packing up after a gig..It always included a piece of foam he used to place under the PA head...This piece of foam was included in the count so he wouldn't leave anything behind..

 

Lonnie Gaeperinni

( Hammond Organ)

 

BILLY TAYLOR RECALLS LOUIE CAMP!

 

Lou Camp was a major, long time Three Stooges fan.  He could recite many of the punch lines verbatim in fact.   At some point in time, the story goes ( from Louie) that he managed to contact CURLY of the stooges and had a few long conversations with him.  Some times between tunes he would turn around and recite some of their quips right on stage  A benefit for his expenses and stone was held in Jan. 2000 at Memories in Johnston, RI.  Many musicians played at it . Louie's long time girlfriend Linda and her family really appreciated it.   A HEAVY JUICE remake band was put together for the occasion and played a set of 7 or 8 Louie Camp favorites from way "back in the day". Al Gay, Mark Baker, Billy Barnes ( Black) , Karl Kugler, Lennie Zambuco and myself were in it.   I have a tape of that set, video. Later in the event, the lights were lowered, Louie's tenor sax was placed on the stage lit by a spotlight and Frank Marino---friend of Lou and excellent tenor man-- came walking out of the back room all dressed up in a black suit , playing a solo version of Louie's signature song, HAND CLAPPIN' . Needless to say, it brought the house down with many, many memories and tears. It was quite a day, to say the least!  Also, drummer Barry Kessler and Lennie Zambuco have a number of cassette tapes of Louie's band over the years and some were played in the background at his wake.

 

Billy Taylor (Keyboards)