Corporate Sponsors
In Remembrance
Harry Bailey, Jr. 1941-2015 & Frankie Monteiro
(bottom left with The Sultans)
Photo Credits: Sylvia Whiting, Photography
www.swhitingphotogallery.com / 617.539.3951
Singer, Promoter Bennie Woods 1931-2014
Trumpet Player Dave Hamel 1948-2014
Drummer Wayne L. Amado 1959-2013
Drummer 'Big Sam' Harold
Willie Love, Saxophonist 1932-2013
INTERVIEWS 2004 - PRESENT
The Castileers: Joe Hill, George Smith, Del Padgett
Herbert (Boyd) Washington
Del Padgett, Singer
The Dials: Jack Barros, Spender (Torch) Holden, Joel Osborne,
Jeanine Osborne, John Johnson
The One & Only Bennie Woods: Club Owner, Entertainer, Promoter
William (Billy) Truell: Veterans Chorus of Rhode Island
Manuel Barros, Singer
Manual (Mannie) Mendes: Scitimard Players
Linnear Horn: Veterans Chorus of Rhode Island
Walter Baptista, Singer
Jimmy Starks, Jay Clay Trio
Randall (Randy) Ashe, Saxophone
Arthur Harzard, Baritone Sax
Butchie Brook, Drummer
Richard Lee, Hammond Organ
Vint Bonner, Saxophone
Everit "Grumpy" Mitchell
Dave Keller: Dave Keller Band
Spinners: Black Repertory Theater Performance
Musical Tribute to Clay Osborne: Jay Clay Trio
Max Whiting: Musician as Historian Series (The Sultans)
Paul Williams, Musician as Historian Series
Dick Willner Quartet
RHODE ISLAND R&B LEGACY
Interview oral histories have been conducted since 2004 with many of the greats of the greater Rhode Island R&B music scene. Interviews, recordings and other memorabilia are housed at the Rhode Island Historical Society Library, 121 Hope Street, Providence, RI 02906 and is available for review both on-site and on their website:
Nat King Cole with Paul Philipi, Owner
Celebrity Club (c) 1940s.
Rhode Island
Rhythm & Blues
Preservation Society
The Rhode Island Rhythm & Blues Preservation Society (RIRBPS), in partnership with The Rhode Island Historical Society (RIHS), launched its Oral History Project in November 2006 with its first series of video and other recorded interviews.
PURPOSE
The purpose of the project was to capture the recollections of the life and times during the roots of Rhythm & Blues beginning around 1943. The small combo Rhythm & Blues music art form emanated from the African-American blues heritage toward the end of WWII and is probably the most significant African-American cultural contribution to the local way of life. This previously ignored contribution influenced the local popular music to the current level of diversity for the benefit of all Rhode Islanders.
In December 2004, RIRBPS & RIHS formed as a result of the mutual interest of preserving & sharing the history of African-American Blues music heritage in the African-American Community of Rhode Island. The purpose of preserving this era is in keeping with mission of RIRBPS to assist in closing the gap in local history from approximately 1943-1970.
GOALS
The goal of the partnership is to identify, collect, preserve and share with the people of Rhode Island and researchers around the world, original materials that document the history, culture and heritage of Rhythm & Blues music & musicians in and of Rhode Island. The original source material includes documentation of individuals and/or organizations involved in the music in the form of letters, diaries, memorabilia, video and sound recordings and oral histories. Oral historians play a critical role in recording historical gaps and capturing some of the deeper truths about the community, the life and times behind the music and providing a broader framework for future historians and interested citizens.
Anyone interested in participating in or contributing to this important project, please contact RIRBPS. President, Cleveland Kurtz @ 401.461.0012 or rirbps@gmail.com
Copyright © RI Rhythm Blues Preservation Society | All Rights Reserved
12 Kipling St, Providence, RI 02907 401.461.0012 rirbps@gmail.com
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