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‘Sweet Georgia Brown’ puts Bluefield ‘In the Pink’By BILL ARCHERof the Daily Telegraph staffILUEFIELD - When the definitive I history of Bluefield is finally written, it will no doubt be accompanied by some of the most beautiful music in American history. Vocalists like Mel Street and the Swing Kings dominated local airways, but an under current of African-Americanmusic was flowing wildly throughout the city’s history.Big name bands made whistle-stop concerts in Bluefield through the 1920s. ’30s, ’40s and ‘50s. The immortal Duke Ellington was a frequent visitor as were performers like famed jazz men Louis Jordan, Cab Calloway and Fats Waller.The local group of African-American performers was equally impressive with people like original Ink Spots, pianist Bobby Benson, Flamingos lead singer Jacob Carey and “Kitten on the Keyboards” composer Teddy Weathersford.But no Bluefielder made a greater impact on 20th century American music than Maceo Pinkard.Bom on Commerce Street in 1897, Pinkard went on to fame in New York City's Tin Pan Alley. He established amusic publishing house there, and is credited with being the first black com poser to collaborate with white composers in the nation.Few people are familiar with Pinkard’s coalfield roots, but most Americans are familiar with his music. The upbeat “Sweet Georgia Brown. gained national prominence as the Harlem Globetrotters theme song. His Them There Eyes, and “Liza captivated people of his era and his immortal “Mammie” carried A1 Jolson to blackface stardom, and ushered in the era of motion pictures with sound.The Afro Appalachian Performance Company will be performing a body ofPinkard’s work in a presentation reminiscent of the old “Harlem Reviews. Titled “In the Pink, and scheduled for the Coal City Auditorium. Sept. 10 and 17, with shows starting at 8 p.m., the show will resemble Black Musical Theater from Broadway.IMnkard had a major impact on American music - black and white. said Joe Bundy, director of the performance company. “He made Ethel Waters famous with Sweet Georgia Brown,’ and everything from Ragtime,’ to Jazz Baby’s Ball.’ to Mean Sunday Blues,’ shows the dynamics of this composer. And to think of it, he was from right here in Bluefield.”Bundy’s ensemble has been working for the past several weeks to prefect the show. Karl Miller is handling the music. The singers include Lynn Wright. Donna Moore. Jeanette Amaker, Larrv Graves. Ronald Perry.W VLaurice Hampton. Joyce Davis and Freddie Lewis.“I’ve been researching Pinkard's life for years. Bundy said. “Our performance company has even performed some of his songs. But this will be our first show devoted to his work.For additional information on the performances, contact the Coal Citv Auditorium at 834 Bland Si or phone 325-7945.4
Newspaper Details
Bluefield Daily Telegraph
Bluefield, West Virginia, US
Mon, Sep 05, 1994
Page 1
Full Page
Clipped by
Virginia T.
VA, USA 16 Mar 2023
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