Event Alert - BOBBI HUMPHREY: Harlem River Drive Live at the Schomburg Friday, April 19th at 7:00 p.m.

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Hello All:
Hope all is well; particularly in the wake of the Boston Marathon attack.  As I stated in my recent Blog - our prayers are with those who were injured, who lost loved ones, or who were traumatized - which pretty much covers us all.
 
Now for some happy news:  Bobbi Humphrey is celebrating her 40th anniversary year as a professional musician.  Which is really kind of hard to believe, since Bobbi doesn't look a day over 40 herself. 

Bobbi Humphrey Celebrates 40 years of Music

The celebration will take place at none other than the world renowned Schomburg Center for Black Research and Culture - 135th St. and Malcolm X Boulevard (Lenox Ave for the uninitiated), at 7:00 PM, Friday, April 19th, 2013 - that's this Friday people.

The Diva of the Flute who made Harlem River Drive famous, among other time honored jazz pieces, has had a loyal following world wide since she burst onto the scene in the 70's - from Harlem, Brooklyn, DC, Atlanta, Chicago to Japan, Great Britain, and France - just to name some stronghold followings, Ms. Humphrey consistently performs before sell out audiences.  And this Friday promises to be no different.  So come early to get the good seats - and fortunately, there really are no bad seats in the Schomburg; just not enough seats. 

(Somehow during the expansion remodeling period they did everything but gave us additional seating befitting of the residents of the Village of Harlem.  Somebody really should say something about that - don't you think?  Millions were spent, but not one additional seat in the auditorium or reception area was added and we all have to crowd in like sardines to be a part of our own cultural center ... but I digress - sorry Bobbi, but you know how strongly I feel about this!)

Now for those of you who are unfamiliar with Bobbi and her body of work, I'm lifting a passage from Wikipedia (yep! She's wiki-worthy):  
"Barbara Ann ("Bobbi") Humphrey (born April 25 ---- is an American jazz flautist and singer who plays fusion, jazz-funk and soul-jazz styles. Bobbi Humphrey has performed for audiences around the world.
She was born in Marlin, Texas, and raised in Dallas. Her flute training included classical and jazz styles in high school. She continued her studies at Texas Southern University and Southern Methodist University. Dizzy Gillespie saw Humphrey play at a talent contest at Southern Methodist, and inspired her to pursue a musical career in New York City. She followed his advice, getting her first big break performing at the Apollo Theatre on Amateur Night. She eventually began playing regularly throughout the city, including a gig with Duke Ellington.
By 1972, she was recording for the Blue Note Jazz label, one of the first female instrumentalists to do so.^[1] Humphrey has played with well-known musicians, ranging from Duke Ellington to Lee Morgan. Guitarist George Benson and Humphrey were guest musicians on Humphrey's friend Stevie Wonder's single "Another Star" from his Songs in the Key of Life (1976) album.^[2] In 1976, she was named Best Female Instrumentalist by Billboard.^[3] In 1994 Humphrey launched her label, Paradise Sounds Records, releasing Passion Flute, which continues to be one of her best-selling recordings. Bobbi Humphrey has played at the Apollo Theatre, Hollywood Bowl, Carnegie Hall, Montreux Jazz Festival, Russian River Jazz Festival (Northern California), and other venues around the world...." END WIKIPEDIA QUOTE

Mark your calendars and be prepared for an evening of entertainment and walks down memory lane with Bobbi Humphrey at the: Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture: 515 Malcolm X Boulevard  New York, NY 10037-1801; For additional information, call (212) 491-2200 

To further prepare you for an evening of Bobbi-fication, I've included a link from her Blog below:

 www.bobbihumphrey.net:

Celebrating 40 years of music! Buy Now -->

"Welcome to my official website. Finally, I am building a musical home for my fans who have known of my flute music since the seventies, as well as new fans and friends of today and tomorrow. I hope that you will visit often so we can share this wonderful experience of Music,Imagery, and Words;all things creative. It is so rewarding and exciting to develop my brand globally-"PARADISE SOUNDS RECORDS"; a creative freedom long coming.Who knew technology would bring the true freedom song and bridge to globally connect creators and consumers of Music;finally, finally,giving the artist equity in his creations.Feel the music ,feel the love.I am so excited.From my days at Texas Southern University and S.M.U. in my hometown of Dallas,My dream was to play my flute.After meeting Dizzy Gillespie, and moving to NYC and recording with Lee Morgan and Stevie Wonder{"Songs in The Key Of Life", my dreams came true;recording and performing in many countries.But somehow, I feel a more authenic, boundless, and fearless chapter in my Life is being born.Freedom is such an easy and enjoyable travel buddy.I believe through the power of Music, we can explore the power of pure possibilities. Let's enjoy the ride together!"   -- Bobbi Humphrey

Harlem River Drive Live 40th Anniversary of a Global Road Song Friday, April 19th at 7:00 p.m.
At the Langston Hughes Auditorium Harlem River Drive Celebrates Harlem as the Cultural Epicenter for African Americans! For three decades, Bobbi Humphrey, the First Lady of the Flute has been playing her special brand of music to audiences around the world. Humphrey’s professional career began in 1971
when she was the first female signed to Blue Note Records. Certainly a lady playing a flute must have seemed something of a novelty then. Humphrey proved, however, she was not just a first or novelty, but a talent to be reckoned with.  In 1973, Blues and Blues was not only a huge  commercial success, but established a strong  crossover market for her. She was invited to the prestigious Montreux International Music Festival in Switzerland where she was acclaimed as the surprise hit of the festival. Since then Humphrey has continuously proved her sustaining power,  for today she remains a successful female urbanpop flutist on the scene.
Tickets: $15, General Admission; $12 Schomburg Society Members.
To buy tickets, call the Schomburg Shop at (212) 491-2207 or visit schomburgcenter.showclix.com
515 Malcolm X Boulevard, New York, NY 10037-1801 T: 212.491.2200 | F: 212.491.6760 www.schomburgcenter.org

Bobbi Humphrey - Black in the Day

From my own personal standpoint, I've known Bobbi since the 70's, pretty much about the time she became a music Icon, having first met her in Tempe, AZ, when she shared the bill with Mandrill, at a sold out music festival.   We were both young moms then.  There was a gap in communication we didn't see each other again for 18 years; by that time, our kids were nearly grown and out of the house.  When we did finally catch up with each other, we pretty much picked up the friendship again as though the time had never elapsed  (that's a Texas/Oklahoma thing, where friendships don't die just because of distance - make new friends, but keep the old; one is silver, and the other gold).    

Bobbi's fame has never gone to her head.  She's always been a warm, genuine person.  In addition to her music, Bobbi is a genius when it comes to writing, poetry, the spoken word, and concepts of principles as it affects Black people - people the world over for that matter.  She keeps abreast of issues and concerns that matter to people of African Heritage, and is active in community events.  What you see and hear is a amalgamation of all these wonderful qualities and observations, artfully interpreted through the power of her magic flute.  Come prepared to be entertained and to party.  This is the perfect way to kick off the weekend, and perhaps the first real week of Spring.

As I said, earlier, Bobbi Humphrey has a fan base that ranges from the regular man/woman/sister/brother in the street, to the international genre.  Make sure you're at the Schomburg on Friday to pay homage to a sister who has and continues to share her talents with the world:  Ms. Bobbi Humphrey!
See ya at the Schomburg.

Stay Blessed &
ECLECTICALLY BLACK
Gloria Dulan-Wilson