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About Portland observer. (Portland, Or.) 1970-current | View Entire Issue (May 17, 1979)
Portland Obaarvar Thursday, May 17.1979 Paga 7 K . „ „ (Suomi „ ..... The by Allen Jones bread SPECTRUM IN BLUE - RONNIE LAWS M ARY WATKINS Watkins, Tillery band appears here Mary Watkins has been described by those who have worked with her as a musician’s musician. She is a pianist, composer, arranger, per former and songwriter whose m ulti faceted talents have enhanced the music o f other artists as well as con tributing towards the creation o f her own unique sound. In her own music M ary draws on a variety o f American musical styles ranging through classical, blues, jazz, soul, funk, spiritual, and popular to come up with a diversified sound which with elaborate and rich harmonies reflects her personal strength and spirituality. M ary was recognized fo r her musical talent from early childhood. At age eight she was engaged as pianist to accompany a children’ s choir in her home town o f Pueblo, Colorado. I f you ask Mary, she will tell you that the spirituals she accom panied then still have a deep effect on her music. Mary’s life has always been about music. In high school she realized that her spontaneous impro visations were in reality a form o f composing and went on to be one o f the few women at that time to earn a degree in composition from Howard University. A fte r graduation she supported herself by playing in a variety o f situations and with a m iltiplicity o f groups. She accompanied modern dance groups, played jazz piano in clubs, worked with various combos and, as she had done since childhood, accompanied choirs. For a number o f years she was the musi cal director for a Black theatre in Washington, Ebony Impromptu, a job she found particularly reward ing. In 1973 M ary returned to Colorado to concentrate on her com position which at that time was most ly classical. A number o f her major com positions were perform ed by local civic orchestras, most notably the Pueblo Civic Symphony which featured her ‘ ’ Potomac Park” as part o f its bicentennial observances. By 1975 Mary was half way through her work towards a master’ s degree when she decided to concentrate on more popular form s. M usic moved her once again and she left for Los Angeles to be near the center o f the music industry. In Los Angeles, through her activi ties w ith women’ s groups, M ary met H olly Near and Teresa Trull. Teresa was about to record her first album for Olivia and asked Mary to do the keyboards. H olly was about to go on tour and asked Mary to provide her piano accompaniment. Mary did both and later went on to w ork w ith Lin d a T ille ry co producing and co n trib u tin g both songs and arrangements to that very successful Olivia album . . . “ Linda T illery.” From there it was a natural progression for Mary to record her own O liv ia album , “ Something Moving,” during the summer o f ‘78. Mary Watkins, along with Linda T illery and their band, w ill make their Portland debut on the heels o f a sold-out, standing room only engagement at San Francisco’ s Boarding House, 8:00 p.m. Satur day, May 27th, St. Mary's Academy, 1615 S.W. 5th. Tickets are $5 and $6 sliding scale, and available at Music M illineum , W oman’ s Place Book Center, House o f Sound, and at the door. Free childcare w ill be provided at the site. Giovanni sorority guest The Beta Psi Chapter o f Delta Sigma Theta S o ro rity , Inc. w ill salute Women o f Excellence at their first annual awards luncheon sche duled for May 19th, at the Jantzen Beach Red Lion Inn, Portland. Guest speaker w ill be N ik k i TH R U ! aug . ibth I P O S T T IM e l AT 7 :3 0 P M ! A»r Conditioned Glut) S h y v ie w B •n Portland I NE 2? 3rd and Haisay St « Sorry ■ crwdren under I? not admitted ■ Hecmg M txiday through Saturday T WIAH| KM aSEaBBiinB G iovanni, a Black contem porary American poet and author. Included among Ms. Giovanni’ s honors are the Mademoiselle Award for Out standing Achievement in 1971, an honorary D octor o f H um anities Degree from Wilberforce University in 1972, and a citing by Ladies Home Journal in 1973 as one o f eight Women o f the Year. Additionally, she has been given an award by Omega Psi Phi Fraternity fo r her contributions to Arts and Letters, and her hometown o f Knoxville, Tennessee, has honored her by having N ikki Giovanni Day. In addition to hearing this renown writer, awards w ill be presented to (local) women o f excellence in the areas o f religion, community service, business and education, and to a senior citizen and a youth. Net proceeds from the luncheon w ill be used for the sorority's annual scholarship fund. The luncheon is from 12:00-3:00 p.m . T icket donation is $15. Ronnie Laws knows how thrilling it is when you receive praise from your peers. He’ s been getting it for quite awhile now and should have even more passed his way as a result o f his latest album, "Flam e.” Such notable musicians as Eric Clapton, Jeff Beck and Lamont Dozier have made a point o f dropping by and jamming with Laws. Clapton went as far as to say that he wished he was as young as Ronnie and could play as well. Lavith praise? Yes, but it has all been camel. That enthusiasm for Laws’ talents is given an even stronger boost with the release o f Flame, an album that re-affirms Ronnie as a progressive writer- singer-saxophone player who also has a broader appeal than most in his field. Unquestioningly his roots are deep in jazz. However, he injects a mixture o f rock’ n’ roll, rhythm and blues and straight blues into his music, which is being appreciated by a steadily-growing audience. Ronnie was born into a musical family that includes his brother Hubert, a world-renown jazz and classical flutist; sister Eloise, gaining recognition as a talented singer/actress; and mother Miolla, a gospel pianist. There is also a strong association with Earth, Wind & Fire. For a while Ronnie was a member of that group, leading the horn section. After working with Earth, Wind & Fire on its first Columbia album, Laws moved on to a stretch with Hugh Masakela. Ronnie, however, doesn’ t need past associations to draw attention to his re markable abilities. He’ s truly an artist in his own right. In 1976 he was named the number one top new male artist and number one jazz flutist in Record World Almanac. “ There are lots o f jazz players who can’t go out and play other forms,” says Ronnie. “ They play at it, but they can’t really feel it.” Ronnie, however, de finitely can play other forms, which is why he is still working hard to pick up an even younger audience. "H ey, when you get them young, you got them,” he explains. Ronnie was hooked at an early age. When he was twelve he picked up the alto saxophone. He now plays all woodwinds. Even while he was still in the elemen tary stages o f learning the sax, he spent his afternoons watching a group o f local teenagers rehearse their jazz band in an old building across the street from his classroom in Houston, his hometown. As he developed his taients, he be came a part o f the Houston music scene. His family was friendly with the people who became the Crusaders. Ronnie first began performing with a local group called the Lightmen while still in high school. NO PRESERVATIVES ADDED MADE WITH PURE LIQUID VEGETABLE SHORTENING i Baked just right for you! "Th* PROOUCI CENTBR of PORTLAND" • SPARACUSi IO CAILT CR0WM, eres », terrer creek spears . LB. ORANGES Z S i 'l i LAST CALLI J IARCE RAYEIS RHUBARB LOCALLY OROWN WINS VARIETY 4¿l" I N U C O A M A R G A R IN E l-A>.Phg. • H O O D Y 'S M IX E D N u r s iacr W _________ i s as. tin • • • LABRUSCA Rad Tabla Wlna m • CABBAGE $149 f • TAW N YPO RT... MEW CROP S01I» CREEK REARS IB. ] Iriiktl CORNED BEEF OUt OWN CURI Extra L m a 1OO% HICKORY SMOKtD SLICED BACON lb. f „IR P R U . OPS 1RS. OR M R S TRAM SIRS. «< I TRICES GOOD THRU SAT., MAY 19, 1979. T SHERIDAN FRUIT Co. UNIO N Ä OAK RONNIE LAWS Community Calendar “ The First Year o f Parenting” and “ Parenting the Toddler and Preschool- e r” ~ » series o f five evening classes, two hours per week. Charge $10 per parent for either course. Open to the public. For further information or regi stration, call 9:00-1:00 p.m., Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday, 285-9321, Ext. 345. A talent show "Y o u th in Action” to be presented on Sunday, June 3rd. The search is on.'!! Help to spotlight hidden talent in the community. For more in formation or to submit the name o f a talented person who can: dance, sing or play an instrument. Call 281-3898. The deadline date is May 23rd. Hard Times Film Festival presents: two films “ Bush M am a” , a powerful portrait o f urban Black America. The film focuses on Dorothy, a Black woman living on welfare in Watts, trying to raise her daughter while her man is in jail for a crime he didn’t commit. And "A M inor Altercation, ” a unique film in vestigation o f the racial conflict growing out o f the Boston school situation. These two films may be seen Friday, May 18th at Sunnyside Methodist Church, 3520 S.E. Yamhill, and on Saturday, May 19th at Mallory Avenue Church, 126 N.E. Alberta. A ll programs begin at 7:30 p.m., admission is $1.50 and child care is provided. The Jefferson Dancers in Concert — two entirely different shows to be pre sented May 17th and 18th (same performance), 8:15 p.m. and May 19th (new show), 8:15 p.m. Jefferson Performing Arts Center. Tickets at Jefferson Box Office, PSU Box Office, Meier and Frank — downtown, Longhair Music — downtown, Stevens and Sons — Lloyd Center, The Lost Works Bookstore — Vancouver; $3 adults, $2 students through high school and senior citizens. The Columbia Group o f the Siena Club is holding its fifth annual Auction- Faire on Saturday, May 19th at the Old Church, S.W. 11th and Clay, in down town Portland. The doors will open at 7:00 p.m. The Faire w ill feature baked goods, plants, handcrafted items, and outdoor equipment donated by mem bers. A silent auction w ill begin at 7:00 p.m. and the oral auction w ill start at 8:30 p.m. A donation o f $1 w ill be taken at the door with children under twelve admitted free. For more information, please call 224-6552 (night) or 645-6464 ext. 1142 (day). May 21st — N orth Portland Citizens Committee. Board o f Directors, 7:30 p.m., Neighbors North, 7508 N. Hereford. May 21st — Sabin Community Association meeting, 7:30 p.m., Sabin School, 4013 N.E. 18th. May 22nd — King Improvement Association meeting; 1) King Park Play ground, 2)CEDS. 7:30 p.m., King Facility, 4815 N.E. 7th. The Mayor’ s Office announced that City Hall will celebrate Senior Citizen Month by holding a “ Senior Citizens Open House and Inform ation Fair, ” May 18th, from 1:00-3:00 p.m. A ll Portland senior citizens are especially invited. The event w ill begin with a program in Council Chambers featuring the City Council and entertainment by the Rose City Banjoliers. Transportation to City Hall from local senior centers will be available and refreshments w ill be served. .For further information on transportation arrangements please call 248-4752. 2 3 5 .0 3 5 3 ■^1 I WESTERN LIFE INSURANCE CO. We Specialize In Life & Health Insurance • Investment Products • Group, Medical & Dentical Under Ten, All Tax Sheltered Plans, Pension, Etc. Wholly Owned by ¡5 St. Paul Companies OTIE B. HAM ILTO N Call Today 1750 S.W. Skyline Blvd., Suite 220 297 4836 GIVE TO THE UNITED NEGRO COLLEGE FUND. A m ind is a terrible thing to waste. SPO RTS HOUR JOE’S PLACE 1801 N.E. A lberta ' will DRAFT YOU FOR ONLY 15C Days: Sat., Sun. & Mon. C b II: 288-8796 For More Information Fred's Place 2511 NE Union »» Little Frankie Lee w ith Bobby & his Talking Guitar Direct from Oakland Two shows nightly Monday-Sunday Also: Black Velvet I Ì I -
