SYLACAUGA, Ala. – On Wednesday, March 14, Buddy Simpkins and Friends will present “Our Stories in Music and Song” at the B.B. Comer Memorial Library’s Adult Lecture Series.
Retired Sylacauga High School Band Director, Buddy Simpkins, has gathered noted musicians to play for the enjoyment of the Comer Library’s borwn bag audience. Simpkins, a legend in church music, shares his time and talents by playing with the Heritage Hall Band and other groups. Drawing on songs from musical history, Buddy and his musician friends will play their favorite jazz, rhythm and blues, pop, swing, and more for those who enjoy stories through music and song.
Joining Buddy on drums will be renowned jazz double bassist, Cleve Eaton, who spent seventeen years with the Count Basie Orchestra an dis in the Alabama Jazz Hall of Fame, as well as the Alabama Music Hall of Fame. Talented trumpeter, Bo Berry, who played with such greats as Wynton Marsalis and Count Basie, was inducted in 1993 to the Alabama Jazz Hall of Fame. Choko Aiken on keys was born and raised in Japan, and began studying classical piano at the age of three. She added jazz, salsa, gospel, and pops to her incredible repertoire of beautiful music. Tena Wilson on vocals has performed on stage and at concerts throughout the United States using her beautiful voice to “make people happy” at venues ranging from the Alabama Symphony to Operation Desert Storm in the Persian Gulf.
This jazz program, which was cancelled due to snow and ice in January, will be held Wednesday at noon. Library Director Tracey Thomas invites everyone to bring a sandwich and enjoy refreshments beginning at 11:00 in the Hightower Room. The program will follow in the Harry I. Brown Auditorium. For more information, call (256) 249-0961 or email [email protected].
