My Grandfather, The Cotton Club, and Billy Eckstine

[Shelley "SoleMann" King]

As the sunsets on another sweltering hot day
in Manhattan, New York. My grandfather, 24
year old Ira Davis gets off the bus after a long
ride from Chattanooga, Tennessee...

His destination The World Famous Cotton
Club in Harlem, The Black Mecca of
Entertainment back in those days, where
many African American Jazz Stars performed
alone with The Jazz Swing Bands of that Era...

It was 1944 and one of the biggest Jazz Singers
of the day was Billy Eckstine whom my
Grandfather came all the way from down south
to see...

As he walked a few short blocks to the club he
felted the need to just start singing and in a clear
strong baritone voice he began to sing

SINGING

Alone from night to night you'll find me too weak
to break the chains that bind me.

I need no shackles to remind me, I'm just
a prisoner of love.

For one command, I stand
and wait now from one who's master of
my fate now.

I can't escape for it's too late now, I'm just
a prisoner of love.

What's the good of my caring if someone is
sharing those arms with me.

Although she has another, I can't find another
for I'm not free.

She's in my dreams awake or sleeping, upon
my knees to her I'm creeping,

My very life is in her keeping, I'm just a
prisoner of love.

The crowd cheered as he finished the Billy
Eckstine song. It was then that he realized he
was at the entrance to the Cotton Club
As he finished shaking hands and greeting
the many fine ladies...

He walked into the swank and polished
club, got him a shot of Bourbon, lit his
cigarette and listened as the MC came onto
the stage...

"Ladies and Gentlemen thanks for coming
out this evening to The Cotton Club. The first
performer of the evening is none other then
the man with the golden voice Mr. Billy
Eckstine."


Written by Solemannking 12/25/2006



MY GRANDFATHER AT THE COTTON CLUB (not really there...lol)

[Saint]

A great family memory....thanks for sharing...Peace, Saint

[Shelley "SoleMann" King]

Thanks Brother Saint, but that's a story i made up...My Grandfather always wanted to visit The Cotton Club and see Billy Eckstein and when i wrote this, it was what i imagined it would be like.

[TJ]

Hi,

What creativity!! I really enjoyed that. Thanks for sharing. ~tj

[Shelley "SoleMann" King]

Hello TJ...Glad you like it...*SMILE*

[Edie Antoinette]

Wonderful.......................WONDERFUL!!!!! I just love you Sole.

[Shelley "SoleMann" King]

Awwwww, thank you Mama Edie...Love you too.

[Tonya Anderson]

My cousin was thrilled to see this song selection...Thanks for sharing this information.