My Grandfather, The Cotton Club, and Billy Eckstein

[Shelley "SoleMann" King]

As the sunsets on another sweltering hot day
in Manhatten, 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 Eckstein whom my
Grandfather came all the way from down south
to see.

As he walked a few short block 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
Eckstein 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 (Granddaddy had it going
on, just look at him....SMILE)

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
Eckstein."

Written by SoleMannKing 12/25/2006

[Edie Antoinette]

I love it...your vision is beautiful.

[Shelley "SoleMann" King]

Thank you both...I need to get back into my writings...I did this blog on Christmas night 2006 after spending the day over my grandmothers house...SMILE

[Edie Antoinette]

You know this is my favorite type of blog. Excellent job, indeed! I love the way you narrated it and the video is sublime--I could feel the excitement and hear your grandfather singing...see him shaking hands...

What a wonderful blog.