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
felt 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.

END OF SONG

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 with 2 of the Ladies on each arm, 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 Shelley "SoleMann" King 12/25/2006

[Shelley "SoleMann" King]

Lawd, i had Billy's name spelled wrong all this time, glad i caught it....LOL

[Edie Antoinette]

Beautiful...

[Shelley "SoleMann" King]

Thank you Mama Edie, i wish Granddaddy was still alive to see this, he would have gotten a kick out of it....SMILE

[Vee's Treasure Suite]

This is wonderful! Billy really did have a velvet voice and he was fine, LOL. Great job! I love you to death for starting this group. I am having a blast.

[Shelley "SoleMann" King]

Awwwwww...Glad you are enjoying it Vee...SMILE