Patrice
Ferris, 2007 Best Trio singer. She graced the cover of "Best Musicians, Singers,
Albums and Entertainment Personalities of the 19th, 20th and 21st centuries."
Volume V of the World Who's Who in Jazz, Cabaret, Music and Entertainment.ENTERTAINMENT: LATEST RELEASES, GOSSIPS AND NEWS Reproduced with a permission from the International News Agency.
FAMSPA HONORS PATRICE FERRIS, BRUCE MORROW "Cousin Brucie", DR. TRUDY PITTS AND ANTOINETTE MONTAGUE...
All on the cover of Volume V of the World Who's Who in Jazz, Cabaret, Music and Entertainment Continued from Part 1 from the original article
Patrice
Ferris, 2007 Best Trio singer. She graced the cover of "Best Musicians, Singers,
Albums and Entertainment Personalities of the 19th, 20th and 21st centuries."
Volume V of the World Who's Who in Jazz, Cabaret, Music and Entertainment.
New York- The Federation of American Musicians, Singers and Performing Artists (FAMSPA) announced today in New York City the final selection of the music and entertainment personalities who grace the cover of volume V “Best Musicians, Singers, Albums and Entertainment Personalities of the19th, 20th and 21st Centuries”, (970 photos!!) and one of the tomes of the massive 20 volume set of the World Who’s Who in Jazz, Cabaret, Music and Entertainment.” The honorees are: Washington-based Satin Doll Trio vocalist Patrice Ferris; Sirius Radio Satellite, the legendary Bruce Morrow, a.k.a. Cousin Brucie; award-winning educator, vocalist, musician and composer, Dr. Trudy Pitts; and Blues singer Antoinette Montague.
IT’S A GREAT HONOR!
To be on the cover of an encyclopedia or a Who’s Who is indeed a great honor, and one in a lifetime opportunity. Usually, the most accomplished individuals in a given field are selected and honored in such a manner. In science, the brightest scientists and inventors are featured on science magazines covers. In literature, laureates, award-winning writers, and bestselling authors appear on the front page of a literary publication. So it goes for showbiz and music. FAMSPA stated that only those who made the most significant contributions to the world of music, showbiz and entertainment are eligible to be on the covers of the 20 volumes of the World Who’s Who in Jazz, Cabaret, Music and Entertainment. For volume V “Best Musicians, Singers, Albums and Entertainment Personalities of the 19th, 20th and 21st Centuries (Coming in June 30th, 2007), four distinguished individuals were chosen. Each one of them brings a wealth of knowledge, unmatched talent, authorship and remarkable accomplishments.
THE HONOREES
The four honorees are outstanding members of the entertainment industry. FAMSPA selected them to grace the cover of Volume V.
1-PATRICE FERRIS: Satin Doll Trio vocalist Patrice Ferris was born in Honolulu Hawaii. She began her musical career by studying piano and flute at a young age but always loved to just sing. During her teen years she studied performing arts and began singing in choirs, musicals, and various vocal ensembles. While attending college at American University she studied with her most influential teacher, the renowned opera voice teacher Ms. Lois Darling. Her interest in the vocal styles of artists like Nancy Wilson, Sarah Vaughan, and Carmen McCray led her to the Elliston School for Jazz Studies where she studied with jazz vocalist Ronnie Wells. Patrice developed her distinctively smooth singing style while performing five nights a week in Washington D.C. area nightclubs. One club owner commented that there weren't enough "O's" in the word "SMOOTH" to describe her vocal styles, pointing out that she seamlessly combines the sultriness of a singer like Julie London, with the soul of a singer like Billy Holiday. Patrice's greatest strength lies in her innate ability to connect with her material and communicate that intimacy with the listener. As vocalist for the Satin Doll Trio Patrice has appeared on the stages of the John F. Kennedy Centers’ KC Jazz Club, the Corcoran Gallery's Armand Hammer Auditorium, Washington’s prestigious Cosmos Club, and has made television appearances on the BET Jazz programs "Jazz Central", "Impressions", and on News Channel 8 WJLA Washington D.C. Patrice was recently featured on the cover of Washington Flyer magazine as the magazines pick for "Best In Show" in the Washington D.C. area. Press quotes: In a review of Patrice’s singing on the Satin Doll Trio’s second release, "I'm Glad There Is You", the Washington Post wrote that, "she always places her considerable talent at the service of the song, making the words count and the moods linger", while JazzReview.com called her phrasing "spot-on and creative" as Patrice puts her own personal stamp on songs like "Easy Street", "Nevertheless", and "Rock Me To Sleep". Music Monthly went on the say that "Patrice Ferris sings so sweetly you'd think she was a reincarnated songstress from a bygone era".
American
living legend, Bruce Morrow, a.k.a Cousin Brucie.
2-BRUCE MORROW: The author wrote: “In 1959, the “Prince of Charisma”, Mr. Bruce Morrow began his illustrious and sometimes stormy career at New York Top 40 station WINS. He became a living legend on WABC. Bruce Morrow was born in Brooklyn on October 13, 1937, and attended New York University. In 1959, Mr. Morrow adopted the moniker “Cousin Brucie”, while working at WINS in New York. During his time at WABC, “Cousin Brucie” was extremely well-known for hosting the legendary Palisades Park rock concerts. In August 1965, he introduced the Beatles during their historic Shea Stadium concert. In 1994, Mayor Rudolph Giuliani proclaimed West 52nd Street “Cousin Brucie Way” in recognition for his enormous contributions to music and for preserving America’s cultural and musical heritage. In 1988, Mr. Morrow was inducted into the Radio Hall of Fame. Mr. Morrow is a great asset to our world. This is an outstanding human being with a heart larger than the world we live in, and a musical knowledge mightier and richer than the Encyclopedia Britannica. Mr. Morrow is a renowned humanitarian. For years, he devoted time and efforts serving the Variety Children's Charity and generously supported the physically challenged, disadvantaged, sick and needy children. Without the commitment of Bruce Morrow, Rock “n” Roll, the “Oldies” Doo Wop and America’s musical treasures of yesteryears would have ceased to be a reminder of America’s musical greatness. The world is prettier, the sun shines brighter, American families are happier, and music radiates beauty and love when our world is inhabited by people like Bruce Morrow. I wish this man could live for ever!. Once he said: “God closes the door and opens a gate.” He was referring to what has happened to him since the afternoon of Black Friday, June 3, 2005, when he was told on the phone, that his three shows on Infinity Broadcasting’s WCBS-FM (101.1 kc) — 33 years of Golden Oldie rock history — were cancelled. Allegedly, the station decided to adopt a new format. What format? They are nuts! But Bruce, the gentle giant is bigger than life…he is confident something good will come out of it. He is sitting at the kitchen table with his wife Jodie reflecting on the situation. “Within two hours of the announcement of the change at WCBS-FM hitting the press, I started getting calls from other stations in New York. Also from Sirius Satellite and XM Satellite Radio. And signed on with Sirius — probably the best contract in my life.” Said the delightful Bruce Morrow. “Cousin Brucie” is now heard on Sirius 6-60's Vibrations. Cousin Brucie's Saturday Night Party "Live" airs Saturday Nights 8pm-12am ET (Request Show) The Love Hour, Hour Half Hour is heard at 11:30pm ET Wednesdays with The Cuz is heard 5pm-9pm ET'.”
Dr. Trudy Pitts in concert.
3-DR. TRUDY PITTS: Trudy is a native Philadelphian who began playing piano at age six. Her mother, too, was a musician and inspired this family tradition. "My family was deeply involved in the church community," says Trudy, "and I started playing piano for Sunday school when I was about nine or ten. As time went on, I was introduced to the church organ, and I played organ in Sunday school." Earning a degree in music education was only natural for this talented prodigy. She studied at Philadelphia's Musical Academy, Temple University, and Juilliard, among other institutions. During these years she reached out to the classics and built a base from which future compositions and arrangements would spring. Always seeking new musical challenges, Trudy accepted an offer to sit in the pit as an assistant to the pianist in the Tony Award-winning show Raisin' when it traveled through Philadelphia. "I did that for the month or two that they were in town. Then not too much later I got a call from the manager inquiring if I could join the company for the rest of the tour." Trudy became a sensation on the Hammond organ, and everybody who is anybody knows why: she has a strong foundation on which to build her new sound and a musical genius that is matched only by her determination to succeed. At the 1992 Organ Jam in Philadelphia, Trudy Pitts emerged in the world of Jazz organ and was soon swinging away with Mr. C alongside such greats as Ben Webster, Gene Ammons, and Sonny Stitt.
Antoinette Montague in concert.
4-ANTOINETTE MONTAGUE: The author of the World Who’s Who, Maximillien de Lafayette called her the new queen of romantic Blues. Ms. Montague released a superb new CD” PRETTY BLUES” and received 5 star rating from the International Herald Daily News in Paris and London. Carol Lexter, associate editor of the World Who’s Who said: “Montague is a national treasure, just give her more time and she will shine brighter than all the lights of Times Square!” Cadence Magazine’s Larry Hollis said about her new CD: “This disc is a sleeper and a keeper.” And Jazz Times wrote: “Antoinette is as real as they come: good range, phrasing and taste.”