Results for “kent”

With the impending release of Willie Hightower’s brand new Ace album uppermost in the minds of soul fans everywhere, those who live or can travel easily to the Cambridge area – that’s Massachusetts, not the home of punting and universities – should take note of this upcoming ‘can’t miss’ show at that town’s Middle East Restaurant and Nightclub.

Soul singer Freddie Hughes died last week from complications in part due to Covid-19. His pal Alec Palao fondly remembers the man with the high-reaching, eminently soulful voice.

Lou Johnson passed away this week after a long illness caused by a severe stroke many years ago. I only ever met him via the phone but he was so warm and welcoming, I felt I knew him well. I also got on famously with his wife Linda, as we had something in common – Lou was our favourite singer.

It’s a bitterly cold February ‘94 and I’m in New York City attempting to persuade Tony Middleton to come to Cleethorpes, one of north east Lincolnshire’s premier hot spots, to sing to his UK fans at our inaugural Northern Soul weekender. While I’m there I decide to pop in on Paul Williams, an old friend who used to buy Jackie Moore imports off me in 1974 when I was a West End barrow boy. He had worked his way up in the music business and was then a Vice President at the mighty RCA Records situated on 1540 Broadway, NYC.

It was with dismay that we at Ace learned yesterday of Young Jessie’s passing. A superb singer and songwriter in the 1950’s R&B vein, he was also a highly accomplished pianist who made a living as a solo jazz pianist/vocalist, as well as with his own bands, the Obie Jessie Combo and the Obie Jessie Trio, playing club dates from the 1960s until recently.