*The Black Business Association (BBA), the oldest ethnic business organization in the State of California, will host its Annual “Salute to Black Music Awards Dinner” on Tuesday, June 19, 2018 at the California African American Museum, 600 State Dr, Los Angeles, CA 90037. Reception is at 6 PM and event at 7 PM. Held in recognition of African American Music Appreciation Month, this years’ theme is “The Business Behind the Music.”
Ellis Hall, “The Ambassador of Soul” known for singing, songwriting and as a musician playing every instrument with a strong 5 octave vocal range and was the lead vocalist and keyboardist for the soul-funk band Tower of Power. He performs with elite symphony orchestras worldwide including: His first being the Hollywood Bowl under the direction of his mentor Ray Charles.
Hall will perform at the Salute to Black Music Awards, honoring Valerie Ervin, President of the Ray Charles Foundation. Ms. Ervin is the guardian angel of the Ray Charles Legacy. Under her leadership, the Ray Charles foundation has donated millions of dollars in grants, making Valerie Ervin one of the most influential legacy estate guardians.
She is committed to carrying forward the vision and philanthropic mission set forth by Ray Charles. Honorees, Siedah Garrett, GRAMMY-winning and twice Academy Award-nominated singer/songwriter whose contributions to popular culture are unparalleled and John Acosta, President of the American Federation of Musicians Local 47 will be recognized for their accomplishments in African-American music.
African-American Music Appreciation Month is a commemoration that takes place annually in the United States, throughout the month of June. Originally proclaimed “Black Music Month” by President Jimmy Carter on June 7, 1979, U.S. presidents have issued proclamations for the celebration under that name until President Barack Obama announced the observance under a new title, African-American Music Appreciation Month.
Other nominees include, Cathy Hughes, Chairperson TV One, Dr. Dre has been selected to receive the Outstanding Achievement Award and Kendrick Lamar for his Outstanding Accomplishment in music as Pulitzer Prize winner for ‘DAMN,’ the first rapper and winner who is not a classical or jazz musician.
In addition, the California African-American Museum is featuring an outstanding exhibition – “How Sweet the Sound: Gospel Music in Los Angeles.” Black music is a vital facet of American life and commerce, it touches all communities, and it demonstrates the enduring impact African Americans have worldwide.
For more information to participate as a sponsor for the Black Music Month event, call the BBA on (323) 291-9334 or [email protected]; bbala.org.
About Ellis Hall
Born in Savannah, Georgia and raised partly in Claxton, GA. Hall has been blind since he was 18 years old, but that doesn’t stop him from is mission in life. In fact, it has been the driving force behind the creation of a 3,800 songs catalog full of Soul, Gospel, Blues and Pop compositions. Among these works is the official song for his hometown of Claxton Georgia. He has worked with musical greats such as; Ray Charles, Stevie Wonder, James Taylor, Natalie Cole, Patti LaBelle, Toby Keith, Herbie Hancock, George Benson, Bobby Womack, George Duke, Sheila E., Kenny G and many more. In addition, he was one of the lead vocalists of the California Raisins.
Hall has also successfully had his hand at Hollywood, recording and performing songs for live action and animated films such as “The Lion King 2,” “Shrek 2,” “Chicken Run,” “Invincible” and “Bruce Almighty”. The Ambassador has even taken acting roles in “Big Momma’s House” (Martin Lawrence) and the crime drama “Catch Me If You Can” (Leonardo DiCaprio).
Along with all of these amazing films that he was a part of, Mr. Hall was nominated for an Ovation Theater Award for his first stage role in “The Gospel At Colonus” where he not only sang and acted but also walked the stage and stair props with nearly no assistance. www.ellishall.com
About Valerie Ervin
As guardian of the Ray Charles legacy, Valerie Ervin is committed to carrying forward the vision and philanthropic mission set forth by Ray Charles.
Prior to being named President of ‘The Ray Charles Foundation’, Valerie Ervin established her tenure with the organization by working closely alongside Ray Charles and his long-time manager/business partner Joe Adams, as Executive Assistant and Vice President of Operations. In addition to leading the foundation in its grant making initiatives, Valerie also oversees the negotiation of music licensing contracts and manages all the commercial, business, marketing and financial interests from revenues generated by the Ray Charles Foundation.
She has been Executive Producer and recognized on multiple music and media projects, including the Academy Award Winning bio pic, “Ray” as well as an In Performance at the White House” PBS special honoring Ray Charles, hosted by President Barack Obama and Mrs. Obama. Valerie Ervin has received an Honorary Doctorate degree from Dillard University and dozens of awards, plaques of recognition and appreciation from the City and County of Los Angeles.
About Siedah Garrett
Garrett ‘s experience in the music business, include: the status of one of the most sought-after songwriters in the world, a collaborator and band member of Michael Jackson. Siedah is most famous for co-writing Michael Jackson’s mega hit “Man in the Mirror” from his chart-topping 1987 album, “Bad”. Garrett has recorded songs on her mentor Quincy Jones, Aretha Franklin, Jennifer Hudson among many other music projects.
Film and television productions that have used her music include Lego Batman, Rio, Rio 2, Dreamgirls, The Voice, and Netflix’ Fuller House, and the hugely successful Playstation video game Nioh. Outside of her work as a singer and songwriter, Garrett is also an active philanthropist – using her time, talents and creativity to make a positive difference in her community and throughout the world.
About John Acosta
John Acosta currently serves as President of the American Federation of Musicians Local 47 representing over 7,000 professional musicians in the southern California area. John also serves as an International Executive Board member of the AFM, Vice President on the Los Angeles County Federation of Labor Executive Board, President on the Music Fund of Los Angeles Board of Directors, Director on the Actors Fund Western Council and Director on the Verdugo-Workforce Investment Board. John hails from the Bronx, New York. In California, John began his recording career working as a composer, guitarist, producer and engineer for artists on Warner Brothers, DreamWorks, Geffen, BMG, Elektra and Capitol Records. John’s work as a musician lead to his work with Local 47, advocating for musician’s rights.
About Black Business Association
Since 1970, the Black Business Association (BBA), a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, headquartered in Los Angeles, has been instrumental in the growth and development of thousands of African American businesses, providing innovative information and service programs to our constituents, advocate for change and adherence to laws and programs, and assisted companies and individuals to move up the ladder of success.
https://www.facebook.com/BlackBusinessAssociation
Edna Sims
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