*One of the most anticipated parties of the year is publicist/event planner’s Kenneth Reynolds‘ annual birthday bash.
Whether it’s the Beverly Hills Hotel, A private dinner for 60 at a quaint Indian restaurant on Wilshire Blvd., a house in the hills of Los Felis, or 35 close friends crammed into his Leimert Park apartment for fried chicken, ribs, cake along with a 3 piece blues band, complete with singer, it’s always a good time for everyone.
The event was held at the newly renovated Westin Bonaventure hotel in downtown Los Angeles. Reynolds’ has been promoting shows in the “Lobby Court” for the past year and local talent has included violinist, Lila Hood, who kicked off the series, Lynn Fiddmont who sang with Stevie Wonder and Kenny “Babyface” Edmunds, Windy Barnes who toured with Michael Bolton and Julio Iglesia, coming off her year long Beverly Hills Hotel engagement Margo Thunder, Inland Empire saxophonist J. Boykin, stage and actor/performer Scott People.
“There are so few places where the 40+ group can go and enjoy an evening of good entertainment with food and drinks in a comfortable environment. Explains Kenneth. “This is what we have been accomplishing at the Westin Bonaventure.” The audiences have been as varied as the talent. There is no cover charge or admission fee. “It’s really just a great way to spend two hours on a Saturday evening.”
This year Reynolds’ wanted to give his guests a gift for his birthday. The approximate 250 guests were treated to an evening of song that singer Yvette Cason piped, “Y’all know if you had to pay for this, it would be a lot. You know that, right?”
The lineup for the evening included Violinist Lila Hood, Jamaal Holmes, Chaka’s daughter Indira Khan, Scott People, Lynn Fiddmont, Norwood Young, Carol Dennis-Dylan, Norwood Young, Yvette Cason Ovation Award nominee for “Sister Rosetta Thorpe who found Cheryl “Got To Be Real,” in the audience with whom she sang, “You Got A Friend,” on saxophonist J. Boykin, Loretta Devine who performed a sassy sexy “If I Can’t Sell It, I’m Gonna Sit On It,” Josh Olson, Brenda Lee Eager and Louis Price throwing down on the classis, “Ain’t Understand Mellow,” originally recorded by Brenda Lee & Jerry Butler, Jacob Lusk, Margo Thunder, and Dorian Holley former background singer for Michael Jackson, “American Idol,” “Daning With The Stars,’ and who recently sold out three show, Dorian Sings Marvin Gaye,” at the Ebony Repository Theater.
Spotted in the audience was Cheryl Lynn, Mary Wilson of the Supremes, Freda Payne, Dr. Carol Brooks, Ro Brooks “The Haves and the Have Nots,” Belinda Wilson & Eddie Sims, Colleen Wilson, Darlene Donloe, Pat Shields, David Mitchell and Westin Chief Executive Peter Zen.
The incredibly talented band consisted of Gmoe on bass, Lance Lee on drums, Richard Turner on piano, Lila Hood violin, J. Boykin on saxophone, Bay area musician Charlene Moore on Keyboard former MD for Sylvester and the Weather Girls, all under the direction of bassist Del Atkins.
All you have to do is watch the video above from prolific photographer/videographer Stephen Williams above and you’ll be wishing you were there to check out the incredible performances and the great atmosphere enjoyed by all in attendance.
Happy birthday Ken!