MANY of our members (as do I) coming from the southeast Queens area of NY have been asking me if I knew what ever happened to the old school neighborhood band known as THE BARTLETT CONTEMPORARIES. This group unquestionably has its fingerprints on the unique brand of jazz, R&B and funk that rose out the area in the 1970-80s and continues today. I recently received correspondence from The two originators and namesakers of the group CARL & CHARLES BARTLETT (certain information omitted due to respect for privacy): Bartlett Contemporaries P.O. Box 128279 St. Albans, NY 11412 January 28, 2014 Dear Leon, On November 15, 2014 Bartlett Contemporaries will celebrate its 50th Anniversary of providing musical and community service. Under the leadership of Charles and Carl Bartlett and in true celebration of this 50th anniversary milestone, Bartlett Contemporaries is seeking sponsorship for this concert which will be held at York College, where Charles serves as a music mentor to jazz band students. This concert in its musical presentation, spoken word, surprise celebrity entertainers and personalities, will highlight the many genres of music performed over a 50 year period. In addition it is our desire to direct part of the proceeds from this event, as musical scholarship to deserving students. KEY PERFORMANCES - BARTLETT CONTEMPORARIES • Oprah Winfrey – provided music for her book party in Miami • Spike Lee – provided music for his wedding reception in NYC • Miles Davis – provided music for his 60th birthday party • Susan L Taylor (Essence Magazine) – provided music for the Essence Awards party for six consecutive years in NYC • Susan L. Taylor – traveled with us to Barbados as a part of our Contempo Show • Featured on the Bill McCreary Report • Shearson & Lehman Brothers NAACP, Congressman Ed Towns – Awards Gala • Ed Lewis – (Essence Magazine, Publisher) – provided music for his wedding reception • Earl Graves – (Black Enterprise Magazine) – provided music for son’s wedding reception • The Edges Group (Fortune 500 Company) • The National Minority Supplier Development Council, The Support Network, Inc. • The Women of Great Esteem • The Councils of the World • The Boston Guardsmen • The Comus Club, Inc. • Prospect Park Alliance • Brooklyn Hospital – Dykers Country Club (November 22, 2013) • SOBO AWARDS • Carl Bartlett nominated by former Congressman Floyd H. Flake to the White House Conference on Travel and Tourism / met with President Bill Clinton and V.P. Al Gore • Recipient of the Legends of Queens Award for Business and Music • Recipient of the East Flatbush Friends of Education Business Award • Recipient, Bartlett Contemporaries, of NAACP Community Involvement Award • Recipient, Bartlett Contemporaries, of NYS Proclamation for Living Music Legends in Queens • Recipient of Citation from Tom Suozzi, Nassau County Executive, for service to Hofstra University • Recipient of a four year 90% scholarship for excellence to the Manhattan School of Music, Carl Bartlett Jr. I hope the aforementioned will assists you in helping to bring awareness to this event. We may be contacted at bartlettband1@aol for further information. Sincerely, Carl & Charles Bartlett
Posted on: Tue, 01 Apr 2014 17:02:52 +0000