Dear Source:
How great to read this update on Reuben Rogers' ongoing success story, and to see Anita Davis back "on the beat"!
Back in the 20th Century, as president and then executive director of the St. Thomas-St. John Arts Council and as an arts writer for the Source, the Daily News and other publications, I watched Reuben, his cousin Amin and Rashawn begin their serious musicianship as high school and college students. Their accomplishments should make all Virgin Islanders – and those involved in the incredible public school music programs – proud.
I was one of the organizers of the Premier Virgin Islands Jazz Festival in 1987, where Ron and Dion made their "splash" home from college (Northwestern and Rutgers, respectively) playing with Bryce Sebastian on string bass and Martin Lamkin on trombone throughout the 10-day fest that also featured the Louis Taylor Quartet as well as Dizzy Gillespie, Gary Bartz, Richie Cole, Bobby Hutcherson, Paul Horn, Jimmy Hamilton, Joe Ramsay, John Shaw and Windsor Rhoden. (Wow!)
The Arts Council provided college scholarship assistance to Reuben and Amin, and they made some memorable music at the old Barnacle Bill's back then. For the last seven years I've lived in the Tampa Bay area of Florida. Our National Public Radio station (WUSF-FM) has a jazz format at night, and the names and music of Reuben Rogers, Dion Parson, Ron Blake and Rashawn Ross are heard over the airwaves all the time.
Wish I could have been there last Saturday night!
Jean Etsinger
Sarasota, Fla.
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