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QC02162017

32 THE QUEENS COURIER • FEBRUARY 16, 2017 FOR BREAKING NEWS VISIT WWW.QNS.COM black history month Addisleigh Park: a haven of history Over the years, Addisleigh Park in St. Albans was home to many prominent African Americans who made incredible contributions to public service and the arts. As we celebrate Black History Month, let’s take a look at some of the neighborhood’s most remarkable residents: Earl Bostic: Born in Tulsa, Oklahoma, Bostic lived in Addisleigh Park from 1948 to 1958. A jazz and R&B alto saxophonist and composer, he began his career with Lionel Hampton and later played with Cab Calloway before forming his own band. Mercer Ellington: Son of the legendary jazz trumpeter Duke Ellington, Mercer Ellington resided in Addisleigh Park between 1949 and 1965, serving as leader, trumpeter, composer, arranger and singer with his own band. He managed his father’s band from 1964 until his death in 1996. Clarence Irving Sr.: Born in Prince George County, Virginia, Irving lived in Addisleigh Park from 1956 to 1993. In 1984, he founded the Black American Heritage Foundation, an organization that promotes black culture, pride and the study of African American life. He also served as curator of York College’s Southeast Queens Archives and was founder of the United States Postal Service’s Black Heritage Stamp Series. Rose Murphy: A resident of Addisleigh Park from 1951 until her death in 1989, Murphy was a jazz vocalist and pianist best known as the “Chee- Chee Girl.” She began her musical career in the late 1930s playing intermission piano for performers such as Count Basie. J. Foster Phillips: A native of St. Michael’s Parish in Barbados, James Foster Phillips moved to Addisleigh Park in 1929 and opened the J. Foster Phillips Funeral Home, which is now owned and operated by his son, Neal. In 1935, J. Foster Phillips became the fi rst African-American named to the Queens County Democratic Committee and was elected in 1958 as the fi rst African-American Democratic District Leader. In 1961, he became the Queens Borough secretary of the Democratic Party. Russell Jacquet: Born in St. Martinville, Louisiana, Jacquet lived in Addisleigh Park next door to his brother, famed tenor and saxophonist Illinois Jacquet. A renowned jazz trumpeter in his own right, Russell played in his brother’s band and later formed his own band, which played at Harlem’s legendary Cotton Club. Archie Spigner: A native of Orangeburg, South Carolina, Spigner became the first African-American from Queens elected to the New York City Council in 1974. He rose through the ranks and eventually became deputy majority leader. He also served as executive director of the board of directors of the National League of Cities. Still residing in Addisleigh Park, he currently serves as Democratic District Leader for the 29th Assembly District. Shirley Graham Dubois: Born in Indianapolis, Indiana, Dubois lived in Addisleigh Park from 1946 to 1952 and was married to famed civil rights advocate and historian, W.E.B. Dubois. A renowned author, playwright, composer and political activist, she was the fi rst African-American woman to write an all-black opera, “Tom-Toms: An Epic of Music and the Negro.” Percy Sutton: Born in San Antonio, Texas, Sutton lived in Addisleigh Park from 1962 to 1967 and was a lawyer, civil rights activist, entrepreneur, politician, Freedom Rider and attorney to Malcolm X. During World War II, he was a member of the famed Tuskegee Airmen, serving as an intelligence offi cer. He was elected Manhattan borough president in 1966 and served in that offi ce for eight years. His business ventures included operating radio stations WLIBAM and WBLS-FM, the Apollo Th eatre, New York Amsterdam News and “It’s Showtime at the Apollo.” Cootie Williams: A native of Mobile, Alabama, Charlie “Cootie” Williams was an Addisleigh Park resident between 1949 and 1962. He was a jazz, jump blues and R&B trumpeter and band leader. Prior to forming his own eponymous orchestra, he played with the likes of Duke Ellington, Benny Goodman, Chick Webb and Fletcher Henderson. Westervelt A. Taylor (not pictured): A native of Cambridge, Massachusetts, “West” Taylor was the fi rst African-American appointed as an assistant district attorney in Queens County, beginning his service to the people in December 1948. He was also president of the United Democrats of Jamaica. Courtesy of the Addisleigh Park Civic Association ing his n d 964 v S leig Murphy ying r nd ecan Y k venture ing r AM A A C A d tb t motes Afs becam oug D d fam phon Herbert Mills (far left ): A native of Piqua, Ohio, Mills was a jazz singer, tenor, actor and member of Th e Mills Brothers vocal group, one of the longest-lasting oldies acts in American popular music.


QC02162017
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