Jordan RainfordPer 2 Mrs. Breaux5/14/07
Ray’s Jazz Club
On the streets of
Harlem there is always something exciting happening. This is the only place in these United States where we
Negros can live and prosper, without the white man’s shadow casting over us. The 20s has been the best time for the Negro because of W.E.B. DeBuis and his new organization called the NAACP. He‘s been the only black leader who has started to give us any hope of being equal.
Anyway, I am Jordan from south
Harlem. I am 17 years old, and I am already one of the most well known jazz musicians in the city. In fact, the only guy that out play me on the trumpet is this guy named Louis Armstrong. He lives right across the street. He and the rest of
Harlem are going to watch me perform tonight at Ray’s Jazz Club. Ray’s is the biggest and most famous club in
Harlem. That’s where I am walking to right now. Everybody in town knows me. After a show they always yell to me about how they liked the show from the night before. It feels good being the one who makes the people get on their feet to start dancing and having a good. I’ve got my work cut out for me though tonight, because at Ray’s people have been known to dance the entire night, and being an entertainer I have to give them what they want.
As I finally get to the club I see Malcom and the gang sitting down. These guys have been playing with me for years.
“Hey what’s up fellas?”
“Nothing,” said Malcom. “Just hangin out, waitin for you to get ready for the show tonight. Where you been at?”
“Probably with Diann,” shouted Tony.
“How did you know I was with her?” I asked him.
“Cause when you ain’t playin music you are always with her.” Jamal said jokingly.
“Whatever man, y’all just jealous you don’t have any girls comin around.”
Diann was my girlfriend. She moved to New York from
Chicago when we were 6, and we’ve been friends ever since. We started going together a few months ago. She’s the prettiest girl in all of
New York City, she also has the best voice. When she sings, all the men go into a trans.
“Yo
Jordan! Let’s go get ready.” Malcom yelled.
When we walked into the club we saw everyone getting ready for the show. A nice lady named Zora showed us to our dressing room. After I got into my suit I went to go see Ray.
“What’s up Ray?”
“Hey, nothing much man. You ready for the big show tonight?”
“Yeah, you know I am. I just wanted to find how much you were payin us tonight.”
“Three hundred.” He answered. “Is that okay?”
“That’s just fine with me.” I replied.
As I walked back to the dressing room I could see that the place was already packed. Anybody who’s anybody was here tonight. I saw all the big names, even Mr. DeBuis was in the house. Then I saw Diann, she saw me and she blew me a kiss. I knew that I was going to have to give my best performance ever. When I got back to the dressing room I could see that they were a little nervous, I was even nervous. I couldn’t show them that I was because I am the leader of the group.
“C’mon guys this is just like playin in the old small joints we used to play in. There is nothing different.” I told them.
Zora peaked her head in, and told us it was time to go out.
When we went out there we received a huge round of applause. People were screaming our names as we picked up our instruments. Then we began to play. We played and played the people were really feeling our songs. We had the club bumpin the whole night and into the morning. It was great seeing all of
Harlem dancing to our music. This is what it’s all about. After the show people were talking about it for weeks. In fact, most people were saying that it was the best performance put on at Ray’s Jazz club.
