ABOVE PHOTO: Norman Connors
The Executive Committee of the American Women’s Heritage Society & Underground Railroad Museum at Historic Belmont Mansion (AWHS) last week announced an end of year fundraiser featuring the internationally renowned recording artist, composer, producer – Norman Connors. Don’t miss this Pre-Holiday Fundraiser on Dec. 5.
Born in the City of Brotherly Love, this legendary musician had the luxury of growing up immersed in the Philly’s rich jazz and R&B tradition.
At the tender age of 16, Norman Connors performed alongside legendary Jazz musician John Coltrane and travelled to New York where he landed a full scholarship at the prestigious Juilliard School of Music. Connors’ illustrious resume includes work with jazz greats Pharaoh Sanders, Jackie McLean, Archie Shepp and others. Linda Watson, Interim President of AWHS noted how powerful an impact Connors’ music has made and continues to make on the music industry.
Cornelia Wells Conference Hall
He has produced everyone from Angela Bofill, Phyllis Hyman, Lonnie Liston Smith and Bobby Lyle. His critically acclaimed albums include Dance of Magic, which featured Herbie Hancock, Stanley Clark, Ron Carter Hubert Laws, Gary Bartz, Carlos Garnet and DeeDee Bridgewater. He also made recording Dark of Night, love from the Sun, Slew Foot and Saturday Night Special. Connors struck Gold with the album You Are My Starship featuring Tom Bell and Linda Creed classic ‘Betcha By Golly Wow’ featuring Phyllis Hyman.
Naomi Nelson, AWHS Executive Director noted “I have known Norman Connors for many years. He has a tremendous following and fan base in Philadelphia. The City of Brotherly Love love’s his music. Norman’s aspirations for playing jazz & R&B resulted in major music accomplishments and contributions to Philadelphia’s musical legacy.
A noted musician, composer, artist and producer, Norman’s music, leaning heavily on love themes, projected him to the heights of recording studios and performance halls nationally, from New York to Hollywood, and globally. He is an urban legend.”
This event will be held in the newly opened Cornelia Wells Conference Hall and Banquet Hall Center. Named in honor of Cornelia Wells, the former slave woman who was freed by Judge Richard Peters and brought to work at Belmont Mansion, the Cornelia Wells Conference Hall and Banquet Center is the only facility in Philadelphia named after a formerly enslaved woman. Admission to The Meet the Artist Reception is $75, 6:00PM-7:30PM held in the Cornelia Wells Conference Hall and Banquet Center. Perfomance tickets cost $35; first perfomance set is at 8:00-9:00PM; second set is at 10:00PM-11:00PM.
AWHS Background: In 1986, Audrey R. Johnson Thornton created the American Women’s Heritage Society and saved Belmont Mansion from demolition. With a mission to maintain, preserve, interpret, and restore Belmont Mansion, the American Women’s Heritage Society (AWHS) is the first organization to operate Belmont Mansion as an historic site, and remains the only African American women’s organization to administer an historic site in Fairmount Park, one of the world’s largest municipal parks. Belmont Mansion is designated as a significant historic site of the Fairmount Park Historic District in the National Register of Historic Places.
The National Underground Railroad Freedom Center in Cincinnati, Ohio named Belmont Mansion a member of its National Freedom Station Affiliates program. AWHS is a member of the National Park Service Network to freedom program.
Leave a Comment