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WHEREAS, On February 23, 2008, Roger Humphries is being honored by the Kente Arts Alliance at the Kelly-Strayhorn Theater for his outstanding lifetime of achievements; and
WHEREAS, the youngest of ten children born to Mary E. and Lawrence G. Humphries, Mr. Humphries was only four years old when he was asked to perform with the Mary J. Cowley Band, at the Veterans Hospital Amateur Hour with the Fab Smith Big Band. When he was sixteen, Mr. Humphries led his own group at the Carnegie Music Hall and by August of 1962, he accepted his first major road job with Stanley Turrentine and Shirley Scott. Lauded as a Pittsburgh jazz legend, Mr. Humphries has provided percussion assistance to countless legendary musical artists, including Ray Charles, Horace Silver, Richard “Grooves” Holmes and James Moody; and
WHEREAS, at the local level, he has performed with Nathan Davis, Frank Cunimondo, Pete Henderson and Dwayne Dolphin. His performances have taken him to Europe and across our great nation, including appearances at the Apollo Theatre in Harlem, New York; the Bohemian Caverns in Los Angeles, California; Pep's Lounge in Philadelphia and Ronny Scott's in London, England; and
WHEREAS, during his illustrious career, Mr. Humphries also established the RH Factor and the Roger Humphries Big Band. A superb musical artist, his work can be heard on numerous albums, such as “Songs for My Father,” “Love I Know Your Name” and “Don't Give Up”; and
WHEREAS, along with is wife, Regina, Mr. Humphries is the father of four children and has also been blessed with three grandchildren. A noble citizen, he is well-known throughout his community for his work as a musical instructor at The Pittsburgh High School for the Creative and Performing Arts and at the University of Pittsburgh, as well as for his contributions as a teacher at the Slippery Rock University Summer Jazz workshops and the Mellon Jazz Master's Class and Concerts; and
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NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, t...
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