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ATLANTIC CITY — August 01, 2023

It was a very Soulful Saturday in Gardners Basin, Atlantic City July 29th. The National R & B Music Society Free Concert Series 2023, sponsored by the CRDA & City of Atlantic City brought some of the biggest names in R & B & Soul together on one stage, one day for one incredible show.

 

It was a very large turnout to see, Rose Royce, The Delfonics featuring Wil Hart Original / Founding Member, and Philly was well represented with Blue Magic as well. Also taking the stage, Force MD’s, Allure and local opening acts, Mark Baxter and Judah Dorrington and Paradise, DJ Kaoss and the MC, New York radio personality, Maurice “The Voice” Watts.

  Read More

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ATLANTIC CITY — Some entertainers who have wowed crowds in America's Favorite Playground have died.

 

Venues that no longer exist fade from memory.

The city will publicly honor those entertainers who used to or still dazzle crowds on the resort's stages at 1 p.m. April 24 when the Atlantic City Walk of Fame will be unveiled in a ceremony at Brighton Park.

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"We are just really excited about this. The first one will be a jump-start. They will see that we are serious. Our hearts are in this," said Vannessa Jordan, president and CEO of the National Rhythm & Blues Music Society.

The first inductees to the Atlantic City Walk of Fame, who will be honored with a 9-by-12-inch plaque embedded in the ground, will be the late James Brown; the late soul-jazz saxophonist Grover Washington Jr.; the New York City soul vocal group Little Anthony and the Imperials; and the Philadelphia soul vocal group the Delfonics.  Read More

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The National Rhythm & Blues Music Society Inc.’s inaugural Unveiling & Induction Ceremony will take place on Monday, April 24, 2023, at Brighton Park in Atlantic City.

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The first Inductees to be honored are, Award Winning Artist and Rock & Roll Hall Of Famer, James Brown “The Godfather Of Soul”, Rock & Roll Hall Of Famer, Little Anthony & The Imperials, and Grammy Award Winners, The Delfonics, and Grover Washington Jr.

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Scheduled to appear to accept are, Anthony “Little Anthony” Gourdine, Ernest Wright and Sammy Strain of Little Anthony & The Imperials, Wilbert “Wil” Hart of The Delfonics (The last surviving member), James Brown’s daughter Deanna Brown and Grover Washington’s daughter Shana Washington. Read More

Press of Atlantic City: Vincent Jackson * January 24, 2023

Atlantic City Walk Of Fame Inductees

The late “Godfather of Soul” James Brown, the late soul-jazz saxophonist Grover Washington Jr., the Philadelphia R&B soul vocal group The Delfonics and the New York City R&B/soul vocal group Little Anthony and the Imperials are the inaugural inductees for the Atlantic City Walk of Fame. They will be honored during a free outdoor ceremony at 1 p.m. April 24 at Brighton Park in Atlantic City.

READ MORE

VINCENT JACKSON For The Press - Sunday, May 01, 2022

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ATLANTIC CITY — Entertainment venues that no longer exist in America’s Favorite Playground include Club Harlem, the 500 Club and Grace’s Little Belmont.

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Vannessa Jordan, president and CEO of the National Rhythm & Blues Music Society, wants to make sure performers who appeared in these venues and others will be remembered by future resort residents and visitors.

Jordan is spearheading an effort for the creation of an Atlantic City Walk of Fame inside Brighton Park that would have its inaugural inductees revealed and honored next spring. Mayor Marty Small Sr. has approved the project.

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“I had this idea for Atlantic City. This is a perfect place to do one,” Jordan said. “It’s been in my head for 10 years.” READ MORE

Atlantic City Walk of Fame planned to honor
performers who appeared in resort

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Vannessa Jordan (Left) and Henrietta Shelton (Right).
Photo by: Edward Lea.

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April, 4, 2022 / Shore Local Magazine
By Marc Berman

The Atlantic City Walk Of Fame is an annual induction ceremony honoring legendary recording artists who made an impact in the music industry. The event takes place in Atlantic City, New Jersey.

The first induction will take place in 2023, at Brighton Park. READ MORE

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The Chi-Lites Receives A Star On The Hollywood Walk Of Fame

The National R&B Music Society's President Vannessa Jordan, attended the Induction Ceremony on September 30, 2021 in Hollywood, Ca.
 

By Phil Gallo

September 30, 2021

As the Chi-Lites receive their star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in a ceremony on the boulevard today, some fans might say it’s coming not a moment too soon, given that the classic R&B band rose to fame a full five decades ago, with smashes like “Have You Seen Her.” But at least one key figure in the group’s development is pleased that the honor is coming when it is. READ MORE


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​The Shore Local News

The Light with Raymond Tyler / August 19, 2021

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Atlantic City is finally welcoming back another summer tradition that was taken away by Covid-19.  Every year thousands of Atlantic City and South Jersey Residents would set up their summer calendars based on The Atlantic City Free Summer Concert Series.

 

This year the Atlantic City Free Concert Series is back for 2 great days.

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Each year Vannessa Jordan, President of The National R&B Society Inc. works with the city of Atlantic City to bring concerts to Gardner’s Basin free of charge.

These concerts are more than just entertainment. The concert series brings the community together for fellowship and fun. READ MORE

“They’re part of the tapestry that makes up Philadelphia and if it wasn’t for Philadelphia, they probably wouldn’t have gotten on the road to fame,” said Stuart Bascombe, of the National R&B Music Society.  Inductees included The O'Jays,

Evelyn "Champagne" King, The Hooters and Others.

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Pictured: Eddie Levert of The O'Jays, Stuart Bascombe

of Black Ivory and Vannessa Jordan.

Free concert series to return to Gardner's Basin for summer of 2019

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Place: Art and music dominate the Galloway home of R&B Music Society CEO

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Posted: Sunday, February, 3, 2019 12:01 am

By VINCENT JACKSON, Staff Writer

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GALLOWAY TOWNSHIP — Wherever Vannessa Jordan lives, she loves to cover the walls of her living room with items that mean a great deal to her.

Jordan, 57, is the president and CEO of the National Rhythm & Blues Music Society. She organized the group’s 10th anniversary black tie gala and concert fundraiser featuring Blue Magic, Full Force, The System and other acts in September at The Claridge — A Radisson Hotel in Atlantic City.

    "Mr. SOUL!" The Movie - Tribeca Film Festival


NEW YORK, NY - APRIL 22:

 

Stuart Bascombe and Vanessa Jordan attend the "Mr. SOUL!" screening during Tribeca Film Festival at Spring Studios on April 22, 2018 in New York City.

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Before Oprah, before Arsenio, there was Mr. SOUL! Ellis Haizlip ensures the Revolution will be televised, with SOUL!, America's first "Black Tonight Show." A Film by Melissa Haizlip @mrsoulthemovie

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(Photo by Roy Rochlin/Getty Images for Tribeca Film Festival)

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             The 60th Annual GRAMMY Awards
at Madison Square Garden on January 28, 2018
in New York City.

With the Grammy Awards returning to New York City for the first time in 15 years, Stuart Bascombe and Vannessa Jordan-Gaston, President/CEO of The National Rhythm & Blues Music Society, could not pass up the opportunity to attend the 2018 60th Grammy Awards Celebration at Madison Square Gardens. Here they are pictured on the red carpet, January 28th, 2018.

 

Photo: Jamie McCarthy/Getty Images

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Kenny Gamble, Betty Wright& Siedah Garrett

Vannessa Jordan, the president and CEO of the National R&B Music Society Inc., saw King in December in Jersey City, Hudson County, at the memorial service of Winfred “Blue” Lovett, the last original member of The Manhattans who was still performing.

“He was humble, a very humble man,” said Jordan, of Galloway Township, who added King was considered a legendary music artist to the R&B community.

“He looked so good. I was glad to see him even though it was a sad occasion.”

Late Ben E. King frequented Atlantic City

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  • VINCENT JACKSON, Staff Writer / May 1, 2015

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The Philadelphia Scoop USA Newspaper, Friday September 26, 2014.

 

The National R&B Music Society held their Prestigious 5th Black Tie Gala, Dinner & Awards Ceremony in Atlantic City's Resorts hotel on Sunday September 21, 2014.

Read More.

Photo by Patricia Hawkins

Legendary Record Executive Al Bell with Legendary Songwriter Vinnie Barrett at The 4th Black Tie Gala, Dinner & Awards Ceremony

Former co-owner of Stax records featured at R&B event in A.C.

 

Posted: Saturday, September 20, 2014 12:01 am

By VINCENT JACKSON, Staff Writer

 

In the the early 1970s, Al Bell was a driving force in making Stax Records the second-largest African-American-owned business in this country. And while Stax might not be as famous as Motown Records, the label's influence on the music industry is still being felt.

 

Bell, 74, is one of the special guest speakers Sunday at the National R&B Music Society's fourth annual black tie gala fundraiser, dinner, dance and awards ceremony at Resorts Casino-Hotel in Atlantic City. The songwriter, producer and record executive will talk about supporting soul music and bridging the gap between old-school R&B artists and the acts of the 1990s and 2000s.

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All Six Tavares Brothers
Honored with a Lifetime Achievement Award     
By The National Rhythm and Blues Music Society

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National R&B society holds awards ceremony in A.C.

 Posted: Friday, September 13, 2013 12:01 am

By VINCENT JACKSON, Staff Writer

The vocal group Tavares left a mark on the music world with success in the pop, dance and R&B genres.  The group will be celebrated for its contributions to R&B during the National R&B Music Society's Black Tie Gala & Award Ceremony on Sunday at Resorts Casino Hotel. Tavares - a family act made up of brothers - is one of more than a half dozen performers who will be honored with Lifetime Achievement Awards, including The Delfonics and the Legendary Ladies of Skyy.  "It's a great honor. It shows that we've been in the business this long, and we're being recognized as a working group, and a group that's just survived this long to begin with," Pooch Tavares said. "It's tough to survive in this world today, especially in the music business. We're still hanging in there." I’m a great place.

Endorsement letter from The City Of Atlantic City Arts Commission ​

04/18/2013
The City of Atlantic City Arts Commission gave a full endorsement and support of our efforts to bring The National R&B Music Society to Atlantic City, NJ.

​Head of the National R&B Music Society wants to build music museum in the resort.​​

Vincent Jackson, The Press of Atlantic City, Fe.February 10, 2013

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Vannessa Jordan, of Galloway Township, wants to use Atlantic City's abundant entertainment history to generate money for the city. The president and CEO of the National R&B Music Society Inc., Jordan wants to build a multi-million dollar national R&B museum in Atlantic City. She started a petition online to show there is support for the project locally and worldwide. Since she launched her petition drive in January, Jordan has garnered 629 of the 10,000 signatures she wants to obtain.​

But the 51-year-old isn't waiting to obtain the signatures before moving ahead. She's currently waiting for a finished blueprint of the rhythm and blues museum and plans to approach the Casino Reinvestment Development Authority with her idea before Memorial Day weekend.

The National R&B Music Society 5th Annual BBQ & The City of Atlantic City "Free" Summer Concert Featuring our very own members, Ray, Goodman & Brown, Blue Magic, Black Ivory, The Legendary Escorts, The Unifics, The Temprees, and The Legendary Intruders with a Live Band. Rob Base will jump start the show and Maurice "The Voice" Watts The Master of Ceremony will once again conduct the largest electric slide line. Join us on Saturday, June 22, 2013 at Gardners Basin located in the Marina District. 1:00 pm - 8:00 pm.

Bring your lawn chairs, food and coolers or patronize the food vendors. Meet & Greet with the Artists/CD Signings, Free Health Screenings, other vendors and more. You are not going to want to miss this event. "VIP Section" $15.00 Donation, offered to our Public Members only. Limited tickets available, and advance reservations only call 609.339.6767.

Read more

Free concerts by name acts becoming a fixture in South Jersey

  • By VINCENT JACKSON, Staff Writer

  • Aug 19, 2012 Updated Aug 19, 2012

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Marshall Thompson of the Chi-Lites performs to an appreciative audience during a free show this summer at Gardner’s Basin in Atlantic City. A National R&B Music Society Production. There are now a number of venues in Atlantic City and surrounding towns offering free concerts by famous oldies acts and upcoming artists.

Doing what she can to honor R&B's robust heritage

 

Posted: Sunday, August 16, 2009 6:00 am Atlantic City Press

By VINCENT JACKSON, Staff Writer

 

GALLOWAY TOWNSHIP - The smiles, laughter, conversation, hugs and handshakes make it seem as if Vanessa Gaston decided to host a family reunion at her home here.

 

Gaston, 48, isn't playing host to relatives, but R&B and soul-music stars she heard on the radio growing up.

 

They include: Billy Brown, Al Goodman and Kevin "Ray" Owens of Ray, Goodman & Brown; The Ultimate Persuaders featuring Richard Poindexter; and Gerald Alston, who performs solo and as the lead singer of The Manhattans with Blu Lovett.

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