[members-announce] Houston Person Concert (Corrected Message)

[Kathleen Mathieu]

Houston Person Back By Popular Demand

A Sunday afternoon jazz concert, an awards ceremony and a festive 
celebration will be among the highlights of the 50th Anniversary Garden 
Party of the Friends of Dr. W.F. Willoughby.
The Garden Party will be held in the auditorium of the Learning Center 
at Englewood Hospital and Medical Center on Sunday, September 28 at 4 
pm.  The program will include a concert by world-renowned tenor 
saxophonist Houston Person and the Houston Person Quartet.  The 
award-winning musician, bandleader and producer returns by popular 
demand.  His musical partner Etta Jones shared top billing with him at 
the annual event until her passing in 2001.
The anniversary celebration will mark fifty years of service by the 
Friends, an auxiliary of the Medical Center.  The group was founded in 
1953 by residents of Englewood’s Fourth Ward under the leadership of 
community leader Maria C. Davis, an African-American woman who 
dedicated much of her life to charitable and civic causes.  When she 
died at the age of 100 in 1992, her biography cited the Medical Center 
as the organization that gave her the greatest pride.  Mrs. Davis, who 
was president of the Friends for 30 years, also served on the board of 
trustees for what was then Englewood Hospital.  The Garden Party was 
held at Mrs. Davis’s home until 1985.  The event was moved to the 
Galillee Methodist Church in Englewood and then to the Medical Center.
Englewood Hospital and Medical Center is home to the Dizzy Gillespie 
Memorial Fund.  Under the leadership of Frank Forte, MD, the Medical 
Center has provided free health care to jazz musicians in need for 
almost ten years..
The group is named for W.F. Willoughby, MD, the first African-American 
physician at the hospital.  Dr. Willoughby, who died in 1945, was 
widely respected as a physician and humanitarian.  The group was 
founded as a living memorial to him and to carry out his commitment to 
quality healthcare.  “In their fifty-year history, the Friends have 
gone above and beyond their mission of honoring the memory of Dr. 
Willoughby,” said Mr. Daniel Kane, president of the Medical Center.  
“They have distinguished themselves by their long legacy of service to 
the community and their steadfast commitment to quality healthcare at 
the Medical Center.”
The early efforts of the Friends to help the hospital included the 
Garden Party and grassroots endeavors like 25-cent luncheons and food 
drives to stock the hospital’s pantry for its patients.  The group has 
also raised money to purchase items on the hospital’s wish list, 
including the information desk that stood in the front lobby for many 
years.
Since 1986, the group has raised scholarship money for African-American 
students in training programs at the Medical Center.  This year’s 
scholarship winners are Hawa Jeneka of Newark, NJ and Margaret Bocage 
of Spring Valley, NY, students in the UMDNJ-RCNJ-EHMC, Joint BSN 
Partnership Program, a collaborative effort by the Medical Center, the 
University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey and Ramapo College.  
The amount of the award will be determined by the proceeds of the event.
Auxiliary president Jeanne Hopewell of Englewood is proud that it is 
common for supporters who have moved out of the area or are unable to 
attend for other reasons to send a donation.  “We enjoy the 
participation of both music lovers and loyal supporters of Englewood 
Hospital and Medical Center,” said Ms. Hopewell, who succeeded Mrs. 
Davis as president of the Friends in 1983.
The Garden Party will include the official announcement of the 
scholarship winners, the concert and refreshments.  Adele Thomas, a 
former scholarship recipient, will be the master of ceremonies.  Bertha 
Banton, the group’s only surviving charter member, will be an honored 
guest.
Houston Person’s talent, powerful stage presence and extensive 
international live performance schedule have earned him a place in 
music history and the dedication of fans around the world.  He has 
recorded more than 75 albums playing with such legendary greats as 
Eddie Harris and Cedar Walton and has been a guest artist on recordings 
with Lou Rawls, Lena Horne and many others.  Three of his most recent 
albums are Blue Velvet, Soft Lights and Dialogues, a recording of duets 
with bassist Ron Carter.  Mr. Person is also a distinguished record 
producer and bandleader.
Garden Party organizers are seeking items of interest about the Friends 
and the Garden Party, including memorabilia, photos, newspaper 
clippings and personal remembrances.  Also being collected are updates 
and testimonials from previous scholarship recipients and Garden Party 
guests and supporters.
Material for the historical search should be sent to the Friends of Dr. 
W.F. Willoughby, c/o Englewood Hospital and Medical Center Foundation, 
350 Engle Street, Englewood, NJ, 07631 or e-mailed to 
leslie.mayor at ehmc.com.  Senders should include their addresses and 
daytime phone numbers
For more information about the Garden Party and to reserve a seat, call 
201-567-3961.  Advance reservations are requested, and Sponsors, 
Patrons and Friends who respond by September 15 will have their names 
listed in the program.  The mailing address for reservations and 
donations is:  50th Anniversary Garden Party, Friends of Dr. W.F. 
Willoughby, 78 Amsterdam Avenue, Teaneck, New Jersey 07666.  The cost 
per person is $50 (Sponsor), $45 (Patron), $35 (Friend), $20 (General), 
$5 (Student).  All checks should be made payable to the Friends of Dr. 
W.F. Willoughby.
The Learning Center is located at the north end of the campus of 
Englewood Hospital and Medical Center, 350 Engle St, Englewood, New 
Jersey, 07631.  Free parking will be available in front of the 
building.  Directions to the Medical Center are available at  
englewoodhospital.com or by calling 201-894-3000 and asking for the 
directions line.
For more information, contact  Leslie Mayor at 201-3524 or leslie.mayor 
at leslie.mayor at ehmc.com.