Singing the Blues for a Good Cause

The August humidity that permeated the tent at the Newport Yachting Center Wednesday night seemed appropriate for an evening of blues, a musical form born in the sultry air of the deep South. The event, Summer Jam, was a benefit for the .  The James Montgomery Blues Band provided the night's entertainment, performing music that spanned the band's 40-year history. 

Guests were provided with a very special treat when 18-year-old Grace Kelly, a saxophone phenom who impresses even the exacting Wynton Marsalis, joined the James Montgomery Band for the latter half of their set. Kelly, who is opening the Newport Jazz Festival with her quintet this Friday evening, jammed with the band for several songs, impressing the audience while having a great time playing the blues. 

Montgomery, who has toured with the likes of Aerosmith, Bonnie Raitt and Bruce Springsteen, has roots in Newport and is an avid supporter of the MLK Center.

"James loves us and believes in what we do," said Executive Director Amanda Frye Leinhos.

It was apparent Wednesday night that James Montgomery is not the only one who values the role the MLK Center plays in Newport.

"The Martin Luther King Center does great work," said Molly Sexton, a Newporter in attendance. "It's a pleasure to be a part of furnishing them with what they need to keep doing that work."

Chris Wyllie, a local artist who created beautiful centerpieces appropriately constructed from vinyl records, expressed similar sentiments.

"The Martin Luther King Center is one of the things that works in our community," he said. "They are an amazing organization with very successful programs."

The Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Community Center, referred to by many simply as "the MLK," serves all of Newport County, providing vital services such as a food pantry and breakfast program, as well as educational and enrichment programs for children and youth from pre-school through high school. The center's youth programs boast an impressive outcome—100 percent of MLK teens graduate from high school.

Fourteen-year-old Alexus Simmons, who attends the MLK Teen Center a few times a week during the school year, believes the MLK is important because "they help us with our homework and give us a place to hang out and stay out of trouble."

Jose Miller, a recent graduate of Rogers High who will be attending CCRI in the fall, was at the MLK nearly every day during his high school career. He participated in several of their College Tours, an annual event that focuses on historically black colleges.

"The tours help you see what is possible and what you need to do to get there," he noted. "Then MLK helps you stay on track."

Suzie Nance, chair of the board for the MLK and organizer of Wednesday's event, stressed the community needs being met by the center.

"We are in a community that most people think is affluent, which is simply not true," she said. "While we are out having our cookouts, enjoying the summer, there are mothers putting their babies to bed hungry in our community. That is simply not acceptable."   

If you would like more information on how you can help the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Community Center, visit www.mlkccenter.org or call 401-846-4828.