The Jazz Spectacular(Jessica Marie Morgan) The sun was shining through my thin fabric curtains, that my mom had bought before I moved to Harlem, and the sun’s rays beat upon my skin. The bed screeched when I got up to put on my bathrobe. I put on my slippers and went into the bathroom. Before the light turned on in the bathroom, it flickered and then expectantly blinked off. “Thank God the lights off ‘cause I wouldn’t pay that sad excuse for a dang-blame landlord,” I whispered to myself. I got a rag and damped it with some warm water to wash my dull, dirty face. “The Lord done blessed me to see one mo’ day,” I said, despairingly, “but what for, anyway? I have nothing to live for anymore. Ain’t nothing to do in Harlem. I should’ve stayed with momma. But no, I had to spring out on my own. All I got is $100 left and that ain’t enough to pay the light bill, electric bill, water bill, groceries, and back rent!” I walked over to the table in the corner of my bedroom to look at how much back rent I got. To concentrate, I turned on the radio to hear about the local news. “Today, we’ll have some music from Duke Ellington,” the radio announcer said. The music played and it filled my ears with a melodic beat. I got out a sheet of paper and wrote down every debt I owed to ‘dem ole bills. I cried out, “Good Lord. $759.84. I don’t use that much of the water company’s stickin’ water. Dang!” The music stopped playing. “Wow, wasn’t that great Harlem. Duke Ellington. Anybody would pay big money to come see him perform. ‘Cause it don’t mean a thang if you ain’t got that swang.”

That got me thinking. ‘If…’ My thought was interrupted by a knock on the door. It was Sara Lee Thomas. “Come in here, girl,” I said, ferociously ‘cause I had a big idea. I shut the door and locked it. “Child what’s wrong with you. You didn’t let that ole boy of yours come over here last night because this place looks like it is crawling with rats.” I looked around and pushed the drink can to the corner. The rat squealed. “No…I have a great idea. I am going to throw a Harlem Rent Party.” Sara Lee looked me up and down. “A Harlem what-tee?” she said sitting down at the foot of my bed. She threw her scarf on the back of my chair. “A Harlem Rent Party. I supply food, drinks, music, dancing, and gambling and they give me some money for rent. I was thinkin’ ‘bout maybe $5.50.” Sara Lee looked at me in amazement. “Child, that is a wondrous idea but ya ain’t got enough money to buy yourself a soda pop so how you gone buy a 100 people, each, a soda pop!” I looked at her mean. She was right, though. Ding. The light bulb in my head came on. That’s the only light that came on, though. “You can loan me about a $100 and I’ll give you your cut later and…” I said, cut off by Sara Lee’s ignorance. “Who gone give you some money? Child, you betta ask Lee Simpson for some ‘cause ya must’ve lost your mind.” I sat down next to her. “I pay ya back after the party.” Sara Lee said, “What party, Jessica? Ya broke. I broke. Ya boy broke. Who got money?” Sara Lee got up and looked out the window. “The party can be here and you and Lee can loan me some money. You makes flyers tellin’ the peoples bout Room #257 gone set this place out and go buy some groceries while I go find Duke Ellington and his band, Dizzy Gillespie, Ella Fitzgerald, Louis Armstrong, and some mo’ folks to perform.” Sara Lee looked at me crazy and shook her head. I knew she thought I was playing but I was tempted to knock that smirk right off her face. “Ya still ain’t got no gambling, Jessica. And this ain’t never gone work ‘cause…” she said, discouragingly. I handed her $5 in her hand. “Go buy some cards,” I said, while walking into the bathroom to take a shower. “Lord, have mercy! When that child gets an idea, she ain’t playin’,” Sara Lee said, walking out the door to do her job.

Later on, I got out of the shower and got dressed. Today, I was going down to the Cotton Club. They have their little gatherings throughout the week so I am right on time. Some of ‘dem mens down there are pretty good looking so I put on the last of my red lipstick and grabbed one of my stylish hats. I know that Lee Simpson thinks pretty high of me, but a girl gotta have fun! I picked up my purse from the dirty clothes stack and rubbed a little of my soap across it to give it a good smell. After I was done, I looked like a goddess. One inch high heels, short red and white polka dot dress, but easy on the hips, black hat over my right eye, and red lip stick saying, “Come and get me!” I then walked out and locked my door. “Lawd please let my apartment be here when I gets back.”

I walked outside and smelled the fresh air. Soon as I stepped out on the streets of Harlem, I got my walk on. The peoples just didn’t know that I was on a mission. A mission to pay back my rent. I walked down to Fredrick Douglas Blvd and waited for the 8:00 a.m. bus. It ain’t been a while so I hopes ole John lets me ride for free. The bus pulled up right besides me and John was behind the seat. I gots on the bus and gave John that look that told him “I aints got no money.” I went to the back off the bus and sat down. Me and John done been through this before. He understands that us black folks ain’t got no money for no bus fare! I was on the bus at least for an hour. I then saw a sign that said “Lenox Avenue.” Cotton Club, here comes mama. The bus stopped right by the Cotton Club, Me and some mo’ folks got off. Some went in the Cotton Club and somes went walking in the park. As for me, my mission involved the Cotton Club. I looked up at the sun. It was 9:15 a.m. ‘Good times,’ as the old folks would say. I wents in the Cotton Club and paid my 50 cents to get in.

I saw all the famous folks there. I saw Fletcher Henderson, Count Basie, Bessie Smith, Cab Calloway, Fats Waller, and mo’ folks. The only one that I was worried about was Duke Ellington and his band. That man ‘bout 28 and beens singing for longer than that. He is an American composer, pianist, and big band leader. I like his song called, Caravan. Walking up to him was Bessie Smith. Now that gal was bad to the bone. This girl is called “The Empress to the Blues.” She is an American blues singer. That girl can sing someone straight off their deathbed. And her song Downhearted Blues is good too. She was born to sing the blues. Behind the drums in Ellington’s band called “The Washingtonians” was Count Basie. This man was born in 1904 and can strike a drum like an angel. He is an American jazz pianist, organist, bandleader, and composer. That man is known as a “Holy Man.” I heard some man talking loud over by the bar. I recognized that voice anywhere. That was Fats Waller. He is a jazz pianist, organist, composer, singer, and comedic entertainer. Some of his singles include Muscle Shoals Blues and Birmingham Blues. These are his first piano solos that were recorded when he was eighteen! That man has a true blessing from God. Over there talking to Louis Armstrong was James Fletcher Henderson. That man was the first black to lead the first successful African-American jazz band. Louis Armstrong was the trumpet player for the band for a year but then went on to seek bigger orchestras. Louis Armstrong’s masterpieces include Hotter than That and Struttin’ With Some Bar-be-que Sauce. Next to Louis Armstrong was young Josephine Baker, showing some of her moves to Zora Neale Hurston. Josephine Baker is American dancer, singer, and actress. She dropped out of school at age twelve and people started discovering her street dancing. Now Zora Neale Hurston is different from everybody here. Zora Neale Hurston is American folklorist, anthropologist, and author. I can read but I never read any of her books before. She has written books such as Spunk. I know because Sara Lee was reading that book once. She said it was good. I borrowed it and have not the slightest clue where it is. Walking up to Zora and kissing her on the cheek was her fiancé, Herbert Sheen. He is a jazz singer but not really recognized much.

I went over to an empty table and sat down. Cab Calloway was gettin’ ready to perform and when he sangs, the world shuts up! He is an American jazz singer and bandleader. He was getting ready to perform with his orchestra. Taking their seats next to me was Ivie Anderson and Eubie Blake. Ivie Anderson is American jazz singer. She is known for sweet, clear singing voice. Eubie Blake is an American composer, lyricist, and pianist of ragtime, jazz, and popular music. In 1912, Blake began playing in vaudeville with James Reese Europe's "Society Orchestra" which accompanied Vernon and Irene Castle's ballroom dance act. I took my pen and and paper and began to plan out who coming and who ain’t. I know Duke Ellington was going to come so his name was first. I also saw getting ready to go on stage next was Bill Robinson. He is a tap dancer and an American actor. He is best known for his dancing with Shirley Temple. Over by the stairs fixing her hair was Marian Anderson. She is an African-American contralto and one of the most celebrated singers of the twentieth century. Her voice is a rich, vibrant contralto of intrinsic beauty. Having a drink with Earl Hines is Ethel Waters. Ethel Waters is an American blues, jazz and gospel vocalist and actress. I am in love with her song Stormy Weather. Finally, Earl Hines is one of the small number of pianists in the Harlem Renaissance. He is said to be so good that at the age of 17, and with his father's approval, Hines moved away from home to take a job playing piano with Lois Deppe & his 'Symphonian Serenaders' in the "Liederhaus", a Pittsburgh nightclub.

I have finally got my list of people who are going to be at my Harlem Rent party. I got up out of my seat and went on stage. Nobody should care. We are all black folks. I just have to avoid the security mens. I took the mike off of the stand and it squeaked. Everybody looked around crazy. “Who are you? Get down from there. That is property of the Cotton Club and you are tresp….” A member of Duke Ellington’s band said. “Oh, shut ya mouth, boy. Look here. I am having a Harlem Rent Party at the Harlem Apartments in room #257. There will be food, drinks, gambling, and singing and dancing from each of you. Will ya please come? I owes my ole landlord about a thousand dollars in backrent.” Count Basie said, “We don’t have time for this foolishness. Get off the stage before I call security!” I then got on my knees, knowing that I wasn’t that desperate. Please. All you have to do is perform a song or selection and you get free food and drink. You can stay all you want.” I started to cry but then Marian Anderson came on stage and said over the mike, “We’ll all come. We are always willing to help out our kind. Especially when they are in a rut.” I got off my knees and hugged her. “Thank you,” I said, wiping my tears, “be there around 6:30 p.m.” Fats Waller said, “You mean in an Hour.” I looked at the clock. It was 5:30 p.m.

I ran out of the Cotton Club and was just in time for the bus. I just hoped that Sara Lee kept her promise. If she didn’t, she was going to enter a world of pain. I got on the bus and to my surprise, there was a new driver. I asked him of his name and he said he was Henry. I said, “I’ll give you my bus fare tomorrow.” I gave him that look and went to the back of the bus. I hope he is quick to understand that I ain’t gonna keep that stinkin’ promise. Fourty-five minutes later, I arrived at my apartment. I opened the door and there was Sara Lee. “Child, everybody in this building is coming.” I was shocked. “Lord, you started on the food?” I asked, to see if she had grown out of her laziness. “Ethel James, Clara Bell, Jesse Mae, and Karl Simmons started cooking at 3:00. You betta not disappoint these folks, either,” she said, closing the door. “I ain’t,” I said shaking my head because unfortunately, she was still lazy. I walked into the kitchen and smelled something good. I saw fried chicken, collard greens, mash potatos, macaroni and cheese, dressing, bar-be-que chicken, and a huge turkey. I thought, this gal done went and spent every last penny I had. Well I didn’t worry about that none because people started coming in like ants! Lee Simpson collected the money at the door. The music also arrived on time. Duke Ellington and his band came, Bessie Smith, Count Basie, Fats Waller, Fletcher Henderson, Louis Armstrong, Josephine Baker, Zora Neale Hurston, Herbert Sheen, Cab Calloway, Ivie Anderson, Eubie Blake, Bill Robinson, Marian Anderson, Ethel Waters, and Earl Hines. Over in my kitchen were the gamblers.

In conclusion, it was at least a hundred people in my apartment. Some were outside. Others came in and went straight to my sweet potato pies. Over there dancing, I saw Josephine teaching Clara Bell how to dance. Performing now was Duke Ellington and his orchestra. While he was singing, Bill Robinson was tap dancing. My Harlem Rent Party was good enough to make you hate fried chicken. There was so much food that Sara Lee gained 5 pounds the next day. The party didn’t end ‘till one in the morning and at that time, Earl Hines was performing. I earned around $800! I gave Ethel James, Clara Bell, Jesse Mae, and Karla Simmons their $2. I also gave Sara Lee $5. She had the hardest job of all: dealing with me! Before she left, she said, “Child, this party will be remembered for years to come. Jessica’s Jazz Spectacular. Nice ring, ain’t it?” she left. I then got ready for bed. To my surprise, I saw Fats Waller passed out with a drink in his hand on my bed. I just left him there. I did look at him for a minute. At that very moment, I was happy that he actually in my hard bed. Then I started to get really sleepy. I got in my bed and rolled Fats Waller’s fat self onto the floor. My eyes then closed and drifted off into my imaginary fur bed that I will soon buy.

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