ART PORTER JR.

The Late Great Jazz Saxophonist Art Porter Jr. (L) is pictured here  with wife Barbie (also deceased) and In Laws Paul & Esther Howlett during happier times.

Arthur the son of famous Jazz Musician Art Porter originally from Little Rock Ark., graduated from Northeastern Illinois University - Chicago,
was married to Barbie Howlett, was a world renowned Jazz artist and was a resident of Evanston for a number of years before relocating to Murphysboro, Tennessee.  

Gerard "Jerry" Soto (L) is pictured here at his studio in March of 2004 with Deon Jackson on (piano), John Nance (guitar) and Harold "Jeep" Wills (standing) Photo by Nancy Palfi. 

Jerry Soto was the founder, chief engineer, producer and owner of Soto Sound Studio. He died of an apparent heart attack in his palatine Apartment. He was 53 years old.

Among the artists he recorded were blues guitar legend Buddy Guy, musicians Eddie "The Chief" Clearwater, Lefty Dizz and Carey Bell, jazz saxophonist Fred Anderson Peter Tork, Deon Jackson and virtually every upstart singer and band in Evanston over nearly three generations of every genre.

The now famous Chicago Classic song "Super Bowl Shuffle was one of the thousands of projects recorded at Soto Sound Studios.

Jerry also hosted The Evanstock Jam recording session in February of 2004

 

BYRON BRYANT

Evanstock's Cheryl (PITTS) Bryant is the mother of a slain Hampton University Student Byron Bryant. She is speaking out, and speaking against a culture of violence. Cheryl says she doesn't want her 20-year-old son to become another statistic.

Byron Bryant was stabbed to death outside of the Bahir Dar an Ethiopian restaurant in downtown in Hampton July 19th. Over 2500 people attended his services in Houston Texas.

"It's just a big shock for everybody here at Hampton," a fellow student and friend can't believe that 20 year old Byron Bryant, known to his friends as BJ who was a rising senior,  is gone.

Cheryl expressed to us her concerns for the trend that has brought the Gangsta' Nation presence on college campuses.

We are in agreement that the music that this generation relishes often can create the false reality which can damage or ruin the lives of young people and their families. An now the Thug Life is becoming more prominent on the once safe haven of college campuses.

Don't get us wrong. This is not a anti rap statement, just a statement against any form of entertainment or media that encourages anyone to hurt maim, destroy or refers to women as bitches & hoe's.