Viewing page 248 of 484

This transcription has been completed. Contact us with corrections.

Dick Vance and His Music
Arranger - Composter
337 West 138st St. New York, New York 100300
AUdubon 1-5335

December 15, 1984
Mel-Pat Associates
2225 Fifth Ave.
New York, N.Y. 10037

Dear Mr. Patrick:

Thank you very much for your kindness concerning my remarks at Mr. Charles Buchanan's funeral. He was one of a kind. 

Charley Buchanan was one of a group of black entrepreneurs who made the name of Harlem famous throughout the world.

As members of the Chick Webb band, we had an intense pride in being the house band for Charley Buchanan at the world-renown Savoy Ballroom. 

We battled all of the top bands of the day--secure in the knowledge that Charley had such confidence in our ability-that we could hold our own with the best in the United States. 

Under Charley's stewardship the music at the Savoy was the greatest. "The World's Finest Ballroom" was not a bump and grind dance hall. The music was varied and always of the highest caliber. 

Charley Buchanan was Harlem.

Bob Douglas, Ed. Small, Dickie Wells, Clark Monroe, and others of their ilk were Harlem. Moe Gale, Time Gale, Billy Rowe was, and still is-Harlem. The Schiffmans, Small's Paradise, the Appollo - all were Harlem. 

Chick Webb, Ella, Sarah, Billy, Eckstein, Duke, Cab, the list is endless. 

We were Harlem. We--the little guys who walked so tall. Don't forget us. 

When I think back to those days-those sometimes critical days; I think back with pride.

Looking into the faces of those who are grathered here thsi afternoon, I see Harlem. The Harlem that Charley Buchanan had such a large part in nuturing. 

People came from all over the world to Harlem's Savoy Ballroom...One of the wonders of America.

The managerial genius of Charley Buchanan made this possible.

Charley gave me a chance to work with my own band in the Savoy. My band was featured along wit Cootie Williams' band for the better part of the last two years that the Savoy was open. I am eternally grateful to him for this opportunity, because it gave me a foothold into the club dance field.

It was during this time that I had a chance to know him as a keenly civic-minded person. A community-minded citizen.

We may never know another haven like the Savoy. Charly saw to it that personal safety was never a problem.

Entrepreneur-Business Executive-Civic Booster-Humanitarian...

It will be a long time before we see another man with all of the combined qualities of Charley Buchanan.

[[7 images]]