Categories: Articles, Lil Nickelson,
On Thursday, April 24th, 2025, I made my way over to the second floor of Langston Hughes House located at 20 East 127th Street in East Harlem to handle some “Grown Folk’s Business.” That is the theme that master jazz drummer Phil Young has given to his events at this location every Thursday evening from 6pm to 9pm, and the first set begins at 6:30pm. The Phil Young Experience presents an evening of jazz, poetry, soulful vocals, and inspiring conversations.
Until the show began, I got the chance to soak up the old-world charm on Harlem brownstones. The rooms with soaring ceilings, tall windows with shutters to block out the sunlight, the tall antique glass mirror in between the two front windows. The walls had plain to very ornate crown moldings throughout the rooms, a fireplace, and hardwood floors throughout. Legend has it that the old piano that was near one of the front windows, and the typewriter from the 1920s on top of the fireplace mantel were property of Langston Hughes when he resided here. A larger-than-life head and shoulder black and white photo of Langston Hughes hangs over the fireplace, along with the remaining length of the wall displaying black and white post boards with commentary typed on them that discuss Mr. Hughes’ life.
Once Phil Young got on the microphone to start the first or two sets all attention turned to the band and the music. Phil Young was on drums, Melissa Slocum on bass, Richard Clements on keyboard, and Tommy Morimoto on the saxophone. The musicians were giving the audience their best, and we grooved to the music. Every now and then Phil would get on the mic to let us know what tunes they had played. Four vocalists were featured at the performance I attended. Tina Fabrigue, Nikita White, Beverly Crosby, and Tommie Thompson. Tina was first up, and she began by reciting poetry, talking about relationships before she sang a jazzy rendition of My Funny Valentine. Nikita was next up, and her second tune ushered in some blues with I Got Bad News Baby. Tommie with his deep baritone voice sounding like Paul Robeson when he recited Old Man River and What is America to You. Beverly turned the audience on with some gospel music when she sang Amazing Grace.
The audience included grown folks young as well as seasoned by life. People in attendance were as diverse as the music, and the musicians; we hailed from Harlem, Europe, France, South America, and Australia. In between the two sets Phil offered his guests pizza, a tossed salad, a non-alcoholic beverage, along with stimulating conversation. What a treat for only $20 for three hours of music.
