I had added Patrice Bowie on myspace, and she sent me this message:
Hey Jordan
I'm glad to have you as a friend. I want to invite you this Tuesday at 6pm to 10pm at the South Beach Restaurant in Bethesda. You say like go go will come it will be Little Benny's Birthday and he'll be jamming with me. Also Sugarfoot" Rick Wellman" will be kick the on the drums. Please say you'll come......Patrice
So I decided to come.
It is really close to my home.
South Beach, 7904 Woodmont Ave, Bethesda, MD 20810
I came by after work. I didn't realize until I looked at a menu that this restaurant belonged to Gary Clark, the former Redskins wide receiver.
I had my camera. Jai Mallory, who helps market the event, came over and talked with me. This weekly event is not just to see Patrice Bowie perform, but also it is "Industry Night" - networking for the entertainment industry.
Jai introduced me to Ted "Buzzy" Pindell, the promoter, soundman, producer, Patrice's manager, and trumpet player.
Dali was taking pictures, he's a pro.
Patrice Bowie Project
The line up was: Patrice Bowie (lead singer), Cindy (backup vocalist), Kanika (backup vocalist), Little Benny (talker & trumpet, second set only), Ted "Buzzy" Pindell (soundman & trumpet player), Stan "Strumfunky" Cooper (guitar), Dennis (bass), Randy Choice (keyboards), Ricky "Sugarfoot" Wellman (drums).
First Set - Started at 7:18
Dennis, Ricky, Stan, Buzzy (back to camera), Randy
Patrice, Cindy, Kanika
1) Instrumental - the three singers went off to the side (to coordinate?), Patrice took the mic and walked around - she did so most of the performance, Patrice mentioned they would be performing songs from her album "Fingalickin Good"
2) Patrice-led Alicia Keys' Unbreakable
Little Benny and Soldierette arrived.
3) Patrice-led Mary J. Blige's Be Without You
4) Patrice-led Alicia Keys' Diary
5) Patrice-led Butterflies (an original from her album)
6) Patrice-led Letoya Luckett's Torn
7) Patrice-led Give It to Me (an original from her album) - nice band solos
The backup singers danced in place throughout the set.
Patrice introduced Little Benny.
I introduced myself to Stan and Ricky.
Second Set
1) Patrice-led Fingalickin (an original from her album) - nice guitar play by Stan, he came up to Patrice as he played, Patrice held her mic up to fans
2) Patrice-led Say Yes (an original from her album) - Patrice held her mic to a male fan who was a singer, ladies screamed
3) Patrice-led Heather Headley's In My Mind - nice guitar play by Stan
4) Patrice-led Amazing (an original from her album)
5) Patrice-led Beyonce's Deja Vu - Little Benny joined it, he said, "Feel alright? Now scream", Little Benny and Buzzy played the trumpet, Little Benny said, "Wave your hands in the air", Little Benny said, "I'd like everybody to say happy birthday"
Little Benny, Patrice Jai, is on the far right
All pictures taken by and Copyright - Jordan A Rich (but not the Copyright on the flyers)
6) Little Benny-led 50 Cent's In Da Club - fans stood up
7) Little Benny-led "Hey ay, Ho oh" - Patrice held her mic to fans
8) Little Benny-led Jeannie's Juice Theme
9) Little Benny-led "Tired yet?" - Patrice held her mic to fans
10) Little Benny-led "Uh oh, turn off the radio, don't even touch that dial" / Patrice-led Close to Me (original) / Little Benny-led Cat in the Hat
11) Little Benny & Patrice-led Lighters Up - People held candles from their tables up, it cranked
12) Little Benny-led Young Joc's It's Going Down
13) Little Benny chanted, "Go Benny, it's your birthday" - he held his mic to fans
14) Little Benny-led Rare Essence's Lock It - not bad, but strange without congas
I enjoyed the performance. I preferred Patrice's originals to the covers she performed. I will definitely come out to see her perform again.
Gary Clark was talking outside with a couple of fans about all the current Redskins who have come to his restaurant recently.
Soldierette also has pictures she took at this event on her website, she warned they will not stay in a fixed address. Currently click on Da Folks, click on Photo Gallery, click on GoGo - right now the pictures are on pages 2 through 4.
