THEATER FOR THE NEW CITY
Executive Director, Crystal Field
Presents
Rome Neal’s Banana Puddin’ Jazz’s
ROME NEAL @ 72
*A BIRTHDAY PARTY AND ALL THAT JAZZ*
Monday, September 30, 2024 at 7:00 PM
Tickets: $20 General Admission
THEATER FOR THE NEW CITY
155 First Avenue (between 9th and 10th Street)
New York, NY 10003
Directions
Rome Neal’s 72nd Birthday Celebration & New Season of Rome Neal’s Banana Puddin’ Jazz Series
Featuring an ALL STAR Open Mic Jam Session
&
complimentary Banana Puddin’ for ALL
Your Support Is Appreciated!!!
To help make this night unforgettable and kick off our new season, I’m asking for your support: Make a contribution or become a sponsor
About Rome Neal’s Banana Puddin’ Jazz
* Running for nearly 22 years
* Originally started at the Historic Nuyorican Poets Cafe
Celebrated artists across generations:
Pre-teens: Jelena and Isis Watts (Jeff Watts’ daughters), Desmond Austin (Clarence Mosley’s grandson), Angelo Lewis (3-year-old son of Andre Chez Lewis)
Teens: Mimi Block and Leonieke Scheuble
Legends: Dr. Randy Weston, Bill Lee, Dr. Barry Harris, Dee Dee Bridgewater, Mary Wilson of the Supremes and more!
I’ve had the honor of presenting my Shakere award to many of these legends at various Banana Puddin’ Jazz events.
A Night of Reciprocation
This year, I want to see all my friends at this magical night combining my birthday celebration with the launch of our new jazz series. For those who have enjoyed and benefited from our events over the years, now’s your chance to give back! Let’s reciprocate the love and support that has made Banana Puddin’ Jazz a staple in our community for over two decades.
In Closing
I would like to thank those of you who have been supportive over the past 22 years and have made the difference. Your unwavering support has been the backbone of Banana Puddin’ Jazz, allowing us to celebrate and nurture jazz talent across generations. This journey wouldn’t have been possible without you.
Peace & Blessings,
Rome Neal (Libra, September 25th)
Sponsors: Stephen Mckinley Henderson, John D. Smith, Kenneth White, Tracy Appleton , Sheryl Renee Productions, Dr. Mona Vaughn Scott, Dr. Monika Davis, Malaika M.Scott MD., Black Repertory Group Berkeley, Commbs Brooklyn Printing, Eric Frazier, Black Theatre Project (Documentary)
Become a Rome Neal Banana Puddin’ Jazz SPONSOR today: ROMENEAL.COM
Rome Neal
For well over 30 years, Neal held down the title of the Artistic Theatre Director of the Nuyorican Poets Café theatre program. Mr. Neal received an Obie Grant with Café founder Miguel Algarin for excellence in theatre. Over those years he has received five Audelco Awards for his direction of Pepe Carril’s “SHANGO de IMA” and Samuel Harp’s “DON”T EXPLAIN” Mr. Neal also received two Audelcos for his acting: one for Lead Actor in Gabrielle N. Lane’s “SIGNS,” at Theater For The New City and one for Solo Performance in his critically acclaimed “MONK,” by Laurence Holder.
Neal also received the National Black Theatre Festival’s coveted Lloyd Richards Director’s Award.
His fifth Audelco Award was a technical award for his light design of “SHANGO de IMA.” Mr. Neal received a Triumph Award for his acting in Alex Mc Donald’s “PRISM” and a Monarch Merit Award for his outstanding contributions in New York Theatre. His directorial credits includes his adaptation of William Shakespeare’s “JULIUS CAESAR SET IN AFRICA,” Sekou Sundiata’s “THE CIRCLE UNBROKEN IS A HARD BOP” Amiri Baraka’s “MEETING LILLIE,” “SHANGO de IMA,” “Prism,” Ishmael Reed’s “THE C ABOVE C ABOVE HIGH C” and Amiri Baraka’s “PRIMITIVE WORLD: AN ANTI- NUCLEAR JAZZ MUSICAL,” all performed at the Nuyorican Poets Cafe and National Black Theatre Festival in Winston Salem North Carolina.
Rome directed Wesley Brown’s “LIFE DURING WARTIME” at the Cafe and The National Black Arts Festival in Atlanta Georgia. His production of Alex McDonald’s “PRISM” was performed at the Ex-Ponto Festival in Slovenia, Eastern Europe.
His acting credits include Dan Owen’s “FOREVER MY DARLIN’,” directed by Daune Jones at the Richard Allen Center, and later by John Amos, and Judi Ann Mason’s “A STAR AIN’T NOTHIN BUT A HOLE IN HEAVEN” directed by Mikel Pickney.
Rome’s film acting credits include Michael Almereyda’s “HAMLET” Spike Lee’s “SUMMER OF SAM” and Leon Ichaso’s “PINERO.”
As a Jazz vocalist/producer, Rome has performed at Town Hall on Broadway, The Metropolitan Room, The Museum of the City of New York, Lenox Lounge, Joe’s Pub, Saint Nick’s Pub, Minton’s Playhouse, Showman’s, 966Jazz, Baker’s Keyboard Lounge in Detroit, The Nuyorican Poets Cafe, The Jazz Spot, and has performed around town as the lead vocalist for the Bill Lee Mo’ Better Quintet (Spike’s father). As a producer Mr. Neal has a CD entitled: “A Brighter Crooner”, and his live concert “All in The Puddin'” released on DVD along with his “Rome Neal’s Banana Puddin’ Jazz Jam… A Night To Remember”. He has produced and directed two Jazz documentaries (966 Jazz: Forever Young and Patience Higgins and his Sugar Hill Quartet’s Last Night at St. Nick’s Pub.
He is also the recipient of the B-Free Award and two Fresh Fruit awards for producing shows about greats in Jazz who were in the LGBTQ community!