Stitt guest soloist with Duke Ellington musicians and Conrad Johnson Band      

Barrie Lee Hall Jr., a legendary Houston music icon was introduced to Duke Ellington by The Big Texas Tenor, Arnette Cobb, another artist of legendary stature. Arnette played on the Jerry Stitt Stage at St. John’s many times. Hall was immediately invited into the Ellington orchestra, performing and conducting for a period of nearly four decades. Hall toured the world conducting orchestras and choirs in the performance of Duke Ellington’s Sacred Concerts and winning Grammy’s.

Diabetes and vision problems brought him home to Houston where he took the reins of the Conrad Johnson band upon the elder Johnson’s death in 2008. He also served as music director for the Liberty Baptist Church.

The night of the wake, the Conrad Johnson Band was on deck and sitting to the side on stage left were five guest soloists. Four were from the Ellington Orchestra and he fifth was Jerry Stitt. He was intimidated by the professional skill level of the others and almost turned down the invitation, but his daughter persuaded him to do it and all went well. He was received with enthusiasm and one young lady said it moved her to tears. Jerry said he didn’t know it was that bad.

This was an historic moment for Jerry because on September 23, 2011, Thunder Soul, a film produced by Jamie Fox will be released in theaters across America. Barrie Lee Hall Jr. appears early in the film, as he played a major role in getting the Kashmere band alumni together for the film production. The inspirational film is the story of Conrad Johnson, and how he took the Kashmere High School band in a ghetto district, developed them into a first class band, winning many state competitions and a national championship. The spirit infected the entire school, whose basketball team became state champs, as did their debate team and other school organizations. Kashmere had more college scholarships that year than any other school in Houston. Thunder Soul is a must see!

Contact Information:

Learn more about Duke Ellington in Jerry’s book, Benny to Beyonce. For a free chapter and title cut from their CD, A Love Like This, (Stitt on sax and daughter Merribeth vocalist) email: jstitt2@att.net or 832-288-2323