Special Unveiling of the Louis Jordan Stamp

Honoring Brinkley Celebrity “Father of Rhythm and Blues”

WHO:            
US Postal Service and Brinkley Advertising & Promotion Commission

WHAT:          
Special Unveiling of the Vintage Black Cinema stamps featuring Brinkley, Arkansas-born singer, saxophonist, “jump blues” bandleader Louis Jordan.

WHEN:         
Tuesday, September 9, 2008, 6 pm

WHERE:      
Brinkley Convention Center
1501 Weatherby Dr.
Brinkley, AR 72021

Background:
On July 16, the Postal Service issued the 42-cent commemorative Vintage Black Cinema stamps, depicting vintage movie posters highlighting various facets of the African-American cultural experience as represented in early film.  Among them is a poster featuring Brinkley, Arkansas-born singer, saxophonist, and “jump blues” bandleader Louis Jordan.

Known as “King of the Jukeboxes” or “King of the Bobby Sox Brigade”, Jordan began his career playing big band swing jazz music during the 1930s but later became one of the leading players of “jump blues”, a hybrid of jazz, blues, and other elements that included a smaller band, humorous lyrics, and a strong rhythm section. A celebrity who appeared in numerous movies, Jordan was one of the top American recording artists of the 1940s and 1950s. He was known as “the father of rhythm and blues”.

Stamped envelopes, postcards and First-class postage stamps will be available at the site of the pictorial cancellation.  All postage must be affixed to an envelope or sheet of paper in order to receive the special cancellation.

After September 9, 2008, the cancellation will only be obtainable by mail and must be postmarked by October 9, 2008.  Mail-in requests addressed to the Brinkley Postmaster must include a self addressed stamp envelope for the return of the pictorial cancellation.

Light refreshments will be served and everyone is welcome!