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EAST ST. LOUIS - Local jazz great Eddie Fisher will make a special appearance at Vintage Vinyl Records in the Delmar Loop, Saturday, February 18, at 4:00 p.m. for a CD release and signing.

Eddie Fisher & The Next One Hundred Years
EAST ST. LOUIS, IL, (SWI-News.com), February 15, 2006 - East St. Louis native and jazz artist Eddie Fisher has over the years earned a devoted underground following worldwide.

Collectors have paid hundreds of dollars for original vinyl recordings. A new generation of artist such as British remix phenom, Andy Votel and various hiphop artist have sampled Eddie's music.

Vintage Vinyl will welcome a visit with the celebrated jazz/blues/rare groove guitarist and jazz Hall of Fame 2004 Inductee at their store, Saturday, February 18th, at 4:00 p.m., located at 6610 Delmar, in St. Louis.

Fisher will announce the release on the GRP imprint an album that has grown to be recognized as one of the more visionary albums in American music: The Next One Hundred Years.

Originally released on the Chess label subsidiary Cadet, it reveals a musician/composer of the highest order in the realm of jazz fusion. The Next One Hundred Years anticipated the future of music so knowingly it is no surprise how 'contemporary' it sounds today, 36 years after it's creation.

Along with Eddie's currently out-of-print masterpiece The Third Cup, this album demonstrates why many consider Fisher to be the single most under-rated jazz guitarist of the past few decades.

Before the age of 20, Eddie Fisher had been employed as bandleader for Albert King and Solomon Burke. In a career that has weathered the changing styles in music, Mr. Fisher has released a total of 6 LPs, formed his own label during the 70s, and toured the world. He has shared stages with the likes of Herbie Hancock, Ahmad Jamal, Wayne Shorter, Oliver Nelson, Isaac Hayes and David Sanborn. In a youthful middle-age, his reputation as a pioneer has never been greater.

See Archived Story: Jazz Guitarist Eddie Fisher Honored at Book & CD Release Party for Native East St. Louis Artists.

Gateway Geyser - Nation's Tallest Fountain

Susan Saarinen, daughter of the fame architect Eero Saarinen and East St. Louis Mayor Carl Officer "flipped the switch" in a ceremonial lighting of the Gateway Geyser to pay tribute to the Gateway Arch on its 40th Anniversary.

East St. Louis Proclaimed Gateway to the World
by Bob Moore
© 2005, Southwest Illinois News

EAST ST. LOUIS, IL, (SWI-News.com), October 29, 2005 - East St. Louis, directly across the Mississippi River from Saint Louis and the Gateway Arch, is experiencing a renewed interest in rebuilding its riverfront.

The Gateway Center of Metropolitan St. Louis was formed by St. Louis lawyer Malcolm W. Martin, back in 1968 with the intention of doing something on the east side to fulfill Eero Saarinen's dream of having a memorial on both sides of the Mississippi River.

The Gateway Geyser fountain, powered by three 800-horse-power pumps, discharging 8,000 gallons of water per minute at 250 feet per second, was completed in 1995 at a cost of $4 million.

In June 2005, the dedication of the Malcolm W. Martin Memorial Park marked a significant milestone in the revitalization of the East St. Louis Riverfront. The Gateway Center officially transferred title to the Gateway Geyser and the 34.1 acres of ground leading from the soaring fountain west to the Mississippi River to the Metro East Park and Recreation District.

The Gateway Geyser was illuminated for the first time, October 28, to pay special tribute to the Gateway Arch on its 40th Anniversary.

In remarks to dignitaries and local officials, East St. Louis Mayor Carl Officer said, "This is the world's highest geyser. I think it is important for us to recognize that Susan's father, Eero Saarinen, over forty-five years ago, envisioned his world class monument not to St. Louis, not to America but to all mankind."

"If St. Louis is the Gateway to the West," continued the Mayor, "I welcome you now to East St. Louis, the Gateway to the World."

The Mayor noted that he had many interesting conversations with Malcolm Martin when he was a younger mayor of East St. Louis. "East St. Louis was a different city then," stated Mayor Officer. "But I am proud to stand here today to look to the west and say that the Cargill Grain Elevator is going. They are going voluntarily because they want to save East St. Louis."

"We have worked out an arrangement with the new developer who has been designated for the area between the Popular Street Bridge and the Casino Queen property. They are going to be a great partner with the Park District," stated Mayor Officer.

Susan Saarinen stated that her father's Gateway Arch design was chosen in 1948. It took until 1965 to finish the project. She noted that when he first envisioned the Arch and this whole competition complex, it involved both sides of the river.

"Now it seems that East St. Louis and the east side of the river is actually coming into its own," continued Saarinen. "Of course there is going to be lots of persperation. You already know that."

Saarinen and Mayor Officer "flipped the switch" in a ceremonial lighting of the Gateway Geyser. The fountain will run for 15 minutes every half hour between 7:00 p.m. and 9:00 p.m., October 29, marking the final time the Gateway Geyser will be operated for the 2005 season.

Regular hours for the Gateway Geyser are: 15 minutes at noon and 1 p.m., from April 15 - October 15.

East Louis City Hall

East St. Louis City Hall, located at 301 River Park Drive

East St. Louis Rebuilds
As one of the more impoverished communities in Illinois, East St. Louis has struggled with a steady decline of industrial activity that has brought about high unemployment.

Today, areas of the city are coming back with new housing developments, shopping areas, MetroLink, new schools, East St. Louis Library, Casino Queen and the Gateway Geyser.

East St. Louis also has its roster of famous Americans. Track legend Jackie Joyner-Kersee was born and raised in East St. Louis.

Also, current Illinois Senator and Democratic Whip Richard Durbin is a native of East St. Louis.

Jazz legend Miles Davis was born in Alton but grew up in East St. Louis.

Poet-laurate Eugene Redmond is a native of East St. Louis.

Josephine Baker, after surviving the 1917 race riots in East St. Louis, ran away at 13 to dance in vaudeville, on Broadway and eventually with the Folies Bergre in Paris where she became one of the best-known entertainers in Europe. During World War II she gathered intelligence for the French Resistance.

Katherine Dunham, dancer, choreographer, anthropologist and author who introduced U.S. and European audiences to Caribbean- and African-based dance movements.

Lillian Gish, one of the great silent screen stars, was nominated for an Oscar in 1946 for "Duel in the Sun" and received a Lifetime Achievement Award from the American Film Institute in 1984.

Reginald Hudlin, screenwriter and director of "House Party" in 1990, director of "Serving Sara" and "The Ladies Man", and TV series "The Bernie Mac Show", and "Everybody Hates Chris" is from East St. Louis.

Grammy-winning R&B singer, Tina Turner, who was born Anna Mae Bullock, met Ike Turner in 1956 at the Club Manhattan in East St. Louis.

East Saint Louis High School

The East St. Louis Senior High School graduating class of 2005 received an unprecedented $2,532,040 in scholarship funds.

Archived Stories:
"Break Word with the World" Celebrates Release of Drumvoices Revue
Landmark Eads Bridge Has Reopened, So How Do Motorists Access It?
Annual Black Literary Heritage Symposium to Present 'Linkages'
Miles'Ville Meets Kwanzaa 2002
Metro East Merchants Learn How the Fusion of 'Hip Hop' Culture Is Driving Revenue and Their Businesses
"Get Fit With Five" Program Features Olympian Jackie Joyner-Kersee
Olympic Spirit Burns at Jackie Joyner-Kersee Youth Club
Miles 2001 Festival Draws Thousands of Jazz Fans
MetroLink Extension in St. Clair County Opens
East St. Louis Library Built Brick by Brick
Home Team Helps Two St. Louis-area Families Achieve Dream of Home Ownership
Habitat for Humanity
JJK B&G Grand Opening
Mayor Christens Crown Hotel
Happy Birthday, Katherine Dunham
New Library For East St. Louis
MetroLink Brings Viability to East St. Louis
JJK Youth Center Is a Dream Come True

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