I received the following from Bob Bellinger, Class of 1977. He wants to know when Kool and the Gang played in the Cage. My recollection is that the appearance of Kool and the Gang predates their breakout hit "Jungle Boogie"
which came out late in 1973. As I recall, they were mainly an instrumental group on that night. However, if there are others who have any memories, please do chime in. I am amazed at the clarity of the memories held by so many of musical events from over fifty years ago. And Bob, count me among the Brothers who missed so much during our College days. All during my Amherst days, I always felt that I was behind everyone and that I needed to catch up. This feeling was increased when I missed all of the Fall of 1972 and began taking extra courses so that I could graduate on time. And then again, after Gerald's death, I found my life complicated by trying to respond to what was.
I envy all those who were able to enjoy the jazz offerings in the Valley. But looking back, I think God had other plans for me. And God's will won.
Peace,
Everett "Skip" Jenkins
Class of 1975
September 13, 2026
----- Forwarded Message -----
From: "siphob@aol.com"
To: skipjen2865@aol.com <skipjen2865@aol.com>;
Sent: Tuesday, September 8, 2026 at 08:38:06 AM PDT
Subject: Re: Amherst Memories with Roger Coy
Skip,could you tell me when Kool and the Gang performed at the Cage? Its must have been before the fall of 1973 because I was such a fan of that group there is no way it would have happened without my knowing about it. And it is not something I remember happening.As for the mysterious McCoy Tyner non-event. It is not likely that you are confusing it with a Max Roach concert as Max Roach generally did not use a piano player, as McCoy Tyner was, when he performed in the Valley. You may be referring to a solo concert by pianist Don Pullen in the spring of 1976 that took place at the Recital Hall. It was one of the Straight Ahead morning concerts organized by Lehman Black and others.He had the concerts at 9:00 am on Saturday and Sunday because he was making a statement about the importance of the music. It shouldn't only be presented at night, in clubs, with alcohol, etc. It was a distinct experience hearing such wonderful music at 9:00 am, especially when you were out partying until 2:00 or 3:00.Through Lehmans love of the music there were a lot of significant musicians who graced that Recital stage in the morning. .I remember David Murray (saxophone), Beaver Harris (drums), Archie Shepp, and Max Roach.There was so much music that came through the Valley in those years that an article in the Village Voice (I think during the summer of 1976) referred to Amherst as the mini-jazz capital of the country. I remember I went to as many concerts, lectures, and events as I could at all of the Five Colleges. Maybe I'll put together a list some time. I also remember how difficult it often was to get Brothers to go out to programs and events. "I have to study," or "I'm too tired," were too of the most common excuses I heard. No disrespect to those who focused on their academics, but going to the many events gave me more enduring memories than studying did. One memory is an evening spent at Professor Sonia Sanchez's house. celebrating Max Roach's birthday, with the food prepared by Sister Yvonne, and many of the amazing Black faculty from the various schools in attendance.Bob BellingerOn Monday, September 7, 2026 at 07:06:33 AM EDT, skipjen2865@aol.com <skipjen2865@aol.com> wrote:My apologies Roger. You do not recall the McCoy Tyner event because it does not appear to have ever occurred. The recital event was more likely a Max Roach event.Max was a visiting professor at UMass in the 1970s when we were at Amherst, so it is much more likely that it was Max not McCoy who I saw.Others can chime if they care to do so. But for now, my 72-year-old memories stand corrected.Thanks Roger.Everett "Skip" JenkinsClass of 1975September 6, 2026----- Forwarded Message -----From: Roger CoyTo: skipjen2865@aol.com <skipjen2865@aol.com>Sent: Sunday, September 6, 2026 at 08:01:02 PM PDTSubject: Re: Amherst Memories with Chucky SoulOMG - I don't know why I can't recall the McCoy Tyner event. I have a bunch of his CDs and while I wasn't into Jazz then the way I have been for the past several decades, I'm sure I would have been there.As always, thanks for sharing.Roger CoyOn Saturday, September 5, 2026 at 02:27:43 AM EDT, skipjen2865@aol.com <skipjen2865@aol.com> wrote:--I received the following question from Charles Donaldson, Amherst College Class of 1974. Charles was known as "Chucky Soul" during our Amherst days, and I always remember him for his upbeat attitude. In answer to his question, the musical talents I may have missed in my lifetime appears to have been many. I have been trying to catch up, but even as I do so, more musical talents keep popping up.As for taking advantage of the enriching musical experiences offered to us during our Amherst years, I must admit that I did not take advantage of as many as I would have liked. I sampled a few. I seemed to remember a Kool and the Gang concert in the Cage; a McCoy Tyner offering in the Recital Hall; and a number of impromptu jazz offerings by the "Brothers" in the Octagon. I also remember the Zumbyes and the Glee Club. Otherwise, I pretty much remained cloistered in my room.I do believe that I missed much during my Amherst College days. There are so many classes that I wished I had taken; so many people that I wished I had spent some time with; so many events that I wished I had attended. I suppose that is one of the reasons why I am drawn to writing the The Memorial List biographies. With each one, I learn about a person that I wished that I could have known, and I learn about activities that I wish that I could have partaken of.Like with Chucky Soul, I remember some of our time in the Vegetarian Dining area in Valentine Hall and some our discussions concerning a new religion that had ventured into the Valley.I wish we had had more.Peace,Everett "Skip" JenkinsClass of 1975September 4, 2026-----Forwarded Message -----From: Charles Walter Donaldson Jr.To: "skipjen2865@aol.com" <skipjen2865@aol.com>Sent: Friday, September 4, 2026 at 07:28:55 AM PDTSubject: Re: Cassandra Wilson, Grammy Award Winning African American Jazz Singer, Songwriter and ProducerWhich other musical talents have you missed, Skip? Did you take advantage of the enriching musical experiences offered to us during your Amherst years?
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