Photographer Richard Galosy, Robert P. Busby and artist Honora Bird in an undated photo. TNCP photo
LANSING, MI — Rising star Steve Fulger is playing at the Robert P. Busby Memorial Reception in honor of Old Town great the late Robert P. Busby on Friday, December 2, 2011 from 7:00 pm to 9:00 pm at the Creole Gallery located at 1218 Turner St. It will be an evening of the many things Robert Busby loved: music, art, family and friends.
Creole Gallery owner, Ena Busby, Robert’s daughter, will be opening the doors of the renowned Creole Gallery for a fundraiser with Fulger live on the saxophone, refreshments, hor dourves and silent auction opportunities of pieces both inspired by Busby and by Robert himself. The fundraiser is to pay for and install an incredible sculpture by Maureen Bergquist Gray. As a special honor, the Creole will be hanging a show of Robert’s artwork.
“Steven Fulger indicates the caliber of up and coming talent that my father would have brought to the stage,” said Ena Busby. “We hope the community joins us for this special event to raise money for a sculpture in my father’s honor – and also comes back for future performances throughout the year.”
Fulger’s love of the saxophone began when he attended middle school at Dwight Rich Middle School and he has been playing ever since. He has studied private lessons with some jazz greats such as Shawn “Thunder” Wallace, Diego Rivera, Wycliffe Gordon, Wess “Warmdaddy” Anderson and Derrick Gardner.
He has played with numerous groups throughout Lansing including Michigan State University jam sessions, Summer Of Sol and The Wess Anderson Quartet. He started making his mark with trumpeter Courtney Johnson’s group “Airflow” in 2010 playing weekly shows and he is currently playing with Shawn Martin & The Bitter Suite.
Ena Busby said, “This is a great opportunity for the community to show their love and support for a great visionary, artist and community advocate. The piece of art that will be sculpted in his honor will serve as a reminder of the platform that my father (Robert Busby) had of empowering people for success.”
All proceeds will go directly to the Robert Busby Memorial Fund and the artwork is scheduled to be installed in Old Town in early spring 2013.Tickets are $75 per person or $125 per couple. Attire is casual cocktail. Tickets are available at www.RobertPBusby.org or contact the Creole Gallery at 517-204-9541.
This was printed in the November 20, 2011 – December 3, 2011 Edition
