SCREEN LEGEND RUBY DEE DIES OF CANCER AGED 91

US screen legend and activist Ruby Dee dies

Courtesy of the BBC http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-27825560

Ruby Dee appeared in numerous films including a Raisin in the Sun and Do the Right Thing

Acclaimed American actress, civil rights activist Ruby Dee has died at the age of 91, US media report.

Ms Dee succumbed to natural causes at her home in New Rochelle, New York, on Wednesday evening.

The Emmy-winning actress was married to screen legend Ossie Davis for 56 years.

The pair frequently collaborated, sharing the stage in five productions, appearing together in five movies and starring in a radio show, The Ossie Davis and Ruby Dee Story Hour.

"We have had her for so long and we loved her so much," Ms Dee's daughter, Nora Davis Day, told US media following her death.

Ms Dee was born in Cleveland, Ohio, and later raised in Harlem, New York, where she later pursued acting.

She met Mr Davis in 1945 when she auditioned for Broadway play Jeb, and the couple married in 1948.

Dee starred in St Louis Blues with Nat King Cole in 1957
Together the pair were active in civil rights issues, including promoting black performers in the entertainment industry.

In 1963, they served as masters of ceremonies for the historic march on Washington, and Ms Davis spoke at funerals for both Martin Luther King Jr and Malcolm X.

Among Ms Dee's most famous screen rolls were A Raisin in the Sun and Do the Right Thing.

Mr Davis died in 2005, and the couple is survived by their three children, Nora, Hasna and Guy.

SOUL DIVA NATALIE COLE DELIVERS A STOMPING PERFORMANCE AT BLUESFEST

Natalie Cole headlines at the BluesFest, The Royal Albert Hall, London

After a stirring performance by soul legend Gregory Porter on Wed 30th October at BluesFest we witnessed why Natalie Cole is still an enduring soul diva. Natalie Cole entered the stage, a whisp of a thing adorned in sparkly accessories to match her equally stunning dress, the diva treated as with an introduction full of her classics.

I sat adoringly on 3rd row middle seats listening to all her classics and those of her legendary father Nat King Cole. As I had hoped Miss Cole sang 2 duets with Nat King Cole, with her dad projected on the screen. Irreplacable was sang in sweet dulcet tones that took us back to the good old days of jazz and rhythm and blues. Then we were in from something different, Miss Cole sang her songs in Espanol which included some well known Spanish songs including the 2nd duet with her father based on his album of Spanish songs. It was a sizzling latin experience.

Never one to miss a comedic moment, Miss Cole gave us a little snippet of how they rhythm styling of good old classics was so similar that you could put in a rift from musical Oklahoma! or the Shirley Temple classic the Good Ship Lollipop.

The best ofcourse was left for last! In tribute to all the artistes from Soul, rhythm and blues, jazz, disco and pop that had passed since 2009 Natalie Cole sang a tribute. The tribute set included Miss Cole's favourite songs from Whitney Houston, Michael Jackson, Chaka Khan and Donna Summer.

A consumate professional Ms Cole continued to entertain the crowd well past her set time, with the crowds screaming "more" and waving enthusiastically at her. Thank you Natalie Cole.