The Boogie Woogie Queen, and my Aunt
The Coleman & Chatman families are so excited about finding our Aunt’s music all over the world and featured on 19 CDs representing the “Jump Blues” era. She was an amazing musician playing 13 instruments and singing with the likes of Ella F., Lena H., introducing “Big Mable and many more during the late 40’s and 50’s. We’ll be adding the submission to the 2008 Grammys for a Lifetime Achievement Award. We’ll be resubmitting on behalf of this amazing artist. It was a treat to spend time with her while touring with a show band in the mid-70s. I’ll never forget all those conversations about being on the road and being amazed that not much had changed. What is really great is that the next generation of Colemans and Chatmans are continuing the musical endeavors.
2014, So excited about the ongoing efforts to clear the name of my amazing, talented aunt “Christine Chatman”. I am inserting a letter to the two locals she was affiliated with, and the response from the local #208 Chicago president:
To: Mr. Gary Matts, A.F.M. Local #208 / Mr. James N. Chesterson, A.F.M. Local # 25
From: Rich Coleman, AFM #625, N.A.R.A.S., A.S.C.A.P.
Subject: Christine Chatman, (my aunt) Local # 208, & Local #25 (1944)
Date: 6/30/14
Greetings, over the past seven (7) years, my family has researched the musical history of Christine Chatman, known as the “Boogie Woogie Queen”. In my early days of touring in the late 70s, I would spend time with her in Jackson, TN, and share with her the amazing stories of touring during the ’40s and ’50s and recording on the DECCA label and others. She also talked about the struggles of being an African American female band leader, working with various booking agents, and taking care of the musicians she performed with and for.
I’ve researched and have documents and nineteen (19) recordings from all over the world. The most recent article in the “Blues & Rhythm” 2010 magazine features her on the cover and is the most comprehensive article on her work and AFM Union membership I’ve found. I’ve attached the article for your review as well because it was so amazing. I notified the publishers in the UK when I first came across the article, and they still had a few of the publications in stock. After I had the opportunity to read the entire article, it brought me to tears that she was never recognized for her accomplishments and her musical abilities.
I promised my mother, Martha W. Chatman-Coleman, her sisters Kathleen, Erma, and my Uncle Charles, before their passing, that I would, on behalf of our families, do all that I could to help restore Christine Chatman’s name and promote her amazing talent and musical accomplishments.
The Chatman & Coleman families’ second and third generations of children are filled with musical accomplishments and recordings, and I’m seeking your support in lifting the band’s membership from Local #208 in 1944. After all of the materials that I’ve read and her personal conversations with me about what the booking agents who were in charge of all finances and that any error with paying fees, union dues, and other expenses to the club owners she had no control of and was not fully aware of the ramifications of not attending the hearings out of fear that she would not be able to work. She was saddened when it did impact her work.
Our conversations about being in the musicians’ union were important to me as a member of MI’s local #56 (Grand Rapids, MI) at the time. The band I was with was starting to tour in Florida, and I wanted to know what to expect in the union-run clubs. I know that after performing with so many musicians and creating such great music, what happened during this time was so discouraging that she eventually stepped back from entertaining and devoted her time to my grandparents and the local church she was affiliated with in Jackson, TN.
It is my goal to re-record her greatest hits with our family members performing the songs that she made so famous.
It is my humble honor to represent her and to seek this request to remove the 1944 band on her membership in Local # 208 and to allow me to submit this amazing African American female band leader, “Christine Chatman” and her works for consideration into the AFM Musician’s Hall of Fame.
Respectfully submitted,
R. Coleman, AFM #625
7-2/14
Dear Mr. Coleman,
Based on the scan of the document from the Local 208 archives, the last entry in Christine Chatman’s ledger indicates that she resigned her membership in Local 208 as a member in good standing on May 21, 1953.
Therefore, if she meets all other qualifications that may apply, it is my opinion that she should be eligible for consideration for admission to the AFM Musicians Hall of Fame. Please let me know if you should need anything further.
Sincerely,
Gary
Gary Matts
President
Chicago Federation of Musicians
7-10/14,,,,,How exciting to be able to nominate “Christine Chatman” to t he AFM Hall of Fame!
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