Block Party — Jeffrey Osborne Way

(4.21) An invitation from City Hall,

The public is invited to a free block party and concert to dedicate Olney Street in Providence’s Mount Hope neighborhood as ‘Jeffrey Osborne Way,’ in honor of Jeffrey Osborne, who grew up in Providence and went on to become a superstar pop and R&B recording artist.

The block party will feature performances by Jeffrey Osborne, MusicOne at the Met, the Boys & Girls Club of Providence, and the RIPO Music School. The dedication will take place in front of Mr. Osborne’s childhood home at the corner of Olney Street and Pratt Street, where Mayor Taveras will unveil a plaque in his honor.

Singer/songwriter Osborne was the youngest of 12 (!) children born into the musical Osborne family (father, Clarence “Legs” Osborne, was a popular trumpeter who played with Lionel Hampton, Count Basie, and Duke Ellington). Jeffrey’s career took off in the 70’s, recording several albums as singer for R&B/funk band L.T.D., leaving in 1980 to go solo. He’s still performing and may be known to a new generation for his recent appearance on a “Bachelor” finale singing, what else, On the Wings of Love.

(Natty dresser, btw. Not many people were getting it this right in the 80’s.)

Free block party, Olney and Pratt Streets, 3pm to 5pm, Saturday, April 21