Herald Democrat
August 3, 2011

ANDERSON TERRELL SCHOOL REUNION HELD
More than 200 persons attended the Anderson Terrell School Reunion, held July 23 at the Sherman Municipal Building.  The reunion, hosted by the African American Alumni Association of Denison, is held every 2 years for alumni and friends of the old Anderson, Langston and Walton Schools, Terrell High School and Denison High School.
This year's theme, "All That Jazz," paid tribute to the numerous, well-known jazz musicians who are Denison natives or have ties to Denison.  Among those recognized were the "royal family of musicians": Lionel Hampton whose wife, Gladys, grew up in Denison; Clora Bryant, jazz trumpeter, class of 1943; Phelon McDade, founder of the Phil McDade Orchestra of Columbus, Ohio; Booker T. Ervin II, saxophonist, class of 1947; and Helen Cole, jazz drummer, class of 1943.
Cole, who resides in Denison, attended the reunion and was presented a special reunion plaque for her musical accomplishments.  She helped pave the way for modern, female jazz musicians by playing drums when women were not accepted into the music industry.  Her career spanned more than 25 years on tour and playing in more than 14 countries before returning to Denison in 1971.  She is one of the few living members of the Prairie View Co-eds, an all girl band in the 1940s that toured the country, entertaining the troops and their families during World War II.
A surprise guest was U.S. Army Master Sergeant Marva J. Lewis, a 1963 graduate of Denison High School.  She is a vocalist with the Jazz Ambassadors, the U.S. Army field band.
"Ms. Cole has been a great mentor to me," said Lewis, addressing the reunion attendees.  "Many times on the road, she will write or email me a song, saying 'This song will be perfect for your voice.'"
After presenting Cole with her plaque, Lewis gave a brief acapella performance.