Jeffrey Osborne:
​Bringing Arts & Music to the Community

NORTH SMITHFIELD, R.I. (R.I.W.B.L.) — Every year, Providence’s Jeffrey Osborne asks some of his most trusted friends to visit Rhode Island and celebrate the journey to promote the fine and performing arts to children and their families.  For Osborne, who grew up on Olney Street in the Mount Hope section of Providence, the goal is to help raise money to support local community organizations.
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​Osborne has always sought to make a powerful and lasting impact on the world around him.  He raises a great deal of money and hosts beautiful and memorable events, and many of his trusted friends are big stars -- Earvin “Magic” Johnson, Smokey Robinson, Sugar Ray Leonard, Julius “Dr. J” Erving, Ozzie Smith, Rick Barry, Cedric the Entertainer, Chris Tucker, Eddie Levert, The O’Jays, Johnny Gill (New Edition), George Lopez, Doc Rivers, Eddie Murray, Paul Pierce, Kevin Garnett, Pat Riley, Reggie Jackson, Sinbad, Ahmad Rashad, Franco Harris, Eric Dickerson, James Worthy, Byron Scott, Joe Morgan, Cedric Maxwell, John Havlicek, Doris Burke, Claudia Jordan, Sally Richardson, Ed Cooley, Kevin Stacom, Joe Hassett, Tim Welsh, Ty Law, Andre Tippet, Michaela Johnson, Jay Harris (ESPN), and many others.

Osborne's most enduring quality, however, is that he utilizes his talents and his celebrity to be most selfless and committed to the community.
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​These values and his lifetime dedication to music and the arts hit home with RIWBL founder, E. Justin Simone.  He is a Music Director, Concert Pianist, vocal and instrumental coach, and music theorist, and financial planner based out of Providence, RI.  His devotion to music has led him to obtain degrees and receive awards from some of the best music institutions, including the Cleveland Institute of Music, a private conservatory annually regarded as a Top-10 music school.   He has directed over 40 opera and musical theater productions, has performed at some of the great concert halls, and has provided educational and musical services to institutions and festivals throughout the world.



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For both Jeffrey and E. Justin, an unwavering love for educating children and providing them a safe space to create what is in their heart is what keeps them going each and every day.  It is what binds them together as artists.  On August 11-12, the Rhode Island WIFFLE® Ball League is partnering with the Jeffrey Osborne Foundation to make Rhode Island a better place, to continue the push for music and arts to children and their families, while benefitting those who provide a safe haven for families in need.  Osborne, 70, feels that, “giving to people in any number of ways is extremely important.  So as long as I can do it, I will.
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​Born and raised in a musical family in Providence, R.I., Jeffrey Osborne was the youngest of 12 children (5 brothers, 6 sisters).  Osborne's father, Clarence "Legs" Osborne, was an acclaimed trumpeter who worked alongside Lionel Hampton, Count Basie, and Duke Ellington, and passed away when Osborne was 13.  At age 15, Jeffrey sat in with the O'Jays when the drummer was unable to perform to their standards (including nodding off after each song) , and he went on to play with them for two weeks.  That was all the inspiration Osborne needed to pursue a music career.

Jeffrey started his music career in 1970 with Love Men Ltd. (later L.T.D.), producing hit singles, "(Every Time I Turn Around) Back in Love Again", "Concentrate on You", "Love Ballad", and "Holding On (When Love is Gone)".  He was a drummer and shared lead vocals with his brother Billy.  By 1976, he became the group's primary lead vocalist.  He and his brother both left L.T.D. in late 1980 to start solo careers.

Jeffrey's solo accolades include four Grammy nominations and five gold and platinum albums (including his self-entitled album, "Jeffrey Osborne").  He produced several Top 40 hits, such as "Really Don't Need No Light", "Don't You Get So Mad", "Stay With Me Tonight", "You Should Be Mine (The Woo Woo Song)", and "Love Power" (duet with Dionne Warwick).  He scored an international hit with "On the Wings of Love" in 1982.

His latest project, Worth It All, is being released in 2018 on Artistry Music.  This project was written and produced by Jeffrey Osborne, with the exception of one song ("Work It"), which was co-written with his son Jeffrey Osborne, Jr., who also performed on the track with him.  This project, inspired by the late great George Duke, has taken Osborne back to his deep R&B roots. ​​

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Jeffrey Osborne Foundation

​“The magic for me in delivering much needed funds to these deserving non-profits is that I’m blessed to be honoring my brother Clay while supporting great organizations and acknowledging caring individuals. I’m truly blessed to have so many close friends and colleagues who have joined me in support of the Jeffrey Osborne Celebrity Classic and its efforts to provide continued support to music and the arts, as well as to non-profits who provide a safe-haven for families in need. We hope that this annual event generates awareness for these charitable initiatives and serves as the beginning of many milestones that will be achieved for so many deserving causes.”

– JEFFREY OSBORNE

Photo credits
Top header: www.jeffreyosborne.com [Official Website of Jeffrey Osborne] / Magic Johnson: Kris Craig [Providence Journal]
Performing:  www.seatgeek.com / With Chris Tucker: John Shishmanian [Norwich Bulletin]