Alvin Queen was born on August 16, 1950 in the
Bronx, New York, but his family relocated to Mt. Vernon when he was 2 years
old. The Queens were poor, but the Levister Towers projects where Alvin grew
up proved to be rich territory, as he was surrounded by many individuals
who, like him, sprouted into the leading exponents of their generation.
There were scores of musicians, like sax men John Purcell
and Jimmy Hill; vibraphonist Jay Hoggard; pianist Tommy James; B-3 organ
champ Richard Levister; his swinging brother, Millard Levister on drums; and
far too many others to name. And Alvin's list of celebrity running mates
didn't end with musicians; they included future NBA stars like Ray Williams
of the New York Knicks and Gus Williams of the Seattle Supersonics.
Alvin's hoop skills, however, were limited to the
neighborhood courts, where he'd go head-to-head at the infamous Fourth
Street playground with other wannabe hardwood stars, which included future
Academy Award winner Denzel Washington. In fact, it was Denzel's father,
Elder D. Washington Sr., who was pastor of the First Church of God In
Christ, where Alvin's grandmother was a member. That church ended up playing
a pivotal role in Alvin's life, because it's where he got his first dose of
spirit-filled music, and -- after he began singing in the choir and playing
the tambourine - it's where he began connecting with and conveying the
rhythms of his life.
www.alvinqueendrummer.com
Great video of Alvin Queen and Red Holloway