The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Historic Ardsley house sets the mood for weekly music series
One Lattimore Place, a Bohemian hangout a century ago, lives again.
We can’t talk about the property known as One Lattimore Place, without a little bit of background and history.
Built in 1915, and three years before the limits on alcohol production were enacted first as a war measure, One Lattimore Place was built with Bohemian Paris in mind.
The Ardsley Park land was the brainchild idea of Harry Hays, William, and Ralston Lattimore. Inspired by the plan already laid by Oglethorpe, the Ardsley Park neighborhood is designed in a series of grids and squares and is an uncommon example in Georgia of a “Beaux Arts” influence, or “City Beautiful”.
One Lattimore is beautifully designed — from its grand entrance to its beautiful gardens that lend themselves to being enjoyed by guests and partygoers. It is hard not to close your eyes and travel back in time and imagine the parties that were held back then.
There are stories of silent film actor Rudolph Valentino, known in Hollywood during the 1920s as the Latin Lover, visiting and enjoying a few soirees at One Lattimore; lending itself as one of the locations in Savannah in the mid-19th century for the bohemian type. Bohemian was used to describe the nontraditional lifestyles of artists, writers, journalists, musicians and actors.
A hundred years later, One Lattimore has been purchased by Noble L. Boykin Jr., a Savannah lawyer with an ageless spirit.
Now the house is filled with music every Friday night with a music series titled “Live from Lattimore” — a parlor concert series featuring musicians Shena Verrett and Xulu Jones, and conceived by Shelley Smith and the hospitality of Noble Boykin.
“Aftera rained-out show, Shelley brought the show to the Lattimore mansion. The night was a magical mix of music, friends and the most incredible atmosphere anyone can imagine,” Verrett said. “It was so successful we decided to do it once a week through the winter months. So we are now livestreaming series to benefit Savannah AMBUCS.”
“Savannah AMBUCS has been raising money for local community and activity groups for a long time,” Jones added. “AMBUCS’ history with the special needs community in Savannah runs deep. They have helped so many children with special needs and others with mobility issues.”
Verrett, whose music is soulful and infused with rock and roll, feels collaborating with Jones on the project is an honor.
“You know I have known Xulu for a long time. He is such an amazing human being and performer. His music is rooted in some good ol’ funk and he has this reggae vibe that is just so organic.
“Coming together to create this series feels wonderful. We have other locals joining us in the future and we hope as the series grows other local performers want to join us in the space,” she said.
“On Friday the 19th, we have Jacob Evans performing with us. It is always fun; you never know what might happen. Collaborations, duos — we are open to the creative energy that is raised in the room.”
“I know Shena and I are thinking about future collaborations and music we wish to create,” Jones said.
“It is hard to not grow admiration and feel inspired when you collaborate with others.
“I have been homeless, and I have been down but creating music while raising funds and awareness makes it all so much sweeter.”