Photography by Zsavita J Banks, Photo Styled by Ron Cook
Sylvia Traymore Morrison
~Comedian~
By Rodney Wayne Branche
Publisher/CEO, Copa Style Magazine
Copa: Where are you from?
Sylvia: I’m originally from Washington, DC, in the northwest section. I grew up on 16th and Corcoran Street, only 12 blocks from the White House. That sounds good but believe me, it was a totally different place than it is today.
Copa: When did you discover that you had a thing for comedy?
Sylvia: I was a young child who could make sounds that I heard around me. I learned later in life that I am an impressionist. People laughed when I did impressions so comedy was always a part of me.
Sylvia: I was a young child who could make sounds that I heard around me. I learned later in life that I am an impressionist. People laughed when I did impressions so comedy was always a part of me.
Copa: Who were your favorite comedians?
Sylvia: Oh wow! I have several favorite comedians simply because I like most all comedy genres. You have your old school comics, you 'Def Jam' period comics who are still killing the game, you have your tv comics who bring a different flavor to comedy, there’s your new school comics and then there are your new internet comics. Having said all of that, Richard Pryor is always going to be on my list of favorites, so is Rodney Dangerfield, George Carlin and Robin Williams. I always loved Dick Gregory. Redd Fox was my first manager so I not only enjoy his comedy but I have a lot of respect for him. I would be remiss if I didn’t call out Chris Thomas, he is definitely one of my favorites.
Sylvia: Oh wow! I have several favorite comedians simply because I like most all comedy genres. You have your old school comics, you 'Def Jam' period comics who are still killing the game, you have your tv comics who bring a different flavor to comedy, there’s your new school comics and then there are your new internet comics. Having said all of that, Richard Pryor is always going to be on my list of favorites, so is Rodney Dangerfield, George Carlin and Robin Williams. I always loved Dick Gregory. Redd Fox was my first manager so I not only enjoy his comedy but I have a lot of respect for him. I would be remiss if I didn’t call out Chris Thomas, he is definitely one of my favorites.
Richard Pryor
|
Robin Williams
|
George Carlin
|
Rodney Dangerfield
|
Red Foxx
|
Dick Gregory
|
Chris Thomas
|
Copa: In your personal opinion, what makes your brand of comedy special?
Sylvia: I believe that being able to do impressions makes me different. I’m also a “clean” comic so anything I do remotely close to something blue not only adds a shock value but is totally different from what I’m accustomed to doing. I’ll reiterate that it’s the impressions that make me different and my type of blue is not your normal regular blue.
Sylvia: I believe that being able to do impressions makes me different. I’m also a “clean” comic so anything I do remotely close to something blue not only adds a shock value but is totally different from what I’m accustomed to doing. I’ll reiterate that it’s the impressions that make me different and my type of blue is not your normal regular blue.
Copa: We hear that you have a new venue that you host at the Alba Osteria in Washington, DC. Tell us all about it.
Sylvia: Yes! I haven’t hosted a room by myself in years so when DCBX and Stuck on Salsa (SOS is spearheaded by GoGo Earl Rush) approached me about hosting the room I couldn’t refuse. Those two teams know what they’re doing. The club is awesome and they set it up every week in top shelf fashion for the guests. You should stop through.
Sylvia: Yes! I haven’t hosted a room by myself in years so when DCBX and Stuck on Salsa (SOS is spearheaded by GoGo Earl Rush) approached me about hosting the room I couldn’t refuse. Those two teams know what they’re doing. The club is awesome and they set it up every week in top shelf fashion for the guests. You should stop through.
|
Copa: Do you think there is plenty of room for more comedy venues in DC?
Sylvia: Absolutely! There are hundreds of comics in almost every major city in this country with DC probably in the top five with the most comics. In this day and time we need as much laughter as we can get. I think our comedy venue is tops! Copa: What does the future hold for Sylvia Traymore Morrison and her life of Comedy Entertainment?
Sylvia: The future for me? Welp, let’s see. I have a new book coming out soon which is sort of a sequel to Jellybeans From Heaven. The new book is entitled “Jellybeans From Heaven, Beyond The Clouds.” It is so full of imagination with emphasis on Heaven and it’s goings on. I had a ball writing it. I think my followers are going to enjoy the re-release of my autobiography Almost There, Almost, The Many Faces of Sylvia Traymore Morrison. I am hoping the Thursday Night Comedy scene at Alba’s lasts a long time. I am working on a One Woman show and I hope to play mostly big stages in the near future so that more people will be able to hopefully enjoy what I bring to the stage. This journey is no joke! I’m just thankful that God chose me to take it! |
|
Photography by Zsavita J Banks, Photo Styled by Ron Cook
|
|
~Copa