If you love the music of Motown you don’t want to miss the Standing on the Shadows of Motown Live show at the Howard Theatre in Washington, D.C. on Firday March 8, 2013 at 8PM. An all-star band fronted by Peabo Bryson and Leela James. It also features the vintage sound of bass master James Jameson Jr.
Peabo Bryson has recorded a ton of hits. He earned a Grammy Award for the song “Beauty and the Beast” he sang with Celine Dion. He won another for the song “A Whole New World” he recorded with Regina Belle. Through the years he has recorded with a lot of greats including Roberta Flack, Natalie Cole, and Sandi Patty. You can learn more about this talented vocalist at his website.
Stax Recorrding Artist and BET personality Leela James is the other featured vocalist. The young singer has been nominated for an NAACP Award and a Soul Train Music Award. She has released four albums. Her influences include Roberta Flack, Gladys Knight, and Mavis Staples. Her voice has been compared to Tina Turner and Aretha Franklin. James teamed up with Bryson can only be fantastic! You can find out more about Leela James at her website.
Second generation bass player James Jameson Jr. has been playing bass so well on this tour his Dad would surely be proud. He has followed his Father’s footsteps becoming an in demand session player. He has played sessions for groups like The Originals, Karen Pre, the Pointer Sisters, Janet Jackson, DeBarge, Aretha Franklin, and many more.
The guitars are provided by Allen Slutsky and Felton Offard. Slutsky wrote the book Standing in the Shadows of Motown and toured with the Funk Brothers in 2003-2004. He has also played in many Broadway Musicals including Mama Mia, Dreamgirls, The Color Purple, and Chicago. He has played guitar for Steve Winwood, Joan Osborne, Rick James and more. Felton Offard played guitar in the touring version of The Color Purple and is no stranger to playing guitar in the pits with orchestras.
Anwar Marshall is an outstanding jazz drummer. He is a fixture in Philadelphia’s happening jazz scene. Guy Russell provides additional vocals and percussion. He has played sessins for Boys II Men and Michael Sembello. Johnny Ingram also adds his vocals he also toured with the Funk Brothers. Ingram is a well known drummer, singer, and songwriter on his own. Dr. Trineice Robinson also adds her vocals to the project. Before her teaching days she was a well known session singer working with Chubby Checker and Luther Vandross.
Darryl Ivey is probably best known for being Regina Belle’s keyboardist. He has added his skills to many Broadway productions and worked with many other artists. The other keyboardist on the stage is Dave Hartl. Hartl was on the faculty at Philadelphia’s University of the Arts and has performed on over 60 Broadway musicals. He has lent his keyboard talents to the likes of Joni Mitchell, Smokey Robinson, Mary Wilson, Bo Didley, and Aretha Franklin just to highlight a few.
The group wouldn’t be complete without horns. Jay Davidson leads the way with his saxophone. He has worked with a diverse group of musicians from Cinderella, Whitney Houston, Levon Helm, Ricky Martin, Steve Winwood, the Funk Brothers, Amy Grant, the Four Tops and the list goes on. Stan Slotter adds his skills on the flute and trumpet. Slotter has recorded with Grover Washington Jr, Cecil Taylor, and Philly Jo Jones to name a few.
The show is set to pay a tribute to Motown with a star studded cast of vocalists backed by incredible musicians. It will be an unbelievable night of music at the Howard Theatre. The theatre is METRO accessible and parking is available. The venue will cook up their usual menu of fantastic food and the bars will be waiting with liquid refreshments. Tickets are $35 in advance and $40 on the day of the show. Tickets and venue information can be found here. Come out and listen to the sounds of Motown this weekend in DC.
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