70S SOUL JAM with The Stylistics, Harold Melvin's Blue Notes and Blue Magic Set for MPAC, 7/17

Get down with the best of 70s Philly soul, featuring The Stylistics ("You Make Me Feel Brand New," "You Are Everything," "Betcha By Golly, Wow"), Harold Melvin's Blue Notes ("If You Don't Know Me By Now," "The Love I Lost") and Blue Magic ("Sideshow"). 70s Soul Jam comes to the Mayo Performing Arts Center on Thursday, July 17, 2014 at 8 pm. Tickets are $39-79.

The Stylistics, with their charisma, style and harmony, evolved into one of the best-selling soul groups ever. The Philadelphia-based quartet recorded a remarkable 10 straight-top ten hits during the early 1970s. In 1971, the group released their debut self-titled album. The Stylistics would capture the imagination of the nation and the hearts of its women with their first single, "You're a Big Girl Now", which immediately became a top-ten hit. They went on to produce 12 consecutive top-ten hits from 1971 to 1974, culminating with their Grammy-nominated hit, "You Make Me Feel Brand New." They continue to perform as only they can, bringing with them the sweet, soulful memories of year's past.

Harold Melvin was one of the driving forces behind Philadelphia soul, leading his group the Blue Notes to the top of the charts during their stint on Philadelphia International label. Despite Melvin's billing out front, the Blue Notes' focal point was lead singer and onetime drummer Teddy Pendergrass, whose surging baritone graced the Blue Notes' recordings during their glory years of 1972-1975 and gave them a truly distinctive sound. They never really disbanded, and by the time Melvin passed away in 1997, he'd been leading the Blue Notes for over four decades.

Blue Magic hit the Top 40 of the R&B singles chart with their first three '45s before breaking through and crossing over with "Sideshow," released in April 1974, which went gold, topped the R&B charts, and became a Top Ten pop hit. "Three Ring Circus," their next single, made the R&B Top Ten and the pop Top 40. Blue Magic had two more R&B chart singles in 1975 and four in 1976.

Mayo Performing Arts Center, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, presents a wide range of programs that entertain, enrich, and educate the diverse population of the region and enhance the economic vitality of Northern New Jersey. The 2014-2015 season is made possible, in part, by a grant the New Jersey State Council on the Arts/Department of State, a Partner Agency of the National Endowment for the Arts, as well as support received from the Geraldine R. Dodge Foundation, F.M. Kirby Foundation and numerous corporations, foundations and individuals. The Mayo Performing Arts Center has been designated a Major Presenting Organization by the New Jersey State Council on the Arts.

70s Soul Jam
Thursday, July 17, 2014 at 8 pm
Tickets: $39-79
Mayo Performing Arts Center
100 South St., Morristown, NJ 07960
box office (973) 539-8008
online: www.mayoarts.org
fax (973) 455-1607 / admin (973) 539-0345 ext.6505