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Cooke was born in Mississippi and later relocated to Chicago with his family at a young age, where he began singing as a child and joined the Soul Stirrers as lead singer in the 1950s. Going solo in 1957, Cooke released a string of hit songs, including "You Send Me", "A Change Is Gonna Come", "Cupid", "Wonderful World", "Chain Gang", "Twistin' the Night Away", "Bring It On Home to Me", and "Good Times". During his eight-year career, Cooke released 29 singles that charted in the Top 40 of the Billboard Pop Singles chart, as well as 20 singles in the Top Ten of Billboard's Black Singles chart.

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Interview: Joshua Henry at Southern Theater

“The idea of sharing music, especially my personal, original music and music from the icons of soul is especially gratifying. I love that feeling because this is from the heart; it was born from the heart of the soul.”

Nimbus Dance Presents World Premiere Collaboration INSIGHT/INCITE This Month

Don't miss the world premiere collaboration by NIMBUS DANCE, showcasing their innovative choreography and captivating performances from March 15-24.

Sara Jean Ford and More Join the Theatre Raleigh Concert Series

Theatre Raleigh has added Broadway performer Sara Jean Ford as well as local and regional performers to its 2024 concert series. Learn more about the full series lineup here!

Review: FOREVER PLAID at Castle Craig Players

On Saturday, March 2nd, I had the pleasure of seeing another phenomenal performance put on by the Castle Craig Players at the Almira F. Stephan Memorial Playhouse in Meriden, CT, FOREVER PLAID, a comedic jukebox musical written by Stuart Ross. Director Melanie Del Sole, with help from musical director Nick Ciasullo and choreographer Stephen Koehler bring out the best in this amazing cast featuring Henry Tobelman, Stephen Koehler, Jeffrey Rizzo and Brandon Gregoire, accompanied by David Marottolo on piano. The show reflects the music of the male 1950s harmony groups, placing it into a highly entertaining storyline! The actors have incredible stage chemistry with each other, and amazing vocal harmony. Their dance maneuvers are performed with sharp synchronicity. Most importantly, it is clear that they are having an excellent time performing their roles, radiating positive energy throughout the audience.

Spotlight: LESLIE ODOM, JR. at Staller Center for the Arts

Hamilton & Purlie Victorious star Leslie Odom, Jr., live in a rare solo show on Long Island!

Review: Boyz II Men Swoon The Audience at Foxwoods Resort Casino

Over the weekend, Boyz II Men took the stage at the Premier Theater at Foxwoods Resort Casino in Connecticut and captured the crowd with their romantic hits and more. 

The Hobby Center for the Performing Arts to Launch LIVE AT THE FOUNDER'S CLUB

The Hobby Center for the Performing Arts will open Live at the Founders Club, an intimate new cabaret nightclub experience. Learn more about the series!

Review Roundup: OH, MARY! Opens at the Lucille Lortel Theatre

See what the critics are saying about the world premiere of Oh, Mary! at the Lucille Lortel Theatre.

Wayne Brady to Host the 35th Annual GLAAD Media Awards

This spring Brady returns to Broadway in the all-new production of The Wiz, leading the cast as the titular character. The highly-anticipated musical features award-winning creatives and producers including Schele Williams, Common, Amber Ruffin, Sharen Davis, Deborah Cox, Nichelle Lewis and many other talents.

BWW Q&A: Alan Inkles On An Evening with Leslie Odom, Jr. at the Staller Center for the Arts

The Staller Center invites you to be in 'the room where it happens' with Leslie Odom, Jr., on March 9 for An Evening with Leslie Odom, Jr. Renowned across stage, screen, and song, Odom, Jr. is best known for his roles as Aaron Burr in Hamilton and Purlie in Purlie Victorious.

Review: THE DREAM AND BEYOND at ShadowBox Live

Shadowbox Live reached deep into their skill sets to celebrate the 11 leaders’ achievements through art, words, dance and song while educating the audience on their significance.  

The GC GRAND CENTRAL Reveals Local Music Hub For Adelaide Fringe 2024

The GC 'Grand Central', one of Adelaide Fringe's most popular venues and producers has announced a specially curated program of South Australia's finest musicians and performers for its 2024 Adelaide Fringe season.

Photos: Leslie Odom, Jr. Honored With Sardi's Portrait

On Friday, January 17th, Tony and Grammy Award winner Leslie Odom, Jr. was honored with a caricature portrait at the famed theater district establishment, Sardi’s. See photos!

Broadway's Leslie Odom, Jr. Will Headline Staller Center Gala

The Staller Center invites you to be in 'the room where it happens' with Leslie Odom, Jr., on March 9 for An Evening with Leslie Odom, Jr.

Interview: Julie Klein of THE DREAM AND BEYOND at Shadowbox Live

In THE DREAM AND BEYOND, Shadowbox Live examines how the words in King’s speech affect the lives of 11 people through acting, dancing and singing. The show opens on Jan. 25 and runs through April 14 at the troupe’s theater (503 S. Front Street in downtown Columbus)

T-Pain Releases 'On Top Of The Covers (Live From The Sun Rose)'

The band included Rodney ‘Lil Rod' Jones Jr. (Music Director/Bass/Keys), Curt Chambers (Guitar), Clemons Poindexter (Drums), Joe Flip Wilson (Keys), Porcha Clay (Background Vocals/Vocal Director), Chelsea “Peaches” West (Background Vocals), Kirsten Dawkins (Background Vocals) and Jasmine Patton (Background Vocals).

The Milt Hinton Institute For Studio Bass At NJPAC To Welcome Young Musicians For Summer Program At Montclair State University

The New Jersey Performing Arts Center (NJPAC) will host the Milt Hinton Institute for Studio Bass, an exceptional summer music education program for teens, in residence at Montclair State University, in July 2024. 

NJPAC to Host The Milt Hinton Institute for Studio Bass Summer Music Education Program for Teens

The Milt Hinton Summer Camp is all about that bass! Join us for a summer experience dedicated to the famous bass player, Milt Hinton. Learn from top-notch instructors and immerse yourself in the world of bass playing.

Listen: Hear Leslie Odom Jr.'s New Solo Album 'When a Crooner Dies'

Leslie Odom, Jr. has released his brand-new studio album, When A Crooner Dies  – available everywhere now. When A Crooner Dies is Leslie’s fifth full-length album and his first of all-new original music since 2019. Also dropping are visualizers for each track on the album. A music video for 'Loved' was also released.

Review: HOW SWEET IT IS: THE MEN OF SOUL at Signature Theatre

Signature Theatre is helping expand the American Songbook to include rock and pop classics of a half century ago in cabaret shows this winter that will celebrate Leonard Cohen, Joni Mitchell and Burt Bacharach.

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