Dizzy's Club Coca-cola Presents Once In A Lifetime: Obba Babtundé And Friends

Obba Babatundé's expansive career spans over four decades and his uncanny ability to captivate his audiences has made him a memorable presence in film, television and on the stage. For his Once in a Lifetime evening at Dizzy's Club Coca Cola he has created a dynamic and surprise-filled program. Join him as he takes us back in time to the great jazz era of nightclub performing reminiscent of the legendary artists of that period.

A highlight of this special evening, Obba will celebrate the birthday of, and pay tribute to his entertainment mentor, friend, fellow Sagittarius and native born New Yorker -Sammy Davis Jr. For one night only, Obba returns to his home town to present his unique approach to the music of the great American Songbook. Sharing inside stories about his life and career and joined by some of his legendary friends, he generously relives some of those moments in song and music.

Obba Reflects on the Importance of Sammy Davis Jr.

"He was the person who was there for me as a child to look at and go, 'Wow, I have a chance to do something,'

" He was the one who carved, at the time when it couldn't be more difficult, a niche which then turned into a road which opened into a valley which became a highway by which entertainers like myself can pass through." LA Times, March 09, 1991 Obba poignantly recalled upon their first meeting saying: "Sir, I want to thank you for coming in through the kitchen, so I could come in through the front door." A tear ran down his face and he hugged me and said, "Thank you for that, thank you for that!" I will never forget that moment for as long as I live. Inquisitr, September 2017

Actor, Singer, Dancer, Director, Producer and Arts Education Advocate A multiple award winner with an Emmy, Tony, Icon, Ovation, Obba has been recognized as a NAACP Trailblazer. Internationally recognized for his "post Vaudvillian" style of entertaining which encompasses acting, singing, dancing, impersonations, and musicianship; he is a total performer.

Obba continues to be celebrated throughout Africa, Asia, Europe and of course, North America. His vocal versatility has resulted in a diverse recording career, ranging in styles of music from; Broadway's original cast album of Dreamgirls, to legendary jazz great Onaje Allan Gumbs' album Sack Full of Dreams, to the classic American Song book with Over the Rainbow, and the Music of Harold Arlen to voicing animated feature films such as Scooby-Doo! Purpose and a sense of social responsibility have long informed Obba's artistic work as well as his charitable and volunteer efforts. As a committed arts education advocate he was a co-founder with his brother Akin Babatunde and a teacher of one of New York City's first arts-based public schools in Brooklyn. Today he is both Ambassador and Arts Education Mentor to the nonprofit, Get Empowered! a national multicultural arts education, mindfulness and diversity inclusion organization for children. For more information, visit www.getempowered.com

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