William Blake and Michael Thomas Murray's ECHOES OF ETTA Set for 9/4 at Joe's Pub
Starring New York soul-singer William Blake (winner of the 2014 Bistro and NY Nightlife Awards for Outstanding Vocalist) with music director Michael Thomas Murray (Music Director: 50 Shades! the Musical, Forever Dusty), his band, and a trio of gorgeous back-up girls - The Peaches, this energetic, no-holds-barred review was one of BroadwayWorld.com's Best of the Best in 2013 and nominated for their Best Musical Director & Best Band awards in 2013. The show has played to multiple sold-out houses at Birdland, Joe's Pub, The Café Carlyle, and for the Commissioner's Tailgate at this year's Superbowl.
Co-creators Murray and Blake deliver palpable life to these long-loved classic songs in this musical testimonial to the legend who bridged the gap between Rock 'n' Roll and Rhythm and Blues, Miss Etta James.
Fans can expect to hear many of their favorite Etta James tunes - "A Sunday Kind of Love", "At Last", "Tell Mama", "You Can Leave Your Hat On", "I'd Rather Go Blind", "Something's Got A Hold On Me" and "Purple Rain", just to name a few.
For more information, visit www.echoesofetta.com. Final dates: Thursday, September 4th, 9:30PM Thursday, November 6th, 9:30PM. For tickets: http://publictheater.org/en/Tickets/Calendar/PlayDetailsCollection/Joes-Pub/2014/E/Echoes-of-Etta-FY15/.
WILLIAM BLAKE is a native of Dallas, Texas and an American Idol alumnus having participated in their 4th Season in Hollywood. Since his move to NYC in 2007, William has performed in such notable venues as Carnegie Hall (with Michael Feinstein), Town Hall (with Liza Minnelli & Chita Rivera), and Rose Hall at Lincoln Center. In 2012, he won the BroadwayWorld.com Award for Best Male Vocalist. This year, he won the Bistro and New York Nightlife Award for Outstanding Vocalist. As an actor, his regional theater credits include Chicago (Little Mary Sunshine), The Who's Tommy (Cousin Kevin), R&H's Cinderella (Portia) and Rocky Horror (Riff Raff).MICHAEL THOMAS MURRAY is currently music director of 50 Shades! the Musical, Off-Broadway at the Elektra. Music Director, Arranger, and Associate Producer for Forever Dusty. He has had the honor of music directing and/or playing with some of the luminaries of old-school rhythm and blues including: The Chantels, The Orioles, The Spaniels, Frankie Lymon's Teenagers, The Tymes, The Dubs, and his mentor, Soul and R&B legend, Jimmy Guilford, who was the inspiration for his Doowop/R&B musical, Great Googley Moo. Composer: Dance, Bojangles; 1812: the Musical. Former Resident Music Director at Revision Theater in Asbury Park for: Tommy, Rocky Horror, Spring Awakening, Xanadu, Kingdom.
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