Sam Cooke News

Grammy and Tony Award-winning vocalist, songwriter, author and actor Leslie Odom, Jr. launched the pre-order for his forthcoming holiday album box set, MERRY MERRY, via BMG.

Guitarist/vocalist Shemekia Copeland was literally born into blues royalty and founded her own kingdom of artistic expression. Composer/vocalist/ keyboardist Ruthie Foster established her own sonic citizenship by combining a melting pot of musical genres into her own distinctive sound.

Leslie Odom, Jr. The Christmas Tour is returning to the CIBC Theatre for one night only on December 17, 2022.

KEM will return to his hometown following his recent sold out “Full Circle” tour to record a live album that will commemorate his 20th anniversary of signing with Motown Records in the city that gave rise to both the legendary record label and his soaring musical career at ‘The Aretha,’ which has played host to numerous KEM shows over the years.

BlackRock Center for the Arts, providing opportunities to explore, celebrate and engage in the arts, invites you to join us for an anniversary season to ignite your inner joy and love of the arts. To kick off this special 20th year, BlackRock will be celebrating an entire week with an artist reception and gallery opening on September 17, social media previews of the season during the week, and a culminating opening party on September 24, 2022 at 6:00 PM. 

Metropolis Performing Arts Centre has announced their new lineup of comedy, tribute concerts, cabaret performances, dance and more, playing September and October, 2022.

This September, Broadway fans can wind down from summer with a stacked lineup of new albums, concerts, television shows, and movies to binge. From the new live capture of Heathers: the Musical on the West End to the highly-anticipated Hocus Pocus 2, check out what's coming to streaming services this month!

Next week, 54 BELOW, Broadway’s Supper Club & Private Event Destination, will present some of the brightest stars from Broadway, cabaret, jazz, and beyond.

Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts has announced its fall/winter programming, reflective of its artistic vision, featuring a mix of collaborations with constituents across Lincoln Center and a focus on genres historically underrepresented on campus.

M.O.A.M. (Man on a Mission), the new album by Jamaican vocalist, songwriter and producer Hezron Clarke debuted at Number 5 on ITunes Reggae chart, just below albums by Bob Marley and Stick Figure. The album released on on August 19 via Tad’s Record (Ernie Ranglin, Tanya Stephens).

Recorded in Reggae’s birthplace, Kingston Jamaica, M.O.A.M. features some of Jamaica’s greatest musicians including Dean Fraser (saxophone), Kirk “Kirkle Dove” Bennett (drums), Donald “Danny Bassie” Dennis (bass), Mitchum Khan (guitar), Carol “Bowie” McLaughlin (keyboards) and Robbie Lyn (keyboards).

“Takin’ My Time” kicks off with a slinky groove that the Honeydrops are known for, having made a career out of their signature blend of Bay Area R&B, Southern soul, Delta blues, and New Orleans second line. “Takin’ My Time” embodies exactly what guitarist, trumpeter, and lead singer Lech Wierzynkski wanted to channel.

The California Honeydrops have hit the post-lockdown ground running. Tour dates and festivals returned, including the Honeydrops’ first headlining show at Red Rocks, and, much to the delight of the band and fans alike, the group returned to the recording studio to lay down a new full-length album. Plus, check out upcoming tour dates!

Recorded in Reggae’s birthplace, Kingston Jamaica, M.O.A.M. features some of Jamaica’s greatest musicians including Dean Fraser (saxophone), Kirk “Kirkle Dove” Bennett (drums), Donald “Danny Bassie” Dennis (bass), Mitchum Khan (guitar), Carol “Bowie” McLaughlin (keyboards) and Robbie Lyn (keyboards).

The Town Hall presents Celebrating the Music of Sam Cooke and Marvin Gaye on September 2 at 8pm. This evening of song features Carla Cooke, Sam’s daughter; Garfield Fleming, who toured with the Delfonics and William Hart for more than 25 years; and Brian Owens, who’s rendition of Sam Cooke’s A Change is Gonna Come has 81 million views on YouTube.

No one sings and dances like Movin' Melvin Brown - and he's back at the Edinburgh Fringe after five years. 

Next month, 54 BELOW will present some of the brightest stars from Broadway, cabaret, jazz, and beyond. See Jason Robert Brown & Shoshana Bean, John Lloyd Young and more.

Berkeley Repertory Theatre announced the full cast and creative team for the world premiere musical, Goddess. The musical stage production is conceived and directed by Saheem Ali, music and lyrics by Michael Thurber, and written by Jocelyn Bioh. Previews begin Saturday, August 13, and the show runs through Sunday, September 25.

The season includes the full subscription series: Jeffrey Siegel's Keyboard Conversations with a total of four concerts; and a varied roster of artists including the return of the Paul Taylor Dance Company and The BRIT PACK. Single tickets for all shows are on sale now.

The Public Theater announced complete casting today for the Free Shakespeare in the Park production of Public Works’ AS YOU LIKE IT, closing out the 60th Anniversary Season at The Delacorte Theater. Featuring music and lyrics by Shaina Taub and more.