The cast of the Tony winner for Best Musical, Hadestown, is sharing their underground holiday sound with their cast album “If the Fates Allow (A Hadestown Holiday Album).” Led by the ladies who play The Fates in the musical – Jewelle Blackman, Yvette Gonzalez-Nacer, and Kay Trinidad – the album features other members of the cast including Tony-winner Andre De Shields who lends his jazz and blues notes to the classic “Blue Chrismas.” 

 

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Hamilton: An American Musical alum, Leslie Odom, Jr. reimagines Christmas with his second holiday album, “The Christmas Album.” The Tony- and Grammy-winning crooner sings some holiday classics, as well as introduces new sounds and guest features with songs like “Ma’oz Tzur” featuring wife, Nicolette Robinson, “Winter Song” with Tony winner Cynthia Erivo, and “Little Drummer Boy” with the Mzansi Youth Choir from South Africa. If you liked his first holiday venture “Simply Christmas,” you’re definitely going to enjoy this soon-to-be classic.

 

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“White Christmas” by Grammy-nominated Jawan Jackson (Ain’t Too Proud: The Life and Times of the Temptations), is what Santa would be blasting in his sleigh as he goes from home to home. His velvety bass notes take us on a journey that tempt our desire to be with our loved ones for Christmas. 

 

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Carly Hughes (Pippin) brings a little fun and a lot of wonder with her Chistmas album “Mistletoe & Carly.” The Broadway leading lady playfully takes on the Eartha Kitt classic “Santa Baby” with an upbeat flair that’s sure to make Rudolph blush. 

 

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Another Tony-winning Hamilton alum, Daveed Diggs, takes Hannukkah and throws some stank on it. His new single “Puppy for Hanukkah” is a dream for every kid wanting a canine companion to call their own. The song takes us through the eight nights of the traditional Jewish holiday with lyrics like, “Night two, what it do, candles get lit. Latkes, sour cream is the best dip…” Check out the music video too! 

Other holiday albums to check out from other Broadway alum:

Fantasia (After Midnight and The Color Purple) – “Christmas After Midnight”

Broadway Inspirational Voices – “Great Joy – A Gospel Christmas” and “Great Joy II: Around the World”

John Legend (Jitney) – “A Legendary Christmas (Deluxe Edition)” 

Download them all today on Apple Music, iTunes, Spotify, Google Play, or Amazon.

The post I’m Dreaming of a Black Christmas…Broadway Edition! appeared first on Broadway Black.

After teasing the collaboration on their social media pages for days, the two Broadway stars finally gave fans what they’d been waiting for with this neo-soul version and music video of the Pippin favorite.

“We’ve been brainstorming about different musical ideas for concerts and albums. We soon realized we have the same musical taste for soul, funk, and R&B.  So I thought, to celebrate Valentine’s Day, let’s give Broadway lovers a new side of us they haven’t seen before while celebrating this classic musical theater tune!”

The video opens with the two having a sexy jam sesh at the piano and ends with a sing-off that makes you wish you could just grab a cocktail, a candlelit table in a corner and watch them and the band vibe all night long.

“The music video follows two artists finding a spark during their first collaboration. Patina and I couldn’t be more excited to give folks a taste of this new sound come Valentine’s Day. Got lots more brewing up musically. This is just the tip of the iceberg!”

If the rest of their collabos are as hot as this, we can’t wait!

The post Joshua Henry and Patina Miller Release Love Song Duet appeared first on Broadway Black.

Luckily for me and you, we don’t have to wait until we get to heaven to enjoy the Mykal experience. He’s performing at the Apollo Theater on Friday, February 5 at 10pm, as part of  The Apollo Music Café series. 

Kilgore was recently seen on NBC’s broadcast of The Wiz Live! But he stole my heart with his rendition of “Crush on You” by Lyons & Pakchar. He snatched my edges with the Broadway Black exclusive video of “Defying Gravity.” He slayed me with his rendition of “My Heart Will Go On. And brought me back to life in The First Noel at The Classical Theatre of Harlem. On the stage, Kilgore has been seen in Hair, Motown the Musical, The Book of Mormon, and Marley. 

All extraness aside, Kilgore has surpassed someone to take notice of, he’s here. Living his best life.

Mykal Kilgore is originally from Florida and grew up in the church as one of nine children. His gospel roots are evident in his sound, which successfully combines a touch of gospel, soul and doo-wop. He attended Florida State University where he fell in love with theatre. Currently, Kilgore has been making waves with his work with Scott Bradlee’s Post Modern JukeBox, a rotating group of musicians producing covers of pop songs in jazz, ragtime, and swing styles. The group takes modern pop songs from artists like Miley Cyrus, Celine Dion and Lordes and reworks them into amazing vintage jazz and pop renditions. Be on the look out for his solo album coming later in 2016.

The Apollo Music Cafe Series is designed “to bring independent, cutting-edge artists to a forward-thinking audience.” This event was Curated by Dwight Jordan and will feature DJ Hard Hittin’ Harry. Get tickets HERE.

Take a look at what happened the last time Mykal was in concert below. We were there!

The post Mykal Kilgore Brings Life To The Apollo Theater’s Music Cafe appeared first on Broadway Black.

Henry will be joined on stage by actress and singer Caissie Levy in “Life is a Cabaret: The Songs of Kander and Ebb” to celebrate composer John Kander’s 90^th birthday. Over five decades, Kander and his songwriting partner, Fred Ebb, have composed songs for several hit Broadway shows, including Cabaret, Kiss of the Spider Woman, The Scottsboro Boys, and Chicago.

It’s obviously fitting that Henry would perform in a tribute to this icon as he secured a Tony Award nomination for his role as “Heywood Patterson” in Kander and Ebb’s musical The Scottsboro Boys in 2010.

As we previously mentioned, Henry is joining the stellar all-star cast of Shuffle Along when previews begin on March 14, at the Music Box Theatre, with official opening set for April 21. The production will present the landmark 1921 African-American musical revue Shuffle Along alongside the behind-the-scenes details that led the songwriting team of Noble Sissle and Eubie Blake and librettists F.E. Miller and Aubrey Lyles to create this groundbreaking work. Henry will take on the role of Noble Sissle with Brandon Victor Dixon playing Eubie Blake.

“Life is a Cabaret: The Songs of Kander and Ebb” will be performed on Friday, March 10, 2017, at 8 PM, Carnegie Hall, Stern Auditorium/Perelman Stage. The New York Pops led by music director Steven Reineke, has announced its 2016-17 five-concert subscription season at Carnegie Hall.

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James, who studied musical theatre at Penn State University, most recently appeared in NBC’s “The Wiz Live!” and has performed in Motown The Musical, In The Heights and Rent. In 2009, he released the Akira Shelton-produced soulful house EP Eletrik Love. After meeting choreographer/dancer/producer Michael Balderrama on In The Heights, James signed with Balderrama’s indie label Silver Towers Productions (later Silver Towers Records). He followed up with his debut album Meant To Be in 2012, a soul-pop album of “New Soul” echoing back to the soul of real music and melody.

James, the son of a DJ, is from a Baptist church family and was singing since he could stand. He recalled hearing his mother play Luther Vandross, Stevie Wonder and Teddy Pendergrass records. He developed his song writing chops as a young boy before furthering his craft during college. He wrote for and performed with a sextet acapella group called PRESSURE. The group’s popularity attracted indie record label contracts, which forced the group to move to New York to seek new management and move closer to the music industry action.

Delious Kennedy of Breakout Magazine said: “Upon listening to Marcus sing, you’ll notice that he’s a bit fresh and old school at the same time. Evoking memories of my favorite singer Luther Vandross, Marcus’ soulful delivery and style is one that I wish would return in droves to the music scene…”

Like the title track of his EP, which charted on the UK electric charts, the singles “Wonderful Love” and “Right Now” from his debut album made it to the UK soul charts and held first and third slots for five consecutive weeks.

James’ latest is the single “Living The Dream,” which he dropped August 2015. More new music will be featured at the concert.

James will appear at 11:30pm on Stage 3. Stage 3 opens at 6:30pm. Rockwood Music Hall is a 21+ venue.

He will next perform Feb. 15, for Inspirational Broadway with Michael McElroy and the Broadway Inspirational Voices. Other guests include: Tony-winner Billy Porter (Shuffle Along, Kinky Boots); Renee Elise Goldsberry (Hamilton, Rent, The Color Purple) and two-time Tony nominee Joshua Henry (The Scottsboro Boys, Violet).

Marcus Paul James performs “Mirrors” at last year’s “Broadway Sings Justin Timberlake.”

The post Marcus Paul James In Concert At Rockwood Music Hall appeared first on Broadway Black.

Inspired by Dr. Kings famous 1967 speech “Beyond Vietnam: A Time To Break Silence” which was performed at Harlem’s Riverside Church, MLK Now featured historic speeches by many civil rights leaders performed by some of today’s hottest actors and Broadway Black stars — including Actor and Civil Rights Icon Harry Belafonte, Actor and Comedian Chris Rock, Oscar-Winner Octavia Spencer, Tony Award Winner Lin-Manuel Miranda, Actors Michael B. Jordan and Tessa Thompson, Tony Award Winner Anika Noni Rose, Andre Holland, Condola Rashad and Adepero Oduye.

It was said by the host, Ryan Coogler that the original artist of “Be Free,” J. Cole was unable to perform his own song because it was too painful. So, when Ryan Coogler introduced the performance and said that Anika Noni Rose would be singing the song, we fell out. Watch the entire performance below.

We will include more performances from this event as they become available.

Anika Noni Rose – Be Free

Martin Luther King Jr.’s “Beyond Vietnam” read by Lin-Manuel Miranda

Shirley Chisholm’s Presenditial Campaign Announcement of 1972 read by Condola Rashad

India.Arie – I Am Light

We’ve uploaded a few of our favorite performances & speeches but there is so much more to see & witness. Watch the entire event or skim thru it below! Don’t forget the great speech by Harry Belafonte at the 2:55:00 mark.

The post Anika Noni Rose Sings Be Free By J. Cole + #MLKNow Performances appeared first on Broadway Black.

Well, here is your chance. Mr. Hood is going back home. Not only to his hometown of Chicago but the Black Ensemble Theater where he honed a lot of his old soul style.

He will be performing at 7:30 p.m. January 17^th at the Black Ensemble Theater in Chicago.

For Hood, The Ensemble Theater is more than just a homecoming. Fans may have watched him for weeks on “The Voice’s” ninth season, but Hood has theater in his bones, performing in many of the Ensembles shows and revues including, A Tribute to Etta James, Once Upon a People, It’s All Right To Have A Good Time: The Story of Curtis Mayfield, and many others.

And when “True Blood’s” Nelsan Ellis made his Chicago directorial debut with Hoo Doo Love, Hood was right there in production.

There is not a lot of detail about what type of show Hood will perform, but he was tweeting that there will be surprise guests. Maybe Pharrell? or better yet some other Chi-town talent. In case you missed it Chicago has been blowing up in the entertainment realm as of late with Jeremih and Chance the Rapper all shouting out the third largest city in the U.S.

Either way if Hood just brings his amazing voice the show is destined to draw crowds, amazing die-hard fans and win some new ones over by the end of the night.To purchase tickets click here.

And if you don’t believe us, just listen to a clip of Mark singing!

The post Mark J.P. Hood Returns to Chicago for Performance at Black Ensemble Theater appeared first on Broadway Black.

The music of Hamilton feels true. It feels real to the listener. It hearkens back to the very best of what we know rap and the culture of hip hop can be because it tells the story of a man who desperately wanted to make it. Manuel’s songs of struggle, misunderstanding, triumph and failure in the musical make Alexander Hamilton, who many only knew as a man from bit of far away American history into every man. In a world where “Trap Queen” and “Hot Line Bling” describes fantastical situations that many of us don’t ever experience, the music of Hamilton tells the rest of our stories in a lyrical language that we can all understand.The universality of the story, the power of the music and drive of the arrangements envelope the listener in a story that could reflect any one of us. Hamilton captures all of us in one way or another and we have responded by making it number one.

Rappers beware. The important message is that the tides are turning and there is now a return to artistry in rap music and audiences are proving that it’s exactly what they want to hear. It is not limited by ethnicity and cannot be contained by the hood. Hamilton has turned the world of Broadway on its ear and now its coming for the music industry and I suspect Manuel will not be throwing away his shot.

The post Why Hamilton Cast Album Hit Number One on the Rap Charts appeared first on Broadway Black.

“Witchcraft,” “I’ve Got the World on a String,” “On the Sunny Side of the Street” – these are just a few of the hits that Frank Sinatra immortalized into the Great American Songbook. With his sultry voice, impeccable phrasing and everyman appeal, this son of the Hoboken working class came to epitomize American popular music.

With such great talent, it is only fitting that a tribute concert in his honor feature some of today’s very best performers. Super soulful singer and our collective homegirl, Grammy winner Fantasia will be adding her talent to the line-up which also includes Tony-winning Broadway performer, pop singer, film and television actor Billy Porter among others.

SNEAK PEEK: We're singing Sinatra and celebrating the Legacy…Dec 18th y'all..on PBS! #Sinatra100 #LFLC https://t.co/kIwy08ufuO

— Billy Porter (@theebillyporter) December 13, 2015

SINATRA: Voice for a Century airs Friday, 12/18 at 9pm on @PBS. Check your local listings. pic.twitter.com/CXc1QDNGD0

— Fantasia Taylor (@TasiasWord) December 12, 2015

Fantasia has sold over  three million records and won numerous awards since storming onto the music scene after winning American Idol in 2004. And like Sinatra, Fantasia has made her mark in more than just the music industry. Her Broadway debut was in The Color Purple and was followed with After Midnight.  Billy Porter has recently racked up awards for his portrayal of ‘Lola’ in the Broadway show Kinky Boots, a role that he originated. Check out Fantasia and Porter’s thoughts about Frank Sinatra in the video below.

Sinatra: Voice for a Century, part of the Live from Lincoln Center series, will air on PBS December 18. For more information on how you can see the show, check your local PBS listings.

UPDATE: Performances from the show are below!

The post Fantasia and Billy Porter Sing Sinatra at Lincoln Center appeared first on Broadway Black.

“Christmas With Nova Y. Payton and Friends,” which opened December 8, is filled with some of Payton’s holiday favorites, including “This Christmas,” “Jingle Bell Rock,” “Santa Baby,” “I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus,” and many more. Music director Darius Smith, along with a chorus and band, join Payton during the evening.

Payton is known for her powerhouse voice. For years, she sang backup for legendary songstress Roberta Flack, joining Flack’s international tour to over 150 major cities across the U.S, Canada, Japan, Singapore, Saudi Arabia, and Europe. She also has toured with shows such as the blues-to-classical showcase Three Mo’ Divas with Laurice Lanier and Jamet Pittman as well as Smokey Joe’s Café, the juke joint-set musical revue of the songs of Jerry Leiber and Mike Stoller.

Payton made her Signature Theatre debut as “Motormouth Maybelle” in Hairspray for which she won a 2012 Helen Hayes Award for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Resident Musical. She also received the 2005 Barrymore Nomination for Best Actress for her role as “Effie White” in Dreamgirls at Prince Music Theatre. Payton recently reprised her role in the Milwaukee Repertory Theater production of the musical. The DC native also has appeared in regional productions of The Happy Elf, and Ain’t Misbehavin’.

Payton’s musical chops are clearly genetic as her mother is singer Thomascena Nelson, widely considered to be the “First Lady of Gospel Jazz.” According to Payton’s biography, it was Nelson who exposed Payton to “all things creative and artistic.”

Payton’s cabaret runs through December 24 and tickets can be purchased here.

Nova Y. Payton singing “All I Want For Christmas Is You.”

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