DPO brings soul music to forefront

Feel the infectious grooves within 50 years of soul music Saturday, Jan. 28, at the Schuster Center as the Dayton Philharmonic Orchestra presents “Soulful with Gavin Hope” — the third concert in this season’s Dayton Freight Rockin’ Orchestra Series.

Featuring rock ensemble Jeans ‘n Classics with lead vocalist Gavin Hope, the concert, under the leadership of DPO Artistic Director and Conductor Neal Gittleman, encompasses some of the finest tunes in R&B, Motown, funk, disco, and contemporary pop. Among the artists saluted include Stevie Wonder, Isaac Hayes, Seal, Smokey Robinson, Pharrell Williams and Outkast. The slew of hits on the program include “Don’t Stop ‘Til You Get Enough,” “1999,” “What’s Going On,” “A House is Not a Home,” “Ooo Baby Baby,” “I Wish,” “September,” “Ain’t No Mountain High Enough,” “My Girl,” and “Happy” among others.

Joining Jeans ‘n Classics will be three local vocalists: Tiffany Bryant, Yolanda Drake and Frances Wright Pate. Chosen among 10 semifinalists from over 54 online video entries, all three were winners of the Dayton Performing Arts Alliance’s Dayton Soul Singer Search held November 12, 2016 at Dayton Beer Company in downtown Dayton. The panel of judges were Jeans ‘n Classics founder/guitarist Peter Brennan, the aforementioned Gittleman, United States Air Force Technical Sergeant Retired and lead vocalist of Moment’s Notice Felita La Rock, and WROU Program Director and On-Air Personality Faith Daniels.

“Each of the three winners sang different styles or eras of material and added their own personality in a big way in each of their respective performances,” Brennan said. “They each conveyed, in their own manner, a care and respect for the material, but also demonstrated a joy of performance that certainly impacted the crowd and the judges.”

“Tiffany Bryant, Yolanda Drake, and Frances Wright Pate will leave the audience breathless,” La Rock said. “Each of these women won the Dayton Soul Singer Search competition because they simply ‘dropped the mic’ with each performance. That’s how you perform! That’s how you take charge and leave the room with people wanting to hear more. These women stepped up vocally and showed great range, stage presence, and musicianship.”

“I’m ecstatic,” said Drake, who grew up singing for her church congregation and has performed all across the Midwest as well as Atlanta in various concerts, festivals, and events. She is currently in a local band called LYD, which stands for Live Your Dream. “I’m so excited to have been chosen as one of the winners in the Dayton Soul Singer contest. To be a part of this concert and be on the Schuster stage with the Dayton Philharmonic and Jeans ‘n Classics is a great opportunity.”

Particularly inspired by Whitney Houston, Drake, originally from Middletown, anticipates singing “Lady Marmalade” and hopes audiences connect to each tune emotionally and nostalgically.

“I feel soul music endures because it’s good music,” she said. “Soul music makes you dance, makes you cry and makes you feel good. Soul music is soul, R&B and funk rolled into one.”

“Soul music stays in your soul,” echoed Pate, a minister of music, choir director and lead singer for several different events and churches in the Dayton area. She also had the privilege to be a finalist in the “Your Dream Is Out There” Gospelfest for Super Bowl XLVIII in 2014. “It covers your mind, body and spirit like a connection that keeps connecting. I’m very thankful and honored to have been chosen as a Dayton Soul Singer finalist. It’s an exhilarating start of a new year. I’ll be singing ‘I’ve Got To Use My Imagination’ by Gladys Knight and the Pips.”

Also joining the DPO will be ETHOS, a pop a cappella ensemble at Wright State University. Under the direction of Brody McDonald, the troupe features Monique Cooper, Sydneigh McConnell, Rachael Watts, Jeremy Aldridge, Connor Nienhaus, Brandon Riegel, and Devlan Taylor. ETHOS regularly performs at area high schools and have produced a studio CD and have released a digital single of “Ring of Fire” that was chosen for the prestigious national compilation album “Voices Only.”

In addition to Brennan and Hope, Jeans ‘n Classics consists of bassist Mitch Tyler, keyboardist Don Paulton, drummer Jeff Christmas, and background vocalists Rique Franks, Kathryn Rose, and Stephanie Martin. Also, Bryant, currently a member of local band Premium Blend, is slated to perform “Me and Mrs. Jones.”

“The blending of soul music from some of the most amazing artists in history with the Dayton Philharmonic is awesome,” Daniels remarked. “Adding the voices of some of Dayton’s most talented local singers was nothing short of genius. ‘Soulful’ will ignite a new love for those soul classics when you hear them sung by Tiffany Bryant, Yolanda Drake, and Frances Wright Pate. These ladies (are) passionate as well as authentic. Each has their own unique vocal style and will wow you with their delivery.”

“This will be an evening of superb soul music that I’m sure will have the audience on its feet,” La Rock said. “It will be a night to remember.”


WANT TO GO?

What: "Soulful with Gavin Hope"

Where: Schuster Center, Second and Main Streets, Dayton

When: 8 p.m.; Saturday

Cost: $29-$81

Tickets: Call Ticket Center Stage (937) 228-3630 or visit www.daytonperformingarts.org

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