Luther Vandross – Page 19

05/19/201705/19/2017

Alfa Anderson Sings A Tribute to Luther Vandross

Former member of the iconic funk soul band Chic (“Le Freak”,” Good Times”, “I Want Your Love”),Alfa Anderson joins us on June’s Diabetes Late Nite podcast scheduled for Tuesday, June 13, 2017, ^ PM, EST.

For years, Alfa was an integral member of Luther Vandross‘ touring band and performed at Wembley Stadium, among many other prestigious venues around the world. Her vocals can be heard on popular Luther Vandross albums such as ‘Give Me the Reason’ and ‘The Night I Fell in Love’, which Rolling Stone Magazine voted as one of the 100 Best Albums of the Eighties.

Alfa will share the inspiration behind her heartfelt tribute to her friend, Luther Vandross, the single, “When Luther Sings.”

SoulTracks said of “When Luther Sings”, “The feeling is at once nostalgic and modern, providing a summery vibe that is sure to make listeners groove both in the car and on the dance floor.”

Alfa will soon release her long-awaited debut solo album, ‘Music From My Heart‘ in July.

A celebrated R&B and dance music icon, Anderson first starred in Julian “Canonnball” Adderley’s “Big Man” at Carnegie Hall before defining a whole new era in music as one of the original lead vocalists in the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame-nominated group CHIC. Her voice powered classics like “I Want Your Love” and the #1 pop hits “Good Times” and “Le Freak,” which was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame. During her years as a New York session singer and touring vocalist, she sang background for music icons like Diana Ross, Aretha Franklin, Mick Jagger, Valerie Simpson, Bryan Ferry, and Teddy Pendergrass. She recently guested on the first CHIC single in 23 years “I’ll Be There” (2015) and scored a Top 10 Billboard Dance hit as a featured vocalist on Next Step’s single with Kathy Sledge and Aristofreeks, “Get On Up” (2016).

“Music From My Heart” is my first solo album. The only vision I had when I started this project was to write from the stillness of my mind and heart. As melodies and lyrics began to flow, I realized that I had plenty to say about life, about love, about friendship, about struggle, about coming to terms with who I am. Kudos to Producer/Arranger Bert Price who collaborated with me to complete ‘Music From My Heart’. I share it with you with love and big hugs.”

Alfa Anderson also will celebrate the release of her album with an unforgettable night of music at Joe’s Pub on July 7 at 7:30pm. Tickets are currently on sale and can be purchased at Joe’s Pub located at 425 Lafayette St (bet. E. 4th St & Astor Pl).

04/18/201704/18/2017

Raising Awareness for Stroke in Honor of Luther Vandross

In honor of our Divabetic inspiration, Luther Vandross’ upcoming birthday on Thursday, April 20^th we’re raising awareness for stroke, a common diabetes health-related complication.

I’ll never forget the day I found my former boss, Luther, laying on the floor of his 5^th Avenue after suffering a stroke due to mismanaging his type 2 diabetes. Unfortunately his ability to make a full recovery was greatly inhibited because too much time elapsed between his initial stroke symptoms and receiving the proper treatment. Luther’s stroke was given the power to rob him of one of the greatest joys in his life; performing on stage. And we, the fans, also suffered from not hearing his voice.

My experience taught me just how important it is to act ‘FAST’ when you or someone you love experiences a stroke.

FAST is an acronym used as a mnemonic to help detect and enhance responsiveness to stroke victim needs. The acronym stands for Facial drooping, Arm weakness, Speech difficulties and Time to call emergency services. Facial drooping: A section of the face, usually only on one side, that is drooping and hard to move.

Stroke is a condition in which blood supply to be the brain is affected. A stroke can sometimes lead to permanent damage including communication problems, paralysis and visual problems.

Statistically, people with diabetes have a higher risk of dying from heart disease and stroke than the general population.

Overall, African-Americans suffer more strokes than any other group of people. “There are statistics showing that [they] have about twice the mortality of stroke than Caucasians,” explains Ralph L. Sacco, MD, neurologist-in-chief at Jackson Memorial Hospital in Miami, Fla., and spokesperson for the American Stroke Association. These statistics show just how high the stroke risk is:

For men between the ages of 45 and 54, which was the case for Luther, the risk of ischemic stroke — the most prevalent type of stroke, which is caused by a blood clot that blocks an artery — is three times higher in African-Americans than in Caucasians.

Awareness of your personal risk factors is the first step toward lowering your chance of stroke. Then, with a combination of medical treatment for conditions like high blood pressure and diabetes coupled with a heart-healthy diet and exercise plan, you can help keep yourself from becoming one of those statistics.

By maintaining stable blood glucose, blood pressure and cholesterol, people with diabetes can increase their chances of preventing a stroke

I hope you will learn from my experience and use the letters in “fast” to spot stroke signs and know when to call 9-1-1. If someone shows any of these symptoms, even if the symptoms go away, call 9-1-1 and say, “I think this is a stroke” to help get the person to the hospital immediately. Time is important! Don’t delay, and also note the time when the first symptoms appeared. Emergency responders will want to know.

LISTEN: Luther Vandross Tribute podcast featuring fans, friends and former bandmates with hits from the 1990’s. Guests include Paulette McWilliams, Pat Lacy, Tawatha Agee, Cindy Mizelle and Kevin Owens, band member Bryon Miller, Vandross family member, Seveda Williams, friends Darren Margo and David Jones, the Luther Vandross historian, Leon Petrossian and Luther super fan, Jane Goodman from Great Britain

LISTEN: Luther Vandross Tribute podcast featuring fans, friends and former bandmates with hits from the 1980’s. Guests include former band members Alfa Anderson and Ivan Hampton, Jr., SONY Music executive Jeff James, Seveda Williams, Dave Jones and Darren Margo.

Divabetic (divabetic.org), the organization inspired by Luther’s diabetes journey revisits the late singer’s career in the decade of sparkle, divas and big hair to celebrate the artistry of the prolific singer-songwriter and record producer. This Luther tribute podcast remembers the moments, the music, the man and the motivation to ensure that no one has to struggle with diabetes alone or in silence.

In honor to Luther, keep ‘your house a home’ and learn how to prevent a diabetes health-related complication from occurring. Help us spread the POWER of LOVE!

04/07/201704/07/2017

Singer Brenda Jones, of the R&B Group The Jones Girls, Has Passed Away

The music world has suffered yet another loss. Singer Brenda Jones of the R&B trio The Jones Girls has passed away; she was 62 reported EBONY magazine.

Valerie, Shirley, and Brenda Jones, collectively known as the Jones Girls, spent more than ten years in the music business before they tasted success of their own. During that time, however, their voices graced the records and stage performances of dozens of established stars, including Diana Ross and Betty Everett. By the mid-’80s, the group had nine charting R&B singles, including the Top 10 hits “You Gonna Make Me Love Somebody Else” and “I Just Love the Man,” as well as the deep classics “Who Can I Run To” and “Nights Over Egypt.”

Although Brenda Jones was not living with diabetes, we feel her death is still newsworthy to our Divabetic community since many of Luther Vandross‘ devoted fans were also fans of the Jones Girls.

Divabetic (divabetic.org) was inspired by late R & B legend, Luther Vandross who died of diabetes health-related complications in 2005. Our unique mixture of diabetes education with R & B and other genres of music featured on our free monthly podcasts, Diabetes Late Nite help to broaden the appeal of diabetes outreach.

According to her sister, Shirley Jones, the singer was struck on Monday, April 3, by several cars while attempting to cross the street while visiting her daughter in Wilmington, Delaware. Police are still investigating the incident, but her sister called Brenda’s death a heartbreaking loss.

“My sister was my life, she was probably one of the sweetest people you’d ever want to meet,” Shirley Jones told EBONY. “When we lost Val in 2001 that was a real big blow to the family….The bond that we had growing up was unique; it was so special.”

Shirley Jones continued, “The heartbreak is phenomenal. I can’t even imagine going on without her but life will go on. We’re strong and we’re going to persevere in her name. She was truly a wonderful person.”

The Jones Girls’ performances with Diana Ross opened up many doors including a contract with Philadelphia International Records at the end of the ’70s. The trio cut four LPs in their three years with the label, enjoying a string of hits around them including “You’re Gonna Make Me Love Somebody Else,” “Better Things to Do,” “Nights Over Egypt,” and “I Just Love the Man.” They later left Philadelphia International for an offer from RCA, but their sales at the new label were poor. The trio never recaptured the moment they had at the end of the ’70s and the beginning of the ’80s. Shirley Jones, who was the first of the trio to record singly, with an entire album for Philadelphia International, continued to carve out a separate career. Valerie died in 2001.

Read more at EBONY
Follow EBONY: @EbonyMag on Twitter | EbonyMag on Facebook

Don’t miss April’s Diabetes Late Nite featuring music by Lang Lang on Tuesday, April 11, 2017, 6 PM, EST. Guests include Grammy Award winning singer, Lisa Fischer, Poet Lorraine Brooks, the Charlie’s Angels of Outreach and Mama Rose Marie.