NEW YORK (The
Verve Music Group/ www.grprecords.com) -
All Star Tribute will feature performances by Patti LaBelle, Will Downing, Dave Koz, Kirk Whalum, Gerald Albright, Richard Elliot, Lalah Hathaway, Mindi Abair, Brian Culbertson, Paul Jackson, Jr. and
Ledisi On July 27, 2004, GRP released the all-star project Forever, For Always, For Luther, a warm and resoundingly respectful tribute to singer/songwriter Luther Vandross. Produced by Rex Rideout and Bud Harner, the best seller features eleven smooth jazz and R&B artists interpreting 10 timeless Vandross classics, including "Never Too Much," "Any Love," "Your Secret Love" and the Grammy-winning "Dance With My Father." The tribute's first single, "Forever, For Always, For Love," sung by Lalah Hathaway, is Top 20 at Urban AC radio and climbing fast.
On October 27, 2004, the spirit and magic of that recording will be rekindled on the stage of historical Theater at Madison Square Garden for an incomparable, once in a lifetime evening of music, love and charity.
Co-produced by New York radio stations CD 101.9 WQCD ("Smooth Jazz") and 98.7 WRKS ("KISS-FM: The Best Variety of Old School and Today's R&B"), the concert will reunite stars from the project, including singers Lalah Hathaway and Ledisi, saxophonists Kirk Whalum, Dave Koz, Richard Elliot and Mindi Abair, guitarist Paul Jackson Jr., and keyboardist Brian Culbertson.
Singing sensation Patti LaBelle and GRP recording artists Will Downing and Gerald Albright will also be among an array of friends and special guests lovingly saluting Mr. Vandross, who is recovering from a diabetes-induced stroke he suffered in April of 2003 that left him in a coma for several weeks.
Since regaining consciousness, his condition has steadily improved.
In the spirit of support for Luther Vandross and public awareness about the deadly disease, the sponsors and producers of the program are proudly donating profits from ticket sales to the American Diabetes Association on his behalf.
Founded in 1940, the mission of the ADA is to prevent and cure diabetes, and to improve the lives of all people affected by diabetes. Fans of the singer will be encouraged to make further donations to the organization at all points throughout this gala event and campaign.
Verve Music Group President and CEO Ron Goldstein states, "The Verve Music Group, through its GRP label, is proud to join Luther and his family in trying to raise the level of awareness of this prevalent disease."
Please join Luther and The Verve Music Group in sending a contribution to:
The American Diabetes Association
Forever, For Always, For Luther Fund
1701 North Beauregard
Alexandria, VA 22311
All donations are tax deductible. For more information call 1-800-DIABETES or visit www.diabetes.org.
"A Concert For Love... An All-Star Tribute Benefiting the American Diabetes Association"
Featuring the Music of Luther Vandross
Wednesday, October 27, 2004
8PM
Theater at Madison Square Garden
New York City
Tickets are on sale at the Madison Square Garden box office and Ticketmaster -
Forever, For Always, For Luther [B0002426-02] in stores now.
