The King of Pop at B.B.Kings |
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StubDog.com :: Event Information And Articles :: The King of Pop at B.B.Kings
Riley B. King known as B.B. King with his reputation as possibly the most respected, successful, and most recognized bluesman, not just in the United States, but in the world was an inspiration for Bensusan Family (also proprietors of the world renowned Blue Note Jazz Club) when they opened a blues club featuring world-class musical talent and consisting of two distinct spaces: the Showcase Room & Lucille’s Grill. Conveniently located in the heart of Times Square near Penn Station and Port Authority, The B.B. King Blues Club & Grill offers music fans a unique experience.
The breathtaking main space is classical in form and spirit: two-tiered, horseshoe-shaped seating (booths & tables) centered around a 30-foot stage presents up close and personal views of all performances. The 40-foot bar is a haven for the reserved listener. The atmosphere is enhanced with two 8-foot big video screens on either side of the stage that hosted many amazing artist like B.B. King, Gregg Allman and Friends, Brian Wilson, George Clinton & the P-Funk All-Stars, Etta James, Erykah Badu, Macy Gray, Peter Frampton, Better than Ezra, Karl Denson's Tiny Universe, Dr. John, Robert Cray, the Roots, Ozomatli, Taj Mahal, Junior Brown, Wilson Pickett, Sonny Rollins, James Brown, Little Richard, The Pharcyde, the Radiators, the Neville Brothers, the Wailers, Lyricist Lounge, Steel Pulse, Buddy Guy, the Beach Boys, Big Bad Voodoo Daddy, Maceo Parker to name only few.
Framed black-and-white photos of B.B. and his blues crew bedeck the walls, a disco ball sends out a snowstorm of light and waiters flash big smiles. Tight seating lends the authenticity of a cramped downtown club, and makes a 500-capacity venue feel cozy and intimate. B.B. himself stops by on occasion, but the roster isn't limited to blues and jazz. The top-notch sound system amplifies a wide range of rap, rock and pop. The club offers numerous shows of different tribute bands whenever they don’t have a big and famous names booked for the night. Every Sunday, for the past 8 years, the Harlem Gospel Choir has brought their experience of Harlem & the Black Church to BB King's in a foot-stomping, hand-clapping, joyous gospel show.
This most famous gospel choir in America will pay tribute to Michael Jackson on August 13th in The B.B. King Blues Club & Grill. You may expect timeless music from the King of Pop served in two spirited sets delivered by the army of finest gospel singers founded in 1986 by Allen Bailey, who got the idea for the Choir while attending a celebration in honor of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. at the Cotton Club in Harlem.
What we know Harlem Gospel Choir the best for is their worldwide touring group The Angels in Harlem Gospel Choir. It has been christened Angels in Harlem by many famous artists such as U2, by Pope John Paul II in a private audience at the Vatican in 2003 and by audiences around the World. The organization is not only a musical gathering but consistently shows their will to make the World a better place. In 2004, Angels in Harlem performed with Bono & U2 at Rockefeller Center in New York City to raise funds for World of Hope Fund - a charity dedicated to helping victims of aids in Africa. At this concert, Bono gave Angels in Harlem special recognition for its support of children's charities. In 2005 Angels in Harlem toured Louisiana & Mississippi to minister to the victims of Hurricane Katrina; then continued on to tour Poland, Latvia, Lithuania & Estonia. In 2006 & 2007 the Angels toured Europe & Japan with Andre Rieu & his Johann Strauss Orchestra, presenting a concert series featuring an innovative collaboration of classical and gospel genres. In 2008, continuing to work with touring orchestras, the Angels formed an integral part of Night of the Proms in Belgium, Holland and Germany with the Il Novecento Orchestra conducted by Robert Groslot; sharing the stage with the likes of Simple Minds, Live, Sinead O'Connor, Robin Gibb and Kim Wilde. The Angels also traveled to Lebanon, the first gospel choir ever to do so; this trip was a wonderful spiritual & musical demonstration of Martin Luther King's goal of bringing nations & people together.
