CANTON − Singer Roslyn Pratt said the melodies and messages of Motown music are worth celebrating and sharing with all generations.
That’s why she’s headlining a Motown tribute concert on Aug. 29 at the Cultural Center for the Arts Main Stage Theater in downtown Canton. For tickets and more information, go to https://roslynpresents.com.
“I want them walking away feeling they clearly felt the nostalgia of the moment,” Pratt said. “It’s just the truth of the past.”
The concert also features Joy Ellis, Nate Lewis, Desirae Johnson and Linda Dorsey, as well as saxophonist Michael Austin. Robert Johnson of The Robert Johnson Effect is music director.
“I think it’s important that we push our young people forward and spotlight them,” Pratt said of the other singers in the show. “They come from a singing family; their families are just top-of-the-line musicians, and I just have the greatest respect for their gifts.”
Motown is Pratt’s musical first love.
“I’ve been singing professionally for close to 50 years, but I’ve never done this,” she said. “It reflects my history from a child growing up. Motown was big during those times.”
Berry Gordy founded the Motown record label, which became a dominant presence in the music industry. Legendary Motown artists include The Supremes, Marvin Gaye, Stevie Wonder, Smokey Robinson & The Miracles, Gladys Knight & The Pips, and The Temptations.
Roslyn Pratt, a Canton native and longtime vocalist shown with her musical director Robert Johnson, will headline a Motown tribute concert on Aug. 29 at the Canton Cultural Center for the Arts Theater in downtown Canton.
‘Roslyn is an exceptional talent.’
Maureen Ater, CEO and president of ArtsinStark, said the event will showcase Pratt’s talent.
“Roslyn’s Motown tribute will be a master class in soul − big voice, big heart and a crowd-pleasing show from start to finish,” she said.
“Roslyn is an exceptional talent and a generous performer,” Ater said. “Her Motown tribute celebrates the songs we love while making them feel brand new, exactly the kind of experience our Main Stage was made to deliver.
“The Cultural Center Main Stage Theater is built for nights like this. Intimate enough to feel personal, but grand enough to make the music soar.
Roslyn Pratt, a Canton native and longtime vocalist pictured with her musical director Robert Johnson, will headline a Motown tribute concert Aug. 29 at the Canton Cultural Center for the Arts Theater in downtown Canton. Tickets cost $40.
‘A genre being left behind.’
Pratt, 68, said she doesn’t want Motown to be forgotten.
“I wanted to do it from the standpoint of creating a type of history,” said Pratt, who graduated from East Canton High School in 1974. “I’m a former English teacher as well, and being an African-American woman, I’m interested in our history, and there’s a lack of history going forth now as far as music goes.
“When I turn on the radio every day, I’m not hearing it. It’s like a genre being left behind, and I’m not going to allow that genre to be left behind because that’s what I was raised on − that and gospel.”
Marvin Gaye, photographed in the Motown studio console room in early 1971 by Gordon Staples, concertmaster of the Detroit Symphony Orchestra.
Pratt’s connection to Motown goes beyond fandom. She worked as a singer with David Ruffin, who was one of the lead singers of The Temptations in the 1960s. Pratt said she toured with Ruffin following his time with The Temptations.
The Motown tribute also will tell the story of the music.
“It’s going to be educational because I’m an educator at heart,” Pratt said. “How can you do this without history? Older people, we have an obligation to keep history alive.”
The Supremes, Florence Ballard, Mary Wilson and Diana Rossm pictured Nov. 25, 1964. Known at Motown Records as the “No-hit Supremes” because in 1962 and 1963 they released nine singles and every one was a flop. They hit the top of the charts in 1964 with “Where Did Our Love Go?”
‘The sound that changed America.’
Pratt said the tribute will be Part One of her Motown concert series.
It will cover Motown music of the 1960s. A follow-up concert next year will honor the songs of later periods.
Songs on Aug. 29 will include “Midnight Train to Georgia” by Gladys Knight & The Pips; “Papa Was a Rolling Stone” and “Ball of Confusion” by The Temptations; “Shotgun” by Jr. Walker & the All Stars; “What’s Going On” by Marvin Gaye; “My Cherie Amour” by Stevie Wonder; and “Stop! In the Name of Love” by The Supremes.
Roslyn Pratt will headline a Motown tribute concert on Aug. 29 at the Canton Cultural Center for the Arts Theater. Featured Motown artists will include The Supremes, The Temptations, Marvin Gaye and Stevie Wonder.
Lyrics and themes of the songs vary, from “the integrity of love” to societal events.
“They were writing about the trouble of the times, and they’re pertinent today,” Pratt said. “They lyrics of (some of the songs) could have been written yesterday and still be relavant today, and that’s something I want the crowd to really pay attention to. I’m putting those lyrics up on the screen as they’re being sung.”
“The messages were deep, and it’s considered the sound that changed Ameica.”
Reach Ed at 330-580-8315 and [email protected]. Follow on Instagram at ed_balint and TikTok @edwardbalint.
If you go
What: A Tribute to Motown, Part One
When: 7 p.m. Aug. 29
Where: Cultural Center for the Arts Theater Main Stage, 1001 Market Ave. N in downtown Canton.
What: Tribute to the songs and sounds of the legendary Motown music label, featuring tunes by Smokey Robinson, The Temptations, Marvin Gaye, Stevie Wonder and The Supremes.
Admission: Tickets, $40, can be purchased at culturalcenterforthearts.com. The Cultural Center can be reached at 330-452-4096.
This article originally appeared on The Repository: Motown tribute show in Canton to feature The Supremes and Marvin Gaye
‘ The preceding article may include information circulated by third parties ’
‘ Some details of this article were extracted from the following source www.yahoo.com ’
