Read More

Acclaim

The Doctor Gets "The Phyllis Hyman Experience"
Published on August 28, 2019
Tony "Doc" Hardy
Tony "Doc" Hardy
Radio Show Host and Event MC and DJ
13 articles
Follow
On Saturday, August 24, I attended La Young's tribute to the great Phyllis Hyman called The Phyllis Hyman Experience. Ms. Young's UK Soul hit, a remake of Hyman's No One Can Love You More has been on the UK charts for 31 weeks, and is regularly featured on both of my radio shows, Jazz and Soul on Ice on WPKN 89.5 FM in Bridgeport, CT and Jazz on Ice on FOSR101FM.com based in Sparks, Nevada.

I consider myself a Hymanite, an avid fan of Phyllis Hyman. I have regularly done tributes to her on my shows around the anniversary of her birth and death, and so I was obviously intrigued when I learned that LA Young was rolling out a tribute to her in April of 2019. I missed that show, but vowed to attend this one. I came for an experience. Man, oh man, it was MORE than an experience.

This was not a cover show. It was not an ordinary tribute show. Ms. Young did not just mimic or imitate Phyllis Hyman. Instead, using visual imagery, dramatic storytelling, costume changes and her dynamic performance and vocals, she wove a beautiful and elegant tapestry of Phyllis Hymans life, covering all eras of her music, including her Broadway run with Sophisticated Ladies.

I fell in love with Young while she sang my favorite Phyllis Hyman song, Meet me on the Moon. I was mesmerized. Her broad vocal range and expert use of the microphone resulted in the smooth, sultry Contralto sounds that made you believe, for just one night, that the Queen was alive and among us.

Young's band, The Unusual Suspects, were unusually talented and not the least bit suspect at all. They were led by Musical Director and Keyboardist, Moe Daniels, whose virtuoso keyboard play was beyond phenomenal. He switched from full strings, to full horns, to xylophone, to piano and back to strings, with such amazing deftness you were looking to see if there hidden orchestral sections behind the curtain.

Saxophonist David Krug and backup Vocalist Tabitha Brooks were also outstanding and complemented Young's lead vocals. Krug's alto and soprano sax play would have made Pharaoh Sanders and Norman Connors proud and Brooks background vocals can only be described as angelic. Brooks played off Young so well, I was shocked to learn later she had just been hired a few weeks earlier. She sang with joy and enthusiasm and her engaging smile drew you in and kept you focused and immersed in the experience.

The Anacostia Playhouse is a terrific venue and the hosts were quite hospitable and accommodating. The sold-out shows were a result tremendous talent intersecting with great marketing and an inviting venue. I hope to support more of their programs soon. We need more venues like this around the country.

Young closed the experience with the chart topping, No One Can Love You More written by the late songwriter/producer Skip Scarborough. It was magical to have the legendary Alton McClain Scarborough, phenomenal vocalist and wife of the late songwriter/producer Skip Scarborough sing the final song with Young, and the most satisfying way to lower the curtain on this dramatic performance.

The Phyllis Hyman Experience was worth every mile I traveled from Connecticut to DC. If the show comes to a city near you in the future I highly recommend it, especially if you are a Hymanite. If you do decide to attend, please tell LA, The Doctor sent you.


To listen to my recent interview with LA Young on Jazz and Soul on Ice:

https://soundcloud.com/user-796855614/joi-la-young

To listen to the 24/7 Jazz on Ice channel on FOSR101FM:

http://faces-of-success-radio-101-fm.website-radio.com/

To listen to Jazz and Soul on Ice on WPKN 89.5 FM Bridgeport:

www.wpkn.org


ACCLAIM FOR "THE PHYLLIS HYMAN EXPERIENCE":

On April 5th I went to see L A Young and the Unusual Suspects perform The Phyllis Hyman Experience at the Langston Hughes Center in the Park Heights area. I must say that this show was terrific and far more than a tribute to the great Phyllis Hyman. The show includes acting, creative use of a digital wall to tell the story of Ms Hyman an ultra talented, yet tragic soul, and of course over 17 songs provided by Ms Young who was so AMAZING, in full Phyllis dress re-creating her life and music touching everyone's heart.

Those who know me will tell you that I can be very critical with regards to sound, lighting and production. I must say this production was first class all the way. Inside the show there were breaks where you hear the words of Phyllis (convincingly spoken on-screen voice-overs by Ms Young) as she talks about her life and career.

This is a show that everyone must see.

Gar Roberts
Manager
Pieces of a Dream


April 5th 2019 - I witnessed a truly magnificent performance by L A YOUNG feat. The Unusual Suspects @the Langston Hughes CBR Center in Baltimore, Md. The title of the show (The Phyllis Hyman Experience) was enough to stir my emotions, but when L A Young hit the stage w/her band & sent her vocal gift soaring over lush / funky musical arrangements...trust! I knew an astral journey had begun!(Kudos 2 production design crew as well) I'm telling U now L A Young is a whirlwind artist! She's a beautiful, truly gifted woman who can call spirits down & lift spirits up w/her singing & vibrant stage presence. Please experience the fabulous L A Young for ya self. You'll no doubt feel what I'm saying!!

Clayton LeBoeuf lead actor in the Wire and Homicide: Life on the Street.


Tonight I saw and heard the sounds of Ms Phyllis Hyman as she was cloned for 2-hours by the magic and voice of Ms L. A. YOUNG. This lady was impersonating PHYLLIS HYMAN to the 99% degree. WOW! She gave her concert at the Langston Hughes Business Center this evening.

If you hear that LA YOUNG is performing anywhere...run do not walk to get your ticket!!

Larry Young. Radio One personality




ACCLAIM FOR L. A. YOUNG:

On behalf of Safeway and the thousands of guests who attended our event last week, I want to thank you, L.A. and the band for once again performing the most wonderful music for the Safeway Feast of Sharing. L A is among the best female vocalists performing anywhere, please thank her for donating her time to our Feast of Sharing at the DC Convention Center

The band is absolutely fantastic, and we truly appreciate the talent, warmth and passion they bring to the stage and our event.

I hope they can perform again next year, when we present the 20th Annual Safeway Feast of Sharing (a special milestone year, for sure) on November 20, 2019.

Thank you again!!

Beth

BETH GOLDBERG
Safeway - Eastern Division
Sr. Manager, Community & Public Affairs



Many thanks again to LA and her awesome band for headlining our Concert for Causes Taste of Bowie Festival. The audience (well over 1000 at the Strayer University A Stage) could not believe her amazing voice they gave her several standing ovations! Her performance yesterday was phenomenal!

Please let her know how much we enjoyed it. So glad to hear that you are working with Brett on additional projects! She will be on our A list for many other Concerts for Causes events. Thank you again for all your support, and her crowd pleasing performance!

Carol

Carol Hamilton
Coordinator
Taste of Bowie Festival
Concerts for Causes


December 4, 2017
Ms. L A Young
L A Young Entertainment, LLC
10821 Red Run Blvd.
PO Box 143


Dear L A:

On behalf of Safeway, and our partners that helped present the 2017 Safeway Feast of Sharing, I want to thank you and your band for performing at this year's event!

You and the band were truly a hit with the 5,000+ people that attended! We received countless positive comments about your wonderful voice and the incredible group of musicians in your band. Your presence went beyond entertainment and was inspirational.

We were delighted to have you and your band join us for this year's Feast of Sharing, and we hope to have the opportunity to work with you again.

Best wishes,

Beth Goldberg
Sr. Manager
Community and Public Affairs
Eastern Division, Safeway


To: Business Manager
L A Young
October 4, 2017


I would like to take this time to thank you for your artist LA Young opening for After 7, Eric Roberson and Kayla Waters at the 21st Annual Baltimore County African American Culture Festival on September 16th. It was indeed a pleasure to work with her and listen to her amazing vocals. L A and her excellent band brought her jazzy blues sound that was missing in our lineup and I appreciate her talent and so did our 3000+ audience. At a later date I would like to talk about bringing her back for next year's event. Again thank you.

Sincerely,

Tanya Williams
Event Coordinator
The Baltimore County African American Cultural Festival


"On Sarturday March 11th (2017) L A Young and The Unusual Suspects was
at Melvin's Place. They gave a stunning performance; everybody enjoyed the
night so much they didn't want to leave; they want them back as soon as
possible. L A is a great vocalist! She has tremendous range and what an engaging entertainer, a must see! Thanks so much for all the time and effort you put into that
exceptional performance!"

Melvin Sherbert (owner)
Melvin's Place
6/5/2015

Highly Recommend!

LA & the Unusual Suspects band is one of our best bands and has been performing at Lexington Market Lunchtime live Concert Series for many years.
I've contracted her to perform the last Saturday of each month 2013- 2015 because of the level of talent and the big draw of customers she attracts and look forward to doing the same in 2016. No other group is on that rotation or gets that many gigs at the market. So you know her talent is at a high level.
I highly recommend LA, she's a real crowd pleaser; knows how to get people moving, shaking and smiling. She would be a huge draw for any of your events in Baltimore.

Mrs. Darlene Hudson
Marketing and Promotions Manager
World Famous Lexington & Baltimore Public Markets

Press Release

THE LEGENDARY NORMAN CONNORS TO PRODUCE L A YOUNG RECORDING



UPDATED FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION PLEASE CONTACT:
La Young
lyric1966@gmail.com
443-413-8004

THE LEGENDARY NORMAN CONNORS JOINS TEAM L A

Norman Connors is known for his musical collaborations, span music genres from jazz to R&B. Mr. Connors has discovered/promoted many legendary musicians/vocalists including, Michael Henderson, Norman Brown, Phyllis Hyman, Jean Carn, Peabo Bryson and many others. His latest discovery who he has tagged for stardom is L A Young.

The North Philadelphia native grew up in the Richard Allen Projects. His childhood neighborhood overflowed with creative talent that ranged from Lola Falana (whom he studied tap dancing with) to his early musical influences: drummer Lex Humphries and Spanky De Brest.

Mr. Connors is an American�jazz�drummer, composer, arranger, and producer who has led some influential jazz and R&B groups. He also achieved several big R&B hits of the day, especially with love ballads. He is possibly best known for the 1976 hit, You Are My Starship on which lead vocals were sung by�Michael Henderson with the first big hit of Phyllis Hyman�s career, Betcha By Golly Wow. Winner of and Nominated for several Grammy�s, Mr. Connors was a jazz protege at age 13, Mr. Connors studied music at�Temple University�and�Julliard.�

Mr. Connors will produce and record three songs for L A Young this December 16, 17, and 18 at Sheffield Institute for the Recording Arts . Mr. Connors is bringing in Bobby Lyle keyboardist extraordinaire and arranger/producer to work on the project and the the renowned vocalist, Jean Carn to arrange and to perform backgrounds. A second project produced and arranged by Norman Connors, A Tribute to Phyllis Hyman, with L A Young performing all the vocals is also on the table for 2020

Mr. Connors has invited L A Young to appear along with Jean Carn to be a part of their show, A Tribute to Phyllis Hyman. Dates in 2020 to be announced.

CD IN DEVELOPMENT
L A is blessed with some of the best songwriters extant. Vinnie Barrett (Cowboys and Girls, Sideshow, Love Won�t Let Me Wait) is writing original songs for L A�s new CD. Vinnie is joined by Myron Edwin also contributing originals and Dr. G and the Surgeons from the UK who have crafted beautiful instrumentals for L A to lay down her full voice vocals. Several other songs that she has recorded with the great jazz band Pieces of a Dream will also be on the CD.

L A YOUNG TO TOUR THE UK
We are under consideration for George Benson to have L A Young and her band, The Unusual Suspects, open for him on his 2020 Farewell Tour. L A will be touring the UK with her band for 19 dates May-June, performing A Tribute to Phyllis Hyman. She is represented in the UK by Dr Glynn Reece, owner of Moth FM radio and by Angel Enterprise/Thundering Hoof Productions, a tier 1 Sony artist distributor. She will appear in the following tour cities: Manchester, Wigan Pier, Blackpool, Preston, Glasgow, Newcastle City Hall, Leeds, Doncaster, Nottingham, London, Brighton, Bristol, Birmingham, Chester performing 19-36 shows (TBD).

NEW BOOKINGS
L A and her band, The Unusual Suspects, are being booked in Chicago venues, The Promontory and The City Winery (dates to be determined). L A and The Unusual Suspects will be performing A Tribute to Phyllis Hyman at the City Winery in DC on December 26, 2019.

Contact Us