Greetings! The Grammy Awards are coming up; meanwhile the music world has lost two very cherished and innovative artists who have passed on. James Ingram, recording artist, songwriter of hits such as “Just Once” and “One Hundred Ways” has passed at the age of 66. Ingram was a solo artist and duet master who charted hits with Patti Austin, Michael McDonald and Linda Ronstadt. As a songwriter with Quincy Jones, his co-writing yielded “P.Y.T. (Pretty Young Thing)” for Michael Jackson. Ingram was nominated for 14 Grammy Awards.
Edwin Birdsong, innovative recording artist, songwriter, musician who was one of the most sampled artists in the business, has passed on at age 77. His viewing and memorial services will be in California this weekend. Birdsong worked with Stevie Wonder and was co-writer with Roy Ayers on some of his biggest hits, such as “Don’t Fight The Feeling,” “Running Away” and more.
We also sadly report that the actor Kristoff St. John, who starred for years on the daytime soap opera “Young and the Restless,” has been found dead. It is being reported that one of St. John’s friends, found his body in the actor’s home in San Fernando Valley. St. John was pronounced dead on the scene. He was 52. No foul play has been reported.
THEATER
“The Artivist: The Bayard Rustin Story,” a solo show telling the story and life of Civil Rights activist Bayard Rustin through speeches, songs, monologues, letters and documentary footage. Written-directed by Carla Alleyne. Now through Feb. 17. Thursday, Friday and Saturday at 8 p.m. and Sunday at 3 p.m., East Village Playhouse, 340 East Sixth St., Manhattan, home of the CityKids Foundation.
“Choir Boy,” by Alvin McCraney, Oscar-winning screenwriter of “Moonlight.” A talented student has been waiting for years to take his rightful place as the leader of a legendary Gospel choir. But can he make his way through the hallowed halls of this institution if he sings in his own key? Now through Feb. 24. Samuel J. Friedman Theatre, 261 W. 47th St., Manhattan. For information, call 212-239-6200 or visit www.Telecharge.com.
“Smokey Joe’s Café.” The record breaking, Broadway hit returns to NYC! Featuring 40 of the greatest soulful songs of the past century. Stage 42, 422 West 42nd St., Manhattan. For information, www.ticketmaster.com.
“The Lion King.” Minskoff Theatre, 200 W. 45th St., Manhattan. Visit www.minskofftheatre.box-officetickets.com.
“Kinky Boots the Musical.” Al Hirschfield Theatre, 302 W. 45th St., Manhattan. Visit www.kinkybootsthemsuical.com.
MUSIC
“Amateur Night at the Apollo,” every Wednesday night at 7:30 p.m. World famous Apollo Theater, 253 W. 125th St., Harlem, N.Y. For information, visit www.apollotheater.org.
Toni Braxton with special guests SWV — “As Long as I Live Tour,” Thursday, Feb. 7, at 8 p.m., King’s Theater, 1027 Flatbush Ave., Brooklyn. For information, visit www.ticketmaster.com.
Will Downing, Thursday, Feb. 7, at 8 p.m., Sony Hall, 235 W 46th St., Manhattan. For info call (212) 997-5123 or visit www.sonyhall.com.
Kenny ‘Babyface’ Edmonds, Thursday, Feb. 7, at 8 p.m. NYCB Theatre at Westbury, 960 Brush Hollow Road, Westbury, N.Y. 11590. For information, visit www.ticketmaster.com.
Toni Braxton, with special guests Kenny Edmonds and SWV. Friday, Feb. 8, at 8 p.m., Prudential Center, 25 Lafayette St., Newark, N.J. For information, visit www.ticketmaster.com.
Anita Baker, Wednesday, Feb. 13, and Thursday, Feb. 14, at 8 p.m. Radio City Music Hall, 1260 Sixth Ave., Manhattan. For information, visit www.musichall-ny.com.
Boyz II Men, Friday, Feb. 15, at 8 p.m. Radio City Music Hall, 1260 Sixth Avenue, Manhattan. For information, visit www.musichall-ny.com.
The London African Gospel Choir Performs Paul Simon’s “Graceland,” Friday, Feb. 22, at 8 p.m., 960 Brush Hollow Road, Westbury, N.Y. 11590. For info visit, www.ticketmaster.com.
DMS Productions presents a soulful “Pre Valentine’s Day Night of Jazz,” with a touch of R&B, featuring legendary jazz-funk master Roy Ayers & Friends. Special guest, the soulful Natasha Howard. Sunday, Feb. 10, at the City Winery, 155 Varick St., Manhattan. Hosted by Debi B and Dave of DMS.
TV
The Grammy’s “Music’s Biggest Nite” Sunday, Feb. 10, on CBS-TV network, 15 time Grammy Award winner Alicia Keys hosts. Visit, www.cbstv.com or check listings.
“American Soul.” The late creator/producer/host Don Cornelius’ development of “Soul Train” from local teen dance show into a nationally syndicated global cultural force. Visit www.bet.com or check listings.
Film
“If Beale Street Could Talk” is about a woman in Harlem who desperately scrambles to prove her fiancé innocent of a crime while carrying their first child. Directed by and written for film by Academy Award winner Barry Jenkins. Based on the book by James Baldwin. Check theaters.
“Creed II” rediscovers what makes a champion in the first place and reminds us that no matter where you go, you can’t escape your history, with Michael B. Jordan, Dolph Lundgren, Sylvester Stallone and Phylicia Rashad. Check theaters.
COMMUNITY
In celebration of African-American History Month, the National Writers Union presents “Writing While Black,” Wednesday, Feb. 13, 6-9 p.m., at 256 W. 38th St., 12th floor, Manhattan. Event features Amsterdam News writer Herb Boyd; New York Beacon scribe Yusef Salaam; Poet-in-Residence at Black Agenda Report Raymond Nat Turner; acclaimed labor writer and social justice advocate Bill Fletcher Jr.; poet-educator JP Howard; and Eartha Watts-Hicks, award-winning author and marketing consultant. The event is free. RSVP: sheard2001@gmail.com.
“No Matter What: Celebrating the Journey of Nana Camille Yarbrough” as an artist and cultural custodian. Performances by Ghail Rhodes Benjamin and Talivu Donna Cumberbatch, plus many more. Special guests: Pam Afrika, Bob Law and Imhotep Gary Byrd. Live at the Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture Langston Hughes Auditorium, 515 Malcolm X Blvd., Manhattan. Thursday, Feb. 14, at 7 p.m. (Doors open at 6 p.m.) An Ancestor House Production. Call 212-865-7460 or visit www.CamilleYarbroughNoMatterWhat2019.EventBrite.com.
Imhotep Gary Byrd’s Express Yourself, Sunday evenings from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. and simulcast over WLIB 1190AM. The full show can also be heard on HD radio at WBLS-HD2 and at WBLS.com, WLIB.com and NextRadio. IGB is also Beat Experience,” Fridays 7p.m. to 9 p.m. Archived online at www.wbai.org. For bookings or to reach us about your GBEvent or for comments, email co-editor Nyerere, nyerere1@aol.com, find us at Imhotep Gary Byrd on Facebook or call 212-592-3279.