Motown Group Spectrum Joins BSO SuperPops in Tribute to 1960s’ Hits, April 22-25

Conductor Damon Gupton leads program of Motown and R&B classics

Baltimore, Md. (March 31, 2010) – Conductor Damon Gupton will lead the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra and the Motown tribute band Spectrum in a program of 1960s’ hits on Thursday, April 22 at 8 p.m. at The Music Center at Strathmore and Friday, April 23 at 8 p.m., Saturday, April 24 at 8 p.m. and Sunday, April 25 at 3 p.m. at the Joseph Meyerhoff Symphony Hall. The program will feature harmonious vocals, smooth choreography, 1960s costumes and hits including “My Girl,” “Stand by Me,” “Soul Man” and “Under the Boardwalk.” Please see below for complete concert details.

The BSO SuperPops and Spectrum reinstate the classic sounds and dance moves of 1960s’ Motown and R&B in this program. Led by guest conductor Damon Gupton, Spectrum brings its own adaptation of the sounds and style of the legendary Four Tops. Darryl Grant, Pierre Jovan, David Prescott, and group founder Cushney Roberts have worked with artists such as Tony Bennett, Blue Magic and Little Richard, as well as headlining Royal Caribbean Cruise ships and various nationwide tours. They currently perform nightly on the Las Vegas strip.

Damon Gupton, conductor
A native of Detroit, Michigan, Damon Gupton held the post of assistant conductor of the Kansas City Symphony from 2006-2008. He received his bachelor’s degree in music education from the University of Michigan, then went on to earn a diploma from The Drama Division of Juilliard. He studied conducting with David Zinman and Murry Sidlin at the Aspen Music Festival and with Leonard Slatkin at the National Conducting Institute in Washington, D.C. He served as American conducting fellow of the Houston Symphony for the 2004-2005 season, and has made conducting appearances with the Cleveland Orchestra, Orchestra of St. Luke’s, National Symphony Orchestra, Detroit Symphony, Baltimore Symphony Orchestra, Toledo Symphony, Monte Carlo Philharmonic and the Vermont Music Festival Orchestra. This season, he led the Sphinx Chamber Orchestra on a 10-city tour, culminating in a performance at Carnegie Hall.

He is a winner of the Third International Eduardo Mata Conducting Competition, held in Mexico City. Part of Mr. Gupton's prize includes several conducting engagements in Mexico, Brazil, Columbia, Chile and Venezuela in the upcoming seasons.

As an actor, he has performed on stage in Christina Anderson’s Inked Baby (Playwrights Horizons), Wendy Wasserstein’s An American Daughter (Arena Stage), True History and Real Adventures (The Vineyard Theatre) and Treason (Perry Street Theatre). His television credits include "Law and Order," "Conviction," "The Unusuals," "Third Watch," "Hack" and "Drift." On film, he appeared in Unfaithful, The Loretta Claiborne Story, Helen at Risk and Before The Devil Knows You’re Dead.

Spectrum
Webster defines Spectrum as a "series of radiations arranged in regular order" or a "continuous sequence or wide range." This could not be a more appropriate description of the group Spectrum, which draws upon the talent of four radiant voices and diverse personalities to form a first class vocal quartet. After spending six stellar years recreating the sound and style of the Four Tops in Las Vegas' multi-million dollar production shows American Superstars and Legends in Concert, the group has developed the versatility to credibly cover the music of groups from The Platters to The Temptations to Boyz 2 Men. It is this versatility that has propelled them to status of headlining their own shows, in which they perform stirring renditions of the all the best cover tunes.

In addition to regular corporate and private parties, Spectrum’s credits include a seven-month European Tour, headlining aboard the Royal Caribbean Cruise Line ships, U.S. tours, the closing spot in the Doo-Wop to Soul Review at the Hollywood Palladium and a featured guest engagement with the 60-piece Claremont Symphony Orchestra in California. Spectrum performs nightly at the Boardwalk Casino on the Las Vegas Strip, which has been their home-base venue for several years.

Spectrum's credentials, collectively and individually include starring in six major productions shows, both on the Las Vegas Strip and internationally; appearances on numerous television shows as special guests; featured appearances in the film Nasty Boys; starring roles in Ma Rainey's Black Bottom at Equity Theater; singing the National Anthem at professional sporting events; performing, recording with or opening for artists as varied as Tony Bennett, The Temptations, Blue Magic, Little Richard, Marty Robbins, The Platters, Frankie Lymon's Teenagers, Doc Severinson and Fat Larry's Band.

The members of Spectrum consist of Darryl Grant of Oakland, California; Pierre Jovan of Chicago; David Prescott from Rochester, New York and group founder Cushney Roberts of East Orange, New Jersey.

COMPLETE CONCERT DETAILS
BSO SuperPops: Motown Tribute with Spectrum
Thursday, April 22, 2010 at 8:00 p.m.—The Music Center at Strathmore
Friday, April 23, 2010 at 8:00 p.m.—Joseph Meyerhoff Symphony Hall
Saturday, April 24, 2010 at 8:00 p.m.—Joseph Meyerhoff Symphony Hall
Sunday, April 25, 2010 at 3:00 p.m.—Joseph Meyerhoff Symphony Hall 

Damon Gupton, conductor
Spectrum:
   Darryl Grant, vocalist
   Pierre Jovan, vocalist
   David Prescott, vocalist
   Cushney Roberts, vocalist

Tickets for these performances range from $28 to $84 and are available through the BSO Ticket Office, 877.BSO.1444, 410.783.8000 or BSOmusic.org.