On Monday, August 8, the 29th annuAl Martin Luther King Jr. Concert Series at Wingate Field, hosted by Brooklyn Borough President Marty Markowitz, will welcome Men of Soul starring Jeffrey Osborne, Peabo Bryson, and FrEddie Jackson. Along with the Seaside Summer Concert Series on Coney Island, the MLK Series has been the largest free summer concert series in the New York Metropolitan area for the past three decades, entertaining tens of thousands of music lovers every year.
"The shows go on at Coney Island this summer," said
BP Markowitz, "and the Martin Luther King, Jr. Concert Series is still going strong after three decades of music. I am proud to host the two largest free outdoor concert series in the New York area, and of course, this year's performers-which also include
Aretha Franklin,
Joan Jett and the Blackhearts,
Queen Latifah, Cheap Trick, the Monkees, Mary Mary,
Mary Wilson, Shaggy and Maze featuring Frankie Beverly-have toured around the world but are really hitting the big time-and the big stage-in Brooklyn, USA!"
Jeffrey Osborne has been a prominent figure on the pop music scene since 1976, when L.T.D. (Love, Togetherness and Devotion), the band he fronted, broke through with the Billboard R&B #1/pop #20 hit, "Love Ballad." Osborne's mighty voice was the center of a series of subsequent gold and platinum L.T.D. albums that included hits such as 1977's "Back In Love Again." Beginning with Jeffrey Osborne, his 1982 debut solo album featuring the ballad "On The Wings Of Love," Osborne has charted a sure, passionate musical course with singles like "Stay With Me Tonight," "We're Going All The Way," "The Last Time I Made Love" and "Only Human."
Peabo Bryson was the first artist in music history to have separate records atop four different charts: "A Whole New World (Aladdin's Theme)," an Oscar and Grammy-winning duet with
Regina Belle, on the Pop and Adult Contemporary charts; "We Kiss In A Shadow," featuring Peabo and
Lea Salonga, #1 on the Classical Crossover charts; and
Kenny G's multi-platinum album Breathless, with Peabo on "By The Time This Night Is Over," on the Contemporary Jazz chart. The multi-talented singer, songwriter and producer also had hit duets with
Natalie Cole ("What You Won't Do For Love") and
Roberta Flack ("Tonight I Celebrate My Love"). Peabo's other hits include "If Ever You're In My Arms Again," "Show And Tell" and the theme song for the film Beauty and The Beast, a duet with
Celine Dion that won a Grammy and an Oscar.
FrEddie Jackson's debut album Rock Me Tonight stormed the charts in 1985. The title track made Jackson an instant sensation. "You Are My Lady" gave him a second straight R&B chart-topper, and the album went platinum. 1986's Just Like the First Time appeared on the heels of a #1 duet with
Melba Moore, "A Little Bit More." Another platinum seller, the album included the #1 singles "Tasty Love," "Have You Ever Loved Somebody," and "Jam Tonight." Jackson recently released his CD For You on eOne Music. The single "I Don't Wanna Go" is featured on the VH1 Soul and Centric networks.
The Martin Luther King, Jr. Concert Series is celebrating its spectacular 29th season with a star-studded lineup of gospel, classic soul, contemporary, Caribbean and R&B artists. The free concerts are Monday nights at Wingate Field, entrances on Brooklyn Avenue between Rutland Road and Winthrop Street. The public is encouraged to bring their own chairs. A limited amount of general seating is available on a first come, first served basis. The program begins at 7:30pm.
Throughout the years, the Seaside Summer Concert Series has attracted top name classic rock, pop, oldies, contemporary and Latin performers to Coney Island. This summer, the shows will be held at West 21st Street and Surf Avenue, next to the home of the Brooklyn Cyclones. A limited number of $5 rental chairs in a specially designated area are available on a first come, first served basis. Shows begin at 7:30pm.
Performers are subject to change without notice. Call the concert hotline for updates at 718-222-0600 or visit
www.brooklynconcerts.com.
