The RRazz Room, San Francisco's premier nightclub, presents the return of Grammy nominated "Queen of Motown" MARTHA REEVES for one week only, tonight, October 9 through 14. Martha will be singing all her great Motown hits such as "Dancing In The Streets," "Nowhere To Run," "(Love Is Like A) Heat Wave," "A Love Like Yours (Don't Come Knocking)," "I'm Ready for Love," "My Baby Loves Me," "Jimmy Mack," "Watch Your Back" and more.
MARTHA REEVES is the proud recipient of the 2011 MOJO Merit Award whose voice has been acclaimed as "the sound of young America." It was 1962 that Motown's Artist and Repertoire Director William "Mickey" Stevenson first heard the young jazz/blues performer sing. She brought audiences to their feet at Detroit's famed 20 Grand Nightclub singing songs made popular by singers like Gloria Lynne and Della Reese. Stevenson invited her to audition at the new Motown Records headquarters. With her group, the Del Phi's, Martha then recorded "I'll Have to Let Him Go," and subsequently Martha and the Vandellas was born.
Martha (along with Rosalind Ashford and Annette Beard) backed Marvin Gaye on his first three releases and sang with him on stage as well. Soon after she released "Come and Get These Memories," followed by a string of hits: "Heat Wave," "Quicksand," "In My Lonely Room," "Nowhere to Run," "My Baby Loves Me,", "Love Makes Me Do Foolish Things," "I'm Ready For Love," "Jimmy Mack," and, of course, the Motown anthem, "Dancing In The Street." After leaving Motown in 1972, Martha continued to expand her musical horizons, establishing herself as a singer-songwriter. She sang rock, jazz, country, gospel, blues and classical. Her singing companions included everyone from the Godfather JAmes Brown and the Boss Bruce Springsteen to opera diva Beverly Sills and gospel king Rance Allen. She also headlined a national touring company of the musical Ain't Misbehavin'.
In addition to writing and recording new music and a busy touring schedule through the United States, United Kingdom, Italy and Australia, Martha recently served a four-year run as a member of the Detroit City Council. In 2007, she testified before Congress on behalf of musicians, session singers and recording artists for better wages and royalties. Recent national TV appearances include VH1's "Diva's Celebrate Soul" – singing "Nowhere To Run" backed by singers Marsha Ambrosius and ShaRon Jones of the Dap Kings – and "Jimmy Kimmel Live!" with the Crystal Method, which included members of The Rolling Stones, Nine Inch Nails and Guns N' Roses.
The Rrazz Room is located at 222 Mason Street, San Francisco, Calif. Reeves will play tonight, October 9 at 8:00 PM, Wednesday, October 10 at 8:00 PM, Thursday, October 11 at 8:00 PM, Friday, October 12 at 8:00 PM, Saturday, October 13 at 8:00 PM, and Sunday, October 14 at 7:00 PM. Tickets are $40 - $45. Call 800-380-3095 // 415-394-1189.
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