THEATRE

 In November of 2002, a long-anticipated music documentary titled “Standing In The Shadows Of Motown” made its world premiere at New York’s Apollo Theater. The film’s subject, the legendary Motown studio band of the ‘60s known as the Funk Brothers, became an overnight sensation. In honor of the film’s tenth anniversary, a new show called Standing In The Shadows Of Motown LIVE! will continue the tradition. The music of James Jamerson will be front and center in this production, which features an electrifying eleven-piece band comprised of sidemen veterans from the Funk Brothers’ film and tours, members of the band from the National touring company of the Broadway show “The Color Purple,” and Standing In The Shadows Of Motown’s producer and creator Allan Slutsky.
Heralded R&B master and multi-Grammy winner Peabo Bryson and STAX recording artist and BET-TV personality Leela James will front the band while James Jamerson Jr.-the only bass player alive who plays exactly like his father-will be holding down the groove on two dozen Motown songs. In the process, that tiny basement studio on Detroit’s West Grand Boulevard- the one that gave birth to the groundbreaking Funk Brothers tracks-will come alive again to remind us what ‘60s soul was all about.