three mo’ tenors – making a joyful noise
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photo by steed media service
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musical masters
Throughout
the ‘80s and 90s, The Three Tenors — Placido Domingo, Jose Carreras and
Luciano Pavarotti captivated the world and introduced new generations
to classical music through effortlessly blending genres of music on a
grand scale. Because opera is widely viewed as a European style of
music, many African Americans missed the experience.
“As
African Americans, we have to prove ourselves in anything where it’s
perceived that whites did it first,” explains Kenneth Alston Jr. In an
effort to debunk that myth, veteran Broadway performer Marion J. Caffey
assembled a team of highly trained African American vocalists and
created Three Mo’ Tenors. In 2001, they burst onto the scene with their
live taping on PBS’ “Great Performances,” with their flawless
choreography and effortless blending of traditional opera music with
contemporary soul. Since then, they have traveled internationally
breaking barriers and mesmerizing audiences.
“They get excited because it’s an electrifying show,” says Alston. “You
think that it can’t get any better and it does. We do every style of
music with the integrity [with which] it was written.” “We’re going to
sing classical [music], but you can in no way, shape or form get
bored,” explains Alston. “We sing a bit of Broadway [songs], [and]
people get off their seats and dance — we do it with that much rigor.
And then we’ll turn around and sing some old-school songs like ‘My
Girl.’ Music can heal people, and that’s what the audience will hear
when they come to Mableton.”–adam jones
Three Mo’ Tenors are scheduled to perform Friday, July 27 at the Mable
House Barnes Amphitheatre in Mableton, Ga. For more information, visit www.threemotenorsontour.com.
