Behind the Scenes
In the 1960s, Chicago disc jockey Pervis Spann dubbed legendary singer Aretha Franklin the “Queen of Soul.” Yet Franklin isn’t the only artist who has generously contributed to the legacy of soul and R&B music; many women have earned honorific nicknames for their participation in the evolution of these genres. Tina Turner became widely known as the “Queen of Rock ‘n’ Roll,” Patti Labelle as the “Godmother of Soul,” and Whitney Houston’s titles include the “Queen of R&B,” “Queen of Pop,” and “Queen of Ballads.” These women laid the foundation that inspired a whole new generation of female music royalty, like Alicia Keys (Queen of R&B) and Adele (Queen of Hearts), who are quick to credit their success to their predecessors.
The creative team from Schirmer Theatrical and Greenberg Artists sought to develop a symphonic experience fusing the powerful female soul singers of the past with the current reigning divas: a production meant to inspire, excite, and comfort. Queens of Soul premiered in February 2019 with the Rochester Philharmonic, featuring solo vocalists Brie Cassil, Melissa McMillan, and Kamilah Marshall.
Since its debut, Queens of Soul has been performed with orchestras throughout the US and Canada, including concerts in Toronto, Virginia, Grand Rapids, Detroit, Dayton, Dallas, Hartford, and Fort Worth.
Set List
- Proud Mary
written by John Cameron Fogerty, recorded by Tina Turner - At Last
written by Mack Gordon and Harry Warren, recorded by Etta James - New Attitude
written by Jonathan Gilutin, Bunny Hull, and Sharon Robinson, recorded by Patti LaBelle - Midnight Train to Georgia
written by James Weatherly, recorded by Aretha Franklin - Don’t Leave Me This Way
written by Kenneth Gamble, Leon Huff, and Cary Gilbert, recorded by Thelma Houston - Rolling in the Deep
written by Adele Laurie Blue Adkins and Paul Richard Epworth, recorded by Adele - The Best
written by Holly Knight and Mike Chapman, recorded by Tina Turner - Fallin’
written and recorded by Alicia Keys - I’m Every Woman
written by Valerie Simpson and Nick Ashford, recorded by Whitney Houston
Intermission
- What’s Love Got to Do With It
written by Terry Britten and Graham Lyle, recorded by Tina Turner - I Wanna Dance With Somebody
written by George Merrill and Shannon Rubicam, recorded by Whitney Houston - Touch Me in the Morning
written by Michael Masser and Ronald Norman Miller, recorded by Diana Ross - You Know I’m No Good
written and recorded by Amy Winehouse - Hello
written by Adele Laurie Blue Adkins and Gregory Allen Kurstin, recorded by Adele - Respect
written by Otis Redding, recorded by Aretha Franklin - I Never Loved A Man The Way I Love You
written by Ronny Shannon, recorded by Aretha Franklin - Freeway of Love
written by Narada Michael Walden and Jeffrey Cohen, recorded by Aretha Franklin - (You Make Me Feel Like A) Natural Woman
written by Carole King, Gerald Goffin and Gerald Wexler, recorded by Carole King
ALL ARRANGEMENTS LICENSED BY SCHIRMER THEATRICAL, LLC
Queens of Soul is a co-production of Schirmer Theatrical and Greenberg Artists, part of their joint Symphonic Experience catalogue. Set list subject to change.
Artists
Tamika Lawrence
Vocals
Tamika Lawrence is a two-time GRAMMY® Award-winning Singer, Actor, and Writer. Some movie and television credits include Dear Evan Hansen, The Greatest Showman, series regular on That Damn Michael Che Show, and Better Nate Than Ever. In 2022, Tamika received a Drama Desk Nomination for her work in Black No More, written by Black Thought of The Roots and John Ridley of 12 Years A Slave. Broadway Credits: Caroline Or Change, Gettin’ The Band Back Together, Come From Away, Dear Evan Hansen, Beautiful, If/Then, Matilda, and The Book of Mormon.
Instagram: @iamtamikalawrence
Kelly Levesque
Vocals
Kelly Levesque (pronounced Le-Vek) is a singer-songwriter from New York who began her career in the studio at the age of three with her musician-father recording her first notes. Kelly has had two Top Five Billboard Classical Crossover Albums and has performed as a soloist on leading international stages such as Royal Albert Hall, The Sydney Opera House, The Kennedy Center, Budokan, Staples Center, The White House, and Madison Square Garden. Kelly has also shared the stage with such artists as: Sting, Jamie Foxx, Andrea Bocelli, David Foster, Josh Groban, Michael Bolton, Smokey Robinson, John Legend, Patti LaBelle, and many more. Levesque has been honored to perform for International Royalty, four US Presidents and His Holiness Pope Benedict XVI.
Naärai Jacobs
Vocals
Naärai hails from Sarasota, FL, and is a proud Howard University graduate, where she received her BFA in Theatre Arts, magna cum laude. After the release of her first solo EP in 2015, On My Way, Naärai moved to Los Angeles where she’s spent the last seven years making a name for herself as professional singer. She’s had the privilege of providing background vocals for Beyoncé (at the Coachella Music Festival, in Homecoming (2019 documentary film), and for Renaissance (2022 album)), as well as for Tori Kelly, Mariah Carey, and Kanye West (for the albums Jesus is King, Jesus is Born, and Donda).
In 2021 she was featured as a soloist on Elton John’s single “Finish Line,” featuring Stevie Wonder, and in 2022, Naärai released her single, “Perfect,” to rave reviews around the globe!
Jake Navarro
Drummer
Jake Navarro is a NYC-based rock drummer who studied Jazz and Commercial music at Five Towns College in Long Island, NY. Navarro was a Music Director for Carnival Cruise Lines and also tours with multiple pops shows, performing with symphony orchestras all over the country. He is also a children’s music teacher, a studio and touring musician for various artists, and performs with several major event bands in the New York Metropolitan region.
Creative Team
Robert Thompson
Creative Producer
Jeff Tyzik
Producer & Arranger
Jami Greenberg
Producer & Booking Agent
Alyssa Foster
Producer
Alex Kosick
Associate Producer
Schirmer Theatrical is a concert production company specializing in the creation of symphonic experiences, film with live orchestra concerts, and theatrical productions.
Greenberg Artists is an artist management and concert production company striving to bring the highest level of talent and musical integrity to audiences around the world.
