He's the voice that has earned The O'Jays many top-selling hits - "Backstabbers", "I Love Music", "Family Reunion", Stairway to Heaven", "For the Love of Money" and the number one single "Love Train" - and it's those vocals that will headline the 40th Annual Red Cross Ball.
Eddie Levert, a founding member of the pioneering 1970s Soul/R&B group and 2005 Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee, The O'Jays will take to the stage at the ball that this year has been dubbed "Rubies & Diamonds". The ball will be held on Saturday, January 28 at the Crystal Ballroom of the Wyndham Nassau Resort.
Levert, backed by an 11-piece band that will be coming into the country will perform a 90-minute set that promises to be high-energy, and fun, says Red Cross Ball co-chair and publicist Kathy Davis Maciel. She says it will be definitely worth the money. Tickets are $225 for the black tie, red carpet affair.
"He (Levert) just performed in Miami the other day and a lot of Bahamians went over and were thrilled with his performance, and have been calling for tickets because they want to see him perform again and are happy that he's at the ball," said Davis Maciel. "We're very excited that Eddie Levert has decided to be our guest artist this year."
The upcoming performance won't be Levert's first time performing in The Bahamas, but it will be his first time performing at a ball here. Davis Maciel says Levert is excited because the Red Cross Society is the charity of choice for him.
Levert is a part of The O'Jays, the group that was formed in 1958 out of Canton, Ohio. The group which jump-started their career with the 1963 chart-topping smash hit "Lonely Drifter", made their debut into the music business with the group project "Coming Through".
Over the course of several decades, The O'Jays have celebrated R&B success with six top 10 singles and a multitude of enduring and soulful gems.
The man who will entertain ball-goers was in 2009, honored with a BET Lifetime Achievement Award. His projects also include two musical collaborations with his late son, Gerald of the hit R&B group LeVert. "Father and Son" was the first full-length collaboration between the two singers followed by the posthumous release of "Something To Talk About".
Today, almost 50 years later, Levert continues to perform with The O'Jays, entertaining enthusiastic audiences around the world. He is also pursuing solo projects including the show he titled "Timeless Voices" which is a collaboration of fellow vocalists whom Levert feels made significant impact on R&B and popular music as well as having the experience and talent to pay tribute to some of the great singers and songs of the past.
Also performing on the night to the delight of ball-goers will be The Royal Bahamas Police Force Band, the Lou Adams Orchestra and Caribah.
The Royal Bahamas Police Force Pop Band that has been a staple with the ball for years will once again kick off the evening with a performances ranging from local to international during the cocktail reception that begins at 7 p.m.
As guests take to the hall, they are entertained with music by the Lou Adams Orchestra, which has been another entertainment staple at the ball over the years. And in the spirit of having fun, Davis Maciel says dancing begins right away with traditional ballroom dancing as guests display their fancy footwork with dances like the fox trot and the waltz, kicking off an elegant evening in true ball spirit. And the entertainment continues as the band Caribah opens for Levert.
Davis Maciel says the Red Cross Ball is all about top-notch entertainment while supporting a worthy cause. And in keeping with that tradition, she says they brought in Levert this year, along with the best in Bahamian entertainment as well.
Fabulous prizes will also be raffled off at this year's ball including a 14K white gold genuine rubalite and diamond earrings and pendant set in the spirit of the theme. Also to be raffled include a Lalique 2011 perfume limited edition collectible, a 42-inch LCD flat screen television, a ruby red three-piece pearl set, crystal chandelier, ladies watch, $200 gift certificate and two 18-inch oriental fish bowls. A variety of gift certificates for a variety of services will also be raffled off.
40TH ANNUAL RED CROSS BALL
When: Saturday, January 28
Where: Crystal Ballroom, Wyndham Nassau Resort
Tickets: $225, telephone 323-7370
Dress: Black tie
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