Although most people know me as a classical music artist, I have always had a passion for the genre of musical theatre. After becoming transfixed by watching movie musicals and hearing the voices of Paul Robeson, Melba Moore, Judy Garland, Barbara Streisand, Sammy Davis Jr., Robert Preston, and Julie Andrews, I knew I wanted to sing and perform. My first experiences on stage were in musicals back home in Philadelphia in community theatre and high school. I have such fond memories of playing Joseph in the Joseph and The Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat the Prince in Roger’s and Hammerstein’s Cinderella and Jesus Christ in Godspell. It was only after these experiences that my gifts led me to opera. It has been a passion for some time to return to my "stage roots" and record an album of some of my favorite Broadway Standards and lesser known songs. These selections, mostly from the Black Musical Theatre Experience, were given a fresh new take by some of the best arrangers in the industry, and I have been so excited to rediscover this part of my vocal artistry with them. I hope you enjoy A BRIGHT TOMORROW!
-Kenny
A BRIGHT TOMORROW
KENNY OVERTON
CR2202
Release date: 12/02/2022
Executive Producer: Gillian Riesen
Producer, Mixing Engineer: Jonathan Estabrooks
Mastering: Brian Lowe, João Carvalho Mastering
Album Artwork: Emitha LLC
Photography: Kia Caldwell
Recorded February 15 - August 26th, 2022 at Big Orange Sheep (NY), Peter Karl Studio (NY) and David Henderson Recording (KY)
TRACK LISTING
1. Home from The Wiz (3:53)
written by Charlie Smalls & Timothy Graphenreed
arr. Bryan Carter
2. Without a Song from Great Day (3:05)
written by Vincent Youmans, Billy Rose & Edward Eliscu
arr. Joe Block
3. Night Song from Golden Boy (3:56)
written by Clifford Odets & William Gibson
arr. Joe Block
4. Look to the Rainbow from Finian’s Rainbow (4:29)
written by Burton Lane & Yip Harburg
arr. Joe Block
5. The Ladies Who Sing With the Band from Ain’t Misbehavin’, featuring Phillip Boykin (3:06)
written by Fatts Waller & Harry Brooks
arr. David Rourke
6. Lost in the Stars from Lost in the Stars (3:17)
written by Kurt Weill
arr. Tedrin Blair Lindsay
7. Rain from Once On This Island (2:38)
written by Stephen Flaherty
arr. Aaron Matson
8. Love Will Find a Way from Lion King II, featuring Aisha Jackson (4:16)
written by Jack Feldman & Tom Snow
arr. Bryan Carter
9. Free At Last from Big River (3:25)
written by Roger Miller
arr. Joe Block
10. Come Sunday BONUS TRACK (4:14)
written by Duke Ellington
arr. James Davis Jr.