Blues On Stage - The Persuasions

Profile
The Persuasions

Known as the "Kings" of a cappella singing and one of the most important and influential contemporary vocal harmony groups, The Persuasions first began performing in the 1960's when they worked the street corners of Bedford-Stuyvesant, New York. Not to be confused with its hybrid cousin, Doo-Wop, street corner a cappella is that smooth-as-a-cool-breeze harmonizing, without instrumentation, that filled the night air like smoke rings under a street lamp. History has made one group synonymous with this sound: The Persuasions. The Persuasions, with their stomp-and-swing singing, have thrilled millions over the past 30 years. With heart-rending versions of soul, gospel, and R&B compositions, the Persuasions are guaranteed to captivate audiences with their multi-talented versatility. This smooth quartet has every listener clapping and swaying from first beat to last, with many of the classics of rock & roll like "Papa Was A Rolling Stone" and "People Get Ready," to the beauty of tunes popularized by the likes of Nat King Cole and the Stylistics. The four original remaining members of the group are Jerry Lawson, Jimmy Hayes, Jayotis Washington, and Joe Russell. Raymond Sanders is the new first tenor who has been with The Persuasions for the last 6 years, filling the spot left when Toubo Rhoad passed away in 1988. They continue to perform a mix of vocal harmony that is at once traditional and contemporary and their well-sung, tight, yet passionate performances continue to send chills down the spine of audiences worldwide.

E-mail Ray Stiles at: mnblues@aol.com

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