Baritone Andre Solomon-Glover is remembered by many as the strikingly handsome, charismatic lead in Hal Prince's Broadway revival of Showboat. Others may remember his exciting international career - singing with Leipzig Gewandhaus and Philadelphia Orchestras, or making solo appearances at Lincoln Center and Carnegie Hall. Others may remember his generous community service in local performances.
Eight years ago, his career was cut short by a devastating brain injury - at age 42, he suffered a massive stroke. His goals are different now. Andre no longer lives off his singing - he lives in order to sing.
Andre is in trouble - he is about to lose his home. The Interfaith Assembly on Housing and Homelessness is hosting a recital to raise the $6,800 Andre needs in order for him to stay in his home.
This Sunday's final concert of "The Bridge to Restoration" series represents Andre's nostalgic return to the concert stage. The concert will also feature some of his closest friends, including internationally-renowned singer/songwriter Dana Hanchard and pianist Jed Distler, who is Artistic Director of Composers Collaborative. Also featured on the program will be percussionist
Gregory Beyer of the new music duo Due East, violinist/recording artist Ashley Horne, and founder of the critically-acclaimed West-Park Chamber Society, pianist Erasmia Voukelatos.
Those who know Andre intimately are humbled by his sense of gratitude and joy in the face of affliction; moved by the honesty and authenticity of his singing; and in awe of his wisdom and insights. He may not remember where he put his metrocard, he may not be able to learn new opera roles, but no illness can conceal his musical essence and genius.
Ms. Voukelatos has this to say: "When he sings, he is the Andre we all remember, 42 years old, intense, alive, and full of passion. As we rehearsed Schubert's poetic lied An Die Musik, I was amazed by the power, the musicianship, the communication. Wasn't he struggling to stand just a moment ago? And yet, his voice contains such force, such nuanced expression, and such deep, dark beauty - it's all hard-wired, perhaps made even richer by his experiences. When we finished our rehearsal, Andre gave me a long, intense look, and said, ‘How liberating to sing without feeling like you need to impress anyone.' "
The concert will be held on Sunday, June 19, at 7:00 pm, at West-Park Presbyterian Church, 165 W 86th Street at Amsterdam Ave. Doors will open at 6:30 pm. Tickets at the door will be $30. Checks can be made out to West-Park Presbyterian Church with "Andre Solomon-Glover" written on the memo line. For more information about all the events in this series, please go to: http://thecentreatwestpark.wordpress.com/juneconcertseries/.
Donations may also be mailed in or can be made online at: http://andresstory.chipin.com/andre-solomon-glover.
For additional information about this event, press, sponsorship or donations, please contact Rochone Fisher, The Fisher Group, (917) 532-2552 or tfgconsulting@aol.com, or Danielle Smith, West-Park Presbyterian Church, (212) 362-4890 or faille@gmail.com.
