By Jerome Langston
“If you’ve never been to a Luther Vandross show, the real thing—we’re gonna be as close as you’re gonna get,” says singer William “Smooth” Wardlaw, during our recent phone chat about his upcoming tribute show honoring soul music icon, Luther Vandross, which will take over Norfolk’s historic Attucks Theatre during the Juneteenth and Father’s Day weekend. The show, which is a co-production of the Virginia Arts Festival and NSU Theatre company, serves as a kick-off to the 10th Anniversary season of NSU Theatre company, under the direction of Professor Anthony Mark Stockard.
“This kicks off that season, and I wanted to make sure that this season we celebrate all of our partnerships,” says Stockard, who is the theatre company’s producing Artistic Director, a day later. The Luther tribute show had been produced years before, featuring William and the soul band that he fronts, but as a campus show coordinated with the HBCU’s homecoming. There was high demand, according to Stockard, for its return—and so now it’s back, but as part of VAF’s summer programming. “Here we are again, but this time at the historic Attucks,” he remarks.
Luther Re-Lives featuring William “Smooth” Wardlaw, as a band has been in existence since 2011, according to its music director and producer, Deginal Boykin, who also plays bass in the band. It was Deginal who “discovered” William back in 1996, at a then popular happy hour spot in the DMV. William tells me that he was singing the Luther classic, “Superstar/Until You Come Back to Me (That’s What I’m Gonna Do),” which impressed Deginal, and they quickly became friends and musical collaborators, akin to the famous musical partnership between Luther and Marcus Miller. Since those early beginnings, the band has performed throughout the country, where they’ve played high profile venues like The Birchmere, and performed on major R&B music cruises, including Tom Joyner’s and the Soul Train cruise. They’ve played major festivals and have shared the stage with some of the biggest names in soul music; including Anita Baker, Smokey Robinson, Mary J. Blige and Babyface. William, who was born and raised in Alexandria, Virginia, has an uncanny resemblance to the iconic crooner, who sadly passed away at the untimely age of 54, back in 2005. And the resemblance goes well beyond their physical similarities but is much more rooted in their similar musical language, including the same vocal tone and phrasing. American radio media legend, Tom Joyner, reportedly called William “the reincarnation of one of the greatest R&B crooners of all times.”
The Virginia native has numerous musical influences, but Luther was a major influence on William’s artistic development. “Luther can tell a story,” says the singer. “He makes love beautiful… there’s the uniqueness of his voice itself… For me to emulate that, that’s a pretty good accomplishment.” Even when performing his own music, he leans into the Luther sound, and musical aesthetic.
Luther Ronzoni Vandross, Jr., was born on April 21, 1951, in New York City. He was the fourth child of Mary Ida Vandross and Luther Vandross, Sr. Luther famously got his start in the music business as a back-up vocalist for some of the biggest names in popular music, back in the 1970s. The breath and range of these artists is still impressive by today’s standards. They include Roberta Flack, Diana Ross, David Bowie, Bette Midler, Barbra Streisand and even Cat Stevens. Luther wrote and performed popular jingles, fronted his own group, and contributed songwriting and his gorgeous tenor vocals to several high-profile musical projects. Never Too Much, released on Epic Records in August of 1981, became Luther’s proper debut album as a solo artist, and was a huge success. The double platinum album, now considered an R&B classic, kicked off a greatly heralded solo career which produced a string of platinum albums, number one singles, and eventually an impressive eight Grammy Awards. Beyond those accolades though, his artistry as an impeccable singer/songwriter and producer—influenced almost every R&B male singer of note, who came after him.
When Luther Re-Lives plays the Attucks Theatre next month, William will sing many of Luther’s classic songs, including “Wait for Love,” “Here and Now,” “Superstar,” and so many others. Besides William and Deginal, the band features Stephanie James and Alisha Andre on vocals, Jimmy Kerns on sax, Glenn Douglas on keys, Mark Dooley on guitar, and Perry Selden on drums. Malik Savage is the band’s sound/technical engineer and production manager. The concert will last approximately 90 minutes or so, with an intermission, according to Stockard.
“He could almost have a second career as a comedian and announcer,” says Deginal, referring to William, during my call with the talented crooner. “He’s like this giant teddy bear—lovable, so much bubbly personality, engaging the audience…everybody can’t do that.”
They both say to expect a high-energy show, which audiences that have seen the band have already come to expect. “When I get on stage, it’s magical,” says William, towards the end of our chat. “If you’re doing Luther, you gotta come correct.”
A Musical Tribute to Luther Vandross
Presented by Virginia Arts Festival & NSU Theatre Company
June 17
Attucks Theatre
