Soul Veteran, Billy Valentine, Performs at The Broad Stage
Soulful and full of life, legend Billy Valentine graces the Eli and Edythe Broad Stage in Santa Monica, California, this Friday, November 2 at 8:00 p.m.
A rhythm and blues veteran, Valentine started his career opening for heavyweight vocalists like Donny Hathaway and Roberta Flack. He was also the lead singer for the soul and jazz instrumental group Young Holt Unitd. who released the ‘60s classic “Soulful Strut.”
Branching out on his own, Valentine with his brother, John Valentine, developed The Valentine Brothers. Their hit “Money’s too Tight (To Mention)” charted on Billboard’s R&B chart for 14 weeks reaching no. 41.
Valentine’s talents are not confined behind the microphone, or sashaying across the stage, but he also shines as a fine producer. According to a press release by Davidson & Choy Publicity, “During the ‘70s and ‘80s, Billy tried his hand at producing with several projects, including ‘Crazy For You,’ by Sly Stone and Jesse Johnson two songs on the feature film soundtrack, ‘Soul Man’ and the album ‘Vesta’ by Vesta Williams.” His skills as a song writer allowed him to collaborate with greats like Will Jennings, the Neville Bros. and the immortal Ray Charles.
More Recently, Valentine has explored the world of television with his vocals being featured on the theme song for hit television show “Boston Legal.” He also appears on the “Sons of Anarchy” soundtrack as Billy Valentine and the Forest Rangers.
Valentine’s experience makes him a power house musician. Citing his influences as the emotionally explosive Otis Redding or the iconic ‘50s crooner Nate King Cole, Valentine posses the same emotive source on stage. When his lungs open his voice fills the room with something familiar, something inherent, something the audience understands.
This marks the third event for “Blackbox at the Edye” which highlights up-and-coming jazz and blues musicians. Tickets start at $20 and are available at the box office before the performance or at www.thebraodstage.org.