Jefferson Center Alumni Association presents Legacy Motown Revue
by Brother Love
The Jefferson Center Alumni Association, aka “Jefferson Magicians” created a magical evening Friday Aug. 19, for a most worthy cause, to raise funds for their high school.
JCAA organized the fundraiser to help pay for restoration of the main stairway of the old high school presently known as The Jefferson Center.
The atmosphere of the event was festive as event MCs, Chuck Boswell (Class of ‘63) and Vicki Ray (Class of ‘64) reminisced about their days as students at Jefferson High.
“This very auditorium that you are sitting in was originally the Study Hall,” said Boswell. Ray followed reporting that $9,000 had already been raised for the restoration project.
She went on to explain how the steps had been climbed by various important figures over the years and how significant they were to the school’s history so it was important to have them preserved.
The two MCs bantered about the great songs of their era (60’s – 70’s) which corresponded with the Motown era. This all played out as an intro to a rousing night immersed in those very sounds as “The Legacy Motown Revue,” rocked the enthusiastic crowd.
The group, a popular R&B quartet out of North Carolina, fashions themselves after “The Temptations and the Four Tops and specialize in performing many of the greatest hits that propelled Barry Gordy’s Motown to universal prominence.
Lead-man Richard (Richie Rich) Fiqueroa is a tenor & former lead singer for 60’s pop/soul band “Chairmen of the Board.” Other members include: Triston LeDerris, the group’s baritone singer and choreographer who also is the their lighthearted comedian.
Jonathan (JP) Phifer-the versatile first tenor of the band who sang lead on songs by such diverse artists as Smokey Robinson, Michael Jackson and Robin Thicke.
Robert C. Marion, Jr. is a bass player turned singer. As a tenor, he lit up the auditorium with his soulful high notes.
Nonetheless all of the singers were very versatile and collectively raised the roof with a repertoire of nostalgic songs backed with an energized stage presence.
Not for one second did “The Legacy” let the audience down. They opened the show with the 1967 hit “Sweet Soul Music” (Otis Redding, Sam Cooke and Arthur Conley).
They followed with a medley of fantastic 4 Tops, Smokey Robinson, Jackson Five, Jackie Wilson, Kool & The Gang favorites. They even did Robin Thicke’s ill fated hit “Blurred Lines” which ultimately made a lot of money for Marvin Gaye’s estate.
Of course a Temptation Tribute was a must, for everyone knows you cannot have a Motown Revue without a Temptation segment. The group really worked the crowd with such Temptation greats as “My Girl,” “Ain’t too Proud to Beg,” “Just My Imagination,” and “Get Ready.” Marion showed off and really shined on “My Girl,” one of the “Temps” greatest hits.
The overall appeal of the show, aside from the group’s wonderful showmanship, had everything to do with the musical accompaniment. Yeah!!, the band lead by their musical director Stan Sigall on keyboards who at various points simultaneously played trumpet. Drummer Chuck Koontz was strong in the pocket and on the one. Kirk Vernon-baritone sax, held the bottom melody like the great baritone sax players of Soul music’s R&B heyday.
To put a bow on an already nice and exciting package, hometown boy Mark Payne was featured on tenor sax and performed several impressive solos throughout the evening.
For information on donating to the The Jefferson Center Alumni Association’s Stairway Restoration Fund, log on to Jeffcenter.org and connect with “The Legacy” Motown Revue or go to LegacyMotownRevue.com/About-Us.htm
