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About Portland observer. (Portland, Or.) 1970-current | View Entire Issue (Nov. 22, 1994)
* - .\V i • P age B3 A n s c x ENTERTAINMENT ‘After Dark’ Features Elliot Brandy by C ontemporary jazz artist Richard Elliot has released “After Dark," his eighth solo album and third for Blue Note/Capitol Records. The collection contains a blend of sultry jazz, R & B grooves and melodic ballads. Of the four songs in the collec tion, the tenor saxophon ist penned or co-penned II com positions and produced nine tracks. His first foray into dance music, Elliot collaborated with dance music producer Todd Terry on two tracks including “So Special,” which has been served to clubs and record pools. The one-time member of the Yellowjackets and Tow er of Power salutes the later group on “ Boys from the Bay,” T onya P endleton Her irrepressible good humor, perkiness, and penchant for shop ping make her a typical 15-year-old. But that’s where comparisons cease. Brandy Norwood has already had a leading role in a television series (the now defunct Thea) and is releasing her debut self-titled album on Atlan tic Records. Her hair is curved into a braided bob, and she’s wearing the adoles cent uniform o f casual jeans and funky shoes. Brandy’s spirited personality is felt all over her record company offices as she bounds around, her energy distilled only when she has to sit down for this interview. She smiles easily, and has the self-possession and confidence older women take years to acquire. Though her mature voice and range suggest a developing diva, Brandy’s early successes have not eroded her solid upbringing. She was bom in McComb, Mississippi, but was raised in the Los Angeles suburb o f Carson, where she led a fairly quiet life. But her musical talents were evident even as a young child. Her father is a choir director, and a gospel singer. Brandy’s entire family is active in the church. She credits them with supporting her ca reer, and helping her keep a level head. In fact it was her father who first inspired Brandy to sing. “ I watched my father in church,” says Brandy. 1 found out I had talent, and I watched Whitney Houston a lot. From there, I said if God has blessed me with this voice I should just go and pursue my dream.” At 11, Bran dy was performing in talents shows and at community and charity events when she met a producer who took her around to the record labels. At 14, she got a deal with Atlan tic Records. She also had a talent agent, who sent her to the acting auditions that resulted in her role on Thea. The stereotypical image o f a pressured and relentlessly pushed child star don’t apply here. Brandy’s parents are actively involved in her career (her parents manage her) but The production coincides with Buena Vista International’s Navidad en las Americas Christmas music television special scheduled for do mestic and international broadcast during the holiday season. W alt Disney Records will done a portion o f the proceeds from the album to Reading Is Fundamental in the Unit ed States and Casa de Tina (T ina’s k i" > h .r to w o „ S u n d a y m o r n in g ,. Come Along To Busy Town (ÏÏljc Brandy Norwood ^ J o rtla n b it’s clear that if she wanted an enter tainment career. “ I w asn’t aware o f all the responsibilities” she says, “but I knew what I wanted to be. It’s not a problem. People ask me if I’m miss ing out on my childhood. This is my childhood. This is something that I want to do. And if I don’t want to do it anymore, lean say “Mom, I want to stop this right now .’ But I’m definite- ly going to the prom! So I’m not missing out on anything.” Brandy plans to go to college, though she will probably take a year off o f school and work with a tutor while her career is developing. Her family has adjusted easily to the chang es her increased recognition have wrought, since Brandy’s younger brother, Willie Norwood Jr. is also an actor, last seen on the Sinbad show. Her song, “Best Friend' is dedicated to him. But Brandy doesn't see herself (or her brother) falling into the pitfalls that have derailed other child stars. “ I really don’t look at the nega tive side. Even though I should pay attention to it, I really don’t let that (Ob s e in e r bother me because I know I have the •C all 503-288-0033 right people on my side, I have my mom and dad and people that are Sweepstakes for really behind me. I let them worry Scholarships about [the negatives.] All 1 worry Doing the “write” thing could about is doing my interviews and my win some lucky students thousands performances.” of dollars for a college education. Brandy has already appeared on television shows like Rhythm and Jam. The People’s Choice Awards, and Showtime at the Apollo. In per formance and on record, hearing her voice for the first time will surprise people who expect a teenybopper album. Brandy and her producers made sure the lyrics were age-appro priate, but the production was far more mature. “ I had input on how I A special sweepstakes could was going to sing the vocals,” Bran win a lucky student $25,000 to dy says “And what kind o f power I wards a college education. was going to use to sing it, and I co A company th at’s been a boon to wrote the interlude called “ I Dedi education for 25 years by selling cate,” I wrote some o f the melody on quality writing instruments and art “Give Me You,” and 1 helped a lot on materials is celebrating its silver “Sunny Day.” I want to write more anniversary with a special sweep- stakes emphasizing the value and on the second album and learn howto do the percussion and drums and importance of education. The In stant-Win Savings Bond Sweep- everything.” stakes sponsored by Pentel of Disney Presents Latin Musical POP ‘r upper echelon o f B illboard m a g a z in e ’s C o n te m p o r a ry J a zz c h a r t, E l l io t ’s 1993 “Soul Em brace,” album land ed on top at num ber one. A fr e q u e n t f ly e r , E llio t plays over 100 concerts each year and tour dates to support the new album w ill be an nounced shortly. Advertise In The first automobile show was held in New York City in 1900. Walt Disney Records has gath ered together many o f today’s top Latin singing stars in Navidad en las Americas, the first-ever Latin music compilation recording. The album features Spanish and English language performances o f trad itio n al L atin and A m erican Christmas songs and musical styles ranging from mariachi to salsa and which also features a perfor mance by the legendary horn section. Other highlights include a Jeffrey Osborne vocal piece ( IfTomorrow Never Com es”) and a version o f the Simon & G arfunk el c la ssic, “ Bridge Over Troubled W ater.” R ou tin ely reach in g the House) in Mexico. Navidad en las Americas fea tures star performances by 12 o f the top Latin American musical talents today: Veronica Castro, Chayanne, Celia Cruz, Plácido, Domingo, Luis E n riq u e, Jose F elician o , Pedro Fernandez, Juan Gabriel, Ricky Mar tin, Tito Puente, Lucha Villa and Xuxa. Navidad en las Americas is executive produced by There Goes The N eighborhood Productions. Headed by Dan Guerrero, Michael Dagnery and Lisa Orozco Rosales, There Goes The Neighborhood is one o f the leading producers creating new product for the exploding do mestic and international Latino mar ket. “ As p ro d u c e rs, we alw ays look for u n iq u e and c h a lle n g in g p ro je c ts. As L atin o s, o u r aim is to prom ote our c u ltu re ,” sta te s D an G uerrero . Luis Enrique remarked o f his song selection, “ 1 wanted to sing my favorite C hristm as song 'B lanca Navidad,' but I wanted my fans to instantly recognize that it was me, so we created a neat arrangement using my trademark mixeture o f pop and salsa.” America will award $50,000 in U.S. EE Savings Bonds for college edu cation. Peel-back stickers inside of four back-to-school multi-pak prod ucts could be worth one of more than 100 bonds including the $25,000 Grand Prize (value at maturity). The four multi-paks to look for at local stores are The Smart Set, The Student Pak, The Twist Pak and The Study Pak. Each set fea tures several different Pentel prod ucts packaged together to meet the specific studying needs of students. Included are automatic pencils, Su perball roller pens and an eraser. One set even includes a nine-func tion calculator. The company, which will also offer consumers the chance to mail away for a free computer software catalog featuring discounted edu cational software, may help many youngsters get off to the write start in life. FINANCIAL SERVICE AND LOAN $ - FINANCIAL - HELP? The A.F.M. Co. can arrange financing for most client in need of home equity, business, personal and also debt consolidation. 1-800-348-5565 CHILD DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM LI-CM COMMUNITY CENTER 4219 N.E. MLK Jr. BLVD. 281-7036 PRESCHOOL Ages 2 & 1 /2 -5 years old ♦Half Day *Full Day The Gnchanung w°rld of A ^dren's Richard Scarry comes to tele vision for the very first time in a delightful new anim ated senes. Showtime features quality family program ; that kids will love, and busy parents can trust. Only on PARAGON SHOWTIME Don't Miss Richard Scarry's Sept. 24 - Jan. 2 € R Surry ™ Dewqrule» T'ademjrt ol P in mount Picture» ___ . C 1994 Showtime Network» Inc All nght»reserved Showtime n i »erwee nwrk o« Showkme W workehKJ 1945 SE Water Ave. • Portland, Oregon (503) 797-4000 T h e M u sical T h ea tre Com pany presents A Special Holiday Production Victor Herbert's magical operetta Baòcs in TO'llallr/ Join us for the beginning o f a wonderful holiday tradition! Make you r reservations NOW! N ovem b er 18 through D e c e m b e r 18, 1994 November 18, 19. «5,26, December 2, 8, 9, 10, 16, 17 - 8pm November 20, 27, December 3, 4, 10, 11,17, 18 - 2pm Eastside Performance Center 531 SE 14th and Stark Tickets $15. $17, $19 - Children 12 and under, $6 C all (503) 2 8 0 -6 5 9 2 ©TARGET A lw at all Faatixx outlets, (SOS' M4-8+99 Subject to «entre charge ( a ll (503) 288-0033 o r Fax (503) 288-0015 to place a ( dreer o r ( 'lassifietl ad in (the J lo rtla u b (Ohscrucr L-incla Raymond fcadc, from hc-r nc-rv novtj The windiest city in the US is Great Falls, Montana, where the average wind speed is 13.1 mph. Chicago, the notorious "windy city," actually ranks only 16th among the windiest cities in the US. K o c f a n e th e - 7 : ^ < 9 pm, M o n d a y Fow&ll't of Ages 4 - 1 2 years old ♦Homework Assistance * Math * Scouting N o v e m b e r 28> Çvmçide S tre e t ^ rn o n d 'i çtonj involves th e relationship between " T ié - in th e , 6 V — in th e neonatal intensive care unit of an Ohio hoipital, the*j hold and roefc. the babied too gnal, or damaged to survive without love and attention Essential to fcanmond’s stortj is th e African American ora, tradition, which bnn^S th e two women together as thetj vnScrol, th e ir private *6:30 a.m. - 6 p.m. Assistance Payments Accepted ’ Sponsored by Lutheran Inner-C ity Ministries f3 a t> ic Ç 6 o o fc s two grandmothers who hive volunteered to f» w d e BEFORE & AFTER SCHOOL T C I CaWeviMon o< Oregon. Inc historie-s, a wealth of knowted^e th a t becomes a priceless ^ if t for th e tjourg, mothers on th e ward
