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The Voices of East Harlem was an African-American vocal ensemble of up to 20 singers, aged between 12 and 21. Founded as a community initiative in 1969, the group performed with top soul and R&B musicians and recorded four albums in the early and mid-1970s. ==History== The group originated in an inner city action project in East Harlem, New York City, in 1969.〔 Charles "Chuck" Griffin, founder of the East Harlem Federation Youth Association (EHFYA), and his wife Anna Quick Griffin, set up the ensemble, initially to perform in colleges and at local benefits. Their first major performance was at a benefit for Mayor John Lindsay, after which they attracted music director Bernice Cole (5 November 1921–19 November 2006), who had been a member of the Angelic Gospel Singers, to which she later returned. They also gained a manager, Jerry Brandt, who had previously worked with Sam Cooke and who persuaded the ensemble to update their material and style.〔( Sheila Smith Hobson, "The Living Arts", ''St. Petersburg Times'', 20 July 1971, p.9 ). Retrieved 29 November 2013〕 In January 1970, they performed at the "Winter Festival for Peace" at Madison Square Garden on a bill with Harry Belafonte, Richie Havens, Judy Collins, Dave Brubeck, Blood, Sweat & Tears, Peter, Paul and Mary, The Rascals, Jimi Hendrix (who abandoned his performance after two numbers), and the cast of ''Hair''.〔( ''Waterloo Daily Courier'', "NY 'Peace Festival' Pays Bills", 29 January 1970, p.22 ). Retrieved 29 November 2013〕 They made regular TV appearances, and recorded an album for Elektra Records, ''Right On Be Free'', issued in 1970. The album focused on ensemble singing in a traditional black gospel style, but with secular lyrics emphasising "the power of the people", and a "soulful feel".〔(Deb Cohen, ''Old Soul Part V: The Voices of East Harlem'', 27 June 2010 ). Retrieved 29 November 2013〕 Several of the tracks, including the title track "Right On, Be Free", were written by Chuck Griffin. Lead vocals on ''Right On Be Free'' were by Cole, Anna Griffin, Gerri Griffin, and Cynthia Sessions. The backing musicians included Richard Tee, Cornell Dupree, Chuck Rainey, and Ralph MacDonald, and the album was produced by David Rubinson.〔( ''Right On Be Free'' at Discogs.com ). Retrieved 29 November 2013〕 The group received a standing ovation at the 1970 Isle of Wight Festival in the UK, appeared at the Apollo Theater, and performed in Ghana in February 1971 at the ''Soul To Soul'' concert.〔 In 1972 they released a second album on Elektra, ''Brothers and Sisters'', with some tracks produced by Donny Hathaway, and also performed at a filmed concert at Sing Sing prison with B.B. King and Joan Baez.〔( Opinears, ''The Voices of East Harlem - Right On, Be Free - Live at Sing Sing Prison - 11/22/1972'' ). Retrieved 29 November 2013〕 They moved to the Just Sunshine label owned by promoter Michael Lang the following year, and released a third album, ''The Voices of East Harlem'', produced by Curtis Mayfield, Leroy Hutson, and Rich Tufo.〔( ''The Voices of East Harlem'' at Discogs.com ). Retrieved 29 November 2013〕 By this time their lead vocalists were Gerri Griffin and Monica Burruss; other singers included Bernard Graham, Wayne Garfield, Jerome Mack, Elaine Clark, Cynthia Sessions, Kevin Griffin and Claudia Moore.〔( Biography by Ron Wynn at Allmusic.com ). Retrieved 29 November 2013〕〔( Voices Of East Harlem at SoulWalking.co.uk ). Retrieved 29 November 2013〕 The album yielded a minor hit single, "Giving Love" produced by Mayfield, which reached no.57 on the ''Billboard'' R&B chart in 1973. The single "Wanted Dead or Alive" was later reissued as a 12" remix.〔 The group released its final album in 1974, ''Can You Feel It'', produced by Hutson. 〔 Monica Burruss (aka Monica Pege) later recorded and performed as a session and backing singer and, as Monica, as a solo performer.〔( Fleamarket Funk, "Monica – I Don’t Know Nothing Else To Tell You, But I Love You" ). Retrieved 29 November 2013〕 抄文引用元・出典: フリー百科事典『 ウィキペディア（Wikipedia）』 ■ウィキペディアで「The Voices of East Harlem」の詳細全文を読む スポンサード リンク
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