Posted by | Ray Cornelius
February 18, 2015 – Luxury automotive manufacturer, Lexus, treated attendees to a soulful beginning of the 2015 Chicago Auto Show with stellar performances by R&B and soul artists at a special edition of Lexus Verses & Flow in the Lexus Listening Lounge. Artists Carl Thomas, Todd Kessler and Andra Day delivered amazing performances while audiences toured the display, which included the recently introduced GS F performance sedan as well as the full luxury vehicle line offered by Lexus.
Lexus Verses and Flow capitalizes on the resurgence of spoken word and is known for pairing dynamic performances by prominent R&B artists with the luxury experience synonymous with Lexus. The show was nominated for a 2013 NAACP Image Award for “Outstanding Variety Series or Special,” after the success of the broadcast program on TV One, and eventually grew to include a live, national music tour.
On Friday, emerging artist Andra Day wowed audiences at First Look For Charity, the Auto Show’s fundraiser, with unique neo-soul versions of familiar rock, pop and reggae hits. Carl Thomas, remembered for chart toppers like “I Wish” and “Emotional” released under the legendary Bad Boy Records, belted out original music and covers on Saturday that were perfect for Valentine’s Day. On Sunday, former NBC’s “The Voice” contestant Todd Kessler delivered a memorable acoustic performance, including the inspirational ballad “Stand Up.”
The Chicago Auto Show will continue through Sunday, February 22. Additional performances scheduled for the Lexus Listening Lounge include:
Friday, Feb. 20, 2015
The Moe Fitz Project
Performance: 6 – 6:30 P.M. & Meet & Greet: 6:45 – 7:15 P.M.
Maurice “Moe Fitz” Fitzgerald began his love affair with the bass at a very young age, learning to play from his Uncle. Since then, he has collaborated and performed globally with gospel, pop and R&B legends such as Beyoncé Knowles, CeCe Winans, Jennifer Hudson and R. Kelly. Fitzgerald has performed on Grammy winning albums with The Clark Sisters and is currently the bassist for the legendary Isley Brothers.
Saturday, Feb. 21, 2015
Angie Fisher
Performance: 2 -2:30P.M. & Meet & Greet 2:45-3:15 P.M./ Performance 7-7:30 P.M. & Meet & Greet 7:45 -8:15 P.M.
Active as a performer since her early teenage years, Angela Fisher — who has also gone by Angie Fisher – is a Grammy nominated performer who has toured and recorded as a background vocalist for dozens of artists. Among the higher-profile artists Fisher has assisted are: Michael Jackson, Chaka Khan, Mary J. Blige, Andrea Bocelli, Michael Bublé, and Rod Stewart.
Sunday, Feb. 22, 2015
Nola Ade’
Performance: 2 -2:30P.M. & Meet & Greet 2:45-3:15 P.M.
Nola Ade’ has been described as a full-bodied vocalist whose phrasing is Ella Fitzgerald, soulful timbre is Jazmine Sullivan, and eclectic style is all her own. When the Chicago native’s legal studies moved her to New York, Ade’ performed around the Big Apple, and the buzz about her voice eventually earned her opening slots for artists like Bilal and Avery*Sunshine. Now a freshly minted entertainment lawyer, Nola Adé is preparing for the exciting indie debut of “The Love Dance EP,” set to release this spring.
The Lexus Listening Lounge takes place at the Lexus exhibit of the 2015 Chicago Auto Show at McCormick Place. Information about admission tickets, directions and parking is available at www.chicagoautoshow.com.