“Heart & Soul” is a multimedia musical tribute that will feature a stellar cast of actors and singers performing legendary soul singer Donny Hathaway’s songs and telling his tragic story.
The show stars:
Freda Payne (timeless hit: “Band of Gold”), Rob Morrow (Northern Exposure, Billions, Quiz Show), Alisan Porter (winner of The Voice), Andy Vargas (iconic Voice of Santana), Terrell Edwards (East Bay Soul), Carly Smithson (American Idol, We Are The Fallen), Jaidyn Triplett (iCarly), Joshua Triplett (The Neighborhood), Monica Calhoun (The Jamie Foxx Show, Love and Basketball), Lamont Van Hook (Phil Collins, Lyle Lovett), Roberta Freeman (Guns n’ Roses, Pink Floyd), Ciamara Morales (award-winning Filipino singing star), Nia Padilla (award-winning Latin pop singer)
Donny Hathaway suffered from severe mental illness, which resulted in his untimely death in 1979 at just 33 years of age. Hathaway’s legacy lives on in his music. His interpretations of well-known songs include renditions of Leon Russell’s “A Song for You,” and famed duets with Roberta Flack, “Where is the Love” and “The Closer I Get to You.” Hathaway won one Grammy Award and was also posthumously honored with a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award in 2019.
Leland Sklar (Phil Collins, Lyle Lovett, Carole King, James Taylor, The Immediate Family) – bass
Herman Matthews (Kenny Loggins, Tower of Power, Richard Marx, Timothy B. Schmit)– drums
Sean Holt (Carlos Santana, Bruno Mars, John Legend, Gloria Estefan) – percussion/saxophone/vocals
Kenneth Crouch (Lenny Kravitz, Eric Clapton, Destiny’s Child, Lauryn Hill) – keyboards
Co-Music Directors:
Steve Postell (David Crosby, John Oates, The Immediate Family, Pure Prairie League) – MD/guitars
Tariqh Akoni (Stevie Wonder, Whitney Houston, Jennifer Lopez, Josh Groban) – MD/guitars
The show will be directed by Richard Cummings, Jr. Cummings is also an actor, best known for his roles in the film “Hollywood Shuffle” and Emmy award-winning shows “thirtysomething” and “Northern Exposure.”
The event, taking place on Sunday, September 8th at Orpheum Theatre in Los Angeles, is major effort to raise awareness about the nationwide hotline and funds to increase the level of care and support for those potentially at risk for suicide victims and their families.
PROCEEDS raised will benefit Didi Hirsch Mental Health Services — a leading provider of mental health, substance use & suicide prevention services — as well as additional mental health partner organizations, to help increase the level of care and support for potential suicide victims and their families and help raise awareness of the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline.
In July 2022, the Department of Health & Human Services and the Department of Veteran’s Affairs created the 988 SUICIDE & CRISIS LIFELINE (formerly an 800 number). This EASY-TO-REMEMBER NUMBER — just 3 presses on a phone — makes it easier for individuals to access immediate, life-saving crisis counseling by trained mental health experts. There has been a 45% increase in overall call volume, compared to 2021, as well as improvement in response rates and wait times. The 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline aims to provide immediate support, but comprehensive solutions require increased funding for mental health services and public education to address the multifaceted causes of this tragic epidemic.
Get Together Foundation, a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization founded in 2001 is making a difference. Their unique fundraising efforts have included numerous all-star charity concert events and telethons which have raised money for various causes. Committed to action, GTF’s programs provide direct services to children and families in need, crisis relief and more, and extend its reach by partnering with other like-minded organizations to provide a greater continuum of care for the community. GTF’s music enrichment program for underprivileged youth, “Together in Tune,” truly embraces the foundation’s work at its best.