Ready or not, Indianapolis will be able to hear the familiar sounds of Indy’s own After 7. The historic Madame Walker Theatre, 617 Indiana Ave., will welcome the “quiet storm hit-makers” Saturday, Sept. 20 at 7 p.m.
Soul singer Vesta will get the crowd warmed up before After 7 hits the stage. After 7 and Vesta will be the inaugural performances of the 2008-2009 season.
Tickets are available at all Ticketmaster outlets and the Walker Theatre Box Office. Tickets are $45 VIP, $35 and $25. A special reception will follow the concert featuring artwork by a local Indianapolis artist. After 7 and Vesta are also invited for a special meet and greet with VIP guests.
Here is a closer look at the artists to get fans prepared for an entertaining evening.
After 7
Stepping onto the music scene in the 1990s, the Indianapolis trio originally comprised of brothers Melvin and Kevin Edmonds (brother to singer/producer Kenneth “Babyface” Edmonds) and Keith Mitchell (cousin of Babyface’s longtime partner L.A. Reid), signed a deal with Virgin Records in 1989 and solidified themselves as solid R&B singers with hit songs such as “Can’t Stop,” “Heat of the Moment,” and the classic that to this day gets fans to break out in song, “Ready or Not.”
After 7 followed up from their first, self-titled album with sophomore album “Takin’ My Time.” True fans may remember The Originals remake of “Baby I’m for Real (Natural High)” on this album.
With their third album “Reflections” followed by two best of albums, many can’t wait to hear After 7 in concert to ditch the hop-hop sounds currently permeating through speakers and listen to After 7 pay homage to vintage soul or the modern new jack and urban styles they helped make popular.
Before packing into the Walker to hear the hometown group, catch up on more recent music with their latest albums “Reflections” and “Can He Love You Like This” (a Circuit City exclusive).
Fans should also note that After 7 front-liner Kevon went solo and recently the group got back together with a new Edmonds brother and cousin.
Vesta
Known for her full four-octave voice range, Vesta Williams or simply Vesta was born in Coshocton, Ohio, and later moved to Los Angeles. Through the ‘60s and ‘70s Vesta’s singing career began to grow — singing with family members’ bands and beginning her own solo career.
Her career quickly got on a roll becoming an extremely desirable studio singer for legends such as Chaka Khan, Gladys Knight and Stephanie Mills.
In 1986, Vesta received her first record deal with A&M records and released her first self entitled album “Vesta” which featured her first Top 10 R&B hit “Once Bitten, Twice Shy.”
Her second album, “Vesta 4U,” produced singles “Congratulations” and “Sweet Sweet Love.”
Through the ‘90s and the new millennium, it seemed as if Vesta disappeared off the face of the Earth, but the singer kept busy writing jingles and singing background vocals for other artists.
While managing to keep off her weight, Vesta’s newest CD, “Distant Lover,” features R&B classics originally recorded by artists such as Bill Withers, Stevie Wonder, Smokey Robinson, Marvin Gaye, Sade and Deniece Williams.
For more information call (317) 236-2099 or visit www.walker theatre.com.
