The man does it all – he’s an Emmy Award-winning singer, actor and dancer. Yes, Indianapolis, Wayne Brady is making his way to the Circle City to perform along side the awe-inspiring Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra.
Brady will star in three Printing Partners “Pops Series’” concerts Oct. 15 through the 17, at the Hilbert Circle Theatre. He will be performing a tribute to two late beloved entertainers, Sammy Davis Jr. and Sam Cooke.
Performances will be at 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday and at 3 p.m. Sunday. Adult ticket prices range $20-$75 for both evening concerts, with special children’s tickets (ages 4-12) starting at $10 for the Sunday 3 p.m. program only.
The Recorder spoke briefly with Brady to learn more about his love for music and get a sneak peek at his busy schedule.
Recorder: Tell me what will bring you to Indy?
Wayne Brady: I’m doing a show with the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra called “Sam and Sammy,” where I’ll be doing the music of Sam Cooke and Sammy Davis Jr.
I chose those two men because Sam Cooke is beyond a doubt one of the most amazing soul artists, singers, hands down, to ever grace a microphone. Even up to the time of this death, he was one of the leading Black businessmen of his time. He’s always been a huge influence on me.
As a kid, I grew up listening to him, loving him, and later on, when I became a singer always ending up singing his songs.
And Sammy Davis Jr. because as a kid, I saw Sammy as a kid and he is on the level of Michael Jackson. Some may say it’s blasphemy, heresy, but I would say even more so than Michael Jackson, Sammy was the ultimate entertainer. He was a singer and a dancer, but a dancer’s dancer – a hoofer, or a tapper. He played the drums, the horns. He was a world-class impressionist. He was the only performer of his day, being Black who could do impressions of every leading white actor and turn around and do all the Black singers. And no one could touch him. He also was a world-champion trick-shot artist.
He was one of those people that he felt he had so many things going against him that he’s like “watch this.” Those things being he was short, he felt he was ugly, he had horrible self-esteem, he was small … he was Black. So he said, “I’m going to be the biggest person in the room with my talent.” I always have looked up to him.
How does your career compare to theirs?
With Sam Cooke, I’m a singer and he was a singer. He was raised in the church, and I was briefly raised in the church. There’s more so a comparison with Sammy because I was raised thinking, of course you have to deal with race, but race should not be the determining factor in your life. Whereas so many people base so many things around the fact that I am Black or I am white … I am a man and I just so happen to be a Black man who is in this business. I’ve always tried to make moves based on what I like doing as opposed to what someone thinks, regardless of color. That was a big struggle for Sammy, who really helped civil rights by being an example.
You’re a very versatile performer – you sing, dance, you do comedy, you perform a more edgier type of comedy on the “Chappelle’s Show.” Are you constantly working on new and fresh things to present to your fans?
I think of things I can do to make me happy, therefore, I think I will make the audience happy. When an audience sees someone take joy in what they do, that’s why you walk away liking certain performers. You say, “Man, I loved that show.” Not necessarily because of the person, because you don’t know them, but because of that love for what they do.
Based on our approach, do you think that’s why you have such a large fan base?
I think I have a large fan base because folks like what I do, and maybe that’s a part of that. I like what I do, they like watching it and I make them feel good. It’s kind of a cycle that’s the perfect cycle of entertainer and audience. At the end of the day, life is rough and you don’t want to pay to see a show and then feel bad.
In addition to preparing for this upcoming show here in Indianapolis, what else are you working on?
I do “Let’s Make a Deal” on CBS five days a week. I’m producing a few TV shows and I’ve got my new album underway. I just signed a deal, but I can’t say with who right now, but it’s a good one. The best thing is being a dad. I’ve got my 7-year-old and she travels with me and sees my shows. I’m also planning to return to Broadway in a musical called “Cool Papa’s Party.” So life is very busy … and always touring, always touring.
The good news is that I get to switch between symphony dates like this one and turning around and doing theatrical things. I just finished doing a performance of “Rent” at the Hollywood Bowl as Tom Collins. And I just did “How I Met Your Mother” on CBS, my third appearance on the show. It’s great to be able to do everything.
Wow! You are a busy man! What do you like doing for fun?
I read and I play video games and hang out with my daughter.
When you walk out onto that stage along with the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra, what can the audience expect?
It’s a concert, so they’re going to hear a good stroll through when music was music. Music had melody. Songs like “You Send Me,” “The Candy Man,” “A Change Is Gonna Come,” which I was nominated for a Grammy for my version of it. I think it’s a wonderful change of grown folks music.
This is a family event, because even if I wasn’t doing this, there’s something about listening to a symphony live – even for those who aren’t classical music listeners.
It’s going to be funny, it’s going to be high energy. There’s going to be some really great singing, a little bit of dancing, some jokes, but it’s going to be some great music above all.
For more information, call (317) 639-4300 or visit www.Indianapolissymphony.org.
You can e-mail comments to Jessica Williams-Gibson at Jessica-recorder@indy.rr.com.
Wayne Brady with the ISO
This show, full of his trademark improvisatory humor, soulful voice and dancing prowess, combines a toe-tapping tribute to Sammy Davis Jr. with the classic grooves of R&B legend Sam Cooke.
For more information, call (317) 639-4300 or visit www.indianapolissymphony.org.
Sam Cooke
During his career, R&B singer Sam Cooke was a very influential gospel and soul performer best known for “A Change Is Gonna Come” and “Cupid.” His vocal style inspired many singers.
Sammy Davis Jr.
Sammy Davis Jr. has been recognized as one of the greatest entertainers of all time. He was a versatile performer known for his singing, tap dancing and acting. Many remember him from his days with the Rat Pack with entertainers such as Dean Martin and Frank Sinatra.
So, who is Wayne Brady anyway?
Multiple Emmy Award winner Wayne Brady became known for his improvisational skills on ABC television’s “Who’s Line Is It Anyway?” He moved on to host his own variety and talk show, “The Wayne Brady Show.” Currently, he can be seen on Fox hosting “Don’t Forget the Lyrics” and on CBS as host of “Let’s Make a Deal.” Other television credits include guest appearances on “Chappelle’s Show,” “30 Rock,” “How I Met Your Mother,” “Dirt” and “Everybody Hates Chris.” His debut R&B album, “A Long Time Coming,” was released in 2008.
