Just in case you thought Columbus was never gonna get it, worry not – one of the top R&B groups of the 1990s is coming to town to perform a special symphonic show.
The Columbus Symphony Orchestra takes the stage with En Vogue April 5 at the Ohio Theatre as part of the orchestra’s pops series.
Formed in 1989, the group gained renown in the early 1990s with such hits as “Free Your Mind,” “Giving Him Something He Can Feel,” “Hold on,” “Don’t Let Go (Love)” and “My Lovin’ (You’re Never Gonna Get it),” as well as “Whatta Man,” a collaboration with rap group Salt-n-Pepa. The current line-up includes founding members Terry Ellis and Cindy Herron, as well as Rhona Bennett, who joined in 2003.
Though it has not released a studio album since 2004’s Soul Flower, En Vogue continues to tour. Performances with symphony orchestras are not regular, but the group has shared stages with numerous orchestras in recent years.
“It just gives such an amazing dimension to our music,” says Ellis.
The added instrumentation only enhances the sound, Ellis says, offering a much more in-depth listening experience to fans familiar with the original hits.
Those hits are a staple of each En Vogue show, including symphonic shows such as the one that will take place at the Ohio Theatre. But there’s more to the group’s repertoire than the hits, Ellis says.
“We also do a tribute medley in our show,” she says. “We’ve chosen seven female artists who we love and aspired to be like when we were growing up in the music industry.”
That medley, which is about 15 minutes in length, includes snippets of songs by Donna Summer, Gladys Knight, Patti LaBelle, Chaka Khan, the Emotions and the Mary Jane Girls. Without those artists paving the way, En Vogue wouldn’t have been able to achieve the success it has achieved, and band members wanted to show their respect on stage, says Ellis.
Another unexpected addition to the show is an operatic aria written by composer and pianist Yanni. The first time they performed the song with an orchestral backing, Ellis and Herron loved it, and it’s been a staple of the symphonic shows ever since.
“We love so many different genres of music, and En Vogue has always been known for pushing the envelope in that way,” says Ellis.
Audiences can also expect the group’s signature choreography with every song.
“Once we hit the stage, it doesn’t stop until we are done,” Ellis says.
Ellis mentions “My Lovin’ (You’re Never Gonna Get it),” “Free Your Mind” and “Hold on” and “Don’t Let Go (Love)” as some of the standard hits that get bigger with an orchestra. Connecting with the audience is the band’s No. 1 goal on stage, Ellis says, and the right backing can deepen the connection the hits have.
The group hopes to begin working on new music later this year, Ellis says.
Many of the large music agencies are encouraging artists to have their music charted for orchestras, and that has opened up a wide range of opportunities for groups like the Columbus Symphony Orchestra, says Rich Corsi, director of programming for CAPA. CAPA performs management services for the orchestra.
“It’s almost like a second coming of their careers,” Corsi says.
Good receptions from shows with other pop artists such as Natalie Merchant and an impressive En Vogue performance with the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra let the Columbus symphony to pursue the group.
“Their music really translates well into the symphonic format,” says Corsi.
Most such artists who have performed with the symphony have praised its skill and professional conduct, Corsi says, which helps when it comes to enticing groups into being part of the pops series.
En Vogue will be a good fit, Corsi says – not just because of the songs attendees know, but also because of the songs they won’t remember until they hear them.
“They’re one of those groups that, when someone comes to see them, they’re going to recognize a lot more than they realize,” says Corsi.
Garth Bishop is editor of CityScene Magazine. Feedback welcome at gbishop@cityscenemediagroup.com.
