MUSICAL PERFORMERS
Live on Stage at the Palace Theater in Waterbury, CT. All of YOUR favorite Music Artists performing their #1 Music Hits. This is what happens when Disco Music MEETS Freestyle Music. You get a show stopping concert not to be missed.
Our “Boogie Down” Disco Artists
Carol Douglas – Facebook Page
In 1974, Douglas was recruited by Midland International Records via an ad in Showbiz magazine: label vice president/record producer Eddie O’Loughlin had heard the UK hit single “Doctor’s Orders” by Sunny and was seeking a female vocalist to cut the track for the U.S. market. Douglas’s audition led to a five-year contract and her version of “Doctor’s Orders” became a hit, reaching #2 on the Billboard disco chart, #9 R&B, and #11 on the Hot 100; the single also reached #4 in France.
Harold Melvin Blue Notes – Facebook Page
Among the Blue Notes’ most important and successful recordings are love songs such as 1972’s “If You Don’t Know Me by Now” (#1 Billboard R&B, #3 pop), their breakout single, “I Miss You” (#7 R&B, #58 pop), “The Love I Lost” (#1 R&B, #7 pop, 1973) and socially conscious songs such as “Wake Up Everybody” (#1 R&B, #12 pop) and “Bad Luck” (#4 R&B, #15 pop), both in 1975. “If You Don’t Know Me By Now” sold over one million copies, and was awarded a gold disc by the RIAA on November 21, 1972 “Bad Luck” holds the record for the longest-running number-one hit on the Hot Dance Music/Club Play chart: 11 weeks.
A 1976 remake of “Don’t Leave Me This Way” by Motown artist Thelma Houston was a number-one hit on the US pop chart; her version is one of the defining recordings of the discoera. The Blue Notes’ version on the album, “Wake Up Everybody” was not released as a single in the USA at the time, but proved to be the group’s biggest hit in the UK (#5) when released there as a single in 1977. The track was finally issued as a single in the US on 12-inch in 1979, coupled with “Bad Luck”. The group recorded four albums with Gamble & Huff, all of them going gold (over 500,000 copies), according to RIAA, including To Be True (#26, Billboard Top 40 albums) and Wake Up Everybody (#9), both in 1975. Wake Up Everybody and a greatest hits compilation released in 1976, Collector’s Item, have now sold over a million copies.
France Joli – Facebook Page
“Come to Me” is a #1 disco hit from 1979 performed by France Joli, who had recorded it at the age of fifteen with producer, Tony Green, who composed the song and briefly sings on it. The track also features the famed Philadelphia session vocalists, The Sweethearts of Sigma Sound. The song was introduced on the album France Joli, which was released in the US on 17 April 1979 on Prelude, and rose to #26. On the Billboard Hot 100. “Come to Me” received a major boost on 7 July when Joli performed it as a last minute replacement for Donna Summer at a concert held on Fire Island, whose estimated audience numbered 5000. France Joli also has other hit songs like “The Heart to Break the Heart“and “Gonna Get Over You.”
Disco Unlimited “The #1 Disco Band on The East Coast”- Facebook Page
Get ready to Boogie! Disco Unlimited will be here at The Palace Theater!!
Disco Unlimited has become the hottest disco show and dance band on the East Coast. Capturing a time in music that to this day has not been matched, Disco Unlimited will exhilarate you with their powerful vocals, tight harmonies and dance grooves, and instantly transport you to a time when Saturday nights meant white suits and platform shoes and the best music.
Felipe Native American of Village People Fame – Facebook Page
In 1977, Village People had their first hit with “San Francisco”, although this song became a hit only in the United Kingdom. Then in 1978 they had their first hits in the U.S. with “Macho Man” followed by “Y.M.C.A.”
In the 1980’s, Rose sang and danced for the Latin music maestro Tito Puente and he also starred in a regional theater production of West Side Story. In 1996, Rose started the Tomahawk Group, an entertainment and recording company which handles the Village People’s releases and songs. The company is also in charge of the group’s many engagements.
OUR FREESTYLE ARTISTS
George Lamond – Facebook Page
George began singing backup for various artists before landing a solo deal with Columbia Records. His first album, released in 1990, Bad of the Heart had many underground dance hits like Bad of the Heart (#25 on the Billboard Hot 100 in 1990), “Look Into My Eyes” (#4 Hot Dance Club Play, 1990) and “Without You” (#4 Hot Dance, 1989), all co-produced by famed New York producer Chris Barbosa who had produced Shannon’s string of hits a few years earlier. In 1991, Lamond scored a hit with Brenda K. Starr on the duet No Matter What (#49 Billboard Hot 100).
His follow-up releases received press and were successful, but less successful than on his previous releases. His second album, 1992’s In My Life, included a remake of the Jackson 5’s I Want You Back, in addition to the single Where Does That Leave Love? (#59 Hot 100, 1992), which made an impact on sales and radio but less of an impact in the clubs or charts as previous releases. Lamond has also released a couple of salsa albums and scored a number of hits on the Billboard Hot Latin Tracks. 2001 saw the release of his highly acclaimed salsa album GL on Sony Records .
TKA
TKA is a Latin Freestyle/Dance-pop trio prominent in the 1980s and early 1990s, mainly in Freestyle hotbeds such as New York City and Miami, Florida. Its members were Tony Ortiz, Louis “Kayel” Sharpe, and Angel “Love” Vasquez, and the initials TKA represent their collective initials. All of TKA’s members are of Puerto Rican descent. Many Freestyle fans consider them “the Kings of Freestyle”, although Kayel resents this label, saying that “There are no ‘kings’ in Freestyle.”
The trio, hailing from New York City, were discovered when they sang at a Sweet Sixteen party in an East Harlem church in 1984. Record producer Joey Gardner, who was at the party, was impressed with the group, and got the group signed to Tommy Boy Records. The group originally consisted of Tony, Kayel, and Ralph “Aby” Cruz, but eventually Aby was replaced by Raymond “Pito” “Angel” Vasquez (although not widely known, India was also one of the original members). Their first single was “One Way Love” which was a major hit among the Latin club community in New York, and followed up with many other hits, such as “Scars Of Love“, “Tears May Fall”, and “Come Get My Love.”
The year, 1991 proved to be a very critical year for TKA, and for many Freestyle performers as well. TKA released their most important singles in 1991, “Louder Than Love”, “Give Your Love To Me”, and their House hit “Crash (Let’s Have Some Fun).” Despite being very popular and very influential to the Freestyle genre, Tommy Boy requested that the band switch to pop instead of Freestyle. Rather than sacrifice their artistic integrity, the group released one more single, “Maria”, which ironically proved to be their biggest hit, and then split up.
1988 album-cover for Scars of Love.Following the split, the members of TKA went on to pursue independent interests. Kayel recorded under the name K7 and had a hit Hip Hop record Swing Batta Swing which contained the lead hit single, “Come Baby Come.” Tony started a successful production company in New York, and Angel joined the R&B group Goodfellas.
TKA reunited in 2001 and recorded the album Forever. The actual drop date for that album was November 6, 2001. Of the 12 songs contained on that album, only one was actually released as a single which was the smooth, House music song, “Feel The Music”. The albums’ promotion failures led to its poor success. Angel left the group afterwards and was replaced by popular Freestyle singer George Lamond. After the making of the anticipated album labeled ‘TKA Featuring George Lamond’ was completed, the group (along with George Lamond) decided to break up and go their own ways. The album was never released and only exists as demos that were given out to a few record companies. The name TKA still continues to live among its frontman K7, who performs the well known TKA hits in clubs throughout New York City. He also DJ’s on New York’s popular dance station 103.5 KTU. Though they’ve parted ways, they are still very popular in New York City, Chicago and Miami, and has had a sudden resurgence of popularity thanks to a recent Freestyle revival.
TKA were very notable for being heavily influential in the Freestyle genre, having presented an opportunity for many other Latino performers to create dance music. Among many Freestyle performers, TKA remain one of the most popular and influential, and its music are constant mainstays on Freestyle playlists.
Judy Torres – Facebook Page
Judy Torres, often referred to as the “Queen of Freestyle,” was, and still is, one of the most acclaimed and enduring freestyle music artists of all-time. She also records R&B, Dance and Pop. Torres has outlasted many of her counterparts. Growing up in The Bronx, and attending an all-girls Catholic high school, she was the eldest of five siblings. She scored major club hits with songs like “Please Stay Tonight”, “Come Into My Arms“, “Love Story”, “I Love You, Will You Love Me” and “No Reason To Cry” a love-themed freestyle classic.Until 2009, Torres had a Sunday-night Freestyle show on New York’s popular radio station WKTU 103.5. She is still on the radio station.In 2001, Torres scored a major club hit with the sentimental love song “Back in Your Arms Again.” It peaked at #7 on the Hot Dance Music/Club Play chart, her highest charting single yet. It was also featured in an excellent remix version on the popular compilation series White Party. In 2004, she released her debut single on the wildly successful label Robbins Entertainment that was titled “The Air I Breathe,” which featured freestyle artist Collage. It is a Hi-NRG song produced by famed A-List producer Tony Moran. The single proformed modestly on the charts.
In late 2005, Judy released the single “Faithfully.” The song immediately began to receive heavy airplay at dance stations throughout the nation. It is a cover of a 1983 hit by the band Journey. The single soon peaked at #1 as one of the most-requested songs on WKTU. It peaked at #1 on the station’s Top 8 at 8:00 PM show for more than five weeks altogether. Other Rhythmic/Dance format radio stations in the U.S. soon added the popular single from New York to their playlists. The CD-single of “Faithfully” peaked at #8 on the Hot Dance Singles Sales chart. In August 2007, Torres returned to her Freestyle music roots with the single “I Don’t.” The song is a cover of Danielle Peck’s Top 30 country hit written by Clay Mills/Peck/Burton Collins. In November 2008, Judy released “Hell, No,” an anthem for abused women.
Judy Torres appears in the 2012 film Elliot Loves, in which she plays the role of Aunt Nani. Late in 2013, she released the Dance-pop song “Beautiful Life”. She continues to record and perform.
Tony Tonasia – Facebook Page
Born and raised in the boogie down Bronx from Italian immigrant Anthony Annunziata aka Tonasia always had a love and appreciation and passion for the arts and music. Being raised in a musical family there was no doubt he would follow. His mom loved music and played a mean piano and sang all the time , she was an incredible voice stress that ‘s where he gets it from, he says with a grin on his face ……He was signed to Mic Mac records in the late 80’s and his first hit single Wondering became an instant hit in the summer of 88 ‘and was dubbed a classic in the genre of the dance / latin freestyle music circle, radio and mix shows soon followed around the world. It was when he released his second hit single, “Games of Love” in the fall of 89 that became a huge sensation right out of the box as a test press and was added to prime time high rotation on clear water channel radio station Hot 97 fm , 103.5 kTU and Power 96 in Miami Fl. It became a huge national hit reaching all the main stream radio station nationwide including the Casey Kasem Top 40 countdown and moving its way down the charts in the top tens spots followed by his third hit single “Tears of Tears” with its strong drum patterns and base lines it was a instant hit with all the dj’s and fans ..after recording those hits with Mic Mac Records Tonasia pursued a freelance music career working with different producer and releasing different styles of music with numerous record labels releasing his first freelance hit single ( It Must Be love ) which was released on Metropolitan records in the 90’s …. collaborating and working together with numerous producers , friend , Dj’s and recording with them and coming up with all different types of elaborate edits , mixes and songs on different record Labels there was no stopping the music and magic that was being infused in ideas and different talents that was coming together in these production with Tonasia. There collaboration and compilations series with different genres of music and record companies through out his musical career was the right choice !!!! Truly a fun and magical experience.
Sergio was born in the late 60’s and has always aspired to be a singer. Sergio worked with Adam Marano of Collage in the early 90’s when “I’ll Be Loving You” came out in 1992-1993. This song immediately took off and was on the radio constantly. A hit song was made and to this day it is an extremely well known and liked song.
Sergio went on to work independently as Sergio and Andrew Ka. He has a library of songs on Metropolitan Records with Jerry Salerno. In and Out of Love, one of Sergio’s better known songs came out in ’91. “Love on the Freeze” entered the market in 1988!!!
Sergio is a native New Yorker who has performed worldwide and has had many successes. His strong vocals and stage presentation makes him an artist to be remembered.