Home Arts-Entertainment Things to do Music Legend Isaac Hayes to Perform at Reichhold

Music Legend Isaac Hayes to Perform at Reichhold

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Nov. 9, 2004 – Isaac Hayes has made his mark in many genres of music, beginning with soul and jazz and then rhythm and blues and disco. His song "Shaft," featured in the movie by the same name, made Hayes a household name and won him a 1971 Academy Award. This forefather of hip-hop is also African royalty, an animated character, mentor to contemporary musicians and still puts on a show that will have you rocking in your seat.
Hayes will perform at the Reichhold Center for the Arts along with the Virgin Islands' very own Sammy Watts. It will be an evening of soul, funk and R&B at 8 p.m., Saturday, Nov. 13.
Hayes was born on Aug. 20, 1942, in Covington, Tenn. Like many artists, Hayes got his start singing in church, and he made his solo debut when he was just five years old. He is a self-taught musician, learning piano, organ and saxophone when he was just a boy. Hayes moved to Memphis to perform on the city's club circuit, forming groups like Sir Isaac and the Doo-Dads, the Teen Tones and Sir Calvin and His Swinging Cats. By the time he was 20 years old, Hayes was ready to record.
The following years would see Hayes playing with the Mar-Keys, Otis Redding and the Soul Children. He formed a partnership with songwriter David Porter, and together they composed 200 songs that put other artists on the charts, including "When Something Is Wrong With My Baby," "Soul Man" and "Hold On, I'm Comin.'"
By 1967, Hayes was ready to go solo, and put out his first album called "Presenting Isaac Hayes." It was followed two years later by "Hot Buttered Soul." That's also when Hayes donned his trademark sunglasses and gold jewelry and shaved his head. His physical presence on stage, as well as his music, set him apart from other performers.
In the 1980s, Hayes retired from music for five years, enjoyed a brief comeback and then decided to focus on acting. In 1995 Hayes returned with two releases, "Branded" and the instrumental "Raw and Refined." Under the official name Nene Katey Ocansey I, he also served as a member of the royal family of the African nation of Ghana while continuing to act and compose. Then, in 1997, Hayes reached cult status once again as the voice of the soulful elementary school "Chef" in "South Park" on TV.
In 2000, Hayes revisited his biggest triumph of the past by appearing in the remake of "Shaft" starring Samuel L. Jackson.
Virgin Islander Sammy Watts will open for Hayes. Watts, a guitarist, began his musical career in the early 70s, as he toured with Hayes throughout the United States, Canada and Europe for three years performing and recording albums such as "Isaac Hayes Live at Lake Tahoe," "Joy" and "Chocolate Chip." Since then Sammy has recorded many albums. His latest, "Party Mood," was released in August of this year, and is flavored with Latin, reggae, soca and ballads.
Tickets are available at both locations of Modern Music, Parrot Fish, Krystal & Gifts Galore, the UVI Bookstore, Connections on St. John and the Reichhold Ticket Office.
The performance is sponsored by Theodore Tunick & Company, American Airlines-American Eagle, Marriott's Frenchman's Reef and the Virgin Islands Council on the Arts. For ticketing information and travel packages from St. Croix and St. John call 693-1559.

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