MELBA MOORE PREMIERES “FOREVER MOORE” IN CAFÉ CARLYLE DEBUT FROM APRIL 26 TO MAY 7

The Tony Award-winning actress and singer Melba Moore makes her Café Carlyle debut in an exclusive two-week engagement from April 26 to May 7. More...
In the premiere of “Forever Moore” the four-time Grammy-nominated Moore traces a remarkable musical journey reaching into the past and leading to the present. Moore, who has had numerous chart-topping hits throughout a long career, currently has a new number one on the Billboard R&B charts. “Love Is,” from her new CD of the same name,
held on to the top ranking for four weeks.

In “Forever Moore” Moore reaches into the American Songbook for some early influences, passes through her hit-making 70’s (she was a Best New Artist Grammy nominee in 1971) and opens it up with a treasure trove of seminal R&B touchstones, culminating with her current hit “Love Is.” In the course of the evening Moore pays tribute to Ella, Lena and Aretha, the sophisticated ladies whose profound influences on her art and career she both acknowledges and celebrates.

Melba Moore starred on Broadway in “Les Miserables” (as Fantine), with Eartha Kitt in “Timbuktu,” and in the original cast of “Hair” in 1967. She received her Tony Award for her portrayal of Lutiebelle in “Purlie” in 1970.

Among her notable recordings are “This Is It” in 1976 (Billboard Hot 100 Top 20); “Lean on Me,” also 1976, for her third Grammy nomination; and “You Stepped Into My Life,” released in 1979 on Epic Records, hitting the R&B Top 20. From the 80’s she had “Love’s Comin’ at Ya” with Capital Records (which reached the top 5 on the R&B charts), and the dance single “Read My Lips” which earned Moore her fourth Grammy nomination for Best Female Rock Vocal Performance.

“A Little Bit More,” with Freddie Jackson in 1986, was her first #1 hit. Her second was “Falling” the following year. Her “Lift Every Voice and Sing” on the album “Soul Exposed” -- with the voices of Stevie Wonder, Freddie Jackson, Aretha Franklin, Anita Baker and Stephanie Mills -- was inducted into the Library of Congress, and is often referred to as the Negro National Anthem.

In addition to a variety show in the 70’s with Clifton Davis, Moore starred in her own series, “Melba,” which premiered on CBS in 1986.

"Forever Moore" runs from Tuesday April 26 through Saturday May 7, performing 12 times - Tuesday through Friday at 8:45pm and Saturday at 8:45pm & 10:45pm. The music charge is $119. The Café Carlyle, in The Carlyle Hotel, 35 East 76th Street at Madison Avenue, serves dinner from 6:30pm. For reservations call 212/744-1600 or visit www.thecarlyle.com.