We opened Marley at Baltimore Centerstage: A World Premiere: MARLEY
Take a look below and enjoy some shots from my opening night party! Let me know if you like them with comments below! I found my dress here in Baltimore and loved it sooo much I even added flowers to my hair later in the night… Enjoy! *photos courtesy of Saycon Sengbloh, Charles Browning, and Centerstage*
Rita MarleyBob and Rita Marley perform during Peace Concert
Catching folks up and getting my blog up to date. Its been a while and while some are on the mailing lists, others have subscribed to the blog as well and I cannot let the days pass by without sharing some pics! I take so many pics that never see the light of day!
Saycon Sengbloh to play Rita Marley
As I prepared to share my Opening night pics from Marley I realized I never posted the announcement that was in the show to my blog readers. We’re still building our readership so I can’t let that slip through the cracks. The last post announced Mitchell Brunings as Marley, but waiting on clearance, I didn’t let you guys know that I’m in the show as well playing Rita Marley in the Baltimore US premiere of MARLEY. A beautiful strong show about Bob Marley and his times in Jamaica, and London pre and post an assassination attempt on his life. In the play, I’m thrilled to play the role of Rita Marley, Bob Marley’s wife and mother of several of his children, and performer in his touring and recording band.
This role is one of my favorites so far as I’ve learned so much more about Bob and Rita Marley, who’s music I admired greatly before. I’ve also gotten a deeper understanding of some of their spiritual beliefs and an enhanced world view as well, absolutely enhanced. Now I’m in the beautiful and passionate city of Baltimore, Maryland performing in Marley: written by Kwame Kweigh-Armah. I don’t think words can describe what its been like to be here during a time of civil unrest and change in this harbor city. Being in rehearsal for a play about a man who was passionate about human rights, as people protested the horrible untimely death of Freddie Gray, while in police custody, did not escape irony for us in the least bit. Personally, it was quite difficult to be an artist stuck inside rehearsing and not be a part! So with permission and encouragement from our company, and our director, we took to the streets to uplift and share a little music, a little inspiration. We sang in front of the CVS area that had been under fire and great duress in days previous.
Susan Kelechi Watson, Saycon Sengbloh, & Crystal Joy and Cast of MARLEY sing to uplift protest with music
I pray you will venture to Baltimore and see this show, Marley currently playing through June 14th at Baltimore Center Stage. www.CenterStage.com
Good things are happening in theatre! This spring the Baltimore Center Stage will present, “MARLEY” a musical about the songwriter, musician, the revolutionary, father, husband, and man of the people: Bob Marley! Excitedly the talented Mitchell Brunings will be portraying, Marley in this World Premiere play with the music of Bob Marley.
Got to http://www.CenterStage.org for more information. The show runs May 6th 2015 to June 14th, 2015. Will you be there? Watch the videos below of Mitchell performing some of the beautiful music of Bob Marley. Jah Bless!
MITCHELL BRUNINGS sings “Redemption Song” by Bob Marley
MITCHELL BRUNINGS sings “So Much Trouble In the World” by Bob Marley
I’m featured on this new series: FOR THE LOVE OF DANCE with SARITA LOU! It is the year 2015 and as I take it all in I realize what an impactful year 2014 has been! Personally and professionally so many events have happened, I can’t count them all and had not previously posted much of it on SayconTalks blog. One thing that came into my life during my time at Holler If Ya Hear Me, were old friends and people coming back I did a new show reading with Sarita Lou years ago. Ms. Sarita Lou is a class act, she’s a lovely performer, and producer, and interviewer who is fulfilling a dream as she produces a web series called, ” For the Love of Dance with Sarita Lou” As we move into this year there will be some reviews of 2014 events that really should be explored here, including my time singing backgrounds with Ms. Lauryn Hill, causes and events in support of Ebola Crisis reform, and an exciting premiere of a new musical Stagger Lee, but absolutely right now I’m so thrilled to share my episode of the new series: For the Love of Dance with Sarita Lou. This series focuses on dancers and dance and movement and entertainment. Many people don’t know about the separation that occurs in the Musical Theatre world, people who sing and act with movement and choreography as an additional focus are often called “singers who move well.”
Saycon talks on self care for longevity on Broadway
Being featured here is particularly meaningful to me as quote, ” singer who moves well” as I’m sure. Sarita’s show will feature prolific dancers along with the quirkiest movers, the physical body is very important part of my life as a performer and singer on Broadway, preventing injuries and performing well. During my 10 years participating in Broadway shows my body has been important to me as well, not only my throat and voice, not just for osing weight but for strength. I admire and respect the constant training that takes place to be full fledged dancer, and because of that for many years I would never sign up for company allotted physical therapy (aka PT) as if I had no right to it as an actor or singer! My how things have changed! Your body will quickly remind you that you that it is certainly dancing 8 times a week whether you want to call it that or not! I remember my good friend Christine Horn talking about the back strength she had to get as she performed the role of Nala in the Lion King, a role that is typically not considered a “dance” track, yet required a type of agility and physical therapy to maintain. I experienced performing as a “singer who moves well” on “raked’ stages ( slanted to optimize the audiences view) climbing ladders and thrashing my head about in ” Hair” . And through therapy learned the importance of strengthening my quadriceps muscles to aid in knee support in wearing high heels. As a child I always danced but as roles for acting and singing took precedence I stopped taking ballet classes. Years later I have found how much joy and strength I gain from studying dance. One of my favorite things is to study with my many Broadway friends who are also dance teachers ( shout out to Iris Wilson and Rickey Tripp). Many singers and actors take their physical health for granted and experience pitfalls because of that, but I’m here to say WE ARE DANCERS TOO!
CLICK TO WATCH THE INTERVIEW BELOW: FOR THE LOVE OF DANCE
Hopefully my being on this forum will lead to great respect for all performers out there! Learn all about it on my episode of “For the Love of Dance with Sarita Lou.” Many thanks Sarita for your interest in my career and lifestyle!
Saycon Sengbloh is on the 57th Grammy Ballot for Best Traditional R&B Song
Dear Recording Academy:
Kind thanks to the Voting Members of the Recording Academy for your consideration. Saycon Sengbloh is on the ballot for 57th Annual Grammy Awards in the category of Traditional R&B! First round ballots are due November 5th.
Now Streaming “Be Here” by Saycon Sengbloh for your consideration: Saycon Sengbloh (vocals), Jason Michael Webb (piano), & Jonathan Dinklage (Viola/Violin)
Now Streaming “Everything” by Saycon Sengbloh for your consideration : Saycon Sengbloh (vocals), Jason Michael Webb (piano), Konrad Adderley (bass), Les Cleveland (drums), & Dave Rosenthal (guitar)
Saycon Sengbloh on 1st round ballot for 57th Annual Grammy Awards
As an independent artist, you may or may not be privy to Saycon’s career in the arts read below to learn more! Sengbloh was previously featured on songs in Grammy nominated recordings listed below:
Motown the Musical: Original Broadway Cast Recording
*Saycon Sengbloh is lead female vocalist on “Get Ready / Dancing In the Streets”
Fela!: Original Broadway Cast Recording
*Saycon Sengbloh is lead female vocalist through out the album including “Upside Down” & “Water No Get Enemy”
Hair: The New Broadway Cast Recording
*Saycon Sengbloh is lead vocalist on “Four Score/Abie Baby”
Want to learn more about Saycon visit Official Website or read below:
Saycon Sengbloh was born in Atlanta, GA. to an American mother and Liberian father. She has been a featured actress and vocalist in the newest generation of contemporary shows on Broadway and off-Broadway, embracing a new sound of pop, rock, & soul music and production including Rent, Oprah Winfrey’s the Color Purple the musical, Disney’s Aida, the new revival of Hair, Wicked, Hurt Village, & also the first Afro-beat musical, Fela! where she starred as the delicious Sandra Iszadore. She was photographed and named one of the hottest up and coming acts in the annual juice issue of VIBE magazine. “Fela!” the musical won several Tony awards! Saycon sings on the Grammy nominated soundtracks for “Fela!”, “Hair”, “Motown the Musical” and also provided backing vocals on the soundtrack for the Julie Taymore film “Across the Universe”. The ever versatile actress brings hip-hop to Broadway in Tupac Shakur production “Holler If Ya Hear Me” including Saycon Sengbloh as a muse and rapper to a new generation of theater fans. She began performing as a kid in plays and musicals at Tri-Cities School for Visual and Performing Arts and attended Agnes Scott College and has been seen in commercials, print ads, and on the cover of the New York Times Best seller: “Big Girls Don’t Cry” by Connie Brisco. After numerous productions with the Freddie Hendrick’s Youth Ensemble of Atlanta. She has worked with directors Kenny Leon, Michael Greif, Charles Randolph-Wright, & Tyler Perry among others. She is very proud to have appeared in the films of female directors Julie Dash and Julie Taymore. Saycon Sengbloh has a cult following among New York theatre fans as the first woman of African descent to perform the role of Elphaba the Wicked witch of the West in Universal’s hugely popular musical “Wicked” and as an indie music artist and songwriter she has released several songs available online and music videos including, “Be Here”, “Warrior” and “Possible”.
Hey friends please check out The Good Wife this Sunday October 5th on CBS you’ll see yours truly. If you see it please tell a friend to watch and let me know what you think! I’m excited: Its Episode 3 of season 6, episode title: “Dear God”. I was thrilled to go on this show! Enjoy.
Check out this video footage of my August 13th Concert at 54 Below! I’m Saycon Sengbloh and I love to entertain, be it acting or singing please enjoy these clips. Scroll down for list of full band and singers below:
I’m Here [From the Color Purple]
Mama’s House / I Can’t Stand the Rain
The Band:
Lead Vocals- Saycon Sengbloh
Piano- Andre “Chez” Lewis, Vocals- Stephanie Fischer, Vocals- Christin Amena
Drums- Alex Durant, Bass- Marcus Reddick, Guitar- David Rosenthal
What a year its been so far! What a journey, I’m excited to share some new music with you all as I prepare my concerts for my 54 Below debut. Earlier this year I was seen in the show Holler If Ya Hear Me which featured the music of Tupac Shakur and Motown the Musical in the heart of Times Square on Broadway. Also I’m featured along with the cast of Fela the Musical in the Sundance documentary, Finding Fela Any of you who may want to see more of me get to know the voice and personality behind the actress, come out to hear me sing some of your favorite songs in my own way and some just as you like them( lol). Songs from my theatrical career and songs I wrote as well, with a tasty meal or drinks and desserts to boot! My Instagram moniker is VintagePopSoul and I decided to name the show that because they all exist within me. Thanks for all the well wishes on this year’s success I remain grateful! Mark your calendars now Gmail users!
Excitedly, I have also released the 2nd single from my forth coming album, the song is called “Everything” and you can download it on iTunes and Googleplay !
*photos by Kat Hennesey
*Cd cover graphics Mojo Visual