Wayne Brady, the actor, singer, dancer, comedian and Emmy Award winner, honors two of entertainment’s most accomplished stars. Accompanied by the National Symphony Orchestra, he joins conductor Steven Reineke, a frequent collaborator, in a program of songs made famous by the unique voices of Sammy Davis Jr. and Sam Cooke.
“Steve and I have presented this program about twice a year with various symphony orchestras in the Hollywood Bowl and major concert halls,” Brady said. “The two Sammys are special people because they both loved music and show business and had lots of class.
“Sammy Davis Jr. had all-around talent and a great work ethic. His talent was the great equalizer because he made folks forget the inequalities he suffered. Sam Cooke had romance in his voice. I grew up listening to him, the Drifters and the Motown catalog instead of the popular music of the period. If both Sammys were still around, they’d be revered legends.”
| Onstage |
| Wayne Brady with the NSO Pops |
| Where: Kennedy Center Concert Hall |
| When: 7 p.m. Thursday. 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday |
| Info: $20 to $85; 202-467-4600, 800-444-1324; Kennedy-center.org |
After breaking into television on the British version of “Whose Line is it Anyway,” Brady was hired for the American version hosted by Drew Carey. Next came “The Wayne Brady Show” that began in 2001 as a variety show and morphed the following year into a talk show. He is hailed for his sharp-witted improv skill, but he emphasizes that this is merely one of many abilities he cultivated growing up.
“Instead of watching ‘Starsky and Hutch,’ I watched ‘The Carol Burnett Show,’ and old PBS films of Sid Caesar, Ernie Kovacs and Danny Kaye,” Brady said. “When I began developing my variety show, I wanted to do a show that would bring families together like we used to sit and watch Carol Burnett in the living room every Saturday evening.”
Looking to the future, he already has completed a new album that he sees becoming a candidate for another Grammy. He anticipates going back to Broadway in the near future and is producing a couple of TV shows with his eye on being a major player in show business until reaching his 80s. In the meantime, he wants to share his admiration for the two Sammys with the Kennedy Center audience.
“I want everyone to learn about each man and his contributions to American entertainment,” he said. “Then I want them to listen to a fan interpret their best songs. Sam Cooke sang to reach everyone, no matter their color. If I can unite people of all ages and races, then I’ve done something right.”
