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August 5, 2004

Popular Jersey show band features ex-Commodores singer Kenny Simmons, new CD with charts by 17-time Grammy Winner, Newark native Charles Calello

Get ready for an explosive live music show in Woodbridge August 9 as the Mayor’s Summer Concert Series presents the Infernos featuring ex-Commodores vocalist Kenny Simmons and former Duprees keyboardist Bobby Wells fronting a powerhouse 12-piece band.

The free concert takes place at 7:30 p.m. on the grass fields behind Woodbridge High School. Sansone’s Route 1 Auto Mall is the prime series sponsor, with secondary sponsorship by ShopRite. The Infernos show is sponsored by Hess.

“We are thrilled to have the Infernos back again,” said Mayor Frank G. Pelzman. “This is a show that covers the full range of rock’n’roll at its most vibrant and versatile.”

The Infernos are truly one of the most diverse pop outfits touring the East Coast today, with a repertoire spanning big band to Motown, steamy hot jazz to J-Lo – a live-action jukebox bursting with five decades of the best of American popular music including Vince Torrell’s acclaimed Frank Sinatra tribute show.

The Rotunda Records artists have been busy in the studio of late, producing their sixth recording, an 18-song CD of mostly original material titled The 3rd Prophesy with special instrumental arrangements by Newark native and 17-time Grammy winner Charles Calello.

Calello is a legendary arranger/producer who started out in the doo-wop days creating hits for Shirley Ellis (“The Name Game”), Lou Christie (“Lightning Strikes”) and The Four Seasons (“Walk Like a Man”) before achieving status as a producer for CBS Records during the 1960s pop music revolution. A short list of his arranging/producing credits includes recordings by Frank Sinatra, Barbra Streisand, Ray Charles, Stevie Wonder, Neil Diamond, Kenny Rogers, Bruce Springsteen, Lauro Nyro, Natalie Cole, B.B. King, Dionne Warwick, Gladys Knight, Luther Vandross, Liza Minelli, Randy Travis, Michael Bolton, Michael McDonald, Vince Gill, Patti Page, Richie Havens, Eric Carmen, Janis Ian, Merle Haggard, Gloria Estefan and Juice Newton.

The 3rd Prophesy is the Infernos’ most ambitious and boundary-stretching effort to date and features a bevy of notable guest artists: jazz sax star Laura Dreyer, rock guitar virtuoso Neil Rambaldi, a cappella ensemble Duwende, Greek-born violist Elena Doroftei of metal/post-goth bands On Thorns I Lay and Ghost Orgy.

According to Infernos’ keyboardist/musical director Bobby Wells, The 3rd Prophesy is “a mystical, magical, musical journey that will take you in, spin you around and never let you go.”. . . indeed, a similar effect as the group’s live shows.

Kenny Simmons said the band was especially excited about Charles Calello’s participation. “Charlie lives in Boca Raton, Florida, and through a mutual friend heard one of our tracks. He interrupted a session he was putting together with Celine Dion to fly up to New Jersey on his private jet and give us a chart for our song. When someone of his stature gets interested in your work, that’s a very positive sign.”

The 3rd Prophesy will be distributed nationwide Sept. 1 via Amazon.com. It will be available for sale at the Woodbridge concert Aug. 9.

The Mayor’s Summer Concert Series not only nourishes musical appetites but helps sustain the coffers at the Woodbridge Food Bank. Concertgoers are asked to bring non-perishable food items for deposit in special collection bins. “Summer months always put a strain on local food pantries,” says Mayor Pelzman. “Last year, the generous people of Woodbridge donated an incredible amount of food during the series.”

Festivities begin with a disc jockey at 6 p.m. and a 7:30 p.m. start for the concerts. Audience members are urged to bring blankets and lawn chairs, and refreshments are available in the food court.

The 2004 Mayor’s Summer Concert Series schedule continues through August with Larry Chance & The Earls (Aug. 16), Cornell Gunter’s Coasters (Aug. 23), Party Dolls (Aug. 30).