The Kingsmen of Columbia University Salute John and Sarah Livingston Jay in Song
Staff | February 23, 2012 | Comment
February 26 at 4:00 PM –
JHC is delighted to welcome Columbia’s premier male a cappella singing group, the Kingsmen, who, inspired by the life and loves of fellow “King’s College” alum (Class of 1764), John Jay, will perform a selection of famous tunes from ballads to beatbox. Their selections range from barbershop to gospel, traditional to contemporary and include original compositions sure to delight all audiences. This is their first concert at Jay’s home in Rye.
Founded in 1949, the King’s Men of Columbia College first achieved nation-wide fame on such shows as The Steve Allen Program, and The Ed Sullivan Show. Appearing in venues like Carnegie Hall and Lincoln Center, the King’s Men entertained the likes of Jayne Mansfield and President Dwight D. Eisenhower. Eisenhower showered the group with high praise, claiming at a football game in 1951: “If you men can get 2,000 others singing with that spirit, I’ll personally pin a medal on each one of you.” Before long, the group produced its own celebrities; in 1962, (before his legendary career with Paul Simon) Arthur Garfunkel joined the ranks of the ‘smen. Then in 1969, the group split away from the University to debut at Woodstock as the 50’s Doo Wop revival band, Sha Na Na and went on to star in the popular 70’s program of the same name. After a thirteen-year hiatus, the group resurfaced in 1982 as The Kingsmen and have been wowing audiences ever since most recently at our nation’s capital in Washington, DC.
General Admission Tickets are $15 per person; $10 for Seniors and Columbia alumni; Free for students
E- mail us at [email protected] or Phone: (914) 698-9275
The Jay Heritage Center, 210 Boston Post Road, Rye, New York 10580, www.jaycenter.org
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