Major showcase gigs announced for NYC’s Metropolitan Room
Some artists make their big splash and then fade away before you can blink, while others enjoy long, uninterrupted careers. Then there’s Gordon Bahary. The New York-based singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist made his initial artistic statements more than three decades ago, enjoyed a large wave of success, then took a hiatus from his recording career to pursue other avenues both inside and outside of the music world. But now, Gordon Bahary is back, drawn once again to his first love: creating songs of great depth and vision. The wait was well worth it!
Apparently, his fans—both the faithful ones moved by him in the early days and the many new ones he’s made in recent years—are in agreement that Gordon Bahary’s time is now. His long-awaited debut album, Unbreakable (Lasting Treasure/Sony Music/RED), is a runaway hit at radio and retail, and a trio of highly anticipated showcase gigs—taking place Oct. 24, Nov. 10 and Nov. 25—have been announced for New York’s prestigious Metropolitan Room.
In its first week of release, Unbreakable nudged the seemingly unstoppable Adele from the #1 position on Barnes & Noble’s music sales chart, while the debut single from the album, “Angel,” was tied with Jason Mraz for most-added release on AC radio last week, breaking out on several popular stations in different regions. “Angel” is also the number one Most Added on the FMQB-ACQB chart for the second week in a row.
The excitement generated by Bahary’s music is palpable, and becomes even more so when considered in the context of his previous accomplishments.
Gordon’s remarkable tale began in his teens, when he received first-hand advice on songwriting from his neighbor, the late folk singer Harry Chapin, then befriended no less than the iconic Stevie Wonder, who invited the youngster to Los Angeles to watch, learn and, eventually, contribute. Jazz greats Herbie Hancock and Ramsey Lewis were among the other marquee artists who invited Gordon to work with them—leaving an influence on the young artist that now manifests on several tracks on Unbreakable, among them the stirring, jazzy instrumental “My Last Day on Earth.” By the early ’80s Bahary, working under the alias Twilight 22, was an acknowledged studio whiz, scoring a top 10 R&B hit with the multi-million-selling single “Electric Kingdom.”
Deciding to move on to other areas of the music business while still on top, Gordon became a producer, working with numerous artists, among them Raven Symone. He also engineered several hundred recordings for major labels throughout the ’90s. From 1995 through 2002 he operated his own label and distribution company. Then, in 2005, he began writing and recording again.
Gordon’s time away from recording his own music gave him new experiences and insights that he’s now able to draw upon. A collection of poignant and expressive songs, Unbreakable is an intimate, elegant and dynamic work that draws on such indelible human experiences as love and hurt, friendship, faith and trust, compassion, truth, determination and the bonds we all share.
Having never released an album under his own name or performed concerts during his formative years, Gordon Bahary is, in many ways, just getting started. Unbreakable and the forthcoming gigs aren’t so much a “welcome back” as a “nice to meet you,” a new introduction to an old friend.
For ticket information call (212) 206-0440.
Some artists make their big splash and then fade away before you can blink, while others enjoy long, uninterrupted careers. Then there’s Gordon Bahary. The New York-based singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist made his initial artistic statements more than three decades ago, enjoyed a large wave of success, then took a hiatus from his recording career to pursue other avenues both inside and outside of the music world. But now, Gordon Bahary is back, drawn once again to his first love: creating songs of great depth and vision. The wait was well worth it!
Apparently, his fans—both the faithful ones moved by him in the early days and the many new ones he’s made in recent years—are in agreement that Gordon Bahary’s time is now. His long-awaited debut album, Unbreakable (Lasting Treasure/Sony Music/RED), is a runaway hit at radio and retail, and a trio of highly anticipated showcase gigs—taking place Oct. 24, Nov. 10 and Nov. 25—have been announced for New York’s prestigious Metropolitan Room.
In its first week of release, Unbreakable nudged the seemingly unstoppable Adele from the #1 position on Barnes & Noble’s music sales chart, while the debut single from the album, “Angel,” was tied with Jason Mraz for most-added release on AC radio last week, breaking out on several popular stations in different regions. “Angel” is also the number one Most Added on the FMQB-ACQB chart for the second week in a row.
The excitement generated by Bahary’s music is palpable, and becomes even more so when considered in the context of his previous accomplishments.
Gordon’s remarkable tale began in his teens, when he received first-hand advice on songwriting from his neighbor, the late folk singer Harry Chapin, then befriended no less than the iconic Stevie Wonder, who invited the youngster to Los Angeles to watch, learn and, eventually, contribute. Jazz greats Herbie Hancock and Ramsey Lewis were among the other marquee artists who invited Gordon to work with them—leaving an influence on the young artist that now manifests on several tracks on Unbreakable, among them the stirring, jazzy instrumental “My Last Day on Earth.” By the early ’80s Bahary, working under the alias Twilight 22, was an acknowledged studio whiz, scoring a top 10 R&B hit with the multi-million-selling single “Electric Kingdom.”
Deciding to move on to other areas of the music business while still on top, Gordon became a producer, working with numerous artists, among them Raven Symone. He also engineered several hundred recordings for major labels throughout the ’90s. From 1995 through 2002 he operated his own label and distribution company. Then, in 2005, he began writing and recording again.
Gordon’s time away from recording his own music gave him new experiences and insights that he’s now able to draw upon. A collection of poignant and expressive songs, Unbreakable is an intimate, elegant and dynamic work that draws on such indelible human experiences as love and hurt, friendship, faith and trust, compassion, truth, determination and the bonds we all share.
Having never released an album under his own name or performed concerts during his formative years, Gordon Bahary is, in many ways, just getting started. Unbreakable and the forthcoming gigs aren’t so much a “welcome back” as a “nice to meet you,” a new introduction to an old friend.
For ticket information call (212) 206-0440.
