When people of my generation recall great tenors, they are very few: Placido Domingo, Luciano Pavarotti, and of course, the American- Italian, Mario Lanza, famous for, “O Sole Mio” (My Sunshine).
In the African American community, the tenor that won the hearts, and goose bumped women of all ages, was, and still is, Johnny Mathis. Who could forget, THE 12TH OF NEVER, MISTY, and MARIA, from the film, WEST SIDE STORY.
As we entered the 1970’s, RUSSEL THOMPKINS Jr., became he lead tenor for the STYLISTICS,… STOP, LOOK, LISTEN. The women in Philadelphia went “buck wild” throwing unmentionables on stage.
But what happens when a tenor voice moves from a “C” to an “A” note? I am told sopranos cannot hold such high notes for very long, for the overwhelming power it takes to sustain that level, where it does not sound like a scream, equivalent to that of a fire engine en route!
When this feat is attempted by tenors, the Europeans describe the climb as “vocal fachs”.(fax; specialization)
DAVID D. MARSHALL is one of them. From Baltimore Md., he holds a Master of Music Degree from Shenandoah Conservatory. From the inner city of Baltimore, went to Peabody Preparatory, while associated with Shiloh Baptist Church, in spirit and song.
He debuted his new art form in 2020, at the University of Md. Baltimore County. I was there to witness it.
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