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These guys make the heat in this kitchen

A quartet of talented young men come together to cook up a sweet soul stew of African-American music.

By NICOLE BARDO-COLON
Published June 26, 2007

ST. PETERSBURG - Four very different young men are setting out to educate, entertain and show off their talents Friday night at the Royal Theater.

They hail from the New York, St. Petersburg and Clearwater and their stories are as varied as the music they will perform.

Accompanied by dancers, Charles Smith, Jonathan Sullivan, Marcus Allen and Leonard Williams will sing songs that follow the evolution of African-American music from Negro spirituals to the '80s. There will be a short narrative to lead the audience along with the help of pictures projecting onto a screen.

The idea came from Smith and Sullivan as a way to raise money so they could attend the Broadway Theater Project at the University of South Florida.

Sullivan said they were brainstorming ideas for the name and Smith threw out Soul Kitchen. He said they thought of themselves going into a lab to create something.

"But instead we're going into a kitchen, " Sullivan said. "And the seasonings are already there so we are just putting them together and making soul food. You know it's going to be good." All four produced the show.

"We want to show the community that young black men are doing something positive, " Sullivan said.

Bob Devin Jones, co-artistic director at Studio@620 said he donated the studio because he believed it was important to showcase their talents. He said he had worked with each of the young men before and he was impressed with their abilities. He also said they have an affinity for the music so it works well for them.

Smith said they were contributing their own money to put on the show and they also received donated costumes from Soulful Arts Dance Academy.

Each of the young men has traveled down his own path to reach this point.

Smith, 20, is a student at St. Petersburg College and hopes to graduate soon. His inspiration for the show came from his father, who died two years ago in his sleep.

"He was always talking to me about old-school music but I wasn't into it at the time, " Smith said.

He said that motivated him to educate the community about music from the past.

He said his mother, aunt and other family members will be in the performance and are supporting his venture.

"It's a family affair, " Smith said.

Allen, 19, said his dad kicked him out on his 18th birthday at the beginning of his senior year in high school and he was homeless for a time.

"It was tough. Everybody has problems, " Allen said. "It's like you have no choice, nowhere to go. But my friends looked out for me."

Allen is back on his feet and feels fortunate to be a part of the show. He started out as a vocalist but after advice from a friend decided to learn to play the piano. "When people ask me how I learned I just say I learned different things from different people, " Allen said.

He hopes to attend Morehouse College to study music.

Williams, 21, was born in New York but has lived in St. Petersburg for several years. Allen said he was his mentor and helped him get on his feet.

Sullivan, a Clearwater native, has helped his disabled mother take care of his two young cousins since his senior year in high school. He said he loves it.

Sullivan, 20, is a local gospel performer and also works as a site coordinator for YMCA child care. One day he said he would like to go college to study music. He said the goal of the performance for him is to have an impact on peoples lives through music.

"We want to touch souls, " he said.

If you go

Soul Kitchen: The Evolution of African-American Music

When: Friday at 7:30 p.m.

Where: Royal Theater

1011 22nd Ave. S

Cost: $20

[Last modified June 25, 2007, 22:31:29]