Capathia Jenkins
Binghamton Philharmonic to close season with a shot of soul
By George Basler, Broome County Arts Council
Daniel Hege, the music director of the Binghamton Philharmonic Orchestra, talks glowingly about the performance skills and singing voice of Capathia Jenkins, who will help close the 0rchestra’s 2024-25 Pops Series Saturday (May 3) with “She’s Got Soul” at the Broome County Forum Theatre in downtown Binghamton.
Jenkins brings a positive and life-affirming feeling to the stage, and her voice is beautiful, said Hege, who knows Jenkins from her two appearances with the Wichita (Kansas) Symphony Orchestra, where he also is director of music. “I said we absolutely have to bring Capathia to Broome County, so people can hear her glorious voice” he said.
The Brooklyn, N.Y., native’s resume includes performing in the Tony Award-nominated musicals Newsies and Caroline, or Change. She has also appeared with leading orchestras, including the Cleveland Orchestra, San Francisco Symphony, Minnesota Orchestra, Philadelphia Pops and National Symphony Orchestra. She was nominated for a Drama Desk Award for her portrayal of the first African American to win an Academy Award in the Off-Broadway play (mis)Understanding Mammy: The Hattie McDaniel Story.
Jenkins created the “She’s Got Soul” concert that premiered in Houston, Texas, and has since been performed across the United States and Canada. The concert features a range of songs from upbeat numbers to ballads to some acapella numbers, Hege said. The set list includes classic hits of Motown, R&B and classic soul.
“Unbreak my Heart,” “Midnight Train to Georgia,” “Rolling in the Deep,” “Love Train” and the theme from the James Bond movies Skyfall are just some of the songs audience members will hear. “She really nails the covers she does,” Hege said about Jenkins’ vocal stylings. She will perform with the lush backing of the Philharmonic orchestra and back-up singers.
“We want to show how the full Philharmonic orchestra can create a pop feel,” Hege said.
Along with four classical concerts, the Philharmonic currently offers four pops concerts a season, sponsored by Visions Federal Credit Union.
The pops concerts are a way to show the Philharmonic’s versatility and “broaden our appeal,” Hege said, emphasizing the orchestra has “cast a wide net” for the “She’s Got Soul” concert as it works to reach different segments of the community.
While he didn’t name a favorite song, Hege listened to a lot of Motown and R&B songs growing up and “really liked all of them.” He’s looking forward to working with Jenkins.
“I like the excitement that’s created when we have a great pop performer,” he said. That’s just what he expects on Saturday.
IF YOU GO: The Binghamton Philharmonic Orchestra will present “She’s Got Soul” at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, May 3, at the Broome County Forum Theatre, 236 Washington Street, Binghamton. Tickets: www.binghamtonphilharmonic.org, info@binghamtonphilharmonic.org or 607-723-3931. Tickets are $28 to $69. Kids 17 and under attend free, thanks to Symphonic Series sponsor M&T Bank. For more information, call the Binghamton Philharmonic box office at 607-723-3931, or visit www.binghamtonphilharmonic.org.