A Motown Revue for Black History Month
Story and Photos
By Theresa M Racine
On Saturday, February 1, the public library in Arverne on Beach 54th Street held a special Motown revue concert to commemorate the start of Black History Month.
Lead vocalist Mitch Matlock, joined by pianist James Preston, bass player Dave Griffon, and drummer Damon Mendes, collectively performed for an audience of approximately thirty people.
Matlock, a seasoned musician since 1996, showcased her soulful voice while providing a brief history of Motown, alongside her talented musicians. She delivered her renditions of Michael Jackson’s “Human Nature” and “Man in The Mirror.” She jokingly mentioning she once thought she would marry him. She also sang songs from Stevie Wonder, Gladys Knight, and The Temptations’ “My Girl” along with hits by the Supremes, Mary Wells, Martha Reeves and more, taking everyone back to Motor City. The free event was made possible by the Queens Public Library Foundation and individual donors.
If you would like to hear Mitch Matlock’s music or even have her band come and play, you can find her on Instagram @therealmitchmatlock and you can listen to some of her hits on Spotify, Apple Music and ReverbNation.
