finetune artist: The Persuasions

Formed in the Bedford-Stuyvesant area of New York City, this talented vocal group has continued the a cappella tradition despite prevalent trends elsewhere. Jerry Lawson (b. 23 January 1944, Fort Lauderdale, Florida, USA; lead), Joseph "Jesse" Russell (b. 25 September 1939, Henderson, North Carolina, USA; second tenor), Little Jayotis Washington (b. 12 May 1941, Detroit, Michigan, USA; tenor), Herbert "Toubo" Rhoad (b. 1 October 1944, Bamberg, South Carolina, USA, d. 8 December 1988, USA; baritone) and Jimmy "Bro' Hayes (b. 12 November 1943, Hopewell, Virginia, USA; bass) first started singing together in 1962. Having recorded for Minit Records, the Persuasions gained prominence four years later with Acappella, a part live/part studio album released on Frank Zappa's Straight label. Their unadorned voices were later heard on several superb collections, including Street Corner Symphony and Chirpin", while the group also supplied harmonies for artists such as Liza Minnelli, Paul Simon, Stevie Wonder, and Joni Mitchell. Both Lawson and Russell quit at different times during the 80s, but eventually returned to the line-up. Rhoad died of a stroke on tour in 1988, but the remaining quartet continued to tour and record, winding sinewy harmonies around such varied songs as "Slip Sliding Away", "Five Hundred Miles" and "Under The Boardwalk". Baritone Bernard "B.J." Jones (ex-Drifters) joined in 1996, and the group expanded to a sextet three years later with the addition of first tenor Raymond Sanders (b. 27 May 1939). In 2000, they produced Frankly A Cappella: The Persuasions Sing Zappa, a highly original concept which saw them performing Frank Zappa material adapted to six-part harmony. Equally as ambitious and satisfying was their collection of Grateful Dead interpretations the same year. A Beatles set followed in 2002.

Listen to The Persuasions at Finetune.

Looking for an Echo
Up On the Roof
Swing Low, Sweet Chariot
Papa Oom Mow Mow
On the Good Ship Lollipop