Among his acting credits are, the recent hit, “If This Hat Could Talk” and Off-Broadway productions of “Destiny In My Hands,” “Mama I Want To Sing!,” “Nuthin’ But The Blues,” and “Heaven and the Homeboy,” directed by Tony Award winning director, George Faison.
Joe received rave reviews from the Washington Post, NY Daily News, ABC-TV and other major media outlets for his 26 original song compositions for the hit musical “If This Hat Could Talk” [Hats], which has been successfully touring the country for the past 3 years. Joe not only composed the music for “Hats”, but also starred in the production with, none other than, Grammy Award winning vocalist, Stephanie Mills and Tony Award winning actress, Melba Moore. Joe also served as the Co-Executive Producer for “Hats” and was part of the lead creative team that featured George Faison as its Director and book-writer.
From Jazz to Pop; R&B to Blues; and with a firm upbringing in gospel music, Joe Coleman has thrilled varied audiences with his mercurial style and smooth delivery. Whether performing with his gospel group, “Joe Coleman and the Chain of Love,” or singing R&B under the musical direction of the esteemed, Dennis Williams – Musical Director for the O’Jays – or performing with Grammy Award nominated jazz pianist, Roy Meriwether and his Trio, Joe brings his own brand of entertainment to the fore, carefully melding each genre into what has become his own “signature” style.
Joe has been featured on the “Today Show with Katie Couric” and has appeared on the “Regis & Kelly Show.” He has performed in world-class entertainment locations, such as NYC’s Avery Fisher Hall, The Apollo Theatre and the Plaza Hotel; Top of the Pops (London); Queen Elizabeth Stadium (Hong Kong), The Foreign Businessman’s Hotel (China); Billboard Live and Blues Alley (Tokyo); Princess Casino Cruises (West Palm Beach); Fox Theatre (Atlanta); The Chicago Opera House (Chicago) and many other first class venues.
Along with two other veterans of the music industry – Glenn Leonard, formerly of The Temptations and Joe Blunt, formerly of The Drifters – Joe has formed a new group called Leonard, Coleman & Blunt (LCB). Together, they perform many of the songs you know and love, “Under The Boardwalk”, “Get Ready” and, of course, The Platters hits. They were tapped to perform a tribute to Motown legend, Berry Gordy at the re-opening of the famous Howard Theatre in Washington along with George Duke and his Big Band. They were blessed to receive the only standing ovation of the night!
Known as a first-class songwriter, Joe was tapped, by the Congressional Black Caucus, to write a song entitled “I Am Sojourner Truth” to commemorate the inclusion of a bust of Sojourner Truth in the Rotunda of the Capitol of The United States. The first such honor for an African-American woman in US history.
Most recently, Joe was commissioned to write a song for the DC Statehood Movement entitled, “Stand Up 4 DC,” which features LCB and, young talent, Ayanna Gregory – daughter of Comedian and Civil Rights Activist, Dick Gregory. Look for them when they come to your town. They’re going to rock the house!
In and effort to keep the act “fresh,” Joe and his group, LCB, have been touring with America’s Got Talent 2011 winner, Landau Eugene Murphy, Jr. The tour has received much critical acclaim. This holiday season they will debut their new single, “You’re All I Want For Christmas,” which was written and produced by Joe Coleman.
