June, 2026

Dear Middle C Jazz Family,
We are deeply shocked and saddened by the sudden passing of the legendary Peabo Bryson. Our hearts are with his loved ones and countless fans worldwide as we mourn a true musical icon.

Bryson was born and raised right here in the Carolinas—growing up in Greenville, South Carolina, and spending his childhood on his grandfather’s farm in nearby Mauldin. He forged his signature style and launched his career right here in the regional circuits of the South.

His duet with Flack, “Tonight, I Celebrate My Love,” became one of the defining love songs of the 1980s, followed by No. 1 R&B hits with “Show & Tell” and “Can You Stop the Rain”. Grammy-winning ””Beauty and the Beast” and “A Whole New World,” made him a household voice for children everywhere. WCNC offers a great recognition of Bryson here.

For our founder, Larry Farber, this loss hits close to home. Early in both of their careers, Larry Farber had several opportunities to book Peabo for regional performances. Sharing roots in the Carolinas and born just a month apart, their parallel journeys in entertainment spanned decades.

“Peabo was as kind a human being as anyone in this business,” Larry reflects. “The consummate gentleman and an extraordinary vocalist. When you share a lifelong journey like that, losing a peer touches the heart in a different way.”

Middle C Jazz was profoundly honored to host Peabo Bryson for what was anticipated to be one of our most spectacular highlights of the year—a completely sold-out weekend June 13-14. While we are heartbroken that we won’t share those moments with him, we remain dedicated to our ultimate mission: keeping the music playing, and honoring his monumental legacy the best way we know how.

For the June 13-14 dates, Middle C Jazz is saluting the ballad with a heartfelt performance by local musicians Mandyl Evans, Robyn Springer and Brandon Stevens. As Larry notes, “We hope to give our audience the opportunity to celebrate Peabo’s spirit through the music he loved so much.”

Note: Our team has reached out directly to all current ticket holders via email with specific details regarding your reservations.

On behalf of our team, our patrons, and the Charlotte community, we send our deepest condolences to Peabo’s family. Thank you for helping us honor a voice that shaped generations.

Warmly,
Larry Farber & The Middle C Jazz Management Team

An Updated Look at Next Weekend

Mandyl Evans sings Teddy Pendergrass

JUNE 13-14

WITH GUESTS ROBYN SPRINGER (Sat & Sun) & BRANDON STEVENS (Sun)

A high-energy, romantic performance of lush horn lines, deep-pocket Philly soul grooves, and iconic bedroom ballads focused on the powerful music of Teddy Pendergrass.

The evening will also feature a special musical tribute to Peabo Bryson, globally revered as the “Pavarotti of Soul” and “King of the Balladeers.”

Saturday, June 13: Mandyl will be joined by the incredible Robyn Springer as a special guest vocalist. Together, they will present a beautifully curated musical segment to honor the memory of Peabo Bryson.

Sunday, June 14: That same performance by Mandyl Evans and Robyn Springer will be enhanced with the addition of guest vocalist Brandon Stevens.

When global cinema’s vision was to transform animated romances into enduring pop masterpieces, they turned to one man. Long before he became the voice behind these cinematic fantasies, Robert Peabo Bryson was already a master of the romantic duet, a legendary talent whose beyond silky, almost operatic tenor built the very soundtrack of modern romance.

His musical journey began in Greenville, South Carolina, navigating the gritty, sweat-soaked venues of the Southern “chitlin’ circuit.” Where most just saw a teenager singing backup for regional bands, executives at Atlanta’s Bang Records heard the magical voice of a prodigy. Early on, they knew Peabo was more than just a background singer; he was one of the finest friends a good melody could ever have.

By the time he burst onto the national scene in the late 1970s and early 1980s, this man with velvet vocal cords had established an unmistakable template for urban contemporary soul. Tracks like “Feel the Fire” and “If Ever You’re in My Arms Again” didn’t just chart but infiltrated the romantic consciousness of a generation, bringing a distinct dignity to “Quiet Storm” radio. He possessed a rare, innate ability to decode the human heart, transforming everyday vulnerability into soaring, platinum-selling art.

This adult R&B success bridged seamlessly into global stardom when he partnered with the brilliant Céline Dion on “Beauty and the Beast” and Regina Belle on “A Whole New World.” Those tracks earned him an avalanche of awards, including multiple Grammys and Academy Awards, cementing his status as the uncrowned King of Balladeers. Remarkably, he remains the only artist in the history of the Billboard charts to have separate records top four different charts simultaneously.

Yet, the true insight into his life isn’t found in his shiny awards, gold records, or legendary collaborations with stars like Roberta Flack. It lies in his extraordinary resilience. In 2019, a massive heart attack nearly ended his story. Flatlined and clinically dead for over thirty minutes, he fought his way back, saved by his wife’s quick action with CPR and the power of his own unyielding spirit. When he awoke, that harrowing near-death experience didn’t dim his passion; it sharpened his purpose, reminding him to cherish every relationship and every passing note.

Even now, decades after his professional debut, his artistic journey continues to evolve. Staying fresh by teaming up with legendary producers Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis, he has continued to compose and release music with an undiminished sense of wonder. Every time he steps up to the microphone, Peabo Bryson proves that while musical trends constantly shift and fads fade away, technical perfection and genuine emotional resonance are utterly timeless. He didn’t just sing the soundtrack to countless romances; he lived a life that embodies the very essence of soul.

Article written by Middle C Jazz Marketing Support, Scott Homewood.