Ralph Lampkin, Jr (1957-2023)
Ralph Lampkin Jr - popular Chicago music producer, vocalist, promoter, founder of the Lampkin Music Group and longtime Board President of Fire Arts Inc - has died of a heart attack at the age of 66.
Ralph was born in New York City where his parents where he was exposed to the ballet, movies, musical performances and the theater. As a child, Ralph took violin lessons as a child and taught himself to play the piano. He started singing as a soloist in the Bronx borough wide chorus, performing across the city, including Carnegie Hall. When Ralph moved to Chicago he performed at venues Gentry and Davenports but soon found his greatest love was managing, producing and promoting talent. He fell in love with the band Panama and assisted the Women of Panama with their songs, did his first photo shoot with Jennifer Girard and worked closely with (then) rising stars Alexandra Billings on productions, performances and writing. He produced Billings' autobiographical show, "Before I Disappear", which received extensions in Los Angeles, Chicago, and Off-Broadway. Ralph’s connections to artists around the country was vast, working to create shows and recordings - including recording artists Spider Saloff, Joanie Pallatto, Audrey Morris, and Martha Lorin for over three decades, producing shows in Chicago, New York and South Bend. He was meticulous in his producing of cabaret shows and was especially proud of the Spider Saloff Tribute to George Gershwin co-produced with Lynn Orman and tribute to Von Freeman at the Iridium in New York City produced by Ralph & Southport Records. The tribute concert featured Joanie Pallatto, Bradley Parker Sparrow, Jazz Master Sheila Jordan and Bill Nolte. His one man show featuring Hinton Battle sold out Chicago’s Apollo Theater. Being in the studio producing a song was his happy place, and he penned, produced and promoted dozens artists, including: Richard Knight, Michael McAssey, Ester Hana, Josie Falbo, and Sasha Daltonn. His publicity skills were top of the line - creating stories for Broadway World, Windy City Times, Cabaret Scenes and publications and broadcast programming throughout the country. Most recently he programmed the Jim Masters Show, providing top talent such as Melissa Manchester, Holle Thee Maxwell and Freyda Payne. His promotion company, Lampkin Music Group, was known for its widespread humanitarian work, producing shows for AIDS organizations, Teen Living Programs, Chicago Children's Hospital, and many other causes close to his heart. As a writer, his credits include Cabaret Scenes and Jam Sessions; he has been profiled in the Chicago Reader; and he was the recipient of 19 ASCAP awards. He co-produced the South Bend Jazz Festival and South Bend Music Festival and presented in venues such as Century Center and the Morris Civic Auditorium, The Palais Royal, and concert clubs Trio's, Vegetable Buddies, and the Acorn Theatre. He produced shows in New York at Weil Hall of Carnegie Hall, the Iridium, Don't Tell Mamas, 88's and Pangea. He worked with the South Bend Civic Theater for years, producing shows, and doing set design and lighting. He managed and worked with saxophonist Danny Lerman for 30 years, and did publicity with Greg Pasenko's Chicago record label Blu Jazz. He put on songwriting workshops in South Bend and brought together artists for collaborations. Most recently he did the promotion for "Lessons To Be Learned" written by Marsha Malamat recorded and performed by Melissa Manchester. His Lampkin Music Group produced for the first time at the legendary Steppenwolf Theater, and he was over the moon to bring to the stage the critically acclaimed BARBARA AND AUSTIN SING STEVE AND OSCAR with Barbara Bleier, ensemble member Austin Pendelton and Musical Director/Accompanist Award winning Beckie Menzie. At the time of his death, Ralph was promoting vocalists/songwriters Award Winning Ann Hampton Calloway and Amanda McBroom's "Almost". Memorial contributions may be made to the Ralph Lampkin Go Fund Me page. |