Photo courtesy of New Shades of Soul
(January 4, 2021) Tonight we are sad to bid farewell to classic soul singer George Buonocore, founder of the popular New York vocal trio, New Shades of Soul. Along with vocalists Mike Jones and Russell Craig, Buonocore formed the core of an act that performed around the East Coast, mostly commemorating the sweet side of soul music.
Buonocore found his initial inspiration to become a performer when he attended a Tower of Power concert as a teenager. And by the time he graduated from high school, he was playing multiple instruments and was performing with a NY-based band called White Satin.
(January 4, 2021) Tonight we are sad to bid farewell to classic soul singer George Buonocore, founder of the popular New York vocal trio, New Shades of Soul. Along with vocalists Mike Jones and Russell Craig, Buonocore formed the core of an act that performed around the East Coast, mostly commemorating the sweet side of soul music.
Buonocore found his initial inspiration to become a performer when he attended a Tower of Power concert as a teenager. And by the time he graduated from high school, he was playing multiple instruments and was performing with a NY-based band called White Satin.
But his real love was for the smooth soulful sounds of the 1970s – particularly the Sound of Philadelphia - and he spent years gigging while also holding down a job as a Postmaster for the US Postal Service. After his retirement, Buonocore became committed to forming an act that would focus on performing the biggest soul hits of his favorite era – with a particularly emphasis on harmonic perfection. From that, New Shades of Soul was formed, and the members did, indeed, harmonize beautifully together. New Shades of Soul performed regularly in New York and surrounding areas, and became a crowd favorite.
Buonocore had been hospitalized, but his death is a shock to his many fans. May he rest in peace.
By Chris Rizik