Denise Thimes is a good and obvious choice to play a benefit concert for the not-for-profit Delta Child Development Center, which will be presented by the Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. at 7 p.m. Saturday, March 27 at Harris-Stowe State University.
Much less known and less obvious a choice is the artist featured with her, Nicholas Brooks.
He comes credited as “native East St. Louisian and Las Vegas entertainer,” and he is all that. He has family all over the metropolitan area, “really heavy ties,” and his Sammy Davis Jr. act has become a mainstay on the Vegas Strip for almost eight years.
But Brooks hasn’t lived here since he was a small child. His parents, Victor and Connie Brooks, raised him in the Chicago suburbs. Nicholas hasn’t performed in St. Louis since college, when he fronted the Northern Illinois University Jazz Ensemble Big Band, playing huge concerts in Chesterfield and St. Louis all four years he was in school.
“This is my first performance in St. Louis as a Vegas headliner,” Nicholas said. “It’s my first chance to come back and perform as a professional in the business.”
For the past several years his parents have been back living in the St. Louis area, and that is how the Deltas found him.
“My parents were approached by the Delta organization to get involved, then my dad talked to me about it,” Nicholas said.
“It was such a great occasion. I always like to lend my voice – literally – to worthy causes.”
Nicholas will be lending his voice – and the voice of Sammy Davis Jr., in what he calls a split-personality act.
“I impersonate Sammy in the first act. I come out with a seven-piece band as Sammy, the way we do here on the Vegas Strip, in full makeup and tapping,” Nicholas said.
“In the second act I come out as myself. I sing an original tune, and some R&B and pop hits that I also sing Vegas.”
He’ll be backed by “homegrown local” St. Louis musicians, under the musical direction of Adaron Jackson.
While he is back in his childhood hometown, Nicholas also hopes to spark off on the amazing local talent and remind them the big gigs are out there for them if they remain determined.
“This is a very tough business. The key to success in show business is to continue to fight for your dreams in spite of the rejection,” Nicholas said.
“Work as much as you can. Experiences really teach you the ins and outs of such a complicated and tough business. Say yes to every singing situation, every acting and dancing situation, paid and not paid. It all makes you a very experienced artist, and experienced artists are the ones who reach for success.”
For more information on Nicholas Brooks, visit www.nicholasbrooks.com.
Denise Thimes and Nicholas Brooks perform at 7 p.m. this Saturday, March 27 at Harris-Stowe State University in the Main Auditorium, 3026 Laclede in a benefit concert for the not-for-profit Delta Child Development Center presented by the Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.Call (866) 468-3401.
