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Singer/songwriter Lowell Burton Jr. will give a concert Sunday to benefit his sister Tiffany’s medical costs.
Albuquerque singer/songwriter Lowell Burton Jr. likes to call his vibe “life music,” since much of the subject matter of his lyrics deals with simple, day-to-day occurrences. Little did he know, however, that he would one day be trying to save a life with his music, that of a family member no less.
Burton’s sister, Tiffany Dupreez, is in the midst of recovering from a rare double lung transplant after she suffered for years from idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis. Recovery has been difficult, not only physically, but financially. Though the transplant has offered a new lease on life, it’s come with a price in the form of anti-rejection drugs and other expenses.
That’s where Burton steps in.
For years now, he’s been a backup singer, but his family and friends have long pushed him to step forward. With Sunday’s “Songs For My Sister: A Benefit and Awareness Concert” long in the works, and finally seeing the light of day, Burton can accomplish two things: make his live, solo debut and raise money and awareness for Dupreez’s plight.
“When I first told her about the idea and the people behind it, she started crying,” Burton told the Journal. “I told her before the transplant and I think when I told her, she was a little weak, and maybe thinking about not getting it. But it gave her that drive to keep on.”
Burton will be backed by the boys of Nu Methods – bassist Artha Meadors, drummer Farris Center, guitarist Mike Wood and stand-in keyboardist Maurice Dale, who steps in for typical key tickler, Dee Brown.
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Songs for My Sister: A Benefit and Awareness Concert featuring Lowell Burton Jr. WHEN: 5 p.m. Sunday, March 24 WHERE: Outpost Performance Space,. 210 Yale SE HOW MUCH: Tickets are $20 and are available online at Lowellburtonjr.eventbrite.com |
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Burton said the group is heavily rooted in R&B, funk and soul, and he himself has drawn comparisons to Marvin Gaye and Donny Hathaway, just two artists that Burton says have inspired him.
“You can hear Stevie (Wonder) in there,” Burton said “Hathaway has one of the richest tones, and I just love Kim Burrell. She’s my favorite gospel singer, very jazzy.”
On Sunday evening, Burton and his backing band will be performing covers – some Sam Cooke, some gospel, some soul – but he says his main goal is moving beyond flipping covers to performing his own music, something he admits gives him a slight bit of anxiety.
“It’s a little scary for me. Am I good songwriter? I don’t know,” Burton said. “People seem to like the stuff, and it comes from my life story and my heart.”
