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Under the musical direction of James Followell, Uptown Express® has been delighting audiences with a repertoire culled from 80 years of amazing pop music, playing cabaret venues around New York City and beyond.
From Cole Porter and Johnny Mercer, to Elton John and Melissa Etheridge, the music of Uptown Express lifts the spirits, sets feet tapping, hands clapping, and imparts social messages of hope and tolerance wherever and whenever we perform. Uptown Express features Christopher Caswell, John DePalma, Jaymes Hodges and Brad Parks.
In 2008, the group released their first studio CD “WALK LIKE A MAN” to great critical acclaim, receiving the 2008 Best Vocal Group Recording award from Cabaret Hotline and a 2009 MAC nomination for Best Recording. In addition, Uptown Express won the 2009 Best Group Performance from Back Stage Bistro and a 2009 MAC nomination for Best Group Performance for their shows at The Metropolitan Room. “TAKE YOU THERE,” the group’s second CD, was released in 2010 to widespread critical acclaim and earned a MAC Award nomination in 2010.
James Followell:
James has worked as a musical director, accompanist and arranger with many Broadway and cabaret luminaries including KT Sullivan, Sharon McNight, Karen Mason, Karen Akers, Ann Hampton Callaway, Kristin Chenoweth, Jeff Harnar, Martin Vidnovic, Jennifer Sheehan, and the incomparable Hildegarde in venues such as Carnegie Hall, Zankel Hall, the Algonquin Hotel’s Oak Room, London’s Pizza on the Park and Prince Edward Theatre.
Theater credits as musical director include the Off-Broadway production of “Showtune,” celebrating the words and music of Jerry Herman (vocal and piano arrangements), and “The Best of Times” (featured pianist/vocalist) at the Vaudeville Theatre in London’s West End. He also has served as musical director/pianist for the Off-Broadway hit, “Forever Plaid,” and toured with its first national company. He most recently served in these capacities in the Buffalo Studio Arena, Cleveland Playhouse and Jupiter Maltz productions of the sequel, “Plaid Tidings,” directed by Stuart Ross.
Mr. Followell was the recipient of the 2005 Dick Gallagher Award from the Mabel Mercer Foundation, and he was the musical director, pianist, and arranger for the 2006 tribute to Mabel Mercer in the 92nd Street Y’s Lyrics & Lyricists series.
Chris Caswell:
As Uptown Express' longest running member, Chris has sung with the group for over a decade. In addition to appearing with Uptown and the NYCGMC at Carnegie Hall and various other venues, Chris has performed in several solo venues, having last completed a successful run at Helen's in his one-man show "Hold On." He has also peppered the NY area with roles in several stage productions, including "Godspell," "Company," and in (half of) the title role in the 20th Anniversary off-Broadway revival of "Boy Meets Boy." Chris' favorite role to date, however, has been that of "Papa" to his beloved daughter, Becky. For more information about Chris, visit his website at www.ChristopherCaswell.net
Larry Gabbard:
Though he’s the newest member of Uptown Express, Larry has been a fan of the group for years. His theater credits have included stints with regional, off-off-Broadway, theme parks, summer stock, and he provides occasional narration for New York Lyric Opera. He studied voice at Indiana University where he received his BA, and has sung with cabaret artists, symphonies/pops orchestras, and choral groups. Marketing director turned educator, Larry has a Masters of Education degree from Columbia University Teachers College. He taught middle and high school English before becoming an assistant principal at a high school in Manhattan. He is originally from southeastern Indiana.
Brad Parks:
Brad went to high school and college in Colorado, where he had numerous musical theater experiences, including “Shenandoah,” “Hello, Dolly,” and “Oklahoma!” at the now sadly-burned-down Berthoud Dinner Theater. Since then, he’s been seen in GALA choruses in Denver, San Antonio and Austin. Now he’s in New York, thanks to his loving husband, Michael, and has been a proud member of Uptown Express since January of 2007. As for his ability to sing like a girl, just blame Whitney Houston. Brad also writes fantasy and science fiction. Find out (and read!) more at his website:
Founded in 1986 as a part of the New York City Gay Men’s Chorus, Uptown Express initially featured 24 singers. The group has featured a number of talented singers in its esteemed history, and at various times has numbered 12, 8, 5 and 4 members.
Uptown Express has performed in Europe, in hallowed venues such as Carnegie Hall, as well as in famous New York City cabaret clubs. Uptown has had the privilege of performing with many Broadway and cabaret greats, including Kristin Chenoweth, Marissa Jaret Winokur, Karen Mason, Sam Harris, Terri White, K.T. Sullivan, Klea Blackhurst, Melissa Errico, Steve Ross, Lina Koutrakous, Sidney Meyer and Mario Cantone. Highlights of the group’s history include a Gay Men’s Health Crisis benefit concert of Mack and Mabel, with Jerry Herman and a host of luminaries.
Other highlights include opera diva Deborah Voight's birthday party, Joan Rivers’ Christmas parties, performances at Carnegie Hall, Avery Fisher Hall, City Center, and cabaret venues around NYC as well as a 2003 MAC (Manhattan Association of Cabarets and Clubs) Award nomination. In 2008, the group performed at Columbia University’s Lavender Graduation, the MAC Awards ceremony, and the GALA Choruses Festival 2008 in Miami.
Wolfpack Productions, Inc. is the corporate name for Uptown Express ®.
Wolfpack Productions, Inc.
Wolfpack Productions, Inc. is a tax-exempt, non-profit organization under section 501(c)3 of the Internal Revenue Code. Contributions to Wolfpack Productions, Inc and Uptown Express are tax-exempt to the extent permitted by law. Wolfpack Productions, Inc. Employer Identification Number is 27-0579424.
Jaymes Hodges:
Earliest known recording of Mr. Hodges singing was captured on a cassette tape recorder while his mother chased him around the house at age 3. Since then, Jaymes toured the U.S. as Radames in Elton John and Tim Rice’s “AIDA,” and had the privilege, in the past decade, to sing Lt. Cable in the Nat’l Tour of “South Pacific” with legend Robert Goulet. Mr. Hodges has also appeared on Broadway in “CATS” and the Tony Award-winning revival of “Annie Get Your Gun.” The career highlight Jaymes will never forget was being in the film version of “Naked Boys Singing,” which was shot during a very cold December…seriously! Jaymes is delighted to become a part of the well oiled singing machine that is Uptown Express and looks forward to making some beautiful music with the guys.
