Kaaren Ragland

Kaaren Ragland is the founder of the group The Sounds of The Supremes.

Biography

Kaaren Ragland was born in Richmond, Virginia. She attended the Northfield School in Massachusetts, Brown University (BA) and studied acting at Boston University’s School of Fine Arts (MFA) where she also took classes in the Music Department. Ragland's later education included a JD from UCLA. She states that her mother, a well known Virginia educator, always stressed the importance of a well-rounded education.

Career

While at Boston University Ragland auditioned for the National Shakespeare Company in New York and became the first African-American ingenue appearing as Silvia in The Two Gentlemen of Verona , Jessica in The Merchant of Venice and Marianne in The Miser. She later appeared in multiple productions of "For Colored Girls Who Have Considered Suicide When the Rainbow is Enuf" at the Mark Taper Forum and Huntington Hartford in Los Angeles and the Buffalo Studio Arena in Buffalo in Buffalo, New York. After Ragland moved to Los Angeles she appeared multiple times as a vocalist at The Improv, a well-known venue in LA, amongst up & coming comics Richard Lewis, Jay Leno and Robin Williams.

Ragland appeared in the National Touring production of "Eubie" with Cab Calloway, and in productions of "Little Shop of Horrors" and "Balm in Gilead" in Los Angeles amongst other productions. During this time Ragland appeared in over 20 National commercial spots and various tv/film supporting roles. 

In 1977, last original and founding member Mary Wilson decided to disband The Supremes and forge a solo career. However, as she had multiple contracts for the group with major promoters worldwide, Wilson contracted Ragland in December of 1977 as a member of the group for concert tours in the United Kingdom, Europe, South East Asia and Australiathroughout 1978. Ragland was recommended to Wilson by Phil Moore, a well-known African-American arranger from Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer/Lena Horne days, who had prepared arrangements for The Supremes. Ragland worked with Wilson 8 1/2 Years intermittently.

Late in 1989, Ragland formed a group called "The Sounds of the Supremes" with whom she has appeared in over 70 countries around the world in both Concerts, television and Charity events and continues to do so. (See Face book The Sounds of the Supremes)

Awards & Recognition:

Acting: Drama-Logue Critic's Award Balm in Gilead Outstanding Performance in Theater 1983 LA Weekly Balm in Gukead Seasons Reasons with Carl Anderson

Music: 1998 Mo Award Australia 2002 Radio Regenbogen Germany

'Sounds of the Supremes' Personnel

• Kaaren Ragland, Althea Burkhalter, Angel Rose
• Former members: Roberta Freeman, Van Jewel, Wendy Smith, Hollis Payseur, Kathy Merrick, Amy Keys

Albums

Live At The Highclere Castle (2007)

• 1. Symphony
• 2. You Keep Me Hanging On
• 3. Where Did Our Love Go
• 4. Love Child
• 5. Love Is Here And Now You're Gone
• 6. Reflections
• 7. Stoned Love
• 8. "You Can't Hurry Love"
• 9. Come See About Me
• 10. Back In My Arms Again
• 11. Baby Love
• 12. Love Is Like an Itching in My Heart
• 13. Stop In The Name Of Love
• 14. Someday We'll Be Together
• 15. "I Hear a Symphony"
• 16. Symphony Reprise

Live in Germany/ The Sounds of the Supremes Detroit/LA Linda, Kaaren & Hollis

Dis is Da Drum Herbie Hancock

References

Facebook The Sounds of the Supremes BBC Interviews US Federal Ct Summary Judgement 1996

External links

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