The LarKings (Brooklyn NY)
Gil Torres (Lead)
Nelson Tino Alvarez (1st Tenor)
Warren Tesoro (2nd Tenor)
Jose Papo Moro (Baritone)
Bernard BJ Jones (Bass)
Biography:
The LarKings were originally formed in 1961 in Williamsburg and Ridgewood Brooklyn, NY. They first performed at Eli Whitney High School. After a few years of performing, they reformed in 1993. Making their debut at the United Group Association, they are considered one of the most popular vocal groups which specialize in reproducing the sounds of the Moonglows and Nutmegs. Their Mellifluous voices has won them the Lead East Vocal Group Acappella Competition twice.
The LarKings have appeared throughout the tri-state area opening for such acts such as the Moonglows, Johnny Maestro and the Brooklyn Bridge, and have arranged and done back-up vocals for such prestigious R&B legends George Grant, Baby Washington, Ruth McFadden and Chuck Carbo of the Spiders.
The LarKings were also part of 1994 The United Group Harmony Association Hall of Fame Group which backed up Harold Jaynes and presently the Nutmegs.
The Larkings each of whom have been harmonizing all their lives. One member was singing for nickels at age five! Bass singer Bernard 'BJ' Jones has sung for the Drifters and The Persuasions. What the five have created, after almost three years in the studio, is a labor of love. The selection of twenty-one songs come mostly from the mid-1950s for that was the golden age of doo-wop music which was relegated to the back burner by The Beatles' and 'the British Invasion' of the early sixties. The Larkings have consciously emulated the original arrangements as a tribute to the great doo-wop groups of that time. So, they give tribute to the Nutmegs, The Moonglows, The Cadillacs, Five Keys, Spiders, El Dorados, The Dells and more on this very special recording.