CANTON − Kelly Levert, Ennis Russelle Jr. and Rick Harvey crooned an R&B song with soul and old school swagger at Hope Outreach Ministry.
The impromptu performance was at the church and food pantry on Superior Avenue NE. Not the clubs and theaters at which the singers plan to perform.
But it didn’t matter. As the trio harmonized and traded lead vocals, those listening sat still and smiled with enjoyment. A woman seated close to the makeshift stage asked for an encore.
Marilyn Roman, lead pastor at Hope Outreach Ministry, walked out from her office, drawn by the soulfuness of the music.
“When they sing, the three of them, it’s the spirit,” she said. “I wish I had them every week. They could sing any time they want. We love them. Especially the homeless people, for them to walk in here and hear this … it’s amazing.
“They’re awesome,” she added. “I prayed for God … and he sent them to help us build this neighborhood and this church and this ministry and to serve.”
Harvey is also one of the pastors at Hope Outreach Ministry, where the three vocalists also volunteer and help serve meals to 1,200 people weekly.
Spreading joy through song isn’t new for the three men, who have been involved in the music business over the decades. And Levert’s musical lineage is well-known as the younger brother of 83-year-old Eddie Levert, a Canton native and member of the The O’Jays, an R&B and soul singing group inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 2005.
The trio is excited about their new plans as The Kelly Levert Group, which is scheduled to release its first single Oct. 31, said Harvey, who founded and manages the group and also heads Rick Harvey Entertainment.
The single will be an updated cover of “Casanova.” Harvey said the song will be available on music streaming services, and he said it’s also being promoted to radio stations and other outlets.
Adding a modern touch to ‘Casanova’
“Casanova” was a Billboard hit song released in 1987 by the group LeVert, which featured Gerald Levert, Sean Levert and Marc Gordon. Gerald and Sean are the late sons of Eddie Levert. Kelly Levert is Gerald and Sean’s uncle.
Harvey said the Grammy-nominated song will have a modern touch and feature rapper Dex the Passion on the verses while The Kelly Levert Group sings the chorus.
“I like the beat of the song,” Harvey said. “It’s a fun song. The whole song has a funky beat and nice drumbeat.”
Added Kelly Levert: “It’s special to me because my nephew did the song and the song itself has an impact on people. The groove of it gets people involved in the song.”
Russelle said he likes the percussion and message. “I like the story it tells,” he said.
“Casanova (Two-Step)” by The Kelly Levert Group will be released on Thump Records/Virgin/Universal Distribution, said William Walker, CEO and president of the California-based Thump Records.
Thump Records has signed The Kelly Levert Group to a contract with plans to produce an album in 2026, Walker said.
“I signed The Kelly Levert Group initially based on the single ‘Casanova,’ which obviously has an appeal to the Thump Records core audience,” he wrote in an email. “It’s old school but with new rap lyrics that would attract a younger generation of people who aren’t familiar with the original version.
“Also, the Levert name holds a lot of weight in the music industry,” Walker said. “I look forward to the success of this single and future project.”
Eddie Levert inspires younger brother
After taking some breaks from music over the years, Levert, Russelle and Harvey are eager to perform again and make music.
Russelle is a 61-year-old Timken High School graduate. Harvey is a 1977 GlenOak High School graduate.
Levert, 67, said his interest in singing stems both from his famous brother and his days in the choir at McKinley High School, where he graduated in 1981.
“We’re a family from the gospel era,” Levert said. “I used to study my brother Eddie because he used to sing all the time. He inspired me.”
But “even though my brother led the way for me, it was mostly my music teachers who helped me with vocals,” he said.
Levert and Harvey have been friends since they were kids. They also performed in another group and recorded music together long before their current musical project, including a gospel collaboration.
Growing up in the same neighborhood as the Leverts, Harvey said he watched The O’Jays achieve success and fame as they performed on television shows such as “Soul Train” and “American Bandstand.”
“I would put myself on stage like I was them and I was visualising being them,” Harvey recalled.
Musical influences include The Jackson 5
Musical influences for Harvey, Levert and Russelle also include The Jackson 5, Frankie Beverly and The Isley Brothers, as well as soul and gospel.
Russelle’s love for singing traces to when he was in the youth choir at Peoples Baptist Church in Canton.
“I would get on stage and act like I was The O’Jays,” he said with a smile and laugh. “It always stayed embedded in me.”
Russelle went on to sing and perform as an adult. And he said he got to know members of The O’Jays, helping them on a recent tour, where he found inspiration.
Advice from O’Jays member Walter Williams about songwriting stuck with him. “He said you’ve got to have a strong (desire) to keep pushing,” Russelle recounted.
‘Don’t take no for an answer.’
Harvey said The Kelly Levert Group plans to record original music and release an album in 2026. A tour is also planned for next year, according to a press release from the group.
The group is also available to perform, Harvey said. For more information, he can be contacted via email at rickharveyvsp4@gmail.com.
Another project is a documentary chronicling the life and musical journey of Kelly Levert, including the formation of the new group, Harvey said.
Harvey said he’s motivated to make The Kelly Levert Group a success.
“I say put God first and focus on what you want to do,” he said. “Visualize what you want to do and don’t take no for an answer.”
Reach Ed at ebalint@gannett.com. Follow on Instagram at ed_balint and TikTok @edwardbalint
This article originally appeared on The Repository: Singing with soul. The Kelly Levert Group, inspired by The O’Jays, has big plans
Reporting by Ed Balint, Canton Repository / The Repository
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