Deanna Carroll, leader of the\u00a0American Soul Band<\/a>, graduated from St. John\u2019s more than a decade ago. Together with her 13-piece ensemble, Ms. Carroll belted out a series of Motown and R&B classics in a memorable musical experience for guests of all ages.<\/p>\n \u201cI was thrilled and delighted to perform at my alma mater,\u201d said Ms. Carroll, who graduated with a degree in\u00a0Communication Arts<\/a>. \u201cOnce I got out there on stage and realized where I was, I said, \u2018Oh my goodness, I am really performing at St. John\u2019s, where I went to college.\u2019 \u201d \u00a0<\/p>\n The 26th annual concert brought an estimated 400 music lovers from the St. John\u2019s community and beyond to the\u00a0Great Lawn<\/a>\u00a0for a show unlike any in years past. Traditionally a classical concert, this year\u2019s event featured music from the 1960s, \u201970s, and \u201980s. Ms. Carroll\u2019s band performed timeless hits from the\u00a0Motown era<\/a>\u00a0for over 90 minutes, leaving concertgoers \u201cDancing in the Street.\u201d<\/p>\n Or dancing on the Great Lawn, as the case might be. The band\u2019s show, called \u201cThe Great American Soul Book<\/a>,\u201d featured nearly 30 songs, including Motown hits\u00a0\u201cThe Tears of a Clown,\u201d<\/a>\u00a0by Smokey Robinson and the Miracles;\u00a0\u201cRespect,\u201d<\/a>\u00a0by Aretha Franklin; Marvin Gaye\u2019s\u00a0\u201cI Heard It Through the Grapevine\u201d<\/a>; and a medley of tunes from the\u00a0Jackson Five<\/a>. \u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n The pivot to a Motown tribute was inspired by the country\u2019s celebration of its 250th birthday on July 4, according to Paul Lazauskas \u201901CCPS, \u201908M.B.A., Associate Director,\u00a0Office of Alumni Relations<\/a>. \u201cWe wanted to showcase a distinctly American style of music,\u201d Mr. Lazauskas said. \u201cWe also wanted to introduce a different genre that would resonate strongly with our alumni audience\u2014something lively, engaging, and familiar to a broad range of attendees.\u201d<\/p>\n The lively concert opened with a rousing version of “The Star-Spangled Banner,” the national anthem of the United States, the first of several times the rapt crowd was brought to its feet.<\/p>\n Ms. Carroll, who toured as Diana Ross in the musical\u00a0Lady Supreme: A Diana Ross Experience<\/a>,\u00a0brought a rich and powerful voice to the Great Lawn, even mixing in a few hits from the 1970s disco era. The band\u2019s costume changes delighted the crowd, particularly those not old enough to recall the shimmering sequins of\u00a0Saturday Night Fever<\/a>\u00a0days.<\/p>\n \u201cWe wanted to take the audience on a musical journey through Motown, the disco era of the \u201970s, and even into the \u201980s,\u201d Ms. Carroll explained.\u00a0<\/p>\n Among those attending from the Queens community was 100-year-old\u00a0Arthur Grabiner<\/a>\u00a0of Flushing, NY, a US Navy veteran who fought in the\u00a0Pacific Theater<\/a>\u00a0during World War II, including at the\u00a0Battle of Okinawa<\/a>. \u201cI am delighted to celebrate America\u2019s 250th at St. John\u2019s,\u201d Mr. Grabiner said.\u00a0\u201cI am especially grateful to St. John\u2019s for continuing to honor the legacy of service, sacrifice, and valor of our nation\u2019s defenders.\u201d<\/p>\n The evening began with a preconcert barbecue for alumni, including members of The\u00a0Loughlin<\/a>\u00a0and\u00a0McCallen<\/a>\u00a0Society, in support of\u00a0Hearts on Fire: The Campaign for St. John\u2019s<\/a>, an initiative to strengthen the University through student scholarships, academic excellence, and capital improvements.<\/p>\n Admission to the concert was free and open to the public. On a lovely summer evening, guests brought lawn chairs and blankets\u2014as well as their dancing shoes, just as Ms. Carroll hoped.\u00a0<\/p>\n Walter Smith \u201980SJC, \u201985M.B.A. made the trip to the\u00a0Queens<\/a>, NY, campus from Oyster Bay, NY, to celebrate with fellow Loughlin Society members. \u201cI am here with a handful of\u00a0mathematics<\/a>\u00a0majors,\u201d he said. \u201cWe had planned to get together in the summer, and this is a fun event.\u201d<\/p>\n![\"summer](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/20260630_summer_concert_0326_960x640_1.jpg\")
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