ROXBURY — Les Greene, who was the voice of Little Richard in Baz Luhrmann’s movie “Elvis” and was just honored as a Top 5 finalist — out of 6,000 entries — in NPR’s 2026 Tiny Desk Competition, will play at 7:30 p.m. Friday, Sept. 4 at Hilt Kelly Hall in Roxbury.
With his band The Swayzees, Greene “delivers high-energy roots rock ‘n’ soul that honors the genre’s foundations while bringing contemporary fire and electrifying dance moves,” according to a news release.
Born in Baltimore, Maryland, and raised partially in Guyana, Greene’s musical foundation was built on Guyanese television, which didn’t broadcast commercials but filled breaks with stills accompanied by 1950s and 1960s soul music from artists like Little Richard, Sam Cooke, Otis Redding and Ben E. King.
“While the core of Greene’s music lies a deep reverence for these traditions of soul and R&B, he’s never been one to simply replicate the sounds of the past,” the release stated. “Instead, he infuses elements of R&B, funk, and jazz to create a sound that feels both timeless and fresh.”
Tickets are on sale now with tiered pricing of $12, $21 or $28 (age 16 and under admitted free) at roxburyartsgroup.org.