Keeping Vandross’ music in the ‘Here and Now’

Friday, June 2, 2006 | 7:20 a.m.

Information: 796-7111

Tickets: $29 to $59

Where: South Coast Grand Ballroom

When: 7 p.m. and 10 p.m. June 16

Who: Terry Steele in a tribute to Luther Vandross

Luther Vandross, one of the greatest R&B singers of all time with eight Grammy Awards and 25 million in album sales, died July 1.

Terry Steele wants to keep Vandross' music alive. Toward that end, he will showcase a Vandross tribute at the South Coast at 7 p.m. and 10 p.m. on June 16.

"I wanted to do something for him," Steele said. "I knew him personally - I am traveling up this road because of him. He was a giant in the business. I am standing on his shoulders. He paved the way for me."

Steele and David Elliot, son of Dionne Warwick, wrote a song in 1989 entitled "Here and Now." Vandross recorded it.

"We hadn't had anything placed until then," said Steele, a Los Angeles native.

He stayed in touch with his mentor through the years.

"Luther gave me a quote I cherish to this day," Steele said. " 'When you listen to "Here and Now," there will be no doubt that Terry Steele has proven himself to be an incredible talent.' "

After Vandross recorded the song, Steele worked with Warwick and others, including Whitney Houston, who recorded his song "Love Will Find a Way," and Patti LaBelle, who recorded "You Saved My Life."

During the 1990s Steele spent seven years as the lead singer with the jazz band Hiroshima. Since then he has been working on solo projects, including creating the tribute to Vandross, a diabetic who suffered a massive stroke in 2003 from which he never recovered.

"Las Vegas will be the premiere," Steele said. "We're going to launch it here, and then we're planning to go to 20 cities."

Before the first show at the June 16 engagement, a lithograph made from the original score of "Here and Now" will be auctioned to raise money for the National Diabetes Association, Steele said.

Vandross, the co-producers and the conductor of the orchestra for the recording signed the score and gave it to Steele as a gift.

"I had a very respectful relationship with him (Vandross)," Steele said. "I would call him for advice, that kind of thing.

"He gave me great advice about technique - he was so technically correct. He taught me to combine technique and to sing from the soul."

Steele says ultimately he would like to find a home in Las Vegas for the tribute. "I would love to have it running here," he said. "I'm doing the show in the style of Luther - his shows were grand, with gorgeous girls wearing beautiful designer gowns."

Steele describes the tribute, which is being produced by Monty Seward, as "classically authentic."

Steele will be backed by a five-piece band, four dancers and five vocalists. The show also will include videos of Vandross performing.

"It will be a real tribute," Steele said.