Arts + Public Life, in partnership with the Reva and David Logan Center for the Arts, Soundrotation, Brain Trust Management, and the UChicago Department of Race, Diaspora and Indigeneity, presents a new installment of Rear View Mirror Sessions.
Since 2017, the Quintessential Listening and Lecture Series led by music historian and DJ Duane Powell has taken audiences on a journey through the lives of musical legends and heroes, from The Isley Brothers, Gladys Knight and Nina Simone, to Chaka Khan, Sly and the Family Stone, and Rick James. Each session features a special guest musical performer drawn from Chicago's own rich talent and audience participation is always encouraged.
The series continues with a celebration of Stevie Wonder, in conjunction with the UChicago course, Wonder Lab: Learning from the Musical Art and Craft of Stevie Wonder, taught by Prof. Adam Green. One of the defining artists of the recent U.S. and the world, Stevie Wonder is a celebrated and beloved musician, a spiritual visionary, polymath of genres, prophetic truth-teller, and bard of love and loss. His vision refracts the victories, losses and contradictions of Black struggle and endeavor in America.
Following Powell’s presentation, Prof. Green will join him on stage to continue the conversation about Stevie Wonder’s art, life and ambition as a sonic innovator.
After the session, we'll be treated to a special tribute performance by Tony Cazeau's NEW BLACK RENAISSANCE Band featuring Maurice Mahon.
ABOUT THE ARTIST
Tony Cazeau III, graduated from UIC in 1995 with B.S. in Management. Tony worked in Logistics and Supply Chain at Unilever for 13 years. At the age of three Tony started playing classical piano until the age of 12. Later, Tony started playing gospel piano in church. From there he went on to play keys for Bebe and Cece Winans, Brian McKnight, Jody Whatley, Keith Washington, and Lalah Hathaway. Currently, Tony is the Worship Director for the Emmaus Community, a junior Partner for the Chicago Catz, music director for PureSoul Chicago and he leads his own band New Black Renaissance which celebrates Black Culture through various musical genres. As the founder of New Black Renaissance, “Band” Tony Cazeau is dedication to mentoring and nurturing talents, providing musicians with opportunities to perform and develop their craft for many years. Tony hopes that through his guidance and support, he helps to cultivate a new generation of amazing artist, leaving a lasting impact on the world of music.