What do you get when you put a Grammy Award winning band, a pioneer of the 1990’s R&B
scene, the daughter of a legendary Soul Singe rand a trendsetter in the future of Neo-Soul together?… You get an evening filled with great music and amazing talent. On April 14, 2013 The Robert Glasper Experiment along with singers Stokley Williams ( The lead singer of the group “Mint Condition”) Lalah Hathaway and Eric Roberson came together in musical unity and deep appreciation for a tribute to the music of Artist Stevie Wonder.This musical event can be described as fun, soulful and energetic.
Musician Robert Glasper who leads the Jazz/Experimental band The Robert Glasper Experiment proved during the Stevie Wonder tribute that while he is a serious musician he has not forgot how to have a good time and laugh with his audience. Glasper joked how he had known Stevie all his life and that he and his band could not possibly do the whole catalog of Stevie Wonder songs: The audience would be there forever!! Glasper and his band opened the show with a smooth rendition of Stevie Wonder’s classic 1970’s hit “Golden Lady”. A smooth bass and light percussion introduced the Song which drew massive applause from the audience as soon as the first chords were played.
Glasper’s eloquent Piano playing added flavor to “Golden Lady”. Hearing this song brought pleasant feelings across the auditorium. Glasper and his fellow musicians would go on to back up all the singers who performed on stage for the night.
Sometimes a musician can cause a stir just by walking on stage.Songstress Lala Hathatway did just this.Wearing a bright flowing top and sparking high heels, Hathaway was the queen of the evening.
Taking the stage Hathaway reflected on meeting Stevie Wonder as a ten year old girl who sadly lost her father, singer Donny Hathaway at a young age. Wonder approached Hathaway at her fathers funeral and told her sweetly “I like your dress”.Hearing this testimony the audience was hushed and moved.Hathaway showed her love for Wonder by performing jazzy renditions of “Overjoyed”, in which her voice did incredible runs and hit notes in the stratosphere.An artist who really gets into her performances, Hathaway spiritually got into the song “Jesus Children Of America”, taking time to reflect silently on the meaning of the track.Robert Glasper’s band made this song sound completely different, focusing on a silent electric guitar and adding keyboard and drums that slowly crept into the song along with a great Bass Guitar. Hathaway’s strong Alto voice and soulful vocals made one think of her father as she sang. She convincingly put her own flavor on “Jesus Children Of America” as she hit unbelievable Vocal Octaves and made the audience feel the words of Stevie’s song to “Tell their story”.
Adding additional fun and energy to the Stevie Wonder tribute were Howard University
Alum singer Eric Roberson and Stokley Williams of the group Mint Condition. Roberson had A good time on stage, joking in a brotherly way with Robert Glasper. His voice blended in Perfectly with the song “You Got It Bad”, smooth Tenor moving right along the Glasper Experiment.
Roberson let the audience get even more into the fun as he introduced the “love segment” of the show and stepped into a dim, blue light. He took a cell phone picture with an excited fan in the front row, posing for this shot. Roberson did a great version of “Creep” making the audience feel the romance of the song through his effective and convincing singing.
Ifyou think that Stokley Williams is just the lead singer of “Mint Condition” think again! Stokley is a gifted Conga player, Jazz Singer.The singer gave the audience all this plus his classic “Mint condition “ persona as he delivered singing songs such as “You Got it bad”, “You Will know” an a little known Stevie Wonder track entitled “Taboo To Love”. Stokley put great passion and energy in his performance, encouraging the band when they did solos and often singing extended runs of his chosen songs.Robert Glasper’s band magnified Stokley great singing and helped to elevate his voice as he captured the emotion of each song.
Overall the Stevie Wonder tribute was amazing. Excellent musicianship, great talent, and fun. If Stevie was at this event he would have been extremely proud.
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For More Information Visit:
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http://www.robertglasper.com
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Stokley-Williams/161718797875
http://www.lalahhathaway.com
http://www.facebook.com/LalahHathaway
http://www.ericrobersonmusic.com
http://www.facebook.com/BlueErroSoul
