Stevie Wonder’s classic catalog to be celebrated over three nights at BAM
Brooklyn Academy of Music (BAM) is set to honor Stevie Wonder’s music this weekend with “Stevie: A Life in the Key of Songs.” The post Stevie Wonder’s classic catalog to be celebrated over three nights at BAM appeared first on New York Amsterdam News.
Black News 
Brooklyn Academy of Music (BAM) is set to honor Stevie Wonder’s music this weekend with “Stevie: A Life in the Key of Songs.” The three-night tribute to the 25-time Grammy Award winner will be performed by the Black Rock Coalition (BRC) Orchestra, with several special guests, on May 14, 15, and 16 at BAM’s Howard Gilman Opera House in the heart of Downtown Brooklyn’s arts district.
“A Life in the Key of Songs” will showcase Wonder’s lauded classic period. The Motown legend’s imperial era lasted from 1972 to 1976, with five albums that shook the foundation of R&B music and influenced popular music for decades to come. This celebration comes at a serendipitous time. The first night comes a day after Wonder’s 76th birthday (May 13). This year also marks the 50th anniversary of Wonder’s best-selling album, “Songs in the Key of Life.”
The BRC Orchestra will play each of the five classic albums in full during the run. Opening night, May 14, covers Wonder’s two 1972 LPs, “Music of My Mind” and “Talking Book,” featuring songs like “Superstition,” “You Are the Sunshine of My Life,” and “Superwoman (Where Were You When I Needed You).” Night two, May 15, covers 1973’s “Innervisions” and 1974’s “Fulfillingness’ First Finale,” featuring classics like “Higher Ground,” “Living For the City,” and “Boogie On Reggae Woman.” The climax, May 16, will cover Wonder’s 1976 diamond-certified double album, “Songs in the Key of Life,” which included hits like “Sir Duke,” “I Wish,” and “As.”
Overseeing this occasion is BRC Director of Operations, Poet/Warrior, Founder/CEO Darrell M. McNeill. Co-directing this ensemble with McNeill is LaFrae Sci, director of Willie Mae Rock Camp. Together, they will offer reimagined renditions of Wonder’s canon while retaining the spirit of their original arrangements. Joining the BRC is an all-star cast of musicians who will play on select nights. Living Colour founders Corey Glover and Vernon Reid will play on May 15 and 16. Meanwhile, Roots keyboardist Ray Angry, jazz legend Mark Whitfield, and Grammy-winning harmonica great Grégoire Maret are set to play all three shows.
Founded in 1985, The Black Rock Coalition is a non-profit organization that champions and showcases alternative Black musicians. Co-founded by Reid, late musician/journalist Greg Tate, DK Dyson, and Konda Mason in a time when the recording industry began ignoring rock musicians of color, The BRC was spawned to help provide progressive Black musicians with performance outlets, recording opportunities, and creative funding.
Tickets for “Stevie: A Life in the Key of Songs” are available on BAM’s official website at bam.org/stevie and at the box office at BAM’s Peter Jay Sharp building on 70 Lafayette Avenue, Brooklyn, NY. Patrons can purchase tickets to each individual show.
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