June is black music month and The Sol Kitchen is bringing real music to the Queen City.
On June 9th, PJ Morton will be performing at the Double Door Inn on Charlottetown Avenue.
Tickets are $23 in advance. The show begins at 8 p.m.
So, who is PJ Morton? The music world's best kept secret.
PJ MORTON
The time is now for one of
the industry’s best-kept secrets: PJ Morton. The Maroon 5 keyboardist/backing
vocalist makes his major label debut on May 14 with New Orleans, his first album for Young Money Entertainment/Republic
Records. One listen to Morton’s anticipated project quickly reveals why the
multi-talent became a favorite on the indie R&B circuit and an in-demand
songwriter/producer and also why the limitless talent will be a game changer
for the Lil Wayne-founded Young Money.
New Orleans marks
the Cash Money imprint’s first step toward broadening its already wide appeal,
thanks to a hit-making and award-winning roster that includes founder Lil
Wayne, Drake and Nicki Minaj. And there’s no better ambassador to musically
personify that message than Morton, whose self-described “soulful pop”
seamlessly spans multiple genres from gospel and R&B/funk to pop and rock.
“I’ve always pushed
boundaries,” says Morton, “but I always remain true to who I am musically. New Orleans is a natural progression of
who I am. I can’t explain it except through my music. That proves it better than
anything I can say.”
Building that case is “Only One”
featuring Stevie Wonder. Quickly garnering strong reaction following its
January premiere on Billboard.com,
the song is the lead single from New
Orleans. Armed with an infectious hook and a head-boppin’ groove, the
up-tempo number showcases Morton’s velvety tenor, songwriting skills and
musicianship, accented by Wonder’s distinctive harmonica.
“Stevie joining me on the
track is the ultimate start. It’s my dream come true,” says Morton of teaming
with Wonder. “I want to continue the legacy he represents: musicianship and
positivity.”
New Orleans itself
stems from Morton’s acclaimed 2012 EP, Following
My First Mind, featuring guest cameos from Maroon 5’s Adam Levine, Lil
Wayne and Jazmine Sullivan. A nod to Morton’s hometown and musical roots, the
forthcoming New Orleans finds Morton
at the keyboard playing with a full backing band complete with horns and
strings. The result is a lush, melodic yet organic 10-track set that grabs
listeners right from the opening title track.
“New Orleans is where I
learned how to play music,” recalls Morton. “It’s the physical and mind space I
was in when I fell in love with music. It wasn’t about marketing, radio and
publicity. It was just about making music because I loved it. It made me feel
good. Young Money wanted me creatively as I am. That’s why I’m excited about
this next chapter.”
Also featuring rapper Busta
Rhymes, New Orleans comes packed with
a diverse slate of musical influences. There’s the reggae-infused “Hard Enough,”
which explores relationship issues. “I’m looking for a love unconditional / Not
one that goes wherever the wind blows,” declares Morton as the song opens.
The self-described “Dr. Love”
traverses the same landscape on the mid-tempo “Work It Out.” Set off by a touch
of synth and a hypnotic drumbeat, the song once again spotlights Morton’s
tantalizing tenor. Also noteworthy is “Heavy,” a song revamped from Morton’s
2012 EP and featuring Adam Levine. Sporting a funk/rock track reminiscent of
Sly Stone and Prince, the song’s lyrics were inspired by Morton’s frustration at
one point with his indie career.
“It was at a point where I
was trying to figure out what the next step was,” says Morton, who hadn’t yet
connected with pop hitmakers Maroon 5. “This was me getting those feelings out.
Since that frustration, I’ve had one of the biggest years in my career. It’s
crazy.”
Influenced by acts ranging
from the Beatles and James Taylor to Wonder and Donny Hathaway, the New Orleans
native is the son of gospel singer Paul S. Morton. His formal foray into the
industry was as a member of the band Freestyle Nation, which debuted in the
early 2000s. But it was as a songwriter/producer that Morton left his first indelible
impression. He won a Grammy Award for his songwriting/production of
India.Arie’s “Interested” from her 2002 album Voyage to India.
That opened the door to more
collaborations (Jermaine Dupri, LL Cool J, Monica, Musiq Soulchild, Trinitee
5:7) and additional accolades (Dove and Stellar Awards) for his work with
gospel singer DeWayne Woods. Woods’ “Let Go, Let God” spent a record 70 weeks
on the gospel chart. Along the way, Morton released several acclaimed indie
solo albums. He also attracted the attention of Academy Award-winning producer
AR Rahman (“Slumdog Millionaire”), who asked Morton to contribute a song
(“Sajna”) to the soundtrack for the Vince Vaughn comedy “Couples Retreat.”
Morton’s next big break
occurred three years ago, when he was asked to audition by friend and Maroon 5
music director Adam Blackstone for a spot in the band as its keyboardist/vocalist.
Soon after, childhood friend and Young Money Entertainment president Mack Maine
championed Morton’s music and vision to Cash Money co-CEO’s Roland “Slim”
Williams and Bryan “Birdman” Williams. With Lil Wayne co-signing his approval
as well, Morton is ready to bring his journey full circle with New Orleans.
“My indie years and working
with various artists, including Maroon 5, have helped me understand who I am as
both an individual and an artist,” says Morton. “It has allowed me to create a
fan base that will forever be with me. Now I’m being given the opportunity to
do on steroids what I’ve been doing for years.”
