Lamont Dozier News

The World Music Institute (WMI) is thrilled to open its 2016-2017 season with a rare U.S. appearance by Nigerian superstar King Sunny Ade.

Making his World Music Institute debut, Nigerian music legend Orlando Julius plays classic Afrobeat with a psychedelic twist, constantly pushing musical boundaries. Julius is one of the original Afrobeat pioneers, predating even Fela Kuti. Starting in the '60s, he brought together traditional African sounds and rhythms with American pop, soul, and R&B. He spent many years in the United States collaborating with Lamont Dozier, the Crusaders, and Hugh Masekela, and his voice has been an essential part of the invention, development, and popularization of Afro-pop. Julius recently released a widely praised album Jaiyede Afro, which The Guardian called a 'rousing new set' and which WMI's Par Neiburger calls 'One of the best Afrobeat albums I've ever heard.' This year also marks the 50th anniversary of his 1966 release, Super Afro Soul, which made him a national celebrity in Nigeria. The record's dramatic, highly melodic incorporation of soul, pop, and funk was ahead of its time, and arguably shaped the funk movement that swept over the United States in subsequent years.

World Music Institute debuts its brand-new series MASTERS OF AFRICAN MUSIC with two legends ORLANDO JULIUS & THE AFRO SOUNDZ at LPR and KASSE MADY DIABATE at the Met Museum this fall.

Making his World Music Institute debut, Nigerian music legend Orlando Julius plays classic Afrobeat with a psychedelic twist, constantly pushing musical boundaries. Julius is one of the original Afrobeat pioneers, predating even Fela Kuti. Starting in the '60s, he brought together traditional African sounds and rhythms with American pop, soul, and R&B. He spent many years in the United States collaborating with Lamont Dozier, the Crusaders, and Hugh Masekela, and his voice has been an essential part of the invention, development, and popularization of Afro-pop. Julius recently released a widely praised album Jaiyede Afro, which The Guardian called a "rousing new set" and which WMI's Par Neiburger calls 'One of the best Afrobeat albums I've ever heard.' This year also marks the 50th anniversary of his 1966 release, Super Afro Soul, which made him a national celebrity in Nigeria. The record's dramatic, highly melodic incorporation of soul, pop, and funk was ahead of its time, and arguably shaped the funk movement that swept over the United States in subsequent years.

World Music Institute debuts its brand-new series MASTERS OF AFRICAN MUSIC with two legends ORLANDO JULIUS & THE AFRO SOUNDZ at LPR and KASSE MADY DIABATE at the Met Museum this fall.

Jazz singer/songwriter Abigail Rockwell, granddaughter of beloved American illustrator Norman Rockwell, will continue her New York cabaret debut on Thursday, September 3rd at 7 pm at the Metropolitan Room in "Bring In The Spring!".  Her first show was in late April and now she returns this fall with two more shows.  Ms. Rockwell will take the stage to share her songs - an eclectic mix of standards and original compositions - and her story after a long battle for truth contending with the recent fraudulent biography of her grandfather.  Sean Harkness, her musical director, will accompany her on guitar.  The show is directed by Bill Castellino.

The World Music Institute has announced its 30th Anniversary, 2015-16 season -- the debut season for Artistic Director Par Neiburger. Recognizing the ever-expanding nature of world music, Neiburger showcases the experimental and avant-garde along with the classic.

The American Music Theatre Project (AMTP) at Northwestern University will workshop and present a staged reading of the new musical "The Enlightenment of Percival von Schmootz" written by the Fred Ebb Award, Jonathan Larson Grant and Lorenz Hart Award-winning team Michael Kooman and Christopher Dimond. 

World renowned rock band the Scorpions have signed with Primary Wave Entertainment, who will be the multi-platinum rock band's exclusive marketing agency focusing on marketing the Scorpions' new album and tour

Jazz singer/songwriter Abigail Rockwell, granddaughter of beloved American illustrator Norman Rockwell, will make her New York cabaret debut tonight, April 30th at 7pm at theMetropolitan Room (34 West 22nd Street - between 5th & 6th Avenues) in 'Ringing in the Spring.'

Jazz singer/songwriter Abigail Rockwell, granddaughter of beloved American illustrator Norman Rockwell, will make her New York cabaret debut on Thursday, April 30th at 7pm at theMetropolitan Room (34 West 22nd Street - between 5th & 6th Avenues) in "Ringing in the Spring."

Sisterhood is a powerful and powerfully funny thing in the Pre-Broadway tryout of THE FIRST WIVES CLUB.

The premiere of the new Broadway-bound musical First Wives Club opened last night, March 11, 2015 at the Oriental Theatre (24 West Randolph St.) and runs through March 29, 2015. Sean Cullen, Mike McGowan, and Tony Award-nominee Gregg Edelman go head-to-head with Tony Award-winner Faith Prince as 'Brenda,' Wicked star Carmen Cusack as 'Annie,' and Mamma Mia's Christine Sherrill as 'Elise,' as 'First Husbands' 'Morty,' 'Bill,' and 'Aaron,' respectively, in the new musical. Scroll down for photos from the opening night festivities!

Primary Wave Entertainment brings in music manager Toya Hankins as a new management partner with a focus on continuing the growth of their Urban Talent Management division.

Stearns Matthews, a 2015 Bistro Award winner for Outstanding Recording, celebrated the late 2014 release of his debut album Spark last night at the Laurie Beechman Theatre. Giving an encore performance of his critically lauded Spark CD Release Show, the accomplished performer and three-time MAC Award nominee entertained audiences with his whimsical set and his dazzling and bright lyric baritone instrument.

The Hollywood Chamber of Commerce announced that songwriters and producers Holland-Dozier-Hollandwill be honored with the 2,543rd star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame tomorrow, Friday, February 13, at 11:30 a.m. The star in the category of Recording will be dedicated near the Live Nation Building at 7070 Hollywood Boulevard. Holland-Dozier-Holland have reunited for the first time in more than 30 years to write the score for the new Broadway-bound musical First Wives Club, which will make its World Premiere in Chicago on Tuesday, February 17, 2015 and play through March 29, 2015 at the Oriental Theatre (24 West Randolph St.).

A feature on FIRST WIVES CLUB musical's official blog details Broadway in Chicago's recent event to introduce the show at Chicago Playhouse. The evening featured a 'trio of musical legends' -- Eddie Holland (pictured left), Lamont Dozier, and Brian Holland -- the Motown songwriting team behind the score for FIRST WIVES CLUB. Click HERE to read the full report and check out photos from the event!

The ?American Music Theatre Project (AMTP) at Northwestern University will present a 'by-invitation-only' workshop presentation of the new musical 'Scrooge In Love!' for Northwestern theatre faculty, students, staff and Chicago theatre industry members, on Sunday, Nov. 23.

A Red Orchid Theatre (Kirsten Fitzgerald, Artistic Director; Rebecca Easton, Managing Director), Chicago's critically acclaimed resident theater company, in association with Bisno Productions (Debbie Bisno, Roberta Pereira), have announced the launch of a new collaborative partnership, A Red Orchid NYC. The newly launched initiative, here in New York, fulfills the expanded mission of the Chicago based company to introduce the Ensemble's original new works to a national audience.