PJ Morton, six-time winner of the Grammy Award with as many as 22 nominations, soul singer, songwriter, multi-instrumentalist and producer from New Orleans, one of the most important representatives of the contemporary American soul and R&B scene is coming to the Musicology Barcaffè Sessions on October 15 at BitefArtCafe.
Coming from a family deeply rooted in the gospel tradition of the American South, his father, Bishop Paul S. Morton, is a well-known gospel pastor and singer, which strongly shaped PJ's musical expression. It was this combination of gospel, soul, funk and modern R&B that became his signature.
He is also known to a wider audience as the long-term keyboardist of the band Maroon 5, with whom he has been performing for more than 12 years, but his solo work represents a completely different, more intimate and authentic artistic side.
During his career he collaborated with names such as Stevie Wonder, Erykah Badu, Jon Batiste, Nas, Lil Wayne, Jill Scott, JoJo, Yebba and many other artists of different genres.
His albums, among which Gumbo, Paul and Watch The Sun stand out, earned him the status of one of the authors who redefined the modern soul sound, combining classical influences with contemporary production and very personal lyrics.
In 2024, PJ Morton became the first black composer to write an original song for the Disney attraction Tiana's Bayou Adventure at Disneyland and Disney World, further confirming his cultural and artistic significance.
In the same year, he released the album Cape Town to Cairo, which he wrote, recorded and produced entirely during a thirty-day trip through Africa. The project is inspired by African music, culture and experiences from the road, further expanding his artistic expression and exploration of the roots of soul and rhythm.
PJ Morton is also the author of Saturday Night, Sunday Morning, an autobiographical work in which he talks about his artistic journey, the relationship between music and faith, identity, culture and personal expression.
In addition to his studio work, he is especially appreciated as a live performer. His concerts are known for strong emotion, superb musicianship and direct connection with the audience, combining the energy of the gospel church, soul improvisation and groove funk into a unique concert experience.
Today, PJ Morton represents one of the few artists who simultaneously successfully combines mainstream success, authorial integrity and the deep musical tradition of the American South.
In partnership with Lenovo Serbia, Musicology Barcaffè Sessions has been supporting young and talented musicians for the fifth year through the Musicology Showcase by Lenovo program, giving them the opportunity to present their talent side by side with world performers. Manivi, the Belgrade band of singer-songwriter Ivana Vukmirović, whose original sound combines pop, soul and funk with contemporary production, will perform as a support group for PJ Morton, with a band made up of prominent local jazz and soul musicians.
PJ Morton, on the occasion of the concert:
1. New Orleans has such a strong musical identity that almost every artist from that city carries its spirit in their sound. Do you ever feel pressure coming from a city with such a rich musical tradition?
Yeah, I actually felt the pressure, because the New Orleans sound didn't necessarily come naturally to me. But I realized that I always carry the spirit of New Orleans with me, and it's that freedom that comes from coming from such a unique city.
2. You managed to gain the respect of the musicians, and at the same time the audience genuinely loves you. In today's music industry, do you think it's getting harder to stay authentic?
I still believe that authenticity will always win. I think as we move forward it will be even more important to stay true to yourself and be authentic.
3. Your music often evokes nostalgia without sounding old-fashioned. Why do you think people crave warmth and soul again today?
It's just a sound I'm naturally drawn to. I think that something that seems real will always connect to something real in a person.
4. As someone who plays, writes, produces, arranges and performs, what part of the process still gives you the same thrill as it did at the beginning?
I don't think I'll ever get tired of making a song out of nothing until it becomes a rounded whole. Also, singing in front of an audience, and with an audience, while we all feel the same together and share that energy.
5. Do you think that the audience today listens to music differently than 10 years ago? Has social media changed the emotional connection people have with music?
Yeah, I think it's constantly changing. I've experienced so many different changes since I've been doing music. What remains the same is that a great artist with great songs will always connect with people in an honest and authentic way, regardless of how people perceive them or how they interact with their music.
6. You have great commercial success, critical acclaim, Grammy nominations and artistic freedom behind you. What for you today actually means success?
Success is doing exactly what you want. For me, success is having peace.
Such experiences are behind the partnership between A1 Serbia and Musicology Barcaffè Sessions. A1 believes that quality everyday life is made up of simple things - good connections, people who are important to us and experiences that shape us. Culture brings it all together, which is why, through this partnership, A1 wants to bring top performers and memorable concerts closer to the audience.
See you at the Musicology Barcaffè Sessions! Barcaffè and Musicology have been connected for years by the same idea, that the best moments are created when people get together, share an experience and stay a little longer because of the good energy. Music, just like coffee, has the power to bring people together and turn an ordinary moment into a memorable one."
We open the doors at 20:30
Musicology Showcase by Lenovo 9 p.m
PJ MORTON LIVE 22H
Tickets on sale through the sales service: billet.rs
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