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Stevie Wonder

b. Steveland Judkins, 13 May 1950, Saginaw, Michigan, USA. Born Judkins, Wonder now prefers to be known as Steveland Morris after his mother's married name. Placed in an incubator immediately after his birth, baby Steveland was given too much oxygen, causing Steveland to suffer permanent blindness. Despite this handicap, Wonder began to learn the piano at the age of seven, and had also mastered drums and harmonica by the age of nine. After his family moved to Detroit in 1954, Steveland joined a church choir, the gospel influence on his music balanced by the R&B of Ray Charles and Sam Cooke being played on his transistor radio.

In 1961, he was discovered by Ronnie White of the Miracles, who arranged an audition at Motown Records. Berry Gordy immediately signed Steveland to the label, renaming him Little Stevie Wonder (the "Little" was dropped in 1964). Wonder was placed in the care of writer/producer Clarence Paul, who supervised his early recordings. These accentuated his prodigal talents as a multi-instrumentalist, but did not represent a clear musical direction. In 1963, however, the release of the ebullient live recording "Fingertips (Part 2)" established his commercial success, and Motown quickly marketed him on a series of albums as "the 12-year-old genius" in an attempt to link him with the popularity of "the genius", Ray Charles. Attempts to repeat the success of "Fingertips" proved abortive, and Wonder's career was placed on hold during 1964 while his voice was breaking. He re-emerged in 1965 with a sound that was much closer to the Motown mainstream, scoring a worldwide hit with the dance-orientated "Uptight (Everything's Alright)", which he co-wrote with Henry Cosby and Sylvia Moy. This began a run of US Top 40 hits that continued unbroken (apart from seasonal Christmas releases) for over six years.

From 1965-70, Stevie Wonder was marketed like the other major Motown stars, recording material that was chosen for him by the label's executives, and issuing albums that mixed conventional soul compositions with pop standards. His strong humanitarian principles were allowed expression on his version of Bob Dylan's "Blowin' In The Wind" and Ron Miller's "A Place In The Sun" in 1966. He co-wrote almost all of his singles from 1967 onwards, and also began to collaborate on releases by other Motown artists, most notably co-writing Smokey Robinson And The Miracles' hit "The Tears Of A Clown", and writing and producing the (Detroit) Spinners' "It's A Shame".

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Album Review

Gary Clark, Jr.: JPEG RAW

Read "JPEG RAW" reviewed by Doug Collette


In contrast to Gary Clark Jr.'s thunderous stage performances, the keen impact of which permeate Live (Warner Bros., 2014) and Live in North America 2016 (Warner Bros., 2017), his studio albums, including JPEG RAW, are ambitious eclectic pieces of work the force of which grow inexorably with repeated listening. Its title an acronym for 'Jealousy, Pride, Ego & Greed / Rules, Alter Ego & Worlds,' the man's sixth full-length album is hardly an exception to that rule. In ...

2
Album Review

Rolling Stones: Hackney Diamonds (2CD)

Read "Hackney Diamonds (2CD)" reviewed by Doug Collette


The Rolling Stones have taken some risks of greater and lesser proportion over the course of their sixty-plus- year career, but perhaps no gamble is so great as the decision by the surviving members of the band to continue on after the passing of drummer Charlie Watts. With the blessing of their co-founder in place for the presence of musician/producer Steve Jordan at the kit, the self-appointed 'greatest rock and roll band in the world' carried on with ...

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Radio & Podcasts

Sir Stevie: Jammin' on Stevie Wonder - Part 4

Read "Sir Stevie: Jammin' on Stevie Wonder - Part 4" reviewed by Ludovico Granvassu


All good things come to an end, so here we are with the last part of our celebration of Stevie Wonder's 70th birthday in the key of jazz [check out parts one, two and three]. In this final installment tributes by Geri Allen, Stephane Belmondo and Sylvain Luc, Urbie Green, Max Ionata and Dado Moroni, Abbey Lincoln, Steve Khan, the New West Guitar Group with Gretchen Parlato, Joshua Redman the SFJAZZ Collective, and Grover Washington Jr.. Plus Stevie Wonder's first ...

2
Radio & Podcasts

Sir Stevie: Jammin' on Stevie Wonder - Part 3

Read "Sir Stevie: Jammin' on Stevie Wonder - Part 3" reviewed by Ludovico Granvassu


There's so much amazing material penned by Stevie Wonder, so here we go again with the third part of our birthday special. After a dive in renditions from the '70s during part one and two, here we mix things up with a combination of contemporary stunners, like the unique take of Alicia Hall Moran on “Signed, Sealed, Delivered" or the incandescent rendition of “Too High" by Chris Hunter, with classics like Roland Kirk's version of “Ma Cherie Amour" or Toots ...

1
Radio & Podcasts

Sir Stevie: Jammin' on Stevie Wonder - Part 2

Read "Sir Stevie: Jammin' on Stevie Wonder - Part 2" reviewed by Ludovico Granvassu


Stevie Wonder has often infused his performances with compelling renditions of jazz standards like Miles' “All Blues" or Coltrane's “Giant Steps." In return, countless jazz musicians have looked into his Songbook for compositions that would provide them with a fertile ground for their own explorations. In the second part of our “Stevie @70" special we cherry-picked tributes to his genius by the likes of Ran Blake, Cassandra Wilson, Gene Harris, Jamie Saft and many more, and a ...

3
Radio & Podcasts

Sir Stevie: Jammin' on Stevie Wonder - Part 1

Read "Sir Stevie: Jammin' on Stevie Wonder - Part 1" reviewed by Ludovico Granvassu


Stevie Wonder has more entries in the Real Book than any other pop musician, The Beatles included. It is not surprising therefore that his Songbook has been mined by hundreds of jazz musicians, including the likes of Sonny Rollins, Dizzy Gillespie, Ella Fitzgerald, Dexter Gordon or Herbie Hancock. To mark the 70th birthday of Stevie Wonder this week we will feature some of the best jazz renditions of his compositions. In this segment we focus, in particular, on ...

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Live Review

Stevie Wonder at Pepsi Center

Read "Stevie Wonder at Pepsi Center" reviewed by Geoff Anderson


Stevie Wonder Pepsi Center Denver, CO March 17, 2015 Is there anybody that doesn't like Stevie Wonder? Go ahead, I dare you, tell me how you don't like Stevie Wonder. Then go chase those kids off your lawn. For the legion of Stevie Wonder fans, it's fortunate that he goes out on the road every once in a while; maybe not frequently, but occasionally is much better than nothing. On the current tour, ...

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Event

Columbus Jazz Orchestra Celebrates Jazz Appreciation Month With "piano Men: The Music Of Billy Joel, Elton John & Stevie Wonder"

Columbus Jazz Orchestra Celebrates Jazz Appreciation Month With "piano Men: The Music Of Billy Joel, Elton John & Stevie Wonder"

Source: Scott Vezdos

Columbus, OH – In celebration of Jazz Appreciation Month, the Jazz Arts Group of Columbus (JAG) returns to the historic Southern Theatre to pay tribute to your favorite keyboard legends in “Piano Men: The Music of Billy Joel, Elton John & Stevie Wonder," April 11 - 14. The powerful vocals of Chester Gregory and keyboard wizardry of Dave Powers join Bobby Floyd and the CJO on timeless classics like “Piano Man," “Just the Way You Are," “Your Song," “Rocket Man," ...

Recording

On The Heels Of Acclaimed Performance For The President And First Lady, Stevie Wonder Collaboration, And Whitney Houston Tribute, 2012 Internet Sensation Sheléa Readies For Her Debut

On The Heels Of Acclaimed Performance For The President And First Lady, Stevie Wonder Collaboration, And Whitney Houston Tribute, 2012 Internet Sensation Sheléa Readies For Her Debut

Source: Kelly Krueger

Songstress Sheléa Releases New Christmas Tunes and Debut Album in 2013 LOS ANGELES, CA - Vocalist Sheléa (shuh-LAY-uh) releases two new Christmas songs with Breath of Life Records via CEN/RED Distribution, a division of Sony Music. “Don't Want To Wait Til Christmas" is an original upbeat tune, and Sheléa added her sultry spin and soulful vocals to a remake of the Christmas classic, “Christmastime Is Here." The talented songstress caught the attention of fans and critics in 2012 for her ...

1

Interview

Bonnie Bowden and Stevie Wonder

Bonnie Bowden and Stevie Wonder

Source: JazzWax by Marc Myers

Singer Bonnie Bowden has an interesting background. Today she performs with jazz groups and swing bands on the West Coast. But from 1972 onward into the 1980s, she was a member of Sergio Mendes' “Brasil" groups, which specialized in uplifting, samba-soaked versions of contemporary and bossa nova hits. During this period Bonnie had some interesting studio interactions with Stevie Wonder and Antonio Carlos Jobim. [Pictured above: Bonnie Bowden today] In my conversation with Bonnie, she talked about her Mendes years... ...

Event

Stephanie Jordan And Ellis Marsalis To Perform For Stevie Wonder At National Urban League’s Gala

Stephanie Jordan And Ellis Marsalis To Perform For Stevie Wonder At National Urban League’s Gala

Source: Sylvain Music Notes

Whitney M. Young, Jr. Awards Masquerade Gala honors U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder, Louisiana Supreme Court Justice Bernette Johnson and musical legend Stevie Wonder NEW ORLEANS – Internationally acclaimed New Orleans’ jazz vocalist Stephanie Jordan will be accompanied by pianist Ellis Marsalis in a special rendition of one of Stevie Wonder’s tunes as the National Urban League pays tribute to U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder; Louisiana Supreme Court Justice Bernette Johnson; and music legend Stevie Wonder during the 2012 National ...

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Performance / Tour

SFJazz Collective returns to Stevie Wonder tunes this weekend at Yoshi's-Oakland

SFJazz Collective returns to Stevie Wonder tunes this weekend at Yoshi's-Oakland

Source: Michael Ricci

Growing up in Auckland, New Zealand, bassist Matt Penman played with a rock band called The Itch, covering tunes by the Red Hot Chili Peppers and Stevie Wonder. The group enjoyed jamming out on Wonder's reggae-ish “Master Blaster (Jammin')," recalls Penman, who was 16 at the time. He also played bass in a jazz group, covering “All Blues" and “Freddie Freeloader," chestnuts by Miles Davis, along with “You Are the Sunshine of My Life" and “Sir Duke" — by Wonder, ...

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Performance / Tour

Patrick Lamb, Tyrone Hendrix, Nate Watts & Friends to Perform Tribute to Stevie Wonder, February 17

Patrick Lamb, Tyrone Hendrix, Nate Watts & Friends to Perform Tribute to Stevie Wonder, February 17

Source: Chris M. Slawecki

Portland¹s very own Patrick Lamb and Stevie Wonder band drummer Tyrone Hendrix are co-producing a Stevie Wonder tribute concert, Livin' for the City, with two shows (7:30 pm and 10:00 pm) on Friday, February 17, 2012 at Jimmy Mak¹s (221 NW 10th Avenue; Portland, OR). Sponsors include The Benson Hotel, Joe Kassab Jewelers and Melvin Broadous RE/Max Equity Group. More information can be found at www.patricklamb.com; tickets and reservations are available at www.ticketsoregon.com or call (503) 295-6542 Stevie Wonder, one ...

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Interview

Something Else! Featured Artist: Stevie Wonder

Something Else! Featured Artist: Stevie Wonder

Source: Something Else!

Stevie Wonder will be honored this month as a United Nations Messenger of Peace, during a benefit concert to be held Nov. 11 in Hollywood. We'd like to add to that resume line: Messenger of Funk, Sweet Soul and Pure Unfettered Get Down. Don't believe us? Too young to remember? Let's take a spin through the stacks ... LIVING FOR THE CITY (INNERVISIONS, 1973): In 1973 I was in eight grade, living in Middletown, Connecticut. My little middle school was ...

164

Recording

SFJAZZ Announces Release of "SFJAZZ Collective: Music of Stevie Wonder and New Compositions, Live in New York 2011" - Season 8

SFJAZZ Announces Release of "SFJAZZ Collective: Music of Stevie Wonder and New Compositions, Live in New York 2011" -  Season 8

Source: Marshall Lamm Promotions & Public Relations

SFJAZZ today announced the release of the SFJAZZ Collective's eight limited-edition set, SFJAZZ Collective: Music of Stevie Wonder and New Compositions, Live in New York 2011 — Season 8, of which a maximum of 5,000 copies will be produced. Available exclusively from SFJAZZ—presenter of this year's 29th San Francisco Jazz Festival, running September 15 through December 18—the deluxe, hand-numbered 3-CD set is the definitive recording of this all-star jazz ensemble's eighth year. Recorded live April 30-May 3, 2011 at famed ...

141

Recording

Bobby Broom's Deep Blue Organ Trio Salutes the Music of Stevie Wonder with "Wonderful!," out on Origin 8/16

Bobby Broom's Deep Blue Organ Trio Salutes the Music of Stevie Wonder with "Wonderful!," out on Origin 8/16

Source: Terri Hinte Publicity

With the release of their new CD Wonderful!, Chicago's acclaimed Deep Blue Organ Trio reveals just how well Stevie Wonder's songs adapt to a jazz-rooted setting. The disc, due out August 16 on Origin Records, features guitarist Bobby Broom, organist Chris Foreman, and drummer Greg Rockingham and their deeply informed, strongly felt versions of nine Wonder songs from the 1970s. “Stevie was a huge influence," states Broom, who produced and arranged Wonderful!, the trio's fourth CD and second for Origin. ...

210

Performance / Tour

SFJAZZ Collective Tour Playing Music of Stevie Wonder

SFJAZZ Collective Tour Playing Music of Stevie Wonder

Source: JamBase

TOUR STARTS FEBRUARY 25 IN PORTLAND, OR After exploring the work of Ornette Coleman (2004), John Coltrane (2005), Herbie Hancock (2006), Thelonious Monk (2007), Wayne Shorter (2008), McCoy Tyner (2009) and Horace Silver (2010), the SFJAZZ Collective takes on the material of pop music icon Stevie Wonder for its spring 2011 tour. The group approaches the work of Wonder, an artist outside of the jazz tradition, but one whose sophisticated songcraft and timeless melodies are more than worthy of exploration. ...

Alan Blake
keyboards
Keith Fiala
trumpet
Saskia Laroo
trumpet
Matthieu Marthouret
organ, Hammond B3
Aaron Liddard
saxophone, tenor
Jamey Arent
guitar
Picassoduo
vocals
Jas Miller
guitar
Don Hanson
saxophone
Tyrone Birkett
saxophone, alto
Russ Kaplan
composer / conductor
Kitty Green
multi-instrumentalist
Andrew DeNicola
saxophone, tenor
David B Harris
trombone
Allison Au
saxophone, alto
Steve Sieck
composer / conductor
Penny Wells
vocals
Atheen
keyboards
Gary King
vocals
Jazz Interlude
band / ensemble / orchestra
Don Pope
woodwinds
Frank Bond
guitar
Ikechi Onyenaka
saxophone, alto
Very Cool People
band / ensemble / orchestra
Jamie Bullock
piano and vocals
Ryan Marquez
piano and vocals
Francis Jocky
piano and vocals
Frankie Sorci
keyboards
Pepito Montes
piano and vocals
David J Perkins
keyboards
Shawn Pfaffman
organ, Hammond B3
Cliff Beach
vocals
Stefán S. Stefánsson
composer / conductor
Aaron Parnell Brown
guitar and vocals

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