Critically acclaimed multi-genre musical artist and social justice advocate Adrian Dunn today announced the release of his latest album REDEMPTION: Live, a collection of spiritual and gospel songs that redefine and modernize the genre’s historical roots to celebrate African American history and honor victims of systemic injustice across the country. New singles from REDEMPTION will be performed in concert through the “Black Music Matters Tour,” which will come to the Reva and David Logan Center for the Arts (915 E. 60th St.) on February 16. On stage, Adrian Dunn will be joined by The Adrian Dunn Singers, an all-black professional vocal ensemble established in 2018, and The Rise Orchestra.
With the intention of creating awareness through song and reviving black-rooted spirituals and gospel songs, Dunn has rearranged classic works, such as “Wade in the Water” and “Precious Lord” to produce REDEMPTION. As a means to speak out, each song has a powerful message that speaks to current discrimination issues, as well as offering a perspective on our nation’s history. Of the album’s 11 new songs, seven are dedications to nationally recognized cases that sparked an outcry for social change, including Chicago’s Laquan McDonald who was a victim of police brutality in 2014.
“With this album, my goal is to connect with the community through meaningful music,” said Dunn. “Each of these songs has a special meaning, not only to me as an African American, but because their powerful messages still resonate today.”
As a music and vocal scholar, producer and singer/songwriter, Dunn rearranged each song for these modernized interpretations, each with a unique contemporary sound that connects the old with the new. The album was recorded live at The Chicago Temple, also where The Adrian Dunn Singers rehearse.
Dunn recognizes the power of his music to address social issues in major cities across the country, bringing the “Black Music Matters Tour” to Florida, Ohio, California, Indianapolis and Atlanta. Tickets for the February 16 Chicago concert, where Dunn will also be signing copies of his recent book titled “Redemption: How Music Saved My Life & Can Save Yours,” are available here. Tickets range from $20 - $50 and include a CD of REDEMPTION, while children and college students can enter at no cost. VIP ticket options are also available that include different merchandise packages. “Black Music Matters” t-shirts will be available for purchase on-site and Dunn’s latest album, REDEMPTION and the sheet music book will be available online for purchase on February 4.
For more information, please visit adriandunn.com and the latest music videos and releases can be found on Dunn’s YouTube channel.
ABOUT ADRIAN DUNN
Adrian Dunn is an acclaimed singer, songwriter and producer with a Bachelor of Music and Master of Music degree in Voice from The Music Conservatory at Roosevelt University, along with additional musical studies in opera at The Sibelius Academy of Music in Finland.
Dunn has had the privilege of working with gospel greats such as Tremaine Hawkins, Myron Butler, Melonie Daniels, Troy Bright, Lamar Campbell and many more. His awards include Album Producer of the Year for AME Live featuring the AME International Mass Choir from the Rhythm of Gospel Awards and for his original work Hopera: A Hip Hop Opera he was honored with a MacArthur Grant, which allowed him a nomination for Best Music Director from the Black Theater Alliance Awards as well.
As a singer, Dunn has opened for international Hip Hop Recording Artist The Roots and performed with the Chicago Symphony Chorus, Grant Park Symphony Chorus, Blossom Festival Chorus, as a soloist with the North Shore Choral Society, in the CCM Spoleto Opera Festival in Spoleto, Italy and is a frequent soloist in Handel’s Messiah. He also sang the lead role in the 2017 Chicago premiere of the Paul Laurence Dunbar opera The Poet and in 2016 served as the opera chorus master for the Midwest premiere of the opera Harriet Tubman – When I Crossed That Line to Freedom with the South Shore Opera Company of Chicago.
Dunn has been a guest artist and presented lectures at top universities in the country including The University of Chicago, The University of Wisconsin, The School of the Art Institute, McCormick Theological Seminary, Illinois State University, Columbia College Chicago, California State University and many more.
He served as principle vocal coach for Kanye West’s artist development program Donda’s House and his private voice students can be seen in Broadway National tours of LION KING, GHOST, KINKY BOOTS, RENT, BET’s show Sunday Best, Drury Lane Theater, The Paramount Theater, Black Ensemble Theater, and as background vocalists for major record label artists on tour throughout the US and abroad.