Dillard University is proud to announce its 2021-2022 artist in residence, multi-Grammy award winner PJ Morton. The New York Times says the New Orleans native “runs the influences of Allen Toussaint and Stevie Wonder through bevy ideas from R&B’s more recent decades,” and since the breakthrough of his 2017 LP Gumbo, he’s led a creative and critically-acclaimed streak of six self-released and self-produced albums, 10 Grammy nominations and back-to-back wins, his first-ever BET, Soul Train and NAACP Image Award nominations, and more.
Dillard’s artist in residence program will be housed in its historic Samuel DuBois Cook Performing Arts Center. There, Morton will conduct master classes in: songwriting, music publishing, studio production and talent management. Students will also have the opportunity to gain professional work experience with the musician and his gifted team through internships in the following arenas: merchandising, studio production, management and videography. “Over the years, the School of Humanities and our Music Program continue strong steps to advance, now with the PJ Morton residency,” Cortheal Clark, chair for the School of Humanities said in a statement. “This residency brings the best and one of the most influential artists in the music industry to Dillard University. The conceptual and musical sophistication of PJ Morton’s work, as well as his commitment to social responsibility, will have a profound impact on our students.” Dillard students will also have the opportunity to compete against one another in a talent showcase during the Spring 2021 semester. The winner will have a single produced by Morton Records.
In addition to his solo career and his full-time role as keyboardist of Maroon 5, PJ Morton currently runs his own record label, Morton Records. In the past he has served as music director for Solange, and has collaborated with the likes of Erykah Badu, JoJo, Kirk Franklin, Lil Wayne, Rapsody, Stevie Wonder, Tyler Perry, Yebba and dozens of others. Morton is also a staunch community advocate in New Orleans. “I’m so excited to be partnering with Dillard University. As both an HBCU graduate and a New Orleanian, it’s very important for me to pass on any and everything I can to educate and inspire. I believe this is the beginning of something special.” Morton said about his upcoming residency. Morton’s most recent project, Gospel According to PJ, has been nominated for Best Gospel Album at the 2021 GRAMMY Awards.
Dillard University’s mission is to produce graduates who excel, become world leaders, are broadly educated, culturally aware, and concerned with improving the human condition. Since its inception, the Dillard curriculum has provided students with expansive knowledge and opportunities such as graduate school pipeline programs and skills for future employment. Dillard has produced a Pulitzer Prize winner, alumnus who have received full scholarships to law school and professionals at ABC Network and Goldman Sachs.
