Mo Pleasure
Visiting Professor
Upon receiving his Bachelor of Arts degree in Music from University of Connecticut, Mo began his professional music career playing bass with Ray Charles. He then began working as a session musician, backing some of the most accomplished talents in Jazz and R&B including George Duke, Natalie Cole, Dianne Reeves, Jonathan Butler, Rachelle Ferrell, Michael McDonald, Oleta Adams, Roberta Flack, Marcus Miller and Frankie Beverly and Maze, to name a few.
From 1989 through 1992, Mo was both keyboardist and musical director with saxophonist Najee, pianist Alex Bugnon, and vocalists Philip Bailey, Patti Austin and Jon Lucien. In 1993, he became a member of the legendary group Earth, Wind & Fire, and ascended to become the band’s musical director in 1994. Mo was featured playing keyboards, trumpet and guitar with Janet Jackson’s 2001 All For You tour and played keyboards and trumpet with Boney James’ 2004 Pure tour. As a principal member of the group Devoted Spirits, Mo was featured playing keyboards for Jimi Hendrix’s 60th Birthday Celebration and the 2004 Power of Soul: A Tribute to Jimi Hendrix tour. Mo most recently toured with Roberta Flack and Rachelle Ferrell. Mo also lended his keyboard playing talents to neo-soul star Maxwell’s Fall 2008 comeback tour. He is sought as a session player as well. Recent session credits include Brian Culbertson’s hit CD, Bringing Back The Funk.
In addition to performing at worldwide jazz festivals including Montreux, North Sea, St. Lucia, Cancun, and Montreal, Mo has been a featured concert pianist, performing Gershwin’s “Rhapsody in Blue” with the Eastern Connecticut Symphony Orchestra and for the Boston Ballet.
There are many Television and Video performances to Mo’s credit, including Ray Charles BBC Special, Mad TV, BET on Jazz, VH1, The Tonight Show, Earth, Wind & Fire documentary Shining Stars and HBO Special – Janet Jackson in Hawaii. His movie soundtrack credits include “Talkin’” featured in the Disney movie “Three Men and a Little Lady” and the EWF single “Cruisin,” featured in Spike Lee’s “Get On The Bus.”
Two of Mo’s CDs were released independently in Spring 2005. Devoted Spirits’ Tribute to Earth, Wind & Fire and Audio Caviar’s Transoceanic. Audio Caviar is a collaboration featuring Mo on piano, bass, trumpet and flugelhorn; Ralph Johnson on drums and Denmark guitarist Steen Kyed. Most recently, Mo was a keyboardist in Michael Jackson’s final touring band that was scheduled to perform in the late superstar’s historic comeback residency at London’s O2 Arena this fall. Turning heartbreak into artistic catharsis, Mo and the rest of Michael’s band performed at the soul-stirring memorial service for Michael Jackson on July 7, 2009 at the Staples Center in Los Angeles.
Mo’s first offering as a solo artist, Elements of Pleasure, was released in 2006. The release earned him a devoted worldwide following and established him as a producer and multi-instrumentalist with singular talent. Scheduled for release this year, Mo’s second solo effort, Mo’Elements of Pleasure, expands upon his first project. The lyrical movement of the piano, the soulful sounds of the trumpet and flugelhorn and the funky rhythm of the bass are the elements that touch the heart, mind and soul. The music is a combined collaboration of instrumental funk and soulful vocals, reminiscent of his many musical influences. Demonstrating the respect and cache he has garnered in his illustrious career, the album is chockfull of special guests and newcomers including Tony Terry, Maysa, Ali Woodson, Philip Bailey, Maxayn and newcomer Chontae Cann.
