Dillard University Announces PJ Morton As 2021-2022 Artist In Residence

From Dillard University:

February 1, 2021

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, ten 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 DuBoisCook 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.

Per the University's recently updated mission statement, Dillard University is a historically Black institution that cultivates leaders who live ethically, think and communicate precisely,

and act courageously to make the world a better place.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.

Dillard University, located in New Orleans at 2601 Gentilly Blvd., is a private four-year
liberal arts historically black institution with a history dating back to 1869. For
more information, please visit www.dillard.edu. Also, follow us on Twitter, Facebook @DU1869 and Instagram, Dillard University.

This press release was produced by Dillard University. The views expressed are the author's own.