Academy Award–Nominated Tata Vega and Record Producer Alan Abrahams Present Public Clinic

Berklee professor Larry Watson hosts clinic to kick off his national CD tour.

September 24, 2007

Larry Watson will appear in concert on Wednesday, October 3, 2007 at 8:15 p.m. at the BPC, showcasing select compositions from his upcoming CD American Fruit with African Roots. Watson will present an evening of "edu-tainment" featuring some of Berklee's most talented young musicians and faculty. The first national single release from that project is a duet with the incomparable Tata Vega, known for her stellar vocals from the movie The Color Purple and as one of the lead vocalists for gospel legend Andre Crouch.

Press: to inquire about photo availability and usage, please email us. Tata Vega. Photos provided by the artist.

In addition to joining Watson onstage that evening, Vega will be joined by her record producer Alan Abrahams that afternoon for a clinic entitled The Evolving Relationship between the Singer and Producer. This midday session, with insights gained from the duo's 60 cumulative years in the music industry as well as performances by Vega, is free and open to the public at the BPC from 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.

Berklee Professor Larry Watson. Photos provided by the artist.

Watson made his professional vocal debut in 1996 as the special guest vocalist with legendary Jazz pianist Dorothy Donegan at the Playboy Jazz Festival (Hollywood Bowl). His 1996 CD The Journey was a Boston Globe "CD pick of the week." Watson has appeared in concert with legendary artists such as Al Green, Jean Carne, and Little Richard. He also performed internationally, representing the city of Boston in Melbourne, Australia, and in South Africa performing for President Nelson Mandela, Archbishop Desmond Tutu, and current President Thabo Mbeki.

Watson is currently working as a visiting scholar at the Charles Hamilton Houston Institute of Race and Justice at the Harvard Law School with professor Charles Ogletree, bringing attention to the three black survivors of the 1921 Oklahoma Race Riots that leveled the town known as Greenwood (the black Wall Street).

Tata Vega won an Academy Award nomination in the Best Song category for her work on The Color Purple. She has also appeared on the soundtracks of The Lion King, Amistad, Forest Gump, and others.

Alan Abrahams is one of the industry's most successful record producers, with more than 80 albums over the last 40 years. He has worked with some of the most notable artists, songwriters, and composers in the music business and film industry. The records he has produced have topped the Billboard charts in r&b, pop, jazz, and gospel music.

For editorial information or digital photos, the media may contact:

Mitzi Dorbu
Office of Public Information
617 747-2750
mdorbu@berklee.edu