Berklee Pays Tribute to Marvin Gaye
Bilal performs as one of the featured vocalists in the Marvin Gaye tribute at the Berklee Performance Center.
Photo by Kelly Davidson
Christine Smit performs vocals.
Photo by Kelly Davidson
Featured vocalist Aloe Blacc
Photo by Kelly Davidson
Miguel Atwood Ferguson on violin.
Photo by Kelly Davidson
Berklee Neo-Soul Ensemble member J. Scott Martin on vocals.
Photo by Kelly Davidson
From left to right: Chelsea Pedano, Alexis Newman, Christine Smit
Photo by Kelly Davidson
Juan Andrés Carreño Ariza on guitar.
Photo by Kelly Davidson
Featured vocalist Chris Turner
Photo by Kelly Davidson
The Berklee Neo-Soul Ensemble with the Berklee Contemporary Symphony Orchestra
Photo by Kelly Davidson
The full cast of performers and featured vocalists gather onstage after the show.
Photo by Kelly Davidson
On December 4, a tribute concert dedicated to Marvin Gaye was performed at Berklee Performance Center as part of Berklee's Signature Series. Put together by Meghan Stabile ’06 and her company Revive Music, the night included an entire reflection of Marvin Gaye’s album Vulnerable, a record that indulged Gaye’s jazzy side including "Why Did I Choose You," "This Will Make You Laugh,, and "The Shadow of Your Smile, as well as a selection of his more notable songs. A lesser known album within the Marvin Gaye oeuvre, the event marked the first time Vulnerable was performed live.
Among the band and accompanists were the Berklee Neo-Soul Ensemble and the Berklee Contemporary Symphony Orchestra. Guest artists included Aloe Blacc, Bilal, and Chris Turner. Composer-conductor and musical director Miguel Atwood Ferguson, was involved in making the Revive Music vision a reality.
Read more about the tribute in the event program:
Watch Aloe Blacc take vocal duties on Marvin Gaye's classic, "What's Going On":
Watch featured vocalist Bilal perform the soulful "Why Did I Choose You":