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{{Short description|American singer and producer (born 1962)}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=January 2016}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=January 2016}}
{{Infobox musical artist <!-- See Wikipedia:WikiProject Musicians -->
{{Infobox musical artist
| name = Morris Pleasure
| name = Morris Pleasure
| image =
| image = Average White Band - 14051657177.jpg
| caption =
| caption = Pleasure with the [[Average White Band]] in 2011
| background = non_vocal_instrumentalist
| birth_name = Morris Joseph Pleasure
| birth_name = Morris Joseph Pleasure
| alias = Mo Pleasure
| alias = Mo Pleasure
| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1962|07|12}}
⚫
| birth_place = [[Hartford, Connecticut|Hartford]], Connecticut, United States
| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1962|07|12}}
⚫
| instrument = {{Flatlist|
⚫
| birth_place = [[Hartford, Connecticut|Hartford]], Connecticut, United States
⚫
| instrument = {{Flatlist|
* Piano
* Piano
* keyboards
* keyboards
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*guitar
*guitar
}}
}}
| genre = {{Flatlist|
| genre = {{Flatlist|
*[[Music of Brazil|Brazilian]]
*[[Music of Brazil|Brazilian]]
*Classical
*Classical
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*Soul
*Soul
}}
}}
| occupation = {{Flatlist|
| occupation = {{Flatlist|
* Composer
* Composer
* arranger
* arranger
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* recording artist
* recording artist
}}
}}
| years_active = 1986–present
| years_active = 1986–present
| label = Watersign Media
| label = Watersign Media
| associated_acts = {{Plainlist|
| associated_acts = {{Plainlist|
*[[Najee]]
*[[Najee]]
*[[Peter Cetera]]
*[[Peter Cetera]]
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*[[David Foster]]
*[[David Foster]]
*[[Christina Aguilera]]
*[[Christina Aguilera]]
*[[Bette Midler]]
}}
}}
| website = {{URL|mopleasure.com}}
| website = {{URL|mopleasure.com}}
}}
}}


'''Morris "Mo" Joseph Pleasure''' (born July 12, 1962) is an American composer, singer, producer and multi-instrumentalist. Pleasure is a former member of the band [[Earth, Wind & Fire]] and he's the current musical director of [[Bette Midler]]. Pleasure has also collaborated with artists such as [[Ray Charles]], [[Najee]], [[George Duke]], [[Marion Meadows]], [[Natalie Cole]], [[Roberta Flack]], [[Michael Jackson]], [[Janet Jackson]], [[Peter Cetera]] and [[David Foster]].<ref name=Allmusic /><ref name=Bio>{{cite web|url=https://www.theday.com/article/20110203/nws10/302039908|title=Mo Pleasure at GHS to Benefit ABC|author=Johnson, Pam|date=February 3, 2011|publisher=[[The Day (New London)|The Day]]|website=theday.com}}</ref><ref name=Bio2 />
'''Morris "Mo" Joseph Pleasure''' (born July 12, 1962) is an American composer, singer, producer and multi-instrumentalist. Pleasure is a former member of band's [[Earth, Wind & Fire]] and the [[Average White Band]]. As of now he's the current musical director of singer [[Bette Midler]]. Pleasure has also worked with artists such as [[Ray Charles]], [[Najee]], [[George Duke]], [[Marion Meadows]] and [[Natalie Cole]]. Along with the likes of [[Roberta Flack]], [[Michael Jackson]], [[Janet Jackson]], [[Brian Culbertson]], and [[David Foster]].<ref name=Allmusic /><ref name=Bio>{{cite web|url=https://www.theday.com/article/20110203/nws10/302039908|title=Mo Pleasure at GHS to Benefit ABC|author=Johnson, Pam|date=February 3, 2011|publisher=[[The Day (New London)|The Day]]|website=theday.com}}</ref><ref name=Bio2 />


== History ==
== History ==
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By the time Pleasure was a teenager, he had become proficient in trumpet, guitar, drums and violin as well. He composed his first song at age 12. He accompanied his father (an accomplished tenor) at all the [[Guilford High School (Connecticut)|Guilford high school]]'s graduations from 1975–80 and was active in his high school's music programs. Pleasure holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in music from the [[University of Connecticut]].<ref name=Bio />
By the time Pleasure was a teenager, he had become proficient in trumpet, guitar, drums and violin as well. He composed his first song at age 12. He accompanied his father (an accomplished tenor) at all the [[Guilford High School (Connecticut)|Guilford high school]]'s graduations from 1975–80 and was active in his high school's music programs. Pleasure holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in music from the [[University of Connecticut]].<ref name=Bio />


Some of his main influences for playing piano/keyboards include [[George Duke]], [[Joe Sample]], [[Ramsey Lewis]], [[Herbie Hancock]], [[Donald Blackman]], and [[Chick Corea]]. Also, [[Verdine White]], [[Chuck Rainey]], [[James Jamerson]], [[Jaco Pastorious]], [[Bootsy Collins]], and [[Chuck Rainey]] had a strong impact on Pleasure's love for the bass guitar and his approach to playing it.<ref name="Blogtalk Radio" />
Some of his main influences for playing piano/keyboards include [[George Duke]], [[Joe Sample]], [[Ramsey Lewis]], [[Herbie Hancock]], [[Donald Blackman]], and [[Chick Corea]]. Also, [[Verdine White]], [[Chuck Rainey]], [[James Jamerson]], [[Jaco Pastorius]], [[Bootsy Collins]], and [[Chuck Rainey]] had a strong impact on Pleasure's love for the bass guitar and his approach to playing it.<ref name="Blogtalk Radio" />


==Career==
==Career==
Pleasure started his career as a bassist in 1986 when he became a member of [[Ray Charles]]' orchestra. He went on to play on [[Najee]]'s 1990 album [[Tokyo Blue]], [[Everette Harp]]'s 1992 self titled LP, [[Marion Meadows]]' 1992 album [[Keep It Right There (album)|Keep It Right There]] and [[Stanley Clarke]]'s 1993 LP Live at the Greek.<ref name=Allmusic>{{cite web|url=https://www.allmusic.com/artist/morris-pleasure-mn0000590286/credits|title=Morris Pleasure|website=allmusic.com}}</ref> During 1993 Pleasure joined up with the band [[Earth, Wind & Fire]].<ref name="Blogtalk Radio" />
Pleasure started his career in 1986 as a new member of [[Ray Charles]]' orchestra. He went on to play the keyboards/bass on [[Najee]]'s 1990 album [[Tokyo Blue]], [[Everette Harp]]'s 1992 self-titled LP, [[Marion Meadows]]' 1992 album [[Keep It Right There (album)|''Keep It Right There'']] and [[Stanley Clarke]]'s 1993 LP ''Live at the Greek''.<ref name="Allmusic">{{cite web|url=https://www.allmusic.com/artist/morris-pleasure-mn0000590286/credits|title=Morris Pleasure|website=allmusic.com}}</ref> During 1994 Pleasure joined [[Earth, Wind & Fire]] as the band's new musical director. Pleasure went on to play keyboards on EW&F's 1996 album [[Greatest Hits Live (Earth, Wind & Fire album)|Greatest Hits Live]], 1997 album [[In the Name of Love (Earth, Wind & Fire album)|In the Name of Love]] and 2004 DVD [[Earth, Wind & Fire: Live at Montreux 1997|at Montreux 1997]].<ref name="Blogtalk Radio" /><ref name=Allmusic /><ref>{{Cite web |last=Najar |first=Brice |date=2020-06-17 |title=Morris Pleasure |url=https://www.bricenajar.com/en/2020/06/18/morris-pleasure-en/ |access-date=2024-11-15 |website=BRICE NAJAR |language=en-GB}}</ref>


He later featured on Najee 's 1994 album Share My World and Marion Meadows' 1994 LP [[Forbidden Fruit (Marion Meadows album)|Forbidden Fruit]]. Pleasure then guested on jazz group [[Urban Knights]]'s 1997 album [[Urban Knights II]], [[Gerald Albright]]'s 1997 LP Life To Love and produced on [[George Howard (jazz)|George Howard]]'s 1998 album Midnight Mood.<ref name=Allmusic />
He also featured on Najee's 1994 album ''Share My World'' and Marion Meadows' 1994 LP [[Forbidden Fruit (Marion Meadows album)|''Forbidden Fruit'']]. Pleasure then appeared on jazz group [[Urban Knights]]'s 1997 album ''[[Urban Knights II]]'' and [[Gerald Albright]]'s 1997 LP ''[[Live to Love]]''. As well he produced [[George Howard (jazz)|George Howard]] on his 1998 album ''Midnight Mood'' and [[Philip Bailey]] on his 1999 album [[Dreams (Philip Bailey album)|Dreams]].<ref name=Allmusic />


After nine years with EWF, Pleasure went on to play on [[Janet Jackson]]'s All For You tour and her 2002 feature film ''[[Janet: Live in Hawaii]]''.<ref name="Janet Jackson">{{cite web | url=https://www.imdb.com/name/nm5070984/?ref_=ttfc_fc_cl_t14 | title=Janet Jackson Live in Hawaii | publisher=imdb.com | date=August 1, 2002 | accessdate=May 16, 2014}}</ref><ref name="Blogtalk Radio" />
After eight years with EWF, Pleasure played on [[Janet Jackson]]'s All For You tour and her 2002 feature film ''[[Janet: Live in Hawaii]]''.<ref name="Janet Jackson">{{cite web | url=https://www.imdb.com/name/nm5070984/?ref_=ttfc_fc_cl_t14 | title=Janet Jackson Live in Hawaii | publisher=imdb.com | date=August 1, 2002 | access-date=May 16, 2014}}</ref><ref name="Blogtalk Radio" />
He then guested on [[Boney James]]'s 2004 album [[Pure (Boney James album)|Pure]] and the 2004 [[Jimi Hendrix]] tribute album [[Power of Soul: A Tribute to Jimi Hendrix]].<ref name=Allmusic />
He then guested on [[Boney James]]' 2004 album [[Pure (Boney James album)|''Pure'']] and the 2004 [[Jimi Hendrix]] tribute album ''[[Power of Soul: A Tribute to Jimi Hendrix]]''.<ref name=Allmusic />


Pleasure has also played with artists such as [[George Duke]], [[Mary J. Blige]], [[Chaka Khan]], [[Roberta Flack]], [[Natalie Cole]], [[Frankie Beverly & Maze]], [[Peter Cetera]] and [[David Foster]]. Pleasure went on to perform on [[Michael Jackson]]'s 2009 feature film ''[[Michael Jackson's This Is It|This Is It]]''. He later worked with [[Christina Aguilera]] and became the Musical Director of [[Bette Midler]].<ref name=Bio /><ref name=Bio2 /><ref name="Blogtalk Radio">{{cite web | url=http://www.blogtalkradio.com/thelouiejonesshow/2009/08/04/mo-pleasure-michael-jackson-band-memberrebroadcast | title=Interview with Mo Pleasure | publisher=blogtalkradio.com | date=August 4, 2009 | accessdate=May 16, 2014 | last=Louie | first=Jones}}</ref>
Pleasure later played bass guitar on [[Brian Culbertson]] 2007 album [[Bringing Back The Funk]] and performed on [[Michael Jackson]]'s 2009 feature film ''[[Michael Jackson's This Is It|This Is It]]''. He then worked with [[Christina Aguilera]] and later became the musical director of [[Bette Midler]]. Pleasure also played keyboards on [[Roberta Flack]] 2012 album [[Let It Be Roberta]].<ref name="Bio" /><ref name="Bio2" /><ref name="Blogtalk Radio" />

He has also gone on tour with artists such as [[George Duke]], [[Mary J. Blige]], [[Chaka Khan]], [[Natalie Cole]], [[Frankie Beverly & Maze]], [[Peter Cetera]] and [[David Foster]].<ref name="Bio" /><ref name="Bio2" /><ref name="Blogtalk Radio">{{cite web | url=http://www.blogtalkradio.com/thelouiejonesshow/2009/08/04/mo-pleasure-michael-jackson-band-memberrebroadcast | title=Interview with Mo Pleasure | publisher=blogtalkradio.com | date=August 4, 2009 | access-date=May 16, 2014 | last=Louie | first=Jones}}</ref>


==Personal life==
==Personal life==
He has devoted time to philanthropic efforts including fundraising for the Guilford ABC Program and [[Guilford High School (Connecticut)|Guilford High School]] music programs and co-founded "We R 1 Voice" with his wife Lori in 2013.<ref name=Bio />
He has devoted time to philanthropic efforts including fundraising for the Guilford ABC Program and [[Guilford High School (Connecticut)|Guilford High School]] music programs and co-founded "We R 1 Voice" with his ex-wife Lori in 2013.<ref name=Bio /> He currently lives in [[Aberystwyth]], [[Wales]], with his fellow musician/singer partner and wife Kedma Macias and their two daughters.<ref>{{cite news | url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-61111507 | title=Aberystwyth: Mo Pleasure racist attack CCTV pictures released | work=BBC News | date=April 14, 2022 }}</ref>


==Discography==
==Discography==
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==External links==
==External links==
*[http://www.mopleasure.com/ Official website]
*[http://www.mopleasure.com/ Official website]
* {{IMDb name|id=nm3649694|title=Mo Pleasure}}
* {{IMDb name|id=nm3649694|name=Mo Pleasure}}

⚫
{{authority control}}


{{Earth, Wind & Fire}}
{{Earth, Wind & Fire}}
⚫
{{authority control}}


{{DEFAULTSORT:Pleasure, Morris}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Pleasure, Morris}}
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[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:Musicians from Hartford, Connecticut]]
[[Category:Musicians from Hartford, Connecticut]]
[[Category:American bass guitarists]]
[[Category:American jazz composers]]
[[Category:American jazz composers]]
[[Category:Male jazz composers]]
[[Category:American male jazz composers]]
[[Category:American jazz pianists]]
[[Category:American jazz pianists]]
[[Category:American male pianists]]
[[Category:American male jazz pianists]]
[[Category:American multi-instrumentalists]]
[[Category:American multi-instrumentalists]]
[[Category:American music arrangers]]
[[Category:American music arrangers]]
[[Category:American pop pianists]]
[[Category:American pop pianists]]
[[Category:American trumpeters]]
[[Category:American male trumpeters]]
[[Category:American male trumpeters]]
[[Category:Music directors]]
[[Category:Music directors]]
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[[Category:21st-century American keyboardists]]
[[Category:21st-century American keyboardists]]
[[Category:20th-century American pianists]]
[[Category:20th-century American pianists]]
[[Category:20th-century trumpeters]]
[[Category:20th-century American trumpeters]]
[[Category:21st-century trumpeters]]
[[Category:21st-century American trumpeters]]
[[Category:American male bass guitarists]]
[[Category:American male bass guitarists]]
[[Category:Jazz musicians from Connecticut]]
[[Category:Jazz musicians from Connecticut]]
[[Category:21st-century American pianists]]
[[Category:21st-century American pianists]]
[[Category:20th-century male musicians]]
[[Category:20th-century American male musicians]]
[[Category:21st-century American male musicians]]
[[Category:21st-century American male musicians]]
[[Category:Earth, Wind & Fire members]]
[[Category:Earth, Wind & Fire members]]
[[Category:20th-century American keyboardists]]
[[Category:20th-century American keyboardists]]
[[Category:Musicians from Aberystwyth]]

Latest revision as of 09:03, 18 December 2024

Morris Pleasure
Pleasure with the Average White Band in 2011
Pleasure with the Average White Band in 2011
Background information
Birth nameMorris Joseph Pleasure
Also known asMo Pleasure
Born (1962-07-12) July 12, 1962 (age 62)
Hartford, Connecticut, United States
Genres
Occupations
  • Composer
  • arranger
  • producer
  • musical director
  • recording artist
Instruments
  • Piano
  • keyboards
  • Trumpet
  • bass guitar
  • guitar
Years active1986–present
LabelsWatersign Media
Websitemopleasure.com

Morris "Mo" Joseph Pleasure (born July 12, 1962) is an American composer, singer, producer and multi-instrumentalist. Pleasure is a former member of band's Earth, Wind & Fire and the Average White Band. As of now he's the current musical director of singer Bette Midler. Pleasure has also worked with artists such as Ray Charles, Najee, George Duke, Marion Meadows and Natalie Cole. Along with the likes of Roberta Flack, Michael Jackson, Janet Jackson, Brian Culbertson, and David Foster.[1][2][3]

History

[edit]

Pleasure was born in Hartford, Connecticut. His parents Robert and Evelyn Pleasure were originally from Louisiana, but moved to Hartford so Robert could attend Yale Divinity School from which he graduated in 1961. The family then moved to Guilford, Connecticut when young Pleasure was 7 years old. Pleasure began playing piano at age four and studied piano under Carol Wright from age seven to 17.[2][3]

Frequent trips to Louisiana to visit family gave Pleasure a deep exposure to and appreciation for Gospel music as many of his relatives were active in church, and gospel music was the soundtrack of their lives. And it was on these trips that he also experienced first hand the inequalities of a still segregated south. A black family traveling through the south in those times could not stop at a hotel for the night, so the family would make these trips nonstop.[2]

By the time Pleasure was a teenager, he had become proficient in trumpet, guitar, drums and violin as well. He composed his first song at age 12. He accompanied his father (an accomplished tenor) at all the Guilford high school's graduations from 1975–80 and was active in his high school's music programs. Pleasure holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in music from the University of Connecticut.[2]

Some of his main influences for playing piano/keyboards include George Duke, Joe Sample, Ramsey Lewis, Herbie Hancock, Donald Blackman, and Chick Corea. Also, Verdine White, Chuck Rainey, James Jamerson, Jaco Pastorius, Bootsy Collins, and Chuck Rainey had a strong impact on Pleasure's love for the bass guitar and his approach to playing it.[4]

Career

[edit]

Pleasure started his career in 1986 as a new member of Ray Charles' orchestra. He went on to play the keyboards/bass on Najee's 1990 album Tokyo Blue, Everette Harp's 1992 self-titled LP, Marion Meadows' 1992 album Keep It Right There and Stanley Clarke's 1993 LP Live at the Greek.[1] During 1994 Pleasure joined Earth, Wind & Fire as the band's new musical director. Pleasure went on to play keyboards on EW&F's 1996 album Greatest Hits Live, 1997 album In the Name of Love and 2004 DVD at Montreux 1997.[4][1][5]

He also featured on Najee's 1994 album Share My World and Marion Meadows' 1994 LP Forbidden Fruit. Pleasure then appeared on jazz group Urban Knights's 1997 album Urban Knights II and Gerald Albright's 1997 LP Live to Love. As well he produced George Howard on his 1998 album Midnight Mood and Philip Bailey on his 1999 album Dreams.[1]

After eight years with EWF, Pleasure played on Janet Jackson's All For You tour and her 2002 feature film Janet: Live in Hawaii.[6][4] He then guested on Boney James' 2004 album Pure and the 2004 Jimi Hendrix tribute album Power of Soul: A Tribute to Jimi Hendrix.[1]

Pleasure later played bass guitar on Brian Culbertson 2007 album Bringing Back The Funk and performed on Michael Jackson's 2009 feature film This Is It. He then worked with Christina Aguilera and later became the musical director of Bette Midler. Pleasure also played keyboards on Roberta Flack 2012 album Let It Be Roberta.[2][3][4]

He has also gone on tour with artists such as George Duke, Mary J. Blige, Chaka Khan, Natalie Cole, Frankie Beverly & Maze, Peter Cetera and David Foster.[2][3][4]

Personal life

[edit]

He has devoted time to philanthropic efforts including fundraising for the Guilford ABC Program and Guilford High School music programs and co-founded "We R 1 Voice" with his ex-wife Lori in 2013.[2] He currently lives in Aberystwyth, Wales, with his fellow musician/singer partner and wife Kedma Macias and their two daughters.[7]

Discography

[edit]
  • Elements of Pleasure (2004) Watersign Records[1]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ a b c d e f "Morris Pleasure". allmusic.com.
  2. ^ a b c d e f g Johnson, Pam (February 3, 2011). "Mo Pleasure at GHS to Benefit ABC". theday.com. The Day.
  3. ^ a b c d James (December 5, 2016). "Interview with Mo Pleasure one of the most respected names in the music industry today". luxurynewsonline.com. Luxury News Online.
  4. ^ a b c d e Louie, Jones (August 4, 2009). "Interview with Mo Pleasure". blogtalkradio.com. Retrieved May 16, 2014.
  5. ^ Najar, Brice (June 17, 2020). "Morris Pleasure". BRICE NAJAR. Retrieved November 15, 2024.
  6. ^ "Janet Jackson Live in Hawaii". imdb.com. August 1, 2002. Retrieved May 16, 2014.
  7. ^ "Aberystwyth: Mo Pleasure racist attack CCTV pictures released". BBC News. April 14, 2022.
[edit]
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