PizzaExpress Live (Holborn)

Morris "Mo" Pleasure's professional career spans the world of American R&B and pop, through his work with Ray Charles, George Duke, Earth Wind and Fire, Michael Jackson, Chaka Khan, Mary J Blige, Natalie Cole, David Foster and Bette Midler to name a few. Come join Multi-instrumentalist Mo and his incredible jazz/funk band as they play Mo’s original material as well as hit song covers from his touring/recording career. Mo’s special guests add another element to the show. Kedma brings her magic vocal touch to several songs along with the genius of Dan Reinstein on sax.

"...Pleasure proves that jazz can still be made which is smooth yet textured, is varied and interesting and can appeal to wide range of ears... Superb and essential."

Soul Express

One of the greatest multi instrumentalists of his generation, Morris “Mo” Pleasure has been at the forefront of American popular music for the last three decades.

Mo began his professional career playing with Ray Charles before moving on to working with the likes of George Duke, Christina Aguilera, Chaka Khan, Mary J Blige, Natalie Cole, David Foster to name but a few, and he is currently Musical Director for the iconic Bette Midler.

In 1993 he became a member and the Musical Director of legendary group Earth Wind and Fire and featured (playing keyboards, trumpet and guitar) on Janet Jackson’s 2001 “all for you” tour. In 2009, as keyboardist for Michael Jackson's highly anticipated "This Is It" tour, he performed at the pop legend's memorial concert in Los Angeles. Along with the rest of the This Is It band, Mo is immortalized in the eponymously titled film, the best-selling musical documentary of all time.

Mo's first offering as a solo artist, Elements of Pleasure, was released in 2006 to great critical acclaim. The release expanded his worldwide following and established him as a producer and multi-instrumentalist with an unmatched flair for synthesizing seemingly disparate elements into a single cohesive musical statement. Mo's long-awaited second solo effort, Mo’ Elements of Pleasure is a much more intimate work, drawing upon years of personal experiences all over the world and features the likes of Roberta Flack, Ali Woodson and Philip Bailey.

Band Line Up

Mo Pleasure (bass, piano, trumpet, vocals)

Luke Smith (keyboards)

Josh McKenzie (drums)

Jamie Michael Harris (saxophones, EWI)

Mike Brown (guitars)

Plus Special Guests: Dan Reinstein, Kedma