Credit: Chela Cervantes
In support of his latest album, Redemption: Live, a collection of spiritual and gospel tunes that “redefine and modernize the genre’s historical roots to celebrate African American history and honor victims of systemic injustice across the country,” Cleveland native Adrian Dunn has embarked on the Black Music Matters Tour.

Starlight Baptist Church The tour includes two performances in Cleveland. Dunn will play the Starlight Baptist Church at 7 p.m. on Saturday, March 14. The Adrian Dunn singers will accompany him for that show. Dunn will also perform and speak from 9:45 a.m. to noon on Sunday, March 15, at the Olivet Institutional Baptist Church.

For the album, Dunn has rearranged classic works such as “Wade in the Water” and “Precious Lord.” Of the album’s 11 new songs, seven are dedications to nationally recognized cases that sparked an outcry for social change.

“With this album, my goal is to connect with the community through meaningful music,” says Dunn in a press release. “Each of these songs has a special meaning not only to me as an African-American but because their powerful messages still resonate today.”

A music and vocal scholar, producer and singer-songwriter, Dunn rearranged each song for these modernized interpretations, each with a unique “contemporary sound” that connects the old with the new. The album was recorded live at the Chicago Temple, which is where the Adrian Dunn Singers rehearse.

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This article appears in Feb 26 – Mar 3, 2020.

Jeff has been covering the Cleveland music scene for more than 25 years now. On a regular basis, he tries to talk to whatever big acts are coming through town. And if you're in a local band that he needs to hear, email him at jniesel@clevescene.com.

3 replies on “Cleveland Native Adrian Dunn Hopes His Upcoming Black Music Matters Tour Will Raise Awareness About Social Injustices”

  1. Black people, racism does not have to be part of your artistic identity. You are better than this.

  2. Racist victimhood is really connecting with broad audiences lately. Heres a sample of a new track from the “I hate White people Band”:
    Blame the whites since my black dad left my mom,
    And blame the whites cause they won’t come now my lawn,
    Blame the whites Cruz they got money and stuff,
    So gimme your stuff because Jim crow, white supremacy, kkk, Confederate flag

    Pretty good?

  3. My comment was deleted criticizing the victimhood ideology and Black History Month was deleted and these 2 from two other Commentors popped up.

    Fun to watch Scene’s Liberal/Progressive bubble get bursted daily. We’re tired of identity Politics and outrage reporting. You’re a mockery of Journalism.

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