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10/12/2016 09:30 AMWorld-renowned musician and Guilford-native Mo Pleasure will be taking the stage at Guilford High School (GHS) on Saturday, Oct. 22 for an evening of funk, jazz, and classical music, all to benefit Guilford A Better Chance (ABC), an organization dedicated to helping close the opportunity gap for academically talented students of color from educationally disadvantaged communities. The evening will bring guest musicians and GHS musicians onto the same stage.
Originally from Guilford, Pleasure’s father was the prior principal of Cox Elementary School and played a key role in bringing Guilford ABC to town. After several world tours and playing with artists from Natalie Cole to Michael Jackson, Pleasure said he’s excited to play in his hometown.
“I can’t tell you how much it means to me to come back to Guilford,” he said. “It’s my home. I still have many friends in Guilford, including some of my first music teachers like Carol Wright, Jack Thompson, Don Cunningham, and Richard Green. They, along with others who have passed on like Ned Tarantino and Bob Sills, gave me a great musical foundation and the tools to carry me through college and then on to a 30-plus year career in music.”
The concert will feature performances by Pleasure as well as Rob Lawrence, a New Haven-based guitarist; Diane Bennack, a vocalist and songwriter from Texas; and the GHS symphony orchestra, jazz ensemble, and choral voices. Pleasure said it’s great to get to play with young GHS musicians.
“The GHS Music Department has always maintained a level of excellence—I can say this firsthand going all the way back to 1969,” he said. “It’s so great to play with these incredible high school musicians who are creating a legacy of their own and to see that these young artists are in great hands with Tom Boates and Kevin Buno as their teachers.”
The concert will benefit Guilford ABC. Chair Marie Berry said this is one of their biggest events of the year.
“Guilford ABC is funded entirely by donations [including] an annual appeal, the Mo Pleasure Benefit Concert, and revenue from the Hole in the Wall consignment shop,” she said. “The Mo Pleasure Benefit Concert is our signature event for the year and the proceeds enable us to continue this successful program and operate the resident house and provide for the scholars that live there during the school year.”
Berry said the organization is hoping to raise close to $12,000 after paying for the cost of the show.
“Our goal is to increase awareness and donations throughout the year,” she said. “As the anticipation continues to grow, we hope to increase the demand and make this an exciting concert and community event that well represents the Guilford community, GHS Music Department, and the Guilford ABC program.”
Tickets are $40 a piece and can be purchased at guilfordabc.org. Berry said based on past performances featuring Pleasure, tickets are going to go fast.
“We are excited to have our hometown Guilford musician return for a much anticipated concert and Shoreline event,” she said. “We anticipate that this concert will attract more than 600 fans and families of high school musicians.”
The Mo & Co. Concert to benefit Guilford A Better Chance will be held Saturday, Oct. 22 at 7:30 p.m. at the Performing Arts Center of Guilford High School.