(July 10, 2017) For a long time we’ve been fans of Chicago soul advocate Dedry Jones. So we’re very excited about his new television show, which will bring great soul artists to the masses with a combination of music performances and interviews. The Experience with Dedry Jones has been a mainstay on Chicago stages for 15 years, but now will, for the first time, come to television. The show is a co-production of Chicago’s WTTW and Dedry’s The Music Experience.
The Experience has always been, at heart, a celebration of music. Captured live before a studio audience in the same beautiful and intimate venue as WTTW’s national music series SOUNDSTAGE, audiences will enjoy a personal conversation with a world class musician, interspersed with a live music performance backed by a full band. Each episode takes audiences on a unique and compelling journey through the artist's life, through their own words, experience, and song.
Each one-hour program is hosted by Dedry Jones, who has interviewed numerous top music artists across the genres, including Natalie Cole, Maxwell, Earth Wind and Fire, Ledisi, Chaka Khan (who stated it was the best interview of her 25-year career), and many others. When he’s not conversing with the stars, Dedry is the owner of The Music Experience, an actual brick and mortar store in Chicago where you can stop by, listen to music, relax with a magazine or just talk about the music you love (or don't love).
“When I started THE EXPERIENCE, I always envisioned it being televised,” says Dedry. “I am beyond excited that WTTW has made that happen. What a great opportunity to fulfill and share my dream of celebrating real music with people across the globe who truly love good music.”
Here are the first season’s episodes:
- July 13 – Brian Culbertson – Brian is an award-winning multi-instrumentalist, writer, and producer who crosses the genres of contemporary jazz, R&B, and funk.
- July 20 – AVERY*Sunshine – Avery is known for her invigorating and combustible live performances, compelling and revealingly honest songwriting, and impeccable voice.
- July 27 – Will Downing – Grammy-nominated Will Downing has one of the most distinctive, loved and instantly recognizable voices in R&B.
- August 3 – Roberto Fonseca – Roberto Fonseca is a Grammy-nominated Afro-Cuban jazz pianist, composer, and producer. He is also featured in the new national PBS special A Weekend in Havana with Geoffrey Baer.
The shows will air on Thursdays at 10:00 pm, with rebroadcasts the following Sundays at 12:00 am. They will also air on WTTW Prime 11.2/Comcast 370/RCN 37 on the following Saturdays at 11:00 pm.
Want to see some previews? Click on the links below
Brian Culbertson: http://video.wttw.com/video/3002502483/
Avery*Sunshine: http://video.wttw.com/video/3002503053
Will Downing: http://video.wttw.com/video/3002503469
Roberto Fonseca: http://video.wttw.com/video/3002503767