Acclaimed drummer of The Roots and creative Ahmir “Questlove” Thompson has enlisted the talents of GRAMMY® Award winner Brent Fischer for his new musical project, 4U: A Symphonic Celebration of Prince. Fischer is a member of the original arranger team behind Prince who will to arrange selected music titles into an orchestral setting — titles Questlove will personally make arrangements of and curate a set list from. The considerable talents of Miguel Atwood-Ferguson will also be on deck.
Performing in major markets across North America this fall, 4U makes history as “the first and only official Estate approved symphonic presentation of Prince’s music.” Questlove has said, “it feels completely apropos for the production to welcome Fischer’s orchestral arranging talents and production experience.” Brent and his late father Dr. Clare Fischer collaborated directly with Prince throughout three decades. They have had a hand in the production of numerous songs and musical projects, including Prince albums Sign O’ The Times, Graffiti Bridge, and Parade as well as on film in Under The Cherry Moon and Batman. The father-and-son duo also co-wrote the arrangement that behind the 2004 “Prince Medley” as Brent joined Beyoncé and Prince as an orchestra percussionist during the ceremony.
Meanwhile, Atwood-Ferguson will lend his expansive musicality to the production. With credits ranging from Ray Charles to Dr. Dre, the world-renowned multi-instrumentalist, session musician, composer, producer, conductor, and DJ will handle instrumentation.
A full 27-piece orchestra comprised of world-class talent will interpret the timeless classics as well as deep cuts throughout Prince’s expansive catalog for the show.
Sony Music Entertainment/Legacy Recordings and the Prince Estate recently reached an exclusive distribution agreement covering 35 previously released album titles from the Prince catalog from 1978-2015.
4U: A Symphonic Celebration of Prince will kickoff its 36-city tour in New Brunswick, New Jersey.