Contact: Richard Tucker, 504-520-5425 ------
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Morris Day, Doug E Fre$H Headline XULA Benefit Concert
New Orleans LA – Popular performing and recording artists Morris Day and Doug E Fre$H will be the headliners for Xavier University of Louisiana’s eighth annual Benefit Concert Nov. 18 at 8:00 p.m. in the University’s Convocation Center.
The net proceeds generated by the annual concert series are dedicated to student scholarships and other programs that directly benefit Xavier students.
“Philanthropic support for Xavier gives us the ability to educate and train the best and most deserving students regardless of income,” said XU President Dr. C. Reynold Verret. “The result is a diverse student body that better reflects the world outside of our gates and, therefore, better serves that world.”
Tickets are on sale for $100 and $50 through the Ticket Master. Sponsor tables, patron packages and concert tickets are also available through the Xavier Office of Institutional Advancement at (504) 520-7575.
Morris Day
With his dynamic dancing and smooth yet gutsy, vocals, Morris Day played an essential role in the development of the Twin City dance/club sound of the 1980s. A founding member of Prince’s band, the Time, in 1981, he remained with the group until 1984 when he launched his solo career. Returning for the first time in 1988, he performed and recorded with the Time from 1990 until 1991 and since 1995.
Day’s involvement with Prince traces back to 1980 when his composition “Partyup,” originally recorded when he was a member of the Enterprise, was covered on Prince’s Dirty Mind album. Releasing his debut solo album, Color of Success, in 1985, Day reached his apex with his second solo album, Daydreaming, two years later. Produced by ex-Time members Terry Lewis and Jimmy Jam, the album included the chart-topping R&B tune “Fishnet.” Day released his third solo album, Guaranteed, in 1992. After Guaranteed, Day toured on-again, off-again without any new product. He finally returned to record store racks in 2004 with It’s About Time a mostly live album with a few new studio cuts, one including a guest appearance by rapper E-40. Day has appeared in such films as Prince’s autobio-pic, Purple Rain, in 1984, and New Attitude in 1990.
Doug E Fre$H
The first human beatbox in the rap world, and still the best of all time, Doug E. Fresh amazed audiences with his note-perfect imitations of drum machines, effects, and often large samples of hip-hop classics. Fresh was born Doug E. Davis in Barbados, and his first appearance came in 1983 on a single for Spotlight called “Pass the Budda”, with Spoonie Gee and DJ Spivey. His introduction to most hip-hop fans, though, came one year later with his astonishing performance in Beat Street behind the Treacherous Three. His first solo features also came in 1984, with “Just Having Fun”, waxed for Enjoy, and “Original Human Beatbox” for Vinentertainment.
By 1985, Fresh was one of the biggest names in rap music, and his first single for Reality, The Show/La Di Da Di, became a hip-hop classic. It was recorded with his Get Fresh Crew, including MC Ricky D (only later to gain fame as Slick Rick), along with Barry Bee and Chill Will. His first LP, 1987’s Oh, My God!, featured most of his showpieces, like “Play This Only at Night” and “All the Way to Heaven,” along with nods to reggae and even gospel. His second album, 1988’s The World’s Greatest Entertainer, broke into the Billboard charts thanks to another hot single, “Keep Risin’ to the Top.”
About Xavier University of Louisiana
Xavier University of Louisiana, the only historically Black, Catholic university in the United States, is a private, liberal-arts based, co-educational institution located in New Orleans La. It offers 41 undergraduate majors, seven master’s degree programs and a doctor of pharmacy program. The university is accredited by the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools. Its respective programs are accredited by the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education, the National Association of Schools of Music, the Louisiana Department of Education, the Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs, and the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education. Also, Xavier’s chemistry program is approved by the American Chemical Society. For more information, visit www.xula.edu or call 504-520-5425.