Rear View Mirror Sessions: Roberta Flack and Donny Hathaway

Arts + Public Life, in partnership with Soundrotation, Brain Trust Management, the UChicago Department of Music and Reva and David Logan Center for the Arts, presents the 2025 Rear View Mirror Sessions. Since 2017, the Quintessential Listening and Lecture Series led by music historian and DJ Duane Powell has taken audiences on a journey through the lives of musical legends and heroes, from The Isley Brothers, Gladys Knight and Nina Simone, to Chaka Khan, Sly and the Family Stone, and Rick James. Each session features a special guest musical performer drawn from Chicago's own rich talent and audience participation is always encouraged.

The 2025 season, "In Memoriam," is a tribute to legends we've recently lost. We continue this fall with a celebration of Roberta Flack and Donny Hathaway. We lost Roberta’s defining voice in February of this year. October will mark her frequent collaborator Donny's would-be 80th birthday.

After the session, we'll be treated to a special tribute performance by genre-spanning vocalist Meagan McNeal and singer-songwriter Slique Jay Adams with Tony Cazeau on piano.

Doors open at 6 pm; the program starts at 6:30 pm. This event is FREE. Seating is first-come, first-served, so please arrive early.

ABOUT THE ARTISTS

Meagan McNeal brings her own sunshine to every performance, combining a passion for people with a powerful voice that effortlessly spans the genres of jazz, R&B, soul, hip hop, rock, and classical music. Born and raised in Chicago, the singer/songwriter has lent her signature vocal style and radiant personality to collaborations with a diverse range of artists and ensembles, including Makaya McCraven, Common, The O’Jays, Eminem, and the Chicago Symphony Orchestra.

Following the 2014 release of her debut album, “Mindset,” Meagan showcased her soaring vocals for a national audience on NBC’s “The Voice” in 2017. Mentored by Jennifer Hudson while on the show, she has since performed across the United States and Europe. In 2019, a viral video of Meagan singing house music on an El train in Chicago led to an appearance on the Kelly Clarkson Show. Regularly performing in the Chicago Symphony Orchestra’s Notes for Peace concerts since 2018, Meagan brings her soulful voice and empathetic approach to original songs that commemorate youth lost to gun violence. In 2022, she also performed with members of the CSO, conductor Andrew Grams, and children’s rocker Justin Roberts in the ensemble’s school and family concerts.

Slique Jay Adams is a prolific songwriter, producer and performer. His vibe is a blend of R&B, soul, gospel, pop, jazz and hip-hop. His single "Brown Liquor" debuted as an iHeartRadio world premiere, and the album has since garnered millions of streams. Slique performs with his band regularly and recently opened the "R&B Forever Tour" as well as headlining numerous venues throughout the world.

From the ages three to twelve Tony Cazeau III played classical piano Later, Tony spent time playing gospel piano in church. Tony has had the honor of playing keys for Bebe and Cece Winans, Brian McKnight, Jody Whatley, Keith Washington, and Lalah Hathaway. Currently, Tony is the Worship Director for the Emmaus Community, a Jr. Partner for the Chicago Catz, music director for PureSoul Chicago and he leads his own band, New Black Renaissance which celebrates Black Culture through various musical genres.

Tony is dedicated to mentoring and nurturing talents, providing musicians with opportunities to perform and develop their craft for many years. He hopes that through his guidance and support, he will cultivate a new generation of amazing artists, leaving a lasting impact on the world of music.

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