Terence Blanchard, PJ Morton, Jon Batiste, and More Create Magic for Tiana’s Bayou Adventure Soundtrack

Tiana Recording on July 10, 2023.

Today marks the much-anticipated grand opening of Tiana’s Bayou Adventure at Walt Disney World, with Disneyland Resort set to debut the attraction later this year. In conjunction with this magical event, Walt Disney Records has released the official soundtrack for Tiana’s Bayou Adventure, now available across all streaming platforms.

Anika Noni Rose
Anika Noni Rose

Grammy-Award winners PJ Morton and Terence Blanchard recorded this special soundtrack in New Orleans with some of the city’s most prolific talent, including Jon Batiste, Trombone Shorty, Jon Cleary, and more. This vibrant collection of music perfectly captures the spirit of New Orleans and adds a rich, auditory layer to the enchanting experience of Tiana’s Bayou Adventure.

PJ Morton and Jon Cleary on May 11, 2023.
PJ Morton

In a behind-the-scenes video, Leah Chase Kamata, daughter of Leah Chase, one of the inspirations for Tiana, is shown recording her rendition of “Do You Know What It Means to Miss New Orleans?”. This soundtrack features an all-new, original song crafted specifically for the attraction, along with fresh renditions of beloved classics from the Walt Disney Animation Studios’ film, The Princess and the Frog.

Tiana Recording on August 9, 2023.

During a special preview of Tiana’s Bayou Adventure, legendary musician Terence Blanchard shared his thoughts on the project. “Oh man, look, I have three girls. So Tiana’s been on my mind a great deal. And I’ve been in the film business for a number of years. To see my youngest daughter being really excited about a film I worked on when she was a little girl meant a lot to me. I remember the folks at Disney sent me some materials along with a CD, and she played that CD every day all day. So to think, to go from that to an actual physical ride that people can come and visit again and again, I think is amazing.”

He added, “It says a lot about Disney, it says a lot about where we are in the world, and it says a lot about what we’ve achieved, what people have been fighting for in terms of being equal in this country. And I think and I hope and pray that this is just the beginning of having more attractions to deal with more ethnic groups, gender equality, and all of those types of things, so we can really start to heal this country from the divisionary tactics that are being placed upon us right now.”

Tank Ball
Tank Ball

Experience the magic of Tiana’s Bayou Adventure and immerse yourself in the rich, musical heritage of New Orleans through this captivating soundtrack. Celebrate Black culture, history, and the spirit of resilience embodied by Princess Tiana as you embark on this unforgettable adventure.

Listen to the Tiana’s Bayou Adventure soundtrack now on all major streaming platforms and join in the celebration of this landmark opening at Walt Disney World. For a sneak peek behind the scenes, check out the video featuring Leah Chase Kamata recording her heartfelt rendition of a New Orleans classic below.

Thank you to all of the amazing musicians who contributed to this masterpiece, we salute you!

Music Production Team – Attraction

  • Brandon Caddell – Arranger, Music Supervisor 
  • PJ Morton – Producer, Composer, Arranger
  • Haim Mazar – Arranger
  • Richard Morse – Arranger (Scene 6 Rara)
  • Reggie Nicholas, Jr. – Recording Engineer, Mixer 
  • Greg Morgan – Recording Engineer, Mixer
  • John Michael Rouchell – Music Production Supervisor 
  • Susan Ham – Music Editor
  • Booker White – Copyist

Musicians & Vocalists

  • Anika Noni Rose 
  • Michael-Leon Wooley 
  • Dr. John
  • Jim Cummings 
  • Tarriona “Tank” Ball 
  • Jarell Michael Bankston 
  • Ashtin Fortner 
  • Armando Leduc 
  • Tiondria Norris
  • Ashley Pierre Williams 
  • PJ Morton
  • Jon Batiste
  • Jon Cleary
  • Trombone Shorty
  • Kyle Anderson
  • Sean Ardoin
  • Weedie Braimah
  • Max Bronstein
  • Leon Brown
  • Hunter Burgamy
  • Robin Clabby
  • Edward Clark
  • Brian Cockerham
  • Mike Esneault
  • Alvin Ford
  • Jonathan Frishberg 
  • Victor Goines 
  • Julian Gosin 
  • Benjamin Hart 
  • Trevarri Huff-Boone 
  • Jason Jurzak 
  • Blair Taylor Lavigne 
  • Christos Melios 
  • Ashlin Parker 
  • Manuel Perkins 
  • David Pulphus 
  • Marcella Ratcliff 
  • Jason Ricci
  • Paul Robertson 
  • Kyle Roussel 
  • Benjamin Thacher 
  • Erion Williams 
  • Hannah Yim 

RAM Band 

  • Richard Morse
  • Pierre Daniel Jules 
  • Darianna Videaux Capitel
  • Emmanuel Jules
  • Joseph D. Cabral
  • Max Blanc
  • Peter Barr
  • Walter F. Harris Jr.
  • Dezor Willy 

Gospel Soul Children

  • Craig Adams
  • Veronica Downs-Dorsey 
  • Tiffany French
  • Shantell Hall
  • Sean Johnson
  • Toryan Johnson 
  • Latashah Long
  • Harrison Nedd III 
  • Keenan Rogers 
  • Milezone Williams

New Orleans Jazz Orchestra

  • Miles Berry
  • John Michael Bradford 
  • Bryce Eastwood
  • Ricio Fruge
  • Maxwell Paulus
  • Shea Pierre
  • TJ Norris
  • Adonis Rose
  • Adrian Ross
  • Amina Scott
  • Terrance Taplin
  • Don Vappie
  • Gerald Watkins Jr.
  • Lex Warshawski

Music Production Team – Queue

  • Terence Blanchard – Arranger, Music Producer 
  • Terrance Simien – Arranger (“Gonna Take You There”) 
  • Herlin Riley – Lyricist
  • Greg Hayes – Recording Engineer, Mixer
  • Harry Risoleo – Recording Engineer, Music Editor
  • John Michael Rouchell – Music Production Supervisor 
  • Joshua Johnson – Music Coordinator
  • Katie Taber – Music Coordinator
  • Booker White – Copyist

Musicians & Vocalists

  • Terence Blanchard
  • Herlin Riley
  • Kyle Roussel
  • David Pulphus
  • Ivan Neville
  • Victor Goines
  • Don Vappie
  • Alvin Ford
  • Hannah Yim
  • Bruce “Sunpie” Barnes 
  • Terrance Simien
  • Danny Williams
  • Ian Molinaro-Thompson 
  • Marcella Simien 
  • Michael Christie
  • Revon Andrews
  • Stan Chambers
  • John Michael Rouchell 
  • Leah Chase-Kamata

Preservation Hall Jazz Band

  • Charles Gabriel 
  • Clinton Maedgen 
  • Mark Braud 
  • Benjamin Jaffe 
  • Ronell Johnson

The Soul Rebels

  • Derrick Moss 
  • Lumar Leblanc 
  • Julian Gosin 
  • Corey Peyton 
  • Erion Williams 
  • Paul Robertson 
  • Manuel Perkins 
  • Marcus Hubbard

The Dirty Dozen Brass Band

  • Roger Lewis 
  • Gregory Davis
  • Kirk Joseph 
  • Trevarri Huff-Boone 
  • Stephen Walker 
  • Julian Addison

The post Terence Blanchard, PJ Morton, Jon Batiste, and More Create Magic for Tiana’s Bayou Adventure Soundtrack first appeared on The Source.

The post Terence Blanchard, PJ Morton, Jon Batiste, and More Create Magic for Tiana’s Bayou Adventure Soundtrack appeared first on The Source.

PJ Morton, Stevie Wonder, And Nas Connect For The Evocative ‘Be Like Water’

There’s a lot of star power on one song and then there’s this. 4-time Grammy-winning R&B maestro PJ Morton has a new album coming out on April 29th, entitled Watch The Sun and he’s just enlisted two unquestionable legends for his latest single. On “Be Like Water,” both Nas and Stevie Wonder connect with Morton on a song that’s about going with the flow of life’s curveballs and remain adaptable.

It’s a joy to hear Morton and Wonder harmonizing as they sing, “Be like water, let it flow. Be like water, just let go,” over cinematic strings. Then Nas drops in for a verse on a song that shifts from R&B to hip-hop with orchestral instrumentation and, yes, Wonder on the harmonica.

“‘Be Like Water’ was definitely a phrase I had heard before,” Morton said in a statement. “Bruce Lee made it famous of course, but it didn’t fully connect with me until we were all shut down and I had to pivot in my life like we all had to. After I finished writing it I could only hear Nas’ voice on it. For him to actually get on it blew my mind. Then when Stevie Wonder agreed to be on it and to learn that Nas had always wanted to work with Stevie, it was beyond my wildest dreams!”

Listen to “Be Like Water” above.

PJ Morton’s Watch The Sun is out 4/29 via Morton Records.

PJ Morton Releases New “Be Like Water” Single With Nas and Stevie Wonder

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On his new track, “Be Like Water,” PJ Morton brings together two of his biggest musical heroes: Stevie Wonder and Nas. The new track will be featured on his upcoming album, Watch The Sun, released on April 29.

The song, which blends strings, synths, and shifting tempos to wash away the worries, is a message to remain fluid and adaptive to life’s trials and changes.

“‘Be Like Water’ was definitely a phrase I had heard before,” says PJ Morton. “Bruce Lee made it famous of course, but it didn’t fully connect with me until we were all shut down and I had to pivot in my life like we all had to. After I finished writing it I could only hear Nas’ voice on it. For him to actually get on it blew my mind. Then when Stevie Wonder agreed to be on it and to learn that Nas had always wanted to work with Stevie, it was beyond my wildest dreams!”

Watch The Sun will also feature Alex Isley, Chronixx, El DeBarge, Jill Scott, JoJo, and Wale.

You can hear the new single below.

The post PJ Morton Releases New “Be Like Water” Single With Nas and Stevie Wonder appeared first on The Source.