Social Justice meets Chicago Soul on New Album From Zeshan B, Executive Produced by Preet Bharara
O Say, Can You See? Due Out July 26
Watch The Official Music Video for Lead Single
“On My Own” HERE
May 29, 2024: Today, first-generation Indian-American singer-songwriter Zeshan B has announced his upcoming album O Say, Can You See?. Set for release on July 26, the thirteen-song collection blends Chicago soul and R&B with gospel music, classical orchestrations and jazz improvisation, plus the Urdu music Zeshan grew up with.
The album is executive produced by former U.S. Attorney for New York’s Southern District, Preet Bharara, who shares a passion for social justice and unity through art. In Zeshan's own words, "All Preet's life, he has fought for justice in the courtroom. All my life, I’ve fought for justice with a microphone."
The songs on the forthcoming record were written in the midst of life-altering "low points" in recent American history, including the murder of George Floyd, the 2020 election, the January 6th riot, and the day Roe v. Wade was overturned. Despite challenging topics, each song is infused with courage and hope for the future. The collection was recorded live in Brooklyn, NY.
"I've always valued passionate voices, and Zeshan's commitment to justice through music resonates deeply with me,” says former US attorney Preet Bharara. "Our collaboration on this album has been a profoundly inspiring and unforeseen journey in my career. I take great pride in what we’ve created together. And I look forward to watching Zeshan foster community through song.”
With the announcement, Zeshan has unveiled the lead single “On My Own,” co-written with Michael McAllister, who also arranged all the tunes on the record. “On My Own” is an ode to the often-unattainable sense of home and belonging, featuring Aaron Kotler on wurlitzer, MacAllister on guitar and bass, Will Clark on drums and Michael Caterisano on percussion, Concert-master Antoine Silverman’s chamber orchestra and singers from the famed Resistance Revival Chorus. The official music video, filmed throughout Chicago, is directed by Michael Fernandez and stars award-winning choreographer Farlanda Buchannon.
Listen / watch the “On My Own” music video here: https://youtu.be/5CLs9rSo4vc
O Say, Can You See? follows Zeshan’s Chicago-bred breakthrough Vetted, which hit #1 on the iTunes’ World Music chart, and his latest studio album Melismatic, which NPR praised as “music that champions Brown Power.” He has previously appeared on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert, MSNBC Morning Joe, PBS Newshour, and garnered praise fromRolling Stone, NPR Music, NPR Weekend Edition, NBC, Salon, Democracy Now and more. He has performed for two US presidents (Jimmy Carter and Barack Obama) and played festivals and iconic venues including Bonnaroo, Electric Forest, Lincoln Center, Kennedy Center, The White House and more. For more information, please visit https://www.zeshanb.com.
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