UAB’s Dr. Henry Panion to direct Stevie Wonder’s upcoming U.S. tour

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. ( WIAT ) — Music legend Stevie Wonder is turning to his longtime composer from Birmingham to direct his upcoming 11-city tour across the U.S.

The 25-time Grammy winner will have Dr. Henry Panion III conduct the orchestra for “Sing Your Song! As We Fix Our Nation’s Broken Heart.” The tour will begin Oct. 8 in Pittsburgh and end in Grand Rapids on Oct. 30.

The tour comes after Wonder’s album “Conversation Peace,” which Panion arranged for orchestra.

“Stevie shared with me his desire to help spread joy, peace and love during these troubled times, a message he has been about his entire life, and asked me to serve as conductor on this tour,” Dr. Panion told UAB’s News Center.

On Nov. 17, he will reprise his performance of “A Gospel Symphony Celebration,” highlighting the scores of Richard Smallwood and other gospel legends. The show will be held at UAB’s Alys Stephens Performing Arts Center. For tickets, click here .

Dr. Panion is a University of Alabama at Birmingham Professor of Music and director of Music Technology in the College of Arts and Sciences’ Department of Music.

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