Lord Morris joins Jazz Jamaica for Motown Records celebration

Apr 18 2009 by Tony Collins, Birmingham Mail

WHAT’S going on? Former trade union leader, and now Lord William Morris, found himself in front of a totally different audience when he took to the stage at Birmingham Town Hall last night.

Lord Morris, a long-time jazz fan, was enjoying his first – and probably last – public singing engagement alongside members of famed UK collective, Jazz Jamaica, during a concert to celebrate the 50th anniversary of Motown Records.

The former general secretary of the Transport & General Workers Union joined the band to sing on the classic Marvin Gaye hit, What’s Goin’ On.

Lord Morris reprised his performance when he sang with Jazz Jamaica on their Motorcity Roots album several years ago.

He said: “I am very fortunate to find myself as part of this excellent band and having a lot of fun, although I’m not about to give up my day job.”