The Iridium & Tru Music presents DEEP CUTS, an immersive concert series created and hosted by Vivian Sessoms that explores the legendary catalogues of the greatest soul artists of all time — going beyond the obvious hits to uncover the artistry, musicianship, emotion, and cultural impact that made these artists timeless.
For the inaugural edition, The Jackson 5 |The Jacksons, Vivian has put together an array of some of the most respected singers on the New York music scene today, including Jenny Douglas-Foote, Charles Mack, Mike Davis, and Walter Smith, a talented blend of virtuosity, soul, and reverence for musical history in celebration of one of the most influential catalogs in popular music.
Joined by Lenny Underwood & Greg Mayo on Keys, JJ Sansaverino on Guitar, Chris Parks on Bass and Bernie Davis on Drums, the production moves through the evolution of the Jackson legacy — from the infectious joy of the early Jackson 5 classics to the sophisticated grooves and explosive stage energy of The Jacksons. The show journeys through decades of unforgettable music that shaped generations across pop, soul, funk, R&B, and disco.
Audiences can expect to hear beloved hits alongside deep cuts and musical moments that celebrate the extraordinary artistry, musicianship, and cultural influence of the Jackson family legacy.
More than nostalgia, the series is designed as a deeper musical conversation — honoring the innovation, influence, and enduring brilliance of artists whose catalogues helped shape modern music.
Vivian Sessoms is an internationally acclaimed vocalist, songwriter, producer, and arranger whose career spans jazz, soul, R&B, pop, and world music. Born in Harlem, she has performed and recorded with an extraordinary range of artists including Michael Jackson, Patti Austin, Christina Aguilera, Rob Thomas, Joe Cocker, Chris Botti, Chaka Khan, Patti LaBelle, Stevie Wonder, and Ryuichi Sakamoto. A multilingual performer known for her powerful storytelling, emotional depth, and genre-defying artistry, Sessoms has headlined sold-out concerts throughout the United States, Europe, and Australia while earning praise for her acclaimed Ropeadope releases Sunny One Day, LIFE and LIFE II.
Jenny Douglas-Foote is a world renowned vocalist whose remarkable career has placed her alongside some of the most iconic artists in modern music, including Tina Turner, Mick Jagger, Cher, P!nk, John Mellencamp, Toto, and Elton John. Renowned for her extraordinary vocal range, powerful stage presence, and stylistic versatility, she has spent decades performing on the world's most prestigious stages as both a featured artist and one of the industry's most respected touring and recording vocalists.
Charles Mack's musical journey has taken him from neighborhood stages to international audiences as a vocalist, pianist, songwriter, producer, musical director, and performer. Along the way, he’s led bands, directed theater productions, served as a minister of music, performed at the Apollo Theater, earned an Audelco Award nomination for Outstanding Musical Director, contributed to Grammy-nominated and Emmy Award-winning projects, and received an Academy Award nomination for Best Original Song for "Raise It Up" from the film August Rush, performing the song live on the Oscar stage. Charles brings a rare combination of versatility, artistry, and authenticity to every performance—qualities that have made him one of New York's most respected and enduring musical talents.
Mike Davis is a 7 time Apollo Amateur Night winner and Jive Records recording artist, who has recorded with artists such as Chaka Khan, D Train, and Vanessa Bell Armstrong. In addition he has toured as a principal with the Genius Of Ray, the Ray Charles musical.
Walter Smith is a Singer, Songwriter, Producer and Dancer, who started in music as a beat writer, gaining the attention of local “Strong Island” rappers like, Raked, K-Solo, Soul Foreal and others. He formed a group with a house, music producer called the Brotherhood and they released their first house track Love Will Make It Right, under BMG/Esq Records. He’s since gone on to work with a number of high profile artists, as well as many of the well-known corporate bands in the tristate area including the Motown styled band The Soul Cruisers, Road House Rocker, Gary US Bonds, “Little” Stevie Van Zandt and more. He currently leads of one of the most sought after bands in the Tristate area, The Rhythm Shop.