“Stages of Black” is a photographic presentation of African-diaspora musical artists performing in the greater Pittsburgh area.  Mike Canton, host and producer of The Soul Show on WZUM-FM The Pittsburgh Jazz Channel, has been capturing high-quality imagery for fifteen years as an extension of his broadcast work.  With the media access granted by major organizations such as the Pittsburgh Cultural Trust and the August Wilson African American Cultural Center, Canton photographs from unusual angles such as behind stage and from bird’s-eye vantage points.  He is the the most ubiquitous photographer of the local Black music scene.

Over the full day of FusionFest, “Stages of Black” will project large images on a screen or appropriate wall on the Greenwood Plan interior.  Canton will assemble, from his collection of 10K images, approximately 2500 photos for the presentation.  They will be staged as hourly “shows,” alternating between local and national artist focus.  Mike envisions this presentation as well suited for a sitting or eating space within the FusionFest layout, given that a viewer might want to observe for 5-10 minutes.