Music Talk | Remembering Charles Stepney, with Duane Powell and the Stepney Sisters

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For this afternoon of music and remembrance, DJ and music historian Duane Powell joins the Stepney Sisters to hear stories and songs in honor of their father, the legendary composer and music producer Charles Stepney. With a catalog consisting of some of the most iconic songs and samples of all time, Stepney is one of Chicago’s most under-recognized figures in music history.

A Chicago native with Mississippi roots, Charles Stepney was a prolific musician who wrote effortlessly across genres including blues, soul, pop, jazz, gospel, and rock. His musical genus is part of the fabric of American culture, with his work continuing to be featured in commercials and films. His riffs have been sampled in modern hit songs like the Fugees’ rendition of “Killing Me Softly With His Song,” “Family Business” by Kanye West, and many more. Stepney’s progressive contributions further cement Chicago as an epicenter of innovative art.

MCA Music Talks pair powerhouse musicians with artists, activists, writers, and historians to take on big ideas in art and culture. These intimate evenings of performance and conversation reveal art world anecdotes, shared ideas, and creative inspirations. Don’t miss the Stepney Sisters’ Rotary Connection 222 earlier in the week at Tuesdays on the Terrace!

This program is organized by Laura Paige Kyber, Assistant Curator of Performance.

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The Stepney Sisters—Chanté, Charlene, and Eibur Stepney—are the daughters of legendary composer, arranger, and producer Charles Stepney. With over four decades of experience in music publishing and intellectual property management, they have dedicated themselves to preserving and celebrating their father’s groundbreaking legacy. Beyond their family’s catalog, the Stepney Sisters have guided numerous musicians and estates in reclaiming lost revenues from their intellectual property. They are sought-after speakers at industry events and universities, where they share their expertise in music rights, legacy preservation, and the business of intellectual property. In addition to their advocacy, the Stepney Sisters lead Rotary Connection 222, a tribute band and orchestra that brings their father’s compositions to life. Following a debut at Millennium Park in 2022, the band is currently recording an album, expanding their live presence, and ensuring that Charles Stepney’s musical genius continues to inspire.

Growing up in the thick of Chicago’s music culture of the 1970s, Duane Powell is a fixture becoming one of Chicago’s premiere DJs and music historians. In 2017, Powell launched his interactive lecture series, Rear View Mirror Sessions, which dives deep into the rich histories of music legends and unsung heroes. He has been invited to share his wealth of knowledge on music and business at conventions including the I Got Soul conference in Dallas, TX, and International Soul Summit in Atlanta, GA. Powell’s lecture series has been a part of programming for institutions including UChicago Arts, Stanford University, Detroit Institute of Art, Goethe Institute, and the Chicago Public Library.