ASMAC Masters Series

Preston Glass

Under the Radar: The Untold Hit Story

Plus Special Guests
Ray Parker, Jr., Freda Payne, and more
Special commentary by Narada Michael Walden

Hosted by Sylvester Rivers

From Aretha Franklin and Kenny G to Johnny Mathis, Whitney Houston, Natalie Cole, Earth, Wind & Fire and so many more, Preston Glass has composed and produced major hits across multiple genres for decades. Working with such legendary figures as Thom Bell and the Philadelphia sound and Narada Michael Walden and the Bay Area hit machine, Preston will share his insights and techniques for composing and producing timeless recordings with mass appeal. Including musical examples and score excerpts, Preston will demonstrate his approach, provide a first-hand look into his technical and creative process and share the untold stories behind the hits.

Saturday, 6 June 2026
12pm PDT (UTC-07)
Check the time in your local time zone.

Bios

Preston Glass

Preston Glass started off his career in music during the late seventies as a staff writer for Philadelphia producer Thom Bell. He eventually began working alongside Narada Michael Walden.

Glass played on Aretha Franklin's 1980 album Aretha and Stacy Lattisaw's 1981 LP Sixteen. He later produced Johnny Gill and Stacy Lattisaw on their 1984 LP Perfect Combination and played on Teena Marie's 1984 album Starchild. Glass also performed on Patti Austin's 1984 self titled album, Aretha Franklin 1985 LP Who's Zoomin' Who? and Whitney Houston's 1985 self titled album. He then produced Kenny G on his 1986 LP Duotones and George Benson on his 1986 album While the City Sleeps….

As well Glass performed on Stacy Lattisaw's 1986 LP Take Me All the Way, Aretha Franklin's 1986 album Aretha and Whitney Houston's 1987 LP Whitney. He later worked with Earth, Wind & Fire on their 1987 album Touch the World and Jennifer Holliday on her 1987 LP Get Close to My Love. Glass then produced George Benson on his 1988 LP Twice the Love, Kenny G on his 1988 LP Silhouette and George Howard on his 1989 album Personal. He also composed on Diana Ross' 1989 LP Workin' Overtime and Natalie Cole's 1989 album Good to Be Back. Glass later produced Warren Hill on his 1991 LP Kiss Under the Moon, performed on Tevin Campbell's 1993 album I'm Ready and produced Kirk Whalum on his 1993 album Cache.

Glass has taught at San Diego State University and UCLA.

[ From Wikipedia ]

Sylvester Rivers (Moderator)

Composer, producer, arranger and pianist Sylvester Rivers has recorded with numerous hit artists including Lionel Richie, Diana Ross, The Jacksons, Dionne Warwick, Nancy Wilson, Kenny Rogers, New Edition, Smokey Robinson, The Temptations, Gladys Knight & The Pips, Martha Reeves, Lamont Dozier, Barry White, the Love Unlimited Orchestra, Shalamar, Cheryl Lynn, Gloria Gaynor, Candi Staton, The Sylvers, Marc Bolan & T. Rex, Ray Parker, Jr. & Raydio, Deniece Williams, Johnny Mathis, Billy Preston, Syreeta Wright, Michael Henderson, Earl Klugh, Stanley Turrentine, Najee, Maxine Nightingale, Aretha Franklin, The Fifth Dimension and many others.

Sylvester Rivers occasionally toured as music director with artists including Ray Parker, Jr., (“Ghostbusters”), with whom he also recorded, and he conducted the world tour of Soul II Soul (“Back to Life”). Back in the studio, Rivers expanded into composing and arranging television scores, including the syndicated sports program, “The Other Side of Victory,” hosted by the late Arthur Ashe and later by sports commentator, James Brown. He arranged and orchestrated music for the ABC production of Jessica Simpson and Nick Lachey’s, “The Nick & Jessica Variety Hour.” Rivers composed and produced the score for MLK: A Dream Deferred, which featured Halle Berry, Regina King and Isaiah Washington.

Sylvester Rivers serves as the Masterclass Chair on the Board of ASMAC.