Born in 1954, Michael Daugherty is representative of a generation of American composers who write classical music but have also loved and played rock and jazz. As well as being a classical pianist, he has worked as a funk keyboardist. The main preoccupation of his music has been American popular culture.

This seven minute work was commissioned by the Detroit Chamber Winds and premiered by them (H. Robert Reynolds conducting) in 1994. The title "Motown" not only acknowledges the city that commissioned it, but also refers to the inspiration for the piece, the rhythms of the industries of Detroit, capital city of the American auto industry. Musically, this is acknowledged by the use of a strong techno beat and use of the urban rock "Motown sound." The main musical material is a set of trombone slides, a funk bass given to the tuba, big band chords, and wild percussion riffs.

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