As listed on CD cover from left to right: Torre Brannon Reese, Charles "Sonny" Banks, Tony Snead , Maurice Kitchen and Kwame Alexander
Influences
Maurice Kitchen, the founder and creative force behind the group, received his training from his mentor and friend,the Legendary Leonard Reed, who is acknowleged for the distinction of having produced the final show at New York's world famous Cotton Club, in 1939 and was a long time Apollo Theater manager and show MC during its hay day. Maurice also credits his association with and tutelage under James "Peter" Long for his creative development as a writer and producer. Long was manager to Quincy Jones and the Brothers Johnson. He was also responsible for producing Billie Holiday at Carnegie Hall and was infuential in futhering the careers of BIll Cosby, Miles Davis and numerous others.
kitchen's musical influences include, Harvey Fuqua & the Moonglows, Sam Cooke, Curtis Mayfield as well as Smokey Robinson, The Temptations and Frank Sinatra. His first bite of the doo wop bug came in the early 60's after hearing "The Mandells" a local Chicago group, strolling through his neighborhood singing.
Group Member, Tony Snead, is paticularly partial to the sounds of "The Whispers." The other member's (Kwame, Torre and Charlie) musical influences span the Gamut from "The Drifters, Elvis Presly, The Flamingos,Clyde Mcfadder, The Coasters, Ink Spots, Jackie Wilson, to The Mighty Dells and The Dramatics. Torre, the group's historian, Bass and occasional lead, hails from "The Big Easy" And slips in a little New Orleans flavor from time to time. "Ga-run-teed!"
Sounds Like
...Whoever the moment requires them to sound like as they take you back to that magical place and time from an age of innocence. With five strong lead singers, their's is a versatile sound that's effective in recreating the experieces of a lifetime with an imaginative and nostalgic sound track of our favorite memories. You'll swear they sound "familiar" yet refreshingly original.
Bringing back that “Mellow-A- Cappello , RENAISSANCE is an all a cappella, street corner style; doo-wop singing quintet that’s dedicated to showcasing and preserving this critical art form of the American musical and cultural heritage. The group is equally adaptable to film, TV & stage as they are beneath the street lamp.
“We felt honored to have been able to participate in U.C.L.A’s week long Festival of African American Music Symposium, right out the gate;” says Maurice Kitchen, the groups founder and CD producer, speaking about an early engagement in the groups infancy stage. He went on to explain that the festival was a comprehensive affair hosted and produced by world renowned guitarist Kenny Burrell where they shared the stage with the likes of Nancy Wilson, George Duke, Patty Austin, Freda Payne Linda Hopkins, Lalah Hathway, Dianne Reeves, Gerald Wilson & Patrice Rushen, just to name a few.
Following that experience RENAISSANCE opened for fellow a cappella group, Take Six at Debbie Allen’s “Smile Festival,” Critically acclaimed Poet, Nikki Giovanni and performed with the legendary, Stevie Wonder.
“To start out working with such a stellar line up was all the encouragement we needed. We took it as a resounding endorsement that the music we’re committed to, has a valid place in the broader cultural and musical landscape;” remarked Torre Reese, the groups resident historian, bass and occasional lead singer.
If the group wasn’t convinced by the reception they received at the festival, the overwhelming response they’ve gotten for “Meet Me on The Corner” their maiden recording venture, should remove all doubt.
These Cats can flat out sing and their infectious energy is quite entertaining as they transport their audience to another space and time.
RAH-RAH ENT.present's (OPEN MIC) SHOWCASE may-21-2009 @ LUCKY 7night club' special guest (POWER DVD) comin straight out of jersey performing live' CHOP'S ---- TAKIYAH ---- KAYOUS---- MAD MAX---- door's open 9pm free addmission til 10pm after it's $10 showtime 11pm 2song's per artist thursday night may 21, 2009 139 park ave newark nj (across from barringer high) lucky7night club was close due to( latin holiday) on may-5th- 2009 my bad' peace.
Good Evening Renaisance I just stopped by your page to throw some love your way, I am so glad that things are tolerable and livable in Los Angeles, Ca I am trusting God/Alah for my daily bread keep up the good work as you work the concert circuit. I hope that you get to do a show at The Greek Theatre some day if you desire to, I use to work there when I lived in CAlifornia as an event staff/security personnel. Have a good evening this fine Saturday, I love all of you Satan can not hold us Back as The Black Race in America despite those who are causing us to regress and move backwards as well as loose our status and strides for progression in society, so with all that said and done let us who know the right way to do things showe them how it is done with UNity and Solidarity in Love and Harmony and Peace!
Good Night! I love you brothas enjoy the rest of your weekend!
Good Morning Renaissance: It is Nemasa I just stopped by your page to say hello and I thank God and Jesus that he came through for the State of California and the Fiscal Budget for the entire State. Glory to God Hallelujah. We still do not have a local budget nor do we know what is going on in government in our immediate area! It appears that the local wELFARE OFFICE THE SAFETY NET SET IN PLACE BY PREVIOUS LAW MAKERS OF OLD IS GONE OFF OF CANAL STREET AND N. CLAIBORNE IT IS PRETTY PECULIAR. I TRIED TO CALL BOTH BROTHER TORRE AND BROTHER DARYL MAYO OF FAMIL, INC FORMERLY AND THE NUMBERS RANG OUT OF SERVICE, SO DID MY DADS BUT IT TURNS OUT THAT MY DAD WAS ABLE TO GET A WORD THROUGH TO ME AFTER I PUT A COMMENT ON MY PASTOR'S PAGE! WELL, SEEMS LIKE IT MAY BE TIME TO READJUST AND RE-EVALULATE OUR RIGHT TO FREEDOM IN AMERICA AND CIVIL LIBERTIES WITH SO MANY AFRIKANS IN AMERICA MESSING IT UP FOR THE MAJORITY OF THE RACE, I KNOW YOU ARE TEARING UP THE MUSIC INDUSTRY ON THE CIRCUIT, I KNOW MOST OF YOU ARE OLDER YOU DO NOT LOOK LIKE IT MAKE ME PROUD AND SHOW THE SLAVE MASTER OF NEW AGE AND THE SLAVE DRIVER WHAT WE CAN STILL DO TODAY WHEN THEY TAKE AWAY THE THE RIGHT TO EARN MONEY WITH THE ALBUM (ROYALTY) NOW REFERRED TO AS A COMPACT DISC! DO NOT ALLOW ANYONE TO TRICK YOU INTO A CONTRACT, IT WILL BE ILLEGAL SOON TO PRODUCE CD'S THEY ARE BEING REPLACED WITH MP3 FREE STREAMING I GUESS IT IS A RESULT OF THE BOOT LEG COPIES CIRCULATING IN THE HOOD. I LOVE ALL OF YOU, YOU ARE MY ROLE MODELS MAY GOD KEEP YOU STRONG GOD BLESS! NEMASA ASETRA AKA VEDA LATANYA HARTMAN
I JUST STOPPED BY YOUR PAGE TO WISH YOU A VERY MERRY CHRISTMAS, I AM AT HOME A LONE AS USUAL WITH A BROKEN LEG. ITS NOT GETTING ANY BETTER I HAD A CT-SCAN DONE ON TUESDAY AND I DO NOT KNOW THE RESULTS YET. I HAVE AN APPOINTMENT WITH THE ORTHOPEDIC SURGREON THE FIRST WEEK OF JANUARY. I HOPE ALL IS WELL WITH EVERYONE. I WISH YOU ALL THE BEST THAT LIFE HAS TO OFFER YOU EVERYDAY BUT ESPECIALLY THIS HOLIDAY SEASON! ALSO, I STOPPED BY YOUR PAGE TO SAY I GOT A ONCE IN A LIFETIME OFFER FOR A MODELING VENTURE. I NEED SOME ADVICE ABOUT THE MODELING INDUSTRY, LINE UP SOME CONTACTS FOR ME PLEASE I SENT BROTHA TORRE A EMAIL ON HIS PRIVATE ACCOUNT HE GAVE ME. I TRIED TO FORWARD A COPY THE MY SPACE MESSAGES THAT THE TALENT SCOUT SENT TO ME, HE IS A AGENT THAT HAS OFFICES IN THE USA IN VARIOUS REGIONS AS WELL AS EUROPE, I AM VERY EXCITED TO REPRESENT THE PLUS-SIZED FIGURE AFRIKAN DESCENT WOMAN. KEEP ME LIFTED IN YOUR PRAYERS!
I WISH TO REFLECT BACK ON WHERE GOD HAS BROUGHT ME AND WHAT HE HAS DELIVERED ME FROM. HAVE A BLESSED DAY AND ENJOY YOUR FAMILIES FOR ME, TOO. I AM HOME RELAXIN AND CHILIN LISTENING TO SOME JUANITA BYNUM MUSIC I AM NOT GOING ANYWHERE TODAY MY LEG IS STILL SERIOUSLY BROKEN.
we were doing a show at the same time at boston court...I met Jason and Kwame back stage.... we got done around 10,sooo i only got to see last bit, but what i saw i loved!! and i look forward to seeing a whole performance.
Hi Renissance and Brother Torre, I stop by to say I hope your day is going well and that I will be able to see you soon in New Orleans, LA I am presently taking care of a little business concerning the misuse of spiritual gifts, keep me in your prayers. You know that my first manuscript was accepted by Tate Publishers. I love you stay strong.
Just stop by to greet you brothas with some love and wish you a very blessed weekend, what is left of it. Take care until I see you again, in Los Angeles, Ca!
Really enjoyed meeting you guys on the cruise. Sorry we didn't get to enjoy your music much, but maybe you will perform in the Atlanta area!!! Could help to get you in a good venue and get you a good street team together. Janet
no dear, those gardens do not belong to me.....although, you know the words to the song..."the stars belong to everyone....the best things in life are free"....so I imagine, gardens belong to all of us. I live in a one-bedroom apt in NJ and I did decorate my balcony with silk flowers, but sorry, no garden. thanks for the compliments on the page...take care.
