The E.J. Strickland Project

Bio:

I started The Project at the beginning of 2005, when I got a call from The Jazz Gallery in New York City. Word spread that I had been writing a lot of music and thinking about starting my own band. This debut was exactly the chance I needed to bring my ideas to life. Its an octet (sometimes a septet/sextet depending on venue/circumstances), comprising of 2 vocalists, 2 saxophones, piano/guitar, bass, drums, and percussion. I wanted it to be shaped much like the hourglass shape of a djembe (african drum designed to look like a woman) heavy on top, thin in the middle, and heavy on the bottom. There are many voices on the top that interweave, its heavily percussive on the bottom, and a standard rhythm section in the middle. Some composers who have influenced my writing are Wayne Shorter, Joe Henderson, Stevie Wonder, John Coltrane, and Steve Coleman. However, my music and lyrics have proven to be very personalized. Its jazz music with a variety of textures and grooves. The entire octet isnt always on the stage. There are some instrumentals, and some ballads that feature one vocalist. My goal is to create a feel-good experience with all of our performances. People have often told me that the group's vibe is just as pleasing to the eye as it is to the ear. If we do our job, everybody in the room (us included) should feel uplifted. Come and join us in a celebration of music, humanity, and life!! ..   I edited my profile with Thomas Myspace Editor V4.4 (www.strikefile.com/myspace)

Member Since:

February 11, 2006

Members:

Enoch Jamal Strickland - drums, Charenee Wade - vocals, Gretchen Parlato - vocals, Marcus Strickland - tenor & soprano saxophones, Myron Walden - alto saxophone & flute, George Colligan - piano, Boris Koslov - bass, Kahlil Kwame Bell - percussion

Influences:

Tribal music from Africa, Art Blakey's Jazz Messengers, gospel, spoken word, my life, God and Jesus!!

Sounds Like:

There are some live samples of the band on this page. A studio recording is bound on the horizon!! .. Photos by Lafiya Watson. www.fotogirl.net

Record Label:

Strick Muzik