| Band Members |
Ms. Cynthia
Ms Cynthia is a Greenville, SC native. A business woman, who after writing her first book of lyrical story telling, decided it was time to put her words to music. Her manager Napoleon, had been friends with Wes McKelvey, her musical arranger, for over twenty years. He introduced the two and as you will see and hear for yourself; it was a match that was meant to be.
Ms Cynthia, has owned and fully operated her own businesses since the early nineties. Her business savvy won her more than a few awards and recognition from her native hometown. She went from coordinating fashion shows where she served champagne & hors devours to opening her own ladies clothing store “Feminique Boutique”. Later she opened “The Arts of Passage Galleria” where she sold African artifacts and also leased out spaces to other businesses offering similar items relating to African influenced expression.
Ms Cynthia grew weary of the business world and entered the world of human services which was when she felt the need to express herself through the written word.
Ms Cynthia states:
“I needed an outlet that would relieve and release the pain I felt as I empathized with these families trying their very best to stay afloat in this society. So, many of my pieces speak to current social issues as well as love and looking for love.
With the exception of the songs by Wes and his wife Angie, the “Love, Lies and Hanky Panky” CD consist of pieces from Ms Cynthia’s latest book Looking for Love ‘n All the Wrong Faces. “The musical genius of Wes made my words breathe and come to life. The words now dance and tell the story as if that was the intention all along”.
Wes McKelvey
As the “Jazz” part of Poetry/Jazz, Wes McKelvey is a veteran musician and entertainer.
He has played for every kind of audience from colleges and country clubs to outdoor festivals to nightclubs and ‘juke joints’, and in almost every state east of the Mississippi. As a back-up musician and as the front man and leader of his own band, Perfect Fitt, Wes has performed with and opened for such acts as Maurice Williams & the Zodiacs, The Time, S.O.S Band, Lakeside and other billboard topping artists.
Since 1996, this Columbia, SC native has lived and worked in Charlotte, NC with his wife and business partner Angela, who in addition to being co-founder of Perfect Fitt, is also an accomplished singer and veteran entertainer in her own right (she sings lead on
“Hanky Panky”).
Born into a musical family – mom, a trained operatic soprano and dad a professional jazz bassist - Wes’ musical influences are extremely varied: from Classical to Miles Davis; the Beatles to James Brown; Stevie Wonder, Sly Stone and Prince. And let’s not leave out that he’s a huge fan of hip-hop and rappers like Jay-Z,Ludacris, and T.I.
When asked about his work with Poetry/ Jazz, Wes says,
“I feel a child-like wonder when I hear something that touches my spirit. It is truly a gift from God to be able to appreciate the beautiful subtleties in a song or poem. I’m truly humbled to have been given the gift of creating music. Most of all, I thank God for making me a vessel through which others can enjoy the precious gift that music is. Working with Ms Cynthia on “Love, Lies and Hanky Panky” has allowed me to tap into that reservoir of music styles that shaped and influenced my musical and personal life. This project has literally changed my life!”
To book performances contact:
Napoleon Curtain – Business/ Road Manager 864-423-8217
Jarrard Watkins - Marketing & Promotions Manager 864-325-8412
or
email ToMsCynthia@gmail.com
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