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Quiet Storm is a vocal harmony group specializing in Classic and Contemporary Rhythm and Blues and Soul. The group is able to sing and perform acapella as well as with music. Quiet Storm is a Philadelphia based group that began in the spring of 2007. Started by Kamau “Smitty” Akiba who has sang and recorded with The Informers on J-Rude and Blackjack labels in the sixties and again from 2005 to 2006, Quiet Storm’s intention is to bring back music that speaks about love situations from the heart. They wants to sing about those messages of love that speak of loving a woman as a whole person instead of a collection of body parts. Initially, the group started rehearsing in members homes, on porches, subways, and shopping malls, until settling down at Columbia Rehearsal Studios. Over the first six to nine months, the membership fluctuated with personnel changes for a variety of reasons. However, in the winter of 2007 the perfect mix of members emerged! It is now a perfect blend of brothers who equally share the dedication, belief, spirit, drive and cooperation fundamental to making a group as “ONE”. The present line-up is: Kamau “Smitty” Akibu singing bass, lead and Leader; “Marti” Bentley singing soprano, lead and Musical Director; “Ramon” Bentley singing 1st tenor lead and Rehearsal Coordinator; Richard “Rich” Hildegard singing 2nd tenor, lead and …manager and Vincent “Vinnie” Tucker singing baritone, lead and Wardrobe Coordinator.
Quiet Storm has performed in and around the Philadelphia area. The Group has performed for a political organization called “Mamas for Obama” for the Presidency Campaign, and also, at the String Band Club. Members of the group had performed at the 2007 Philadelphia Doo Wop Festival. Quiet Storm have also been broadcasted on several local radio shows. Upcoming events will include performances on Radio, TV shows and R&B concerts in Philadelphia, PA, New York and New Jersey.
Quiet Storm will be releasing their debut CD in the summer of 2008 called:
“They Don’t Make Love Like This No More”. So keep your Eyes, Ears and especially your, Hearts open, for
Quiet Storm, because they are bringing Love Back!
Kamau "Smitty" Akiba
Born and raised in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He lived in the Richard Allen Projects of Philly until age 17, then his family moved to the Tioga section of Philly. From the very beginning, music played a big part in his life. His father was a saxophone player of Matt Child's Drifters who played behind The Buccaneers of Southern record label on "Fine Brown Frame. His mother and maternal grandmother sang Native American songs and danced in the pow-wows. At the age of 14, with neighborhood friends, he formed his first singing group "The Premieres". They would practice on the street corners, hallways, and in the subways until securing a spot at the 10th and Thompson Streets Community Center. They developed a reputation in the projects as a good sounding group. At the center, they began sharing rehearsal space with different groups such as, The Philadelphias, The Mohawks, The Companions, The Blue Notes, and The Dream lovers. With the guidance of the Philadelphians, The Premieres won first place in a talent show at the B & R Club in Philly, Giving them a chance to record at the Guyden Recording Studio on Girard Ave. in Philly. They Recorded a demo "Devil Woman" b/w "Don't Leave Me", However their manager took the demo to New York looking for a record company with national distribution. They never heard from him again. Disillusioned, The group broke up. Smitty joined a group called The Informers. In 1965, they recorded two records "If You Love Me" b/w "Hard Way To Go" on J-Rude label and "Baby Set Me Free" b/w "Why Did You Give Me Such a Hard Way To Go" on Blackjack label. In 1966, Smitty went into the military, serving two years in Vietnam as a U.S. Army Ranger. After the military, he lived in California, New Mexico, Washington D.C., and New York, working as a Dialysis Technician. While in N.Y., he heard that a memorial service was being held for one of The Informers that had passed. The members re-united for the memorial service and afterwards decided to keep the group together. However, after a year, The Informers broke up again due to the health and commitment problems. In 2007 Smitty began forming "Quiet Storm". After several personnel changes, Quiet Storm has stabilized with a committed line-up of singers (all with experience), giving the group a high-quality sound and performance character.
Vincent "Vinnie" Tucker
Born and raised in Philadelphia, PA to the late Arthur and Georgia Tucker, 11 of 15 children. At a young age music was a part of my life; my mother was a singer also. At the age of 11 my brothers, sisters and I formed a group, singing songs from groups like, The Mad lads, The Delfonics, The Moments, and many many more. Along with having a passion to sing I joined the Army in 1975, I served in the army for two years. When discharged wanting to sing, I searched for someone to sing with. I then joined a group Platinum Force doing shows in Philly in the early 80's the group disbanded I stopped singing for some time. Then in 1989 I met Amin Saleem and together we formed a group "Sirenity". With many personnel changes, that didn't stop our desire to continue to sing. Finally, we got the right unit together; we went on singing at many engagements and opened for Harold Melvin, Stylistics, Delfonics, Ebony's Billy Paul, and many more. After 19 years I left the group and filled in for Harold Melvin's Blue Notes. Briefly, I stopped singing. Then I was approached by Ernest Hargust & Kamau Akiba as they formed "Quiet Storm". Then Marty B and his brother Ramon joined the group. We were on our way but again changing personnel finally Rich came aboard and then Quiet Storm had the right combination and we were finally on our way.
Jerome Coming Soon...
Martin "Marty" Bentley
Martin Bentley, AKA "Marty B" began singing at the age of 5, he comes from a very entertaining family of singers and comedians. Martin and his family began singing in the church choir, but starting started his solo career at the age of 7, when he attended Kearny Elementary School. After his taste of a solo career, he decided to add an Instrument to his musical talent, so his Father brought him his first drum set. It was at Paxton Jr. High School where he perfected his Instrumental talent as the school band lead drummer, also his athletic Talent included Basketball, Football, and Baseball, but Music was and has always been his first love. In his senior year of high school, Martin added the Bass Guitar to his musical talent as BOK Vocational High School Band Bass Guitarists. Also at BOK, He became their 1 Football Player for two years and won a Scholarship to any College of his choice, but was unable to attend, so he could prepare for and witness the birth of his first child. At BOK Vocational High School is where he chose the Trade of Welding, this trade has provided for Martin and his family for over 30 years and still to this day. After High School, Martin and his brothers formed a band named "151 Proof Experience". They played all over Pennsylvania and the New Jersey Area. One of the bands most memorable Performances were with Legendary "Rolls Royce Howard" and WDAS Radio Station at the Philadelphia Civic Center, where they gained alot of Notoriety. Unfortunately "151 PROOF EXPERIENCE" time together came to an end, so Martin left with his Love, Passion and Talent for his Music and Joined "Shining Star" This Band just so happened to be the most Recognized and popular group in the Tri-State area, with several performances at Philadelphia's Infamous- Academy of Music. Just as they say all good things come to an end, "Shining Star" members went their separate ways, Martin would not let that stop him from doing what he has loved since the age of 5 years old. Martin began performing solo at Weddings, Cabarets, Banquets, and Private Affairs. His Love and passion for music with others and someday with the World as a recording artist.
Richard "Rich" Hidlebird
The Futures of Philadelphia was a Philadelphia based vocal group consisting of five men that have fiery passion for intricate harmonies on of them was Richard Hidlebird. The group was excelling on the R & B set in Philadelphia, New Jersey, Delaware, and the Washington D.C. Area. After nearly a decade of performing and filling in for other recording acts such as The Intruders, The Drifters, and Harold Melvin's Blue Notes, the group was always "The Future of Philadelphia. Richard has traveled and performed with the Elsberry Hobbs Drifters and Harold Melvin's Blue Notes. The group as a whole ha sung background on several shows for Donnell Gillespie who currently is a 15 years member of Harold Melvin's Blue Notes. You may have also seen Rich in various roles in the movies (Unbreakable with Bruce Willis and Samuel Jackson), Commercials (PA Lottery), and television (The Wire on HBO) to name a few.
