Marion Hayden - Bass Born in Detroit, MI, Marion Hayden is one of the nation's finest proponents of the acoustic bass. She creates a rich, dark tone and a very advanced rhythmic concept. Classically trained, she honed he skills in private studies at the prestigious University of Michigan and Michigan State University. An accomplished composer and educator, Hayden is bass instructor in the jazz department of Tri-C College, Cleveland Ohio. She has performed or recorded with such luminaries as Marcus Belgrave, Roy Brooks, Kirk Lightsey, Ralph Peterson and James Carter.----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Alina Morr- Piano Synthesizers Alina, entered the jazz scene via the blues, working with many of the Midwest's finest blues talents before immersing herself in jazz. Her rich, full sound was honed in te traditional manner - "hangin' out" - studying and playing with "the cats". An inveterate wanderer, she accepted an invitation to visit the Caribbean and ended up living in Santo Domingo in the Dominican Republic. Returning to the states, she lived in Boston where she studied with former Jazz messenger and Grammy-winning composer Donald Brown, who said, "she's funky, has a big sound and can swing!"---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Gayelynn McKinney - Drums Gayelynn, is a member of a musical dynasty which helps to explain her powerhouse style! Her father, the legendary Harold McKinney, is a formidable pianist and composer. Her uncle Ray McKinney, an important bassist during the be-bop ear and her cousing Carlos McKinney, a brilliant young pianist on the international scene. Her sound is a composite of swing, funk, and African polyrhythmics. Gayelynn is also a gifted composer who plays piano and saxophone as well.------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Althea Rene - Flute - Althea joined Straight Ahead in 1997. She is an impassioned flautist from Detroit, Michigan, and she began her musical career at age four as a classical performer. After years under the direction of the Detroit Symphony Orchestra's Clement Baron, she focused her attention to jazz and popular music. She studied classical music while attending Howard University in Washington D.C. and later she gained further musical inspiration from the accomplishments of Yusef Lateef and Donald Byrd and has since developed her own creative style.---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Kymberli Wright - Lead Vocals Kymberli is a gifted vocalist who is accomplished in the areas of jazz and R&B styles. Originally from Flint, Michigan she has been recording since the age of 13 and is among one of the top studio artists in the Midwest. She has fluidly gravitated between, soul, jazz and rock throughout her career without breaking a sweat. She's an accomplished and gifted vocalist that has been recording since the age of 13. From there, she continued her performances, which led to a music scholarship at Kentucky State University. She is one of the most sought after studio artists in the Midwest, having recorded with such renowned artists as Stevie Wonder, Earl Klugh, Kenny Olsen, George Clinton,Gene Dunlap, Cinema, Craig Holliman, Omar Hakim, Pack of Wolves and her current new project "Sera's Nu Soul. Ms. Wright has performed live and toured with Jeffrey Osborne, Patti Austin, Peabo Bryson, Roberta Flack, Keith Washington, Wendy Moten, Bon Jovi, Kidd Rock and Mary J. Blige. Her credits also include commercials for Toyota, Chevy-Geo, Ford, Ameritech, and Electrovoice. Inspired by such singers as Chaka Khan, Dee Dee Bridgewater, Judy Garland, Nancy Wilson, and Dionne Warwick, Kym has touched audiences all over the World. Her playful and sensual vocals certainly put this project over the top.
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Etkilendikleri
LIVE PERFORMANCE LINKS....------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
http://easylink.playstream.com/miblej0/givinitupweb.wvx -----------------------------------------------------------(LIVE PEFORMANCE CLIP "GIVING IT UP")
http://easylink.playstream.com/miblej0/peoplemakeworldgoroundweb.wvx -------------------------------------(LIVE PERFORMANCE "PEOPLE MAKE THE WORLD GO ROUND")
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Check out our website www.straightahead1.com Also our album titled "Still Swingin" is now available in stores. If you would like to purchase a copy please contact us via myspace email to place an order.... We will keep you posted on promotional events and the 07/08 tour dates....
Out of Detroit's lively jazz scene, which has produced some of the best musicians in the world, comes the ground breaking all female jazz group, Straight Ahead. A group of strong, inventive instrumentalists and vocalists, they have shown themselves to be powerful and imaginative composers and arrangers.
Widely recognized for their eclectic and soulful approach to creating music, the Straight Ahead sound ranges comfortably from mainstream jazz R&B ballads, avant-garde to Brazilian funk. Their live performances are a dynamic celebration of power and joy. The ladies delight in changing textures, moods, and tempos and love to throw in the occasional musical joke!
Introduced in 1989 as a product of their hometown's lively jazz scene, Straight Ahead was named the finalist in that year's "Sony Innovators" competition. The new decade saw the ladies receive their first international exposure when they were invited to open for the legendary Nina Somone at the Montreaux-Switzerland Jazz Festival.
In 1990,the group recorded the first album for Atlantic Jazz, "Look Straight Ahead", with made the Billboard Contemporary Jazz Chart "Top 20". They followed that up with "Body and Soul" and in 1995 with their third album "Dance Of the Forest Rain", which received rave reviews that include Branford Marsalis, who called the group "a monster outfit that truly swings!"
These Grammy-nominated Atlantic Jazz recording artists have traveled extensively in the United States, the Caribbean, and Europe, garnering rave reviews. Recent appearances include a concert at the prestigious Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington D.C., where Ms. Sorab Modi, a reviewer for "JazzIz" Magazine wrote that the band was"particularly impressive." (JazzIz, August, 1997); and the Kansas City Blues and Jazz Festival, where "This tight, dynamic, outfit stole the show with it's high-energy tour-de-force of musical styles." (Kansas City Star, July 21, 1997). Recent awards include The Motor City Music Awards HALL OF FAME and Talent Deserving Wider Recognition (Downbeat Magazine, April, 1997) Joy, Power, Love, Wisdom...Magic! This is the sound of what is to come. This is Straight Ahead !!
Each individual member of Straight Ahead is an accomplished musician in her own right. Toghether they bring a unique musical personality to the group. Straight Ahead's founding members, the "Rhythm Sister" - Marion Hayden on bass, Eileen Orr on piano and Gayelynn McKinney on drums are joined by an exciting line-up, which features the dynamic Kymberli Wright on vocals and the electrifying Althea Rene on the flute.-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Thanks for being friends & sharing space with me! Sorry for taking so long to respond I’ve been working on some new song And updating the storyteller wall check it out On my page. New songs coming in july or august GOD BLESS
« The Top Band » ! Fantastic Music ! I Love « Lush Life » : Great Song & Elegant Version Welcome to my « FriendshipSpace ». It’s an honor to count you in my circle of friends Thank you for have answered to my invitation Magical Holiday Season God Bless You Stay in touch
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