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Since the 1970's, Champaign/Urbana Il. has been the hub to a vibrant music scene that has touched the hearts and souls of music lovers all over the world. From Michael McDonald (Doobie Brothers) to REO Speedwagon to Alison Krauss to jazz great Dee Dee Bridgewater to Champaign's own R&B/pop hit band Champaign, this University community has danced to the beat of rock,country R&B and jazz. Smooth jazz is one genre that has missed the spotlight; until now. Smooth jazz is now ready to gracefully join the list of music styles that have been birthed and nurtured in this Central Illinois Hometown U.S.A.
The Wk.End Band with it's debut album How ,,Bout Us, is fronted by the soothing tones of Jeff Helgesen on flugelhorn and supported by the energy of sax great Chip McNeill. Helgesen has worked with Aretha Franklin, Natalie Cole, Manhattan Transfer, Clark Terry and Ray Charles. Chip McNeill (also known as The Professor; he is the chair of the jazz program at the University of Illinois) has worked with Nat Adderley The Woody Herman Orchestra, Frank Sinatra, SammyDavis, Jr., Joe Williams, Dizzy Gillespie, Billy Eckstine, and Wynton Marsalis. He is best known for his performing, writing and arranging with Arturo Sandoval and Maynard Ferguson. The Wk.End Band album, How ,,Bout Us is produced by Dana Walden, former Champaign resident and Champaign band member. He brought his hit songwriting talent (he penned How ,,Bout Us) and production expertise back home to help create the ,,sound' of the Wk.End Band. Walden has done projects with Johnny Cash, Bonnie Raitt, Earth Wind and Fire, John Denver, Kenny Burrell and many more. The rhythm section is made up of Walden on keys, former Champaign resident David Parkinson on drums and percussion and Joshua Walden on bass. Berklee grad Ryan McBride and veteran David Neal trade licks on guitar as Dave Dickey slides in and out on trombone.
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