HEADLINERS
Latimore
Benny Latimore is an icon in the Black community in the United States and while he may not be a household name in the "mainstream" his name is such in the Black community that he is counted among the very few artists for whom you don't even have to say his entire name and people know who you are talking about. He's one of the great Ballad singers in the history of Black music and on this CD rescued from deep in the vaults of Henry Stone Music, we get to hear what the "early years" of this icon sounded like.
The "black music experts" at places like Rolling Stone, VH-1, Vibe, Clear Channel and other places may not know much about Latimore, but if you go deep into the heart of the community ("tha hood") they know all about Latimore.
Lakeside
Another in the long line of talented funk acts to come out of Dayton, Ohio, Lakeside was formed around 1970 by members of two local groups, the Nomads and the Young Undergrounds. The group, consisting of members Otis Stokes, Thomas Shelby, Steve Shockley, Mark Wood, Tierneyer McCain, Norman Beavers, Marvin Craig and Fred Lewis won a contest that sent them to Chicago to record an ill-fated session for Curtis Mayfield's Curtom label. While the recording never materialized, the group had named itself Lakeside Express after a local newspaper.
With their name shortened to Lakeside, the group's 1978 party song "It's All the Way Live" shot to the top 5 on the R&B Charts and paved the way for their SOLAR album Shot of Love. This began a string of successful albums for the group and a basketful of great singles that have continued to receive airplay two decades later. Lakeside's gritty funk songs and hand-drawn album covers, portraying group members as pirates, G-Men, Arabian Knights, etc., gave them a unique position among the numerous soul/funk groups of that time.
During the early 80s, Lakeside's members proved themselves to be fine songwriters, penning such funk gems as "Your Wish Is My Command," "Raid" and their biggest hit, "Fantastic Voyage" (later remade by Coolio). But Lakeside also showed itself to be a legitimate soul group, most notably on a wonderfully gritty remake of the Beatles' "I Wanna Hold Your Hand," a cut that bore almost no resemblance to the pop classic original but which became one of the great soul songs of 1982.
Midnight Star
Formed at Kentucky State University in 1976, MIDNIGHT STAR began as a self-contained party band in the P-Funk/ Earth Wind and Fire mode, and quickly earned a strong live reputation throughout the world. A 1978 New York City showcase inspired Solar Records chief Dick Griffey to sign the group, and early 80’s albums like The Beginning, Standing Together, and Victory gave MIDNIGHT STAR a chance to hone their chops. Every thing clicked together with the Certified Double Platinum Plus No Parking on the Dance Floor album that established MIDNIGHT STAR as world-renowned songwriters, producers, and entertainers.
The groups passion and love of the music and their strong desire to keep their fans ultimately satisfied, has shown up in Platinum and Gold as they’ve poured out streams of top 10 and No. 1 hits. It began in 1983 with dance-floor smashes like “Freak-a-Zoid”, “No Parking on the Dance Floor”, “Wet My Whistle” and the lovers ballad of the mid-80’s, “Slow Jam”, that to date no one can get enough of. The Planetary Invasion LP of 1985 took them to No. 1 with “Operator” and the sizzling “Curious”. In 1986 MIDNIGHT STAR struck gold with the chart buster “Midas Touch” and the title cut from the Headlines LP. The year of 1988 rowed them to the top once again with the No. 1 “Don’t Rock the Boat” (which featured rapper Ecstasy of Whodini) and the top 10 “Snake in the Grass” from their self-titled CD.
MIDNIGHT STAR broke into the 90’s with the smash “Do It (One More Time)” from their Work it Out CD which also featured the sultry ballad “Red Roses”.
LOCAL MUSICIANS
Jefferson St. Jazz & Blues Festival
Bridging the Gap Mixer
Photo: Trunetta Atwater
Will Davenport
Will Davenport's soul-stirring voice coupled with his passion for the lyrics in his songs have attracted the attention of music executives, entertainers, and entertainment lovers from all over for his phenomenal R&B, Soul, Neo-soul and Jazz style. Will has opened for some of the biggest names in the music industry including Charlie Wilson, India Arie, Raheem DeVaughn, Kirk Whalem, Mary Mary, Laura Izibor, and Silk. He has also performed as a headliner at the Sunset Jazz Festival as well as BET Music Matters. Whether it be a two hour performance or a two minute solo, Will always gives crowd-pleasing performances that leave audiences wanting him to return and perform again and again.
DJ C Wiz
Photo: Marcus Johnson
Marcus Johnson
Marcus Johnson is an alto saxophonist rising through the ranks of the Smooth jazz scene. As a product of the great musical city of Nashville, Tennessee, Marcus developed his passion for music at a young age by beginning to play the saxophone at the age of 10. Nashville’s wide range of musical styles and traditions inspired him to develop a unique sound that draws from jazz, R&B, funk, blues, soul and gospel. Marcus has studied under Grammy Award winning producer Elite and the famed Quad Studio who has produced music for hip hop icons such as: 2015 Academy Award-winning hip- hop artist Common (“Glory”), Def Jam’s Jada Kiss ,Grammy Award-winning Artist Nas, Grammy 2014 “Best New Artist” J. Cole. Marcus is currently an endorsee of Antigua Winds, Theo Wanne, Legere Reeds, and AMT microphones. Marcus debut album entitled “Passion Speaks Louder” which will release in Spring 2016.
Sonja Hopkins
Known for her Scatting and Jazzy Styling, Nashville-based songwriter and jazz vocalist Sonja Hopkins has a vocal texture that encompasses high spirited tones of nostalgic and temporary jazz. She incorporates her gospel roots into her soulful performances. Versatility and Creativity are words used to describe Sonja as a songwriter. In 2011, she released “Because of You.” produced by Grammy and Dove Award nominee Roger Ryan whose production and performance credits include Take 6, Wynonna Judd, Faith Evans, Oleta Adams and Kirk Franklin. Enchanting audiences with warm spirited improvisations of Jazz and a taste of Soulful R&B, Sonja performs regularly at The Frist Center for Visual Arts, The Southern Women’s Show, Metro Parks and Victor Chatman’s Park Series and Jazz on the Cumberland. Sonja’s debut Jazz Album entitled "Sonja-A Jazz Experience" is slated to be released in 2016, filled with live instrumentation with Musicians from Nashville and beyond.
Tina Brown
Born in upstate New York, Tina Marie Thompson grew up in a loving household. At the tender age of five, she was mimicking the all-time Motown favorites using a hairbrush as her microphone and her siblings as her audience. In 1981 Tina joined the Army and was sent to Europe. While serving her country, she still had the burning desire to be on stage doing what she loved best, singing. During a talent show in Germany, she was approached by a popular European vocalist named Betty O, who noticed a strong vocal similarity to Tina’s childhood influence, Gladys Knight; and she asked her to join her entourage as a back-up vocalist. While touring she opened for Earth, Wind, and Fire, Roger and Zapp, Clarence Carter and many more. Since 1999, Tina Brown has become a household name in the middle Tennessee area. With continuous blessings from God, Tina has been able to use the power of music to help non-profit organizations raise money. She has also used music to unite the community.
Julish & the Genius Band
Stacy Mitchhart
Stacy Mitchhart’s Live My Life stakes out bold new territory for the veteran entertainer. The 12-song album mixes down-home blues with a splash of soul to serve as a springboard for his canny storytelling and meanly elegant guitar. Live My Life is a departure from his mostly soul-blues flavored catalog, reflecting Mitchhart’s deepening connection with the genre’s primal Mississippi roots. Powered by strong, original songwriting and surprises like raw-boned cigar box guitar, Live My Life opens with the grinding blues howler “I Drink Whiskey,” showcasing his dirty licks ‘n’ tricks. Live My Life was co-producer by Mitchhart and Scott McEwen at Nashville’s all-analog Fry Pharmacy studio and features the touring band that accompanies Mitchhart for an impressive 275 shows a year including his famed ongoing residency at Nashville’s Bourbon Street Blues and Boogie Bar.