Indianapolis Recorder, Indianapolis, Marion County, 19 May 2000 — Page 23

FRIDAY, MAY 19,2000

THE INDIANAPOLIS RECORDER

PAGEC3

TAKE 6 Continued from Cl

WILSON Continued from Cl

rary music. Ten years after their recording debut, Take 6 returned hon\e to a cappella. After scores of awards and honors, the members of Take 6 —; Alvin Chea, Cedric Dent, Joey Kibble, Mark Kibble, Clhude McKnight and David Thomas — have once again combined their voices, with spectacular results. ^‘We realized this is what weTe best at, and this is where we have the most fun,” says Thomas. Adds Chea, “Singing a cappella is a wonderfully intimate form of music, and we knew we had not yet explored all of jts possibilities. We decided to go tiack down that road to see what more we could do.” That road turned out to be the scenic route. “So Cool” was produced and written by the members of Take 6 with the help of some top-notch collaborators. The album offered an eclectic tableau, featuring elements of swing, cool jazz, pop and even South African chorale, but most importantly, an abiding faith in God runs throughout the ever-astonishing rhythms and harmonies of Take 6. Subsequent Take 6 albums include “So Much To Say” (1990), “He Is Christmas” (1992), “Join the Band” (1994) and “Brothers” (1996). Over the years, Take 6 has won seven Grammys out of IS nominations, eight Dove Awards, and has topped Downbeat magazine’s readers’ and critics’ poll as Best Jazz Vocal Group for an amazing seven years straight. The sextet has recorded and/or performed with an impressive array of talent, including Quincy Jones, Ella Fitzgerald, Stevie Wonder, Ray Charles, A1 Jarreau, Don Henley, James Taylor, Patti Austin, Randy Travis, Branford Marsalis and BeBe & CeCe Winans. They’ve appeared on film soundtracks to Spike Lee’s “Do the Right Thing,” John Singleton’s “Boyz In the Hood,” Warren Beatty’s “Dick Tracy,” and they were featured on both the eagerly anticipated “Prince of Egypt Urban/Gospel” companion album and on the official soundtrack album as part of the ensemble singing “Humanity.” Along the way, the individual members have also pursued other interests such as doing animated voice-overs (David, Claude and Alvin), producing other artists (Alvin, Claude, Mark, David and Joey,), and even earning a Ph.D. in music theory (congratulations, Cedric). Juggling family, faith and career is never easy, but for Take 6, there is joy to be had in every aspect of life. And when it comes to singing, for them it all comes back to one simple thing. “WeTe passionate about what we believe in,” notes David Thomas. “We want people to love the music, but at the same time, we want the lyrics and what we’re singing about to sink in. We’re simply introducing people to the love of God.” Adds Alvin Chea, “It’s our mission to make people happy.” Mission accomplished. Over the years. Take 6 has brought immeasurable joy to millions around the world, thanks to the sheer power of their talent. Factor in their enduring faith and love,of God, and one thing’s certain: Take 6 is still the coolest of the cool.

Wilson became immersed in jazz at the Black Arts Music Society in Jackson, under the tutelage of John Reese and Alvin Fielder, but did not have her sights on music as a career. In 1981, she relocated to New Orleans an^ worked as assistant public affairs director for a television station. There, she met Earl Turbinton and Ellis Marsalis who introduced her to the New Orleans jazz community. She moved to New York City in 1982 and met Sadik Hakim, one of Charlie Parker’s piano players, and performed in various venues and jam sessions. Wilson’s warm, rich voice is as unique as her approach to combining elements of jazz, folk, and R&B. As a band leader, she has recorded 10 albums, and has been a featured vocalist on the recordings of Dave Holland, Steve Coleman, Steve Turre, and Pat Martino, among others. She can also be heard on various movie sound tracks. Wilson joined Blue Note Records in 1992 and recorded three albums, “Blue Light ‘Til Dawn,” in 1993, and “New Moon Daughter,” in 1996, and “Traveling Miles,” in 1999 to overwhelming critical acclaim. Hailed by Time magazine as “the most accomplished jazz vocalist of her

generation,” she has captivated critics and audiences. Wilson is the recipient of numerous awards for her musical achievements. In 1994 and 1995, she was voted Female Vocalist of the Year in the Down Beat Readers’ Poll. Other honors include the Soul Train Lady of Soul Award and the 1996 Grammy Award for Best Jazz Vocal Performance. She was a featured vocalist in the role of Leona in Wynton Marsalis’ Pulitzer Prize-winning jazz oratorio “Blood on the Fields.” ‘Traveling Miles” is a tribute to Miles Davis’ musical journey. The CD displays Wilson’s gifts as a bandleader, vocalist and arranger to their best advantage yet. Her musicality and intellect have never been brought into sharper focus, and in finding her own distinct and delicious way of addressing the challenges of the timeless, innovative and still fertile legacy of Miles Davis, she insures her dominance as one of modem music’s most visionary and communicative vocal artists.

This is one of a series of profiles of artists who will perform during the 2nd Annual Indy Jan Test June 14-18. Cassandra Wilson will perform June 18.

Out on the town

News anchors Debbie Denmon of WTHR and Cheryl Adams of Fox News recently came out to support WTLC’s Karen Vaughn during a party held in Vaughn’s honor at the Hard Rock Caf*. (photo/Jeana Lewis)

FRIDAYS 8:00 PM - 4:00 PM SATURDAYS 11:00 MM-12:00 PM

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This is one of a series of profiles of artists who will perform during the 2nd Annual Indy Jazz Test June 14-18. Take 6 will perform June 18.

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