Formed in 1975, the SPIRIT OF LIFE ENSEMBLE is under the Band Leadership of Multi-percussionist Daoud-David Williams. The music of this captivating afro-centric & multi cultural unit is a true reflection of the group's name. Their sound is soulful, passionate, and filled with infectious energy, while at the same time inventive and thought provoking in its concept, thereby capturing the spirit of the African sensibility.Although their music is deeply rooted in the Jazz tradition, it has been strongly influenced by the myriad of musical styles found in the African Diaspora. The rhythms of Latin America, South America, the Caribbean Islands, Africa, and the African-American musical genres of rhythm & blues, gospel, funk, and the blues permeate the sound of this electrifying Ensemble whose "Jazz with a World Beat" approach leaves your heart dancing long after your feet have stopped.The Music Director is Bob Ferrell (trombonist), and the Collective now boasts personnel of approximately 50 plus musicians. Usually the group features from 8 to 18 players in performance); including such Jazz artists as Michael Cochrane, Guilherme Franco, Cleave Guyton, Carlos Francis, Chip Shelton, Vinnie Cutro, Rob Heinke, Bruce Cox, Paul Abler, Yashmin Charnet Abler, Sipho Kunane, Belden Bullock, Joe Lee Wilson, Vince Ector, Richard Clements, Frank Elmo, Terry Conley, Jann Parker, Cornell Mcghee, Mark Gross, Clifford Adams, Joe Ford, Calvin Hill, Benny Powell, Eddie Henderson, Ted Curson among others.The collective experience of the members of the SPIRIT OF LIFE ENSEMBLE includes performances and/or recordings with some of the icons of Jazz such as: Band, the Duke Ellington Orchestra, the Count Basie Orchestra, the Lionel Hampton Orchestra, Clark Terry, Dizzy Gillespie, Kenny Barron, John Hicks, Nancy Wilson, Muhal Richard Abrams, Ahmad Jamal, Shirley Scott, Charles Mingus, Bob Crenshaw, Horace Silver, Buddy Rich, Randy Weston's African Rhythms, Abbey Lincoln, Eric Dolphy, Abdullah Ibrahim, Wynton Marsalis, Onaje Allen Gumbs, Max Roach, McCoy Tyner, Miriam Makeba, Archie Shepp, Sun Ra, Talib Kibwe, Winard Harper, Charles Earland, Dee Dee Bridgewater, Jimmy Owens, Jerry Gonzalez & Fort Apache and Pharaoh Sanders to name just a few.The SPIRIT OF LIFE ENSEMBLE was the Jazz orchestra in-residence at New York's internationally renowned SWEET BASIL Jazz Club from1995-2001 (6yrs). The group has been featured in many different Jazz festivals such as Pori International Jazz Festivals (Finland); Kaunas International Jazz Festival (Lithuania), Imatra International Jazz Festival, Finland: Estonia International Jazz Festival (Estonia); Ottawa International Jazz Festival (Canada); Lake George Jazz Festival (New York); Jersey Shore Jazz Festival, (New Jersey); JVC Jazz Festival (New York); Panasonic Village Jazz Festival (NY) SOLE has played at such celebrated Jazz clubs as New York's Blue Note, Iridium, Birdland, The 5 Spot, S.O.B.'s, Village Gate; and Duc Des Lombards &Caveau dela Huchette, in Paris, France; and Sounds, Brussels, Belgium
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