Straight Ahead

Music:

Member Since: 9/24/2006
Band Website: straightahead1.com
Band Members: 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!"----------------------------------------------------- ------------------------------------------------------------ ----------------------------------------------------------Ga yelynn 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. ------------------------------------------------------------ ------------------------------------------------------------ ------------------------------------------------------------ ------------------------------------------------------------ ----------
Influences: LIVE PERFORMANCE LINKS....--------------------------------------------------- ------------------------------------------------------------ ---------------------------------http://easylink.playstream. com/miblej0/givinitupweb.wvx -----------------------------------------------------------( LIVE PEFORMANCE CLIP "GIVING IT UP")http://easylink.playstream.com/miblej0/peoplemakeworldgo roundweb.wvx -------------------------------------(LIVE PERFORMANCE "PEOPLE MAKE THE WORLD GO ROUND")
Sounds Like: 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....
Record Label: Homegirl Records/Atlantic Jazz
Type of Label: Indie