Kafele

Kafele, trumpeter, composer and producer, has been playing the trumpet for over 18 years. The name Kafele (pronounced kuh-FAY-lay) is of Egyptian origin, and means “worth dying for”. Born in Baltimore, Maryland and raised in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, Kafele was first exposed to jazz by his parents. In fact, he attributes his love and appreciation for the art to his father who often listened to recordings of John Coltrane, Freddie Hubbard and Miles Davis among others. Later, his brothers and sisters introduced him to Hip-Hop and R&B. As a byproduct of becoming a Chicago resident for about 7 years, Kafele was inundated with lively, upbeat house music. This musically enriched background provided the influences that helped cultivate his unique sound.While attending Southern University in Baton Rouge, he studied Jazz Music Theory under the leadership of world-renowned jazz artist and educator, Alvin Batiste. During this time, Kafele was establishing a reputation by performing at various venues in Louisiana, Georgia, Texas and Alabama. He collaborated with a group of talented musicians to form The Kafele Bandele Group. This group frequently performed at M's Fine and Mellow Café in Baton Rouge. He also appeared at the Baton Rouge Blues Festival, House of Blues in New Orleans and the internationally acclaimed New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival.After earning a degree in Physics from Southern University, Kafele moved to Chicago with plans to expand and elevate his musical career. Following years of hard work his plan is taking off with an untamable force.In 2003, Kafele officially launched K. Kapano Records, Inc. in which he plans to elevate his own musical career, produce other talented artists, and perpetuate the appreciation of jazz-fusion. Already, he has released his debut album, "Prodigal Moon" which introduces a new genre of music that infuses spontaneous trumpet riffs with pulsating, hypnotic baselines. He calls this music Cool Fusion-a poetic entanglement consisting of the finest elements of jazz and the richness of Hip-Hop and other forms of music.In addition, Kafele has successfully penetrated the Chicago music scene and has performed in Baltimore, New York, Dallas, Detroit, Philadelphia, San Francisco, Washington D.C. and Miami at the venues listed below:The Wild Hare (Opening for Slum Village), Isaac Hayes, Rhythm, The Cotton Club, The District, The Hot House, The Chicago Theater (opening for Kem), The Congress Theater (opening for Erykah Badu) The House of Blues Chicago (opening for Boys II Men/ Amel Larreuix), Sounds of Brazil in New York, and has been featured on various college and commercial radio stations.Kafele is a musical visionary who believes that there is a difference between music produced for the sole purpose of making money and music created as an expression of one's inner self. He hopes that listeners will recognize this difference in his music. In his own words, "Music is a true reflection of the heart and soul."