About Me
Romel has come from huge background of music. He started out playing percussions on pot and pans at age 2. Receiving his first guitar at age 5, he was greatly influenced by his father's (Milton) electric guitar playing and his mother's (Debra) bass guitar playing. He literally used to sleep in his mother's bass case at rehearsals. After the tragic loss of his mother at age 8, he inherited her bass guitar and his musical journey began to start. He started reading music in the 4th grade at Pirie Elementary School. In the 7th grade he picked up the trumpet at Dixon Elementary under Ms. Diane Ellis. During the summer after his Graduation from Dixon, he applied for his first job with the jazz band of the South Shore Cultural Center, but he was not old enough to retrieve a salary. He was so dedicated he worked over time for free. Dr. Ronald Carter of NIU was the head director, and he saw his determination and later recommended Romel to be the featured artist of Arts & Entertainment section of the Chicago Tribune. Later he became good friends with Pulitzer Prize Winner Wynton Marsalis, and was a featured percussionist with the Lincoln Center Jazz Orchestra at Orchestra Hall in 1998. During his high school years he found a love for the marching band at CVS. He studied concert french horn, marching french horn, piano, double bass, trombone, arranging, composing and directing under Mr. Michealangelo Taylor, Dr. Joseph Miller, Ms. Ernestine Fleming, and Dr. Willie Naylor. He composed many songs for the marching band. While in high school he frequently did gigs around town with local bands, community choirs, plays, musicals, and churches. After high school he always dreamed of going away to a Historically Black University, in which he did. So he went away to Southern University and A&M College in Baton Rouge, LA. Where he branched off into a very musical situation. Studying under Alvin Baptist, Dr. Greggs and a wonderful music department. Performing at the New Orleans Jazz Fest in 2001, was a great experience. Being the opening act for the late great legendary drummer Elvin Jones was a historical event. Hanging around colleagues such as Quamon Fowler, Maurice Brown, and Corey Wilkes made him step up to a higher level of his musical ability. Romel returned home after his fiancee (LaSheeka) announced that they were expecting their first child. Romel continued his education at Columbia College Chicago, where he played trumpet for the top jazz band under Scott Hall. He also attended Chicago State University where he began writing and producing music under Ms. Roxanne Stevenson and Pharez Witted. He also found a love for other instruments such as the cello, violin, flute, wooden wind instruments and exotic percussion instruments. Romel has worked with Wynton Marsalis, Terisa Griffin, Josie Aiello, Chester Gregory, Darius Brooks, Alfonzo Hunter, Gary Jenkins (Silk), Martha Wash, and many other great artists nationwide. Currently Romel has just started a Record Label (iKleKtic entertainment). He is now in the process of creating great music for you. Get Ready for this great Sound !!!
