Who he is: Vernon da German is Vernon D. Hill, native Detroiter whose musical background stretches from classical to jazz to hip-hop to heavy metal. Hill developed his professional career living for 20 years in Germany, where he toured with his band, Vernon and the Crew. Since returning to Detroit in 2000, he has recorded with Dwele, Slum Village, Phat Kat, Jay Dilla and the Platinum Pied Pipers. He put together his Vernon da German project last year and continues to tour and record as Dwele's bandleader. He recently opened a Royal Oak recording studio, Studio on Main, where he produces and engineers hip-hop and solo artists.Home: Royal Oak. Hill grew up on Detroit's northwest side. He began playing piano at Anderson Memorial Baptist Church when he was 6. " "My mother told me to play something classical," he says. "The first time I did, it freaked people out, and then I got a standing ovation.' "Hill graduated from Northwestern High School, playing trombone and piano in the jazz band and orchestra. He also studied music at Anderson College in Indiana.On Europe: Hill moved to Heidelberg, Germany, in 1980 with his parents when his mother, who worked for the U.S. Army, was transferred. "It woke me right up," Hill says. He played in several funk, reggae and calypso bands...This profile was edited with Thomas' myspace editor™ V2.5In 1991 Hill opened a recording studio in Germany, near the French border. "That's when I started writing," he says. "In Europe they encourage you to express yourself more for who you are. They're more into the artist thing." In 1995, Hill later began collaborating with Mike Marshall from Timex Social Club, which led to a deal with BMG.Detroit living:
After meeting with studio musician Alvin Moore prompted an invitation to RJ Rice's studio,BARAK RECORDS where he worked as head engineer. He producedand recorded tracks for Slum Village such as "Disco" "Whats that all about",Unisex, and engineered the 2002 hit Tainted coproduced tracks such as LaLa(Trinity)engineered and recorded tracks for
Calvin Richardson CD "2:35pm"
(engineered and toured with Slum Village, Phatt Katt,(Undeniable) Dwele,served as the band leader for The Family tree Tour 2001 with Slum Village,Phatt Katt,Phiff dawg and Mystic.
Engineered for Slum village and The Roots on the Okay player tour 2001..
Lyricst lounge tour,and D'Angelo "Voodo tour"On Baker's: Hill frequents Baker's Keyboard Lounge, where he sometimes jams with childhood friend Regina Carter and bandleader Teddy Harris. "After I got done at the studio I went straight to Baker's, because that's where my roots are," Hill says. "Every musician knows that if you want to find where the musicians are at, go to Baker's."His sound: Hill favors dramatic synth highs, swinging funk bass and melodic interludes over soulful vocals. "It's time to put out my own album," he says. The project, "The Other Side of the Glass," will feature tracks by many of Detroit's top soul and hip-hop artists, including J Dilla, T3, Elzhi, Dwele,Phatt Katt, Andreas(Dj Dez)and also new debut artists guitarist Andre Frappier,Vegas, Mushir, and Multi instrumentalist Jennie Laws.Article By Tamara Warren
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