2. 2018 OCTOBER ISSUE
Gr oovMagazine
Donovan "Gr oov" Henderson
Owner /Publisher
An Ur ban digital music magazinefeatur ingindependent music
ar tists, pr oducers, musicians, and DJ Spotlightsfr om ar ound
thewor ld.
Official site:
www.gr oovmagazine.com
Email: info@gr oovmagazine.com
Social Media:
Instagram/ @gr oovmagazine
Facebook/ @gr oovmagazine
Twitter / @gr oovmagazine
TIM KELLEY
HENRY CONERWAY
DANNY REY
DJ BRIAN"BIZZY" BEMBERTON
PAULA CHAMPION
TRACY CRUZ
KEJAM
TAMARA LLOYD
DAWNMCCLAIN
THEBLACK BETTY'S
3. HENRYCONERWAY
"Wor dslike?authentic?and ?genuine?ar eso often
over used thesedaysthat I usethem r eluctantly. But in
thecaseof thisinaugural r ecor dingby Henry
Coner way ascomposer, leader and musician,
?authentic?and ?genuine?feel just r ight".
By Dwight Andrews
A native of Detroit, Conerway has a strong musical
lineage. He comes from a musical family and is a
product of the Detroit jazz community known for
nurturing young musicians. He had the benefit of
coming under the tutelage of master teacher and
trumpet legend, Marcus Belgrave, and thus is linked
to a number of outstanding Detroit musicians
spanning several generations, including pianist Geri
Allen, saxophonists Kenny Garrett and James Carter,
violinist Regina Carter, bassists Rodney Whitaker and
Robert Hurst, and drummers Karriem Riggins and Ali
Jackson. But of course,
Detroit has been nurturing and producing jazz giants
since the beginnings of jazz. From William McKinney
and Jean Goldkette in the earliest days through the
ensuing decades of Kenny Burrell, Thad Jones, Teddy
Harris, and Yusef Lateef, Henry Conerway becomes
the latest exponent of an often-overlooked heritage
that has contributed mightily to the history of jazz.
4.
5. D AN N Y
R E Y
Meet Danyelle Clark, also known to many as Danny
Rey.
She was born and raised in Detroit, but currently
resides in Atlanta, Georgia. She received vocal training
at age 12 and was a trained professional by the age of
18. A few years later, Danyelle took interest in
songwriting and becoming a music artist. In 2003, she
released her first single called, Flirt, which was
produced by Gregory Charley, and written by Brandon
Smith and James Terry.
Danny was able to make a name for herself with the
help of management, promotions and a great
songwriting team. She became one of many requested
artists for music events around the city of Detroit. Her
song, Flirt, became very popular among local DJ's and
received airplay on popular radio station, WJLB FM98.
Since moving to Atlanta, she has had the opportunity
to work with a host of local talent, lending vocals and
songwriting skills to hip hop artists, mixtapes, jazz and
gospel shows, as well as demo projects for various
genres of music.
Danny is currently a member of Atlanta's newest Soul
R&B group, AudioSource Live, which consists of
herself, Donovan "Groov" Henderson (executive
producer) and Kristina "Kris Love" Rayford (executive
producer, vocals). The group released their debut
album, Shine, in August 2017. Danny is the lead
songwriter on the album which upon release was in
the Top 5 in the U.K., in the top 100 on Amazon Music
and in the Top 10 on Reverbnation. Music is available
on all Digital Music Platforms.
Currently, Danny is ¼ of Songwriting Team, Creative Ink
Music (Creative Ink is a 2X Winner of the ASCAP
Istandard IWrite Songwriters Showcase). She is also
Lead A&R, Vocal and Artist Development Coach with
Crush Entertainment/Sony Music under the direction
of CEO, Joe ?Speedy?Harrington. Danny hopes to
release a solo project by early spring 2019.
6. DJ BRIA N
" BIZZY" BEM BERTON
D J S P O T L IG H T
7. I?ve been involved in the Manchester black music scene for over
30 years. I started my musical journey in the 80s as a presenter
and later manager of Frontline Radio Soul (a pirate radio station
based in Moss Side). Since then I?ve been involved in voluntary
radio stations in Manchester. During my DJcareer I have
deejayed at iconic Manchester venues such as the Russell Club,
Hacienda and the Band on the Wall. I have become an
established and respected DJin Manchester and have a
reputation for being passionate and supportive of the black
music scene in our city. My musical tastes include Modern
Independent/Classic Soul and Reggae.
I have deejayed with many of Manchester?s Soul and
Reggae DJs/Sound Systems over the years and with
some of the biggest names on the UK Soul/RnB
scene, including Tim Westwood, Ronnie Herel, Steve
Sutherland, Chris Goldfinger and Trevor Nelson.
I presented a Sunday morning breakfast show on
Unity Radio 92.8FM for 5 years and in October 2015,
I joined Mike Shaft?s ?The New Sunset Radio?until its
demise in 2016.
I currently present bi-weekly shows on Legacy
90.1FM and Mi-Soul Connoisseurs (Wednesday
7pm-9pm).
I?m resident DJ/joint promot er of 2 club night s in Manchest er:
- Oldskool Throwback - 80s/90s RnB/Reggae since 2011.
Soul Cent ral - Modern/Neo Soul since 2014.
8. P
In addition to other credits, features, performances, & television appearances,
Paula Champion tours the United States & abroad with various artists, & has
worked with multi-platinum super producers Pharrell Williams & Chad Hugo
from N.E.R.D./The Neptune's, Kuk Harrell (Rihanna, Justin Bieber, etc.), Tricky
Stewart, Laney Stewart, & has appeared on The Mo'Nique show, The Triumph
Awards, & TV-One?s ?Verses & Flows?with the house band as a background
vocalist. She has also worked with acclaimed actor/singer, Tyrese, Grammy
Award winning singer/songwriter/producer, Ne-Yo, India.Arie, the late-great,
R&B superstar Gerald LeVert, Grammy Nominated, Angie Stone, Grammy
Award Winning Lalah Hathaway, Robert Glasper, Benito Gonzalez, Cory Henry,
Kevin Whalum, Avery* Sunshine, Nivea, Raheem DeVaughn, Anthony David, &
Algebra; and she's also been featured on &/or has written on projects with
R&B singers, Aaron Hall & Chante Moore, & worked with Grammy-winning
gospel producer, Aaron Lindsey; and, Grammy-nominated producers Eric
Dawkins, & Roger Ryan along with many other producers & artists in
mainstream, jazz & gospel.
C
aula
hampion
9. Paula has also been a guest speaker & vocalist at Berklee College of Music in
Boston, & Spelman College in Atlanta, Georgia. In 2013, Paula became a Top 6
contestant on B.E.T.'s talent competition, "Sunday Best", & in 2014 she released
her jazzy inspirational debut single "All I Need" in the States & the UK. Following
the success of ?All I Need?, in 2016, she released her Holiday Jazz debut, ?What a
Wonderful World?, made famous by Louis Armstrong.
In summation, while Paula's lower register & warm, mellow, jazz, soul & gospel
colored vocals continue to establish her in the hearts of Jazz, Soul, Mainstream,
& Gospel peers alike, her primary focus & most crowning achievement is the joy
she gets from being a loving mother to her two sons, Isaiah & Michael.
" I swear sheisthe
dopest! I mean it
man. I been a fan
sinceshehit the first
noteon stage. Keep
doing it superstar,"
- Kir k Franklin
"YESSSSSSSS,, SANG,
Sunday'sBest Atlanta
Contestant just touched me.."
- Monica
10. TIM KELLEY
Growing up in Peoria, Illinois, Tim was
raised on R&B through his father's band.
His father was a trumpet player and
multi-instrumentalist so Tim learned
trumpet, piano, guitar, drums and bass at
the age of 10. From elementary school
through college, Tim played the trumpet
and piano in school band.
Bob played in his church as an organist
and piano player from the age of 9, so he
brought an understanding of gospel
music to the duo. Tim met Bob through a
mutual friend at the local mall. The two
worked together at Tim's house in the
basement, recording music on
equipment purchased by Tim's mother.
They moved to New Orleans for a year
then went to Chicago and Detroit where
they established a small production
company with a studio. They worked with
George Clinton's backing vocalist Paul Hill
to perfect demo recordings intended for
producer Dallas Austin in Atlanta
Half Of Tim & Bob
SUPER PRODUCER/GRAMMY AWARD WINNER
In Atlanta, Tim & Bob met Dallas Austin who
signed them to his company D.A.R.P. and
stamped them as "Tim & Bob". The duo
began working with artists TLC, Boyz II Men,
Madonna, 112 (whom they discovered) and
Monica ( which they developed). Tim & Bob
brought from Detroit their friends Tony Rich
and Mario Winans. Tim & Bob won two
Grammy Awards, including one in 1995 for
Best R&B Album for Boyz II Men's II.
TIM: There was this one facility that my dad's
band used to practice in, it was a basement,
and I used to go there all the time since I was
eight years old. When they would leave,
they?d leave a lot of their instruments there,
because they knew they were coming back
the next day. So, when they were done, I?d go
in there and mess with all of these
instruments. Also, my brother taught me how
to play the saxophone. So basically, I can play
a good 13 instruments, everything in the
woodwinds and brass families. Music was all
around me. Two of my uncles were DJ?s, one
in Milwaukee and another in Chicago.
GROOVMAGAZINE: How did it all st art for you?
GROOVMAGAZINE: What 's a t ypical day like for
you?
TIM: Man, I usually head into my
station/studio and listen to all kinds of
records, all styles pretty much. I consider
myself a musical historian ? I study the greats
from Quincy Jones, to Earth Wind & Fire,
George Clinton ?Parlament Funkadelic, Isley
Brothers, Jimmy Jam/Terry Lewis, Alexander
O?Neal, Janet Jackson, I mean the list goes on.
After vibing, I typically would walk over to the
piano and start playing stuff, coming up with
ideas from there. I love experimenting with
making my own sounds, really out there
sounds.
?Ther ear every few peopleI?vemet
who liveup to their cr edits. Tim Kelley
not only livesup to it, hesur passesit."
-ClaudeVillani
Pr esident/CEOof Thew SRG-ILSGr oup
11. Tim & Bob relocat ed t o Los Angeles and
signed a publishing deal and a label deal
t hru execut ive and rock guit arist Robbie
Robert son wit h t he now defunct
DreamWorks Records, soon scoring a No.
1 hit wit h Jon B. ("They Don't Know "),
and a t op 5 hit for Tamia ("So int o You").
Tim & Bob were also inst rument al in
get t ing t he rock group Papa Roach
signed t o DreamWorks while inking a
product ion deal wit h Capit ol Records.
The duo signed At hena Cage from t he
group Kut Klose and produced a full
album of songs, but t he project only
produced a single for t he movie Save The
Last Dance.
In 1999 Tim & Bob produced Sisqó's hit
"Thong Song". The single was awarded
Song of t he Year Hip Hop/Rhyt hmic at
t he 2000 Radio Music Awards. It peaked
at No. 1 on t he New Zealand chart s, No.
1 on t he Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop
Singles & Tracks, No. 1 Billboard on
Rhyt hmic t op 40 and Rhyt hmic t op 40
Airplay and No. 3 on t he Billboard Hot
100 respect ively.
In 2001, Tim & Bob produced Case's
"Missing You", which was his only
number one song, and Dave Hollist er 's
"Take Care of Home".
In 2003 Tim & Bob worked wit h t he Isley
Brot hers album project Body Kiss, and
wit h Eart h, Wind And Fire on t he song
"Hold Me" which was nominat ed for a
Grammy for Best Tradit ional Vocal by an
r&b group. Bot h project s were
nominat ed for Grammy Awards.
Tim & Bob discovered Bobby Valent ino
produced his self-t it led album which
spawned t he hit songs "Tell Me" and
"Slow Down" in early 2005. The lat t er
song was No. 1 for four consecut ive
weeks on t he Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop
Songs.
In 2006, Tim & Bob signed a publishing
deal wit h Dimensional Music Publishing
and began working on Bobby Valent ino's
second album Special Occasion, on which
t hey produced six t racks. Subsequent
project s include Jennifer Lopez' Plat inum
cert ified album Rebirt h ("Cherry Pie" and
"I, Love"); Brian McKnight 's Ten ("Used t o
Be My Girl", "Unhappy Wit hout You",
"Again", "Can't Leave You Alone"); Donell
Jones' Journey of a Gemini ("I'm Gonna
Be", "Feelin' You", "Can't Wait ", "I'm
Gonna Be"); Hilary Duff 's Dignit y ("I
Wish"); Nas, Joe, Musiq Soulchild, Ron
Isley, Brandy, Tyrese, Amerie, Mýa,
Usher, LeToya, Slim of 112, Bust a
Rhymes, Jamie Foxx ("Life is Good");The
Black Eyed Peas, Bobby Valent ino's The
Rebirt h ("Make You t he Only One," "3 Is
t he New 2," "On The Edge," "You're Not
Alone," "Give Me Your Heart ," and "Your
Smile"); Day 26's Forever in a Day ("Think
of Me" and "Reminds Me of You"); and
t heir art ist s Mahagani and Chico.
In 2011, Tim & Bob produced half of
Bobby V's project Fly on t he Wall and
reunit ed wit h Boyz II Men t o produce
four t racks including a remake of
"Mot own Philly" on t heir album Twent y.
On November 18, 2011, t he Cit y of Peoria,
IL, declared "TIM & BOB DAY" and gave
t he producer-duo a ceremonial key t o t he
cit y.
12. In 2017 Tim was named Head of A&R
at The SRG-ILSGroup.
'Tim has helped a number of labels
build to greatness with his expertise
and tireless effort and energy. We
could not be more excited to welcome
this architect of production, sound,
and vision to The SRG-ILSGroup.?The
SRG-ILSGroup was formed when two
North American companies ? The
SoNo Recording Group and The ILS
Group ? merged earlier this year.
Before the merger, The SoNo
Recording Group was a label with a
roster including singer/songwriter
Gino Vannelli, R&B star Brian McKnight
and award-winning vocal group Take 6.
The newly-formed SRG-ILSGroup
offers a range of artist/label services in
addition to a publishing operation and
is headquartered in Norwalk,
Connecticut.
GROOVMAGAZINE: Tim, what 's your
favorit e food?
TIM: Man, I love Chinese food, yeah
Chinese and ? Asian food, for real.
GROOVMAGAZINE: And what 's your
favorit e sport s t eam?
TIM: Ever since moving to L.A. ? the
Lakers, especially ?Showtime?, Magic,
Kareem days, but since I am from
Chicago, I?ll have to say the Bulls back
in the day when Jordan and that crew
was there.
GROOVMAGAZINE: What is t he best advice you could
give an upcoming producer looking t o get in t he game?
TIM: Pick up an instrument. Be well rounded as a
musician, study music, all kinds of music, especially
old school. Learn your craft, know your music ? do
your homework. When I was young, I wanted to
learn how to play all instruments. And most
important, study the greats that came before you.
Know ?sound?- as a producer, engineering is key
too.
13. GROOVMAGAZINE: So, let 's t alk about t he split
wit h you and Bob?
TIM: Let me first start by saying this because
it is no disrespect to Bob, he?s my brother, we
grew up together, I love that dude. But, right
now we are headed in different directions
from a creative perspective. Me and Bob
talked and he decided that he wanted to step
out on his own and I was cool with that. He
ended up having a song on Tamar Braxton?s
album and I ended up doing Brian
McKnight?s album. After I got all of the
singles, the head of his label SRG asked me
to be head of A&R. I?ve got my own label
there as well. They asked me to get a couple
of other artists who had sold records already.
That is when I reached out to Bobby V and
we made the deal happen. The name of the
album is ?Electrik?and it was released March
9, 2018. The first ?hit?single called ?Lil Bit?
features Snoop Dogg.
GROOVMAGAZINE: So, what are t he current
project s you're working on now ?
TIM: Well, I can?t talk about all of them just
yet, but I just finished producing Shawn
Stockman?s new EP along with Raphael
Saadiq. Also, I produced Brian McKnight?s
latest single called ?42/Grown Up Tipsy?
released on September 28. I have more stuff
coming out so stay tuned.
14. VOCAL
POWERHOUSE
TRACY CRUZ
Tracy Cruz has a voice t hat will melt even t he t oughest of heart s. This vocal
powerhouse aims t o connect communit ies wit h her universal language of
love, hope, and happiness. Her unique musical and lyrical blend -- Bay Area
urban soul t inged wit h t he influence of her indigenous Filipino root s --has
capt ured t he ears of music lovers around t he world. Boast ing a vocal range
t hat might be bigger t han her, Cruz emanat es a classic and t imeless feel.
Two full-lengt h albums (Feel?osophy
and Universoul Symphony) and four
EPs (H3art ifact s, Art of Fact s, Purple
H3art ifact s, and Illuminat e Love)
have garnerednumerous awards
including t hree Bay Area Black
Music Awards for "Best Neo Soul
Female", "Best CD/Recorded
Performance" and "Bay Area Rising
St ar ", t wo Akademia Awards, t wo
Gran Royale Music Awards, t hree
Muse?s Muse Awards, one At las Elit e
Ent ert ainment Music Award, one
Independent Net work for t he Music
Art s Award as well as five Hollywood
Music in Media Award nominat ions,
t hree Soult racks.com Readers?
Choice Award nominat ions, and
t hree Nort hern California Music
Award nominat ions. She has
support ed several est ablished act s
including: Kenny Lat t imore, Pet e
Escovedo, Miki Howard, Derrick
Hodge, Keke Wyat t , Bilal, and
ot hers. The songst ress approaches
her music unapologet ically and
freely, st aying t rue t o herself, while
her st ellar band "Inst rument ali-T"
provides a grown and sexy
soundt rack for her vocal creat ions.
They complet ed a 17-venue, 4
mont h ?SOULShine Tour ?around
California in t he summer of 2016.
Most recent ly, she had a SOLD OUT
dual CD release concert wit h
R&B/Soul band Feelosophy at Yoshi's
in Oakland on 8/22/17.
15. Cruz cont inues t o grow personally and
musically, int roducing a new chapt er int o
her musical journey. Her newest single,
"Losing in Love?is perhaps her most
vulnerable composit ion t o dat e. It is a
prelude t o t he collect ion of raw emot ions
capt ured on her upcoming EP ?H3art ifact s.?
Paired down t o only a piano and vocals, t he
record conveys t he ult imat e form of
musical vulnerabilit y and fragilit y. Digging
deep int o a broken heart , t he record
explores t hemes of love, loss, pain, and
hope. ?I wrot e ?Losing in Love?during a very
painful t ime in my life. I felt like my heart
was breaking int o a million pieces and I
was losing everyt hing all at once. I couldn't
st op crying so I poured out all of my
emot ions and wrot e a song. It was a
cat hart ic release,?shares Cruz. She is
fearlesslyexposed as she shares her
personal journey of reclaiming self-love,
perseverance, humilit y, resilience, and
healing.
Wit h her cont inued success and loyal fan base, t his new release will
not disappoint . She cont inues t o t our and record as well as remaining
a st rong presence in her communit y, working wit h local yout h as a
vocal coach and ment or. She encourages t hem t o follow t heir dreams
t o sing freely and wholeheart edly. Most recent ly, she released her
new single "Keep Our Soul Alive", produced by Det roit -based,
mult i-t alent ed, Grammy Award nominat ed producer Brandon
Williams, and ?My H3art Says t o You?(Inst rument ali-T version), her
t ribut e t o Grammy Award winner R&B/Soul music art ist D?Angelo. In
addit ion, she complet ed her H3art ifact s Tour and was feat ured on
?AsianPacific America? wit h Robert Handa on NBC Bay Area TV. For
more info: ht t p://www.t racycruzmusic.com
12x ward-winning R&B/Soul music artist/Owner
of Tracy Cruz Vocal Studio
http://www.tracycruzmusic.com
http://www.facebook.com/tracycruzmusicpage
http://www.twitter.com/tracycruzmusic
www.instagram.com/tracycruzmusic
16. KEJA M
Kejam (Oladisun Majekodunmi otherwise known also as Dee Majek) has been involved
in the UK music industry for over 4 decades, as a teenager during the mid seventies
Kajam secured exclusive promotional services from American labels Casablanca
Records, (Donna Summers, Cameo and Giorgio Moroder), Cotillion Records (Luther
Vandross) and Bang Records (Peabo Bryson) to source the top taste making, UK club
and radio Djs.
For 9 years, Kejam has held the position as CEO of a highly successful American
based, independent label, Mapp Records, which has been voted by leading urban
magazine, Blues and Soul as the second best independent record label of 2005. Dee
pioneered the blueprint for the development, promotion and overseas licensing of
unknown American independent artists via ?Six for Spins?EP and ?Urban Street
Anthems?compilations. He successfully, launched the careers of Chanel Perry,
spawning worldwide national, mainstream charts and dance hits from 2006 to 2009
with ?My Life, Lovely Day, Dance and If You Love Me?licensed to Hed Kandi, Ministry of
Sound. The monster club track, Derrick Dixon?s ?Gotta to Get Her?EP, licensed to
Stonegroove Records. The classic debut album of R&B group, Metropolis ?The Voyage?,
licensed to BMFN in Japan and voted eight best R&B album released that year, as well
as the group being voted ?Best Independent Act of 2005?category by Blues & Soul
magazine.
Dee has and continues to work with a host of high profile UK and American artists,
producers, top draw songwriters and entertainment lawyers. These range from being
asked in 2001, by Lisa ?Left Eye?Lopes from multi platinum, female super group, TLC to
coordinate her UK office and education projects to sourcing and securing overseas
licensing deals for artists of the prominent Chicago entertainment Lawyer, Jay B Ross
(whose clients include James Brown, Ray Charles, Muddy Waters, and Jerry Butler) that
included Arika Kimble and the godfather of soul, James Brown, music catalogue.
Executively producing and consulting on independent compilation and solo artists
projects with Grammy award winning, Ike Lee III (Erykah Badu, Mary JBlige) and Adam
Blackstone (Jill Scott, The Roots) and Music Director to Justin Timberlake, Eminem
Drake, Nicki Minaj and Rihanna. Young Lord (Beyonce, P-Diddy, Notorious BIG, LL Cool
J), Anthony ?TC?Cunningham (Kelly Price, Hamilton Bohannon, Jagged Edge). Timothy
Walls (Akon), and Carl Breeding (Jermaine Dupree).
17. Song writing with legendary Island records producer and Engineer Godwin Logie (Bob
Marley, Gregory Isaacs, Steel Pulse, Aswad, Courtney Pine, Brand New Heavies, Omar,
Caron Wheeler, Loose Ends, David Joseph and Maxi Priest) and Roy Carter (Heatwave
and Central Line), Lamenga Khafi (Boyz II Men, Blackstreet and Will Smith) and Keisha
Miles (Xscape). Musically refreshed, after a short hiatus in Central America; Dee,
returned to the UK, in 2013, re-inspired to his first love of song writing and production.
Co- writing and co-producing the track ?Worth?with Ross Emmins (Adam F, LL Cool J,
Redman, De La Soul, Pharoe Monch) on the debut UK Soul chart # 1 album for UK Soul
Survivor award winner, Natasha Watts; who Dee, recommended to multiplatinum
producer Ric Atari, Blacktree Music for her 2012 summer smash ?Back 2 U.?Free of the
shackles of developing others; Dee has been able to successfully launch and shape his
own solo project, Kejam (Pronounced Keyjam, the first five letters of his surname, Majek
backwards) enlisting the services of 2011, Coffee Talk Jazz Radio ? International
Songwriter Award Winner, James Colah, a major world artist, within smooth jazz, who he
has known for twenty years to ensure he stays on track in helping to shape Dee?s
musical vision of a jazz funk, rnb- soul landscape.
Over the two years, from 2015
to 2017 Kejam songs
dominated the UK Soul charts,
spending sixty three weeks in
the UK soul charts, with six top
ten records including four Top
five?s and two UK soul charts
one?s. Forty five weeks being
played on , UK premier radio
BBC specialist regional shows
(BBC South, Essex, Manchester,
and Derby Plus numerous top
ten chart playlist placements in
Europe (Belgium, Denmark,
Estonia France, Netherlands,
Italy, Macedonia Spain etc).
In Japan, Kejam songs spent
twenty consecutive months on
Japanese specialist urban radio
resulting in the licensing and
release in August of his album
?Majek?by Pvine Records. The
album ?Majek?made the top
forty ITunes in store R&B
charts an ITunes Japanese
national album charts, top five
hundred. Also, whilst on
import made the UK Soul Chart
at number seven.
Spoken word has played an
integral part of Dee?s life story
from an early age. From, being
an Afro Caribbean Education
Resource penmanship award
winner.
Dee?s other accolades including the
commissioning of his jazz poem ?Wedding Day?
by the Deptford community for Prince Charles
and Diana?s wedding gift. Also, seeing his poem
the ?Gulf?published as the Notting Hill Gate
Carnival poem by UK?s Caribbean Times. To his
1999 critically, acclaimed ?Soul on the Edge
album?, where his track ?Positive ?was featured
on The Bop Collective Vol 1. To his forthcoming,
2019 biopic ?Olumo Rock?, tracing back his
ancestral heritage from 300 years to uprooting
his Nigerian roots in the 1960?s to encounter the
white experience of living in England.
18. Dee also has purpose. In 2017, Dee successfully set up Creating Channel with
Godfrey Fletcher from Neo2 Soul Industries to support independent artists to
gain exposure across all social media.
Dee away from his flouring music career has managed to successfully to
combine his other driving passion education For the past ten years working
in partnership with the Press Association, UK?s leading press and media
agency and multi-platform content provider of news, sport, images, data
analytics, graphics, and news monitoring services. Dee has developed and
delivered real life projects in partnership with leading UK colleges to equip
young people with the skills sets for progression into further education and
work.
With his vast knowledge of different genres of music and experience of
developing and breaking artists from the ground upwards on limited budgets,
this seasoned music veteran reflects: ?I have always tried to carve out my own
lanes and not follow trends. For me, it has always been about my love and
passion for music and its transition. It?s all about timeless music. I think that?s
why my songs connect and resonate with so many. I think my continuing
success in being self dependent in this business is a testament of that!?
19. TA M A RA LLOYD
Relative, melodic, theologically sound, creative; these words describe songs penned
and performed by Tamara Lloyd. Maywood, IL, Tamara?s hometown, is where it all
began. At the tender age of three Tamara, better known as ?Tammy?began to sing
perfect pitch harmony. Her mother, Yvonne an accomplished singer in her own right,
discovered this talent. Tamara remembers hearing her mother singing around the
house to the likes of Andre Crouch, The Hawkins family, and Sarah Jordan Powell just
to name few. This music was the foundation of her appreciation and love of music.
SINGER/SONGWRITER/PRODUCER
During adolescent and teenage years, Tamara would perform in piano recitals
orchestrated by her great-grandmother, Marie Griffin. She would also participate in
several choirs singing anywhere from soprano to tenor, and even some baritone.
High school played a major role in her musical development. She started in beginner
choir, but was soon placed in senior choir, and Madrigal Singers her sophomore year.
Tamara was also the first black female to go on tour with her high school jazz band.
During this time is when she discovered recording, and she loved it.
20. Tamara has had the privilege to perform and produce with wonderful talent such as;
James Hamilton and the Hamilton Singers, Promise (hip hop), ETW (hip hop), Greg
Lockett and Friends, Darlene McCoy, David Hollister, and Lisa McClendon, Michael Loyd,
Kevan Peabody, J. Windsor, Carlton Whitfield, Donyea Goodman, Jody Daniels, Paul
Persely to name a few.
In 2012 Tamara launched her first music business. T.Vox Sound, LLC was born out of a
need Tamara saw in the industry specifically among the indie music industry. Tamara's
goal is for T.Vox Sound, LLC to become a one stop shop for producers, musicians, and
artist. T.Vox Sound specializes in:
- Vocal Arrangement
- Songwriting
- Vocal coaching
- Music Production
T.Vox Sound is networked with several producers, sound engineers, artist, songwriters,
and musicians who are contracted out to bring the right flavor to any given project.
Tamara's main desire is to create good music for all to enjoy. She prays that her music
uplifts, admonishes, and brings healing to the masses. Life is for the living. Death is for
the dead. Let life be like music. And death a note unsaid.?? Langston Hughes,The
Collected Poems
21. DA W N M CCL A IN
Hailing from Los Angeles, California, Dawn McClain has emerged from the same rich soil
of so many other great African American singers. Like so many powerhouses and
trailblazers in music, Dawn began singing in the church at a very early age. An 80's baby
with a splash of 60's and 70's influence, and a sprinkle of gospel roots, she blends and
bridges the generation gap between these eras in music, melodically suspending time.
Ms. McClain is a Veteran of the United States Air Force, and a natural humanitarian and
advocate for women?s health and cancer awareness. Dawn was diagnosed in 2010 with
ovarian cancer. Never one to faultier she embraced cancer with GOD?s grace and has been
in remission now for four years Dawn McClain calls the show she gives ?The Experience?,
because it is just ?that?an Experience. If you ask Dawn, how she would like to live out the
rest of her days? She would say, ?Performing?. There is nothing that she loves more than
the opportunity to interact with her supporters. During ?The Experience?, Dawn gives you
all the passion her heart can give, by filling the room with and bathing the crowd in the
essence of song. Music with passion and force, sensuality and jazz, bluesy rock-steady
R&B, funk and futuristic soul...that is, ?classic soul groove gumbo?. Your ears will be
tantalized with the vocal influences of her mentors, Patti LaBelle, Chaka Khan, Rachelle
Ferrell, Jill Scott, & Ledisi.
Dawn?s career thus far has been a journey filled with ?rare?opportunity for a independent
artist. She calls it a blessing and God?s grace, that her projects (?The Love Project?, ?Dance
Chronicles?, and her most recent release ?Life is Beautiful?) were touched with production
and co-writing collaborations, from some of the industry?s most sought after Grammy
nominated writers and producers. She has graced the stage and performed with Industry
Legends such as Stevie Wonder, Roberta Flack, Nas, Jeane Carne, Ann Nesby, Kem,
Gordon Chambers, Tony Terry, Mint Condition, K-Ci & Jo-Jo, Bobby Brown, N' Dambi Blu,
Liv Warfield, Lela James, Erykah Badu, Frank McComb, Johnny Gill, Malcom Jamal Warner,
Chrisette Michele, 2Chainz, and August Alsina . She's been featured on Good Day Atlanta,
V-103?s ?Art and Jazz?, 102.5's ?Art & Soul?Summer Music Series, Centennial Olympic Park's
?Wind down Wednesdays, Amateur Night at the Apollo (and won),and the highly
acclaimed Michael Baisden Show. Dawn is currently on tour with the highly acclaimed BB
Kings Blues Club at Sea!!
22. Dawn?s music t akes you t hrough t he ups and downs, t he t ears,
confusion and pain so synonymous t o Love. She?sings?t he renewal
you experience in t he ?New ? beginnings of Love, and t hen expresses
t he heart ache aft er loss of Love. She t akes you out for a night on t he
t own, so t hat you can let your hair down and forget for just a
second? Love. And just when you t hink Love has done all it could do,
she reminds you t hat wit hout Love ?We? can?t exist ? ..Join us as we
ent er ?The Experience?? .
23. The Black Bettys music is vocally colorful, with influences of
legendary talents like Aretha Franklin, Gladys Knight, Tina Turner,
Etta James, and Whitney Houston. Creating a lane all on their own
and a unique sound to match their style has been an amazing
journey for The Black Bettys. Working in the studio and on stage
with heavy hitters including national recording hip hop artists
such as Ludacris and Outkast, as well as Grammy Award Winning
Artist/ Songwriter/Producer T-Pain has offered The Black Bettys
the opportunities to develop in their artistry. Mastering the art of
BGV with Musical heavy hitters including Keith Sweat, Chante?
Moore, RL of the group Next, Monica, Karyn White, Keith
Washington, Gerald Levert, Montel Jordan, Darlene McCoy, Ann
Nesby, Algebra Blessett, Sugarland, Bobby Brown, Chelsea Shag,
Black Berry Smoke, CeCe Peniston, Cameo?s Anthony Lockett and
a host of others makes The Black Bettys leaders in this area of
Sherita and Sherie are true performers, captivating all audiences
with their smiles, charm, and undeniable talent. Performing
everything from Motown, Soul, Classical, Rock, Gospel, Country,
Rhythm & Blues, and Hip Hop they are sure to be crowd pleasers
and entertain audiences of every genre. The Black Bettys have the
vocal chops and the performance talent to hold their own while
also maintaining the ability to master the background vocalist
lane with diversity. Their vocal talents have landed them on stages
all around the country. They have graced stages internationally
singing for Presidents, Prime Ministers, UN Ambassadors, and
other foreign dignitaries in countries such as Africa, London,
Greece, Italy, Ireland, Belgium, Canada, Cuba, Curacao, Mexico,
The Black Bettys are currently in studio recording new material for their
upcoming EP. They are passionately driven and headed towards greatness.
Sherita and Sherie naturally blend and harmonize together with ease, which
makes them such a dynamic team. Twinergy in all its glory and wonder will
leave audiences wanting more of The Black Bettys.
