Learn More About This Event Below

featuring Marc Cary with soulsters Amma Whatt, Apryl Sashay, ArinMaya, Chris Turner, Len 'Tuac' Xiang, Mavis Swan Poole, The Crowd, TreZure Empire, and DJ Cosi

Description:

Join us as emerging talents remix, revisit and reconstruct classic albums and songs from the soul movement of the 90s and 00s. Led by musical director and arranger Marc Cary and backed by a powerhouse band, contemporary soulsters: ArinMaya, The Crowd, TreZure Empire, Len ‘Tuac’ Xiang and winners form Harlem Stage's "Got Soul" competition will take us on a musical journey that will celebrate the poignancy of the era and artists like D’Angelo, Erykah Badu, Jill Scott, Musiq, Bilal, Lauryn Hill, and more, while offering an exciting glimpse of the future.

Marc Cary performed on the 2012 The Hip Hop Experiment at Harlem Stage, in addition Sameer Gupta’s Namaskar concert on the Harlem Stage Family Series. TreZure and The Crowd have both performed as opening acts for Harlem Stage’s inaugural year of Uptown Nights.  The Crowd has also participated in Harlem Stage’s arts education program Harlem Stage in the Schools as part of the Careers in the Arts Panel at Amistad Dual Language School during the 09-10 season.

Musical Director:

Marc Cary

Featured Soulsters:

ArinMaya

The Crowd

TreZure Empire

Len 'Tuac' Xiang

"Got Soul?" winners:

Amma Whatt

Apryl Sashay

Chris Turner

Mavis Swan Poole

Band:

Marc Cary - musical director, keys

Chris Rob - keys

Butter - drums

Boogie - percussion

Burniss Earl Travis II - bass

Igmar Thomas - trumpet

Artists Bios:

Marc Cary

Hailed by Down Beat as one of the most, “multi-dimensional keyboard players on the scene today,” whose music reveals those multi-dimensions in sensual living color, Marc Cary’s continual search for his musical identity has brought him to all corners of the earth, quenching his thirst to bring forth indigenous musics in all of their forms.

A member of the High Integrity Band and later connected with Let Um Play and the Frontline Jazz Ensemble, Cary was among the pioneers of Washington, D.C.’s infamous "GO-GO" rhythms that defined that musical scene and are continuously being referenced in hip-hop and jazz. His family carries a musical tradition: his great-grandmother played piano at local movie houses, her partner was Eubie Blake; his mother is a visual artist and father played trumpet. By 18, he found himself playing with the Dizzy Gillespie Youth Ensemble at Wolf Trap. He has earned four Grammy® nominations for his ensemble work, most recently in 2009 for "Best Contemporary Jazz Album" as a participant in Stefon Harris's Blackout. His production work on Q-Tip's The Renaissance helped earn that disc a nomination for "Best Rap Album" of 2009. Cary’s seminal masterwork, Rhodes Ahead Vol 1., released in 2000 and considered by many to be a classic, earned him the first Annual Billboard/BET "Best New Jazz Artist Award." His collaborations in all musical genres across the board include work with Meshell Ndegeocello, Dizzy Gillespie, Betty Carter, Arthur Taylor, Abbey Lincoln, Erykah Badu, Max Roach, Shirley Horn, Ani DiFranco, Wynton Marsalis and Roy Hargrove, among others. Now, with Focus Trio Live 2009, Cary returns to a live acoustic setting to showcase a collection of both standards and original compositions – 11 incendiary tracks, 10 of which Cary has never recorded. “Minor March,” a Jackie McLean tune originally featured on Focus 2008, is taken to new synergistic heights here.

Cary’s series of recordings for the Motéma label began with his label debut, Focus (2006) and continued with the digital release of Focus Trio Live 2008 (digitally co-released in 2009 with Marc’s ‘Cary Out Productions).  In 2011 Cary will return with a studio project expected to be recorded in Summer/Fall of 2010.  In addition, there are two other exciting Cary Out projects in the works: Cary Out Productions is planning a collaboration with Motéma to begin a new digital series, where Marc will release a brand new single every month on the Motéma website – each single exploring the various areas of interest in Cary’s musical journey. The first single will be a brand new GO-GO track.  In addition, in Fall 2010 Namaskar was released, an Indian music focused project, that is co-produced by Marc with his Focus Trio partner, Sameer Gupta.

http://www.marccary.com/

ArinMaya

A poet and singer from the start, ArinMaya has a presence that suggests a juxtaposition of joy—her style is intimate and unique and her voice is like honey…in the raw. When asked what kind of music she sings, she answers, “I don’t know…jazz, soul, R&B, nu-soul, neo-soul, electrobeat…” and then she stops, looks up and says, “I sing music.” This candid, fearless, yet graceful truth-telling is what makes ArinMaya the artist we’ve all been waiting for. And her ability to move notes like mountains is only part of her charm.

Hailing from Chicago, ArinMaya earned her training wheels between church and her parents’ record collection, which included Paul Simon’s Graceland album, every album released by Sweet Honey in the Rock, and Des’ree’s I Ain’t Movin’, not to mention Pharoah Saunders and Stevie Wonder’s entire discographies and many others whose talents are as endless and diverse as her own growing music collection. An alumni of Howard University and Stanford University, Arin had the pleasure of performing with the Howard Gospel Choir and Everyday People A Cappella, respectively—both unbelievable and unforgettable experiences. She was also given the honor of serving as song leader for her beloved sorority, Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., and still enjoys returning to the Delta plot on Howard’s campus to circle up and “call [her] sorors to the floor!”

At 27, ArinMaya is a cool stage presence with a rich and genuine sound that leaves her audiences open and ready for more. She calls out names of some of her influences, doting, “I wanna forget words so I can scat like Ella [Fitzgerald]…maintain my Nina [Simone] funk with that ‘this is who I am’ attitude…Bobby McFerrin—the freedom and color and space he creates in everything he does…and Amel Larrieux! Her songwriting is so amazing, it’s ridiculous.” Take these greats, blend them together, and add a killer smile, and there you will find ArinMaya.

Of her gift, Arin speaks with a humble yet confident consciousness, “I’m always glad when someone really likes it [when I sing], but I have SO far to go!” But she’s already spread her wings, from Cotton Club Berlin to Le Blue Note in Paris’ historic Montmatre district to Ashford & Simpson’s Sugar Bar in New York City. ArinMaya has also played Village Underground, Lenox Lounge, and Le Poisson Rouge. Residing in Brooklyn, NY, she’s made herself at home, performing residencies at the Senegalese mainstay, Joloff Restaurant in Clinton Hill, and Pâtes & Traditions, a cozy French cottage-style restaurant. Often accompanied by the acoustic genius of Vermont-born guitarist and crooner, Nick Cassarino, ArinMaya seems to know how to find her peace of mind. “Nick has a surprising appreciation for the standards, which I adore…we have fun, and there’s this synergy between us so people think we’re married. It works.”

If you haven’t had the pleasure of seeing her live in New York, do. You’ll be glad you did…and then you’ll find a way to catch her live! Her recently completed pre-EP, Duly Noted, contains all original songs and displays her unique style of poetry turned song, as well as her range of emotion, grace and skill. Listen for ArinMaya on spoken-word artist Shareef Ali’s CD, Walking on Atoms, released in July 2009, and on the European release of Blitz the Ambassador’s Stereotype, released in September 2009. Always smooth and always intentional, ArinMaya is creating a sound with her bold, textured voice, insightful lyrics and diverse range of influences, that will welcome, hold and heal you each and every time.

http://www.arinmaya.com/

The Crowd

The core of The Crowd is a trio that consists of two Emcees (Akil Dasan & Randy Mason) and a female vocalist (Adeline). Often compared to the Fugees and the Black Eyed Peas, their music is an exciting new style of Hip-Hop-Pop that draws upon The Crowd’s unique skill set. Everyone in The Crowd plays an instrument and they write and co-produce all of their material. At a Crowd show you can expect to see a live demonstration of everything that has made Hip-Hop a global phenomenon: beatboxing, bboying (breakdancing), rapping, singing, hot tracks, live instruments and of course, crowd participation. Fresh, talented and innovative, The Crowd fills up every room with a unique brand of “feel good” energy, whether at a show, in a club or blasting out your living room speakers.

Akil Dasan, originally from Philly, is a guitar playing, beatboxing, rhyme spitting, ballad singing, break dancing phenomenon who has played in every major American city, London, Paris, Berlin, Zurich, Helsinki, toured with Maroon 5, Kevin Michael, Musiq, and has been featured on M.T.V, B.E.T, & A.B.C just to name a few!

Randy Mason, originally from the Bronx, is an Emcee, song writer, author, & freelance journalist who has played all through out N.Y.C opening for legendary Hip-Hop artists such as the Boot Camp Click, Cl Smooth and many, many others. Drawing on musical influences such as Nas, Mos Def, Tu-pac, & Common, Randy has developed a unique lyrical style so rich in metaphor that he is more easily comparable to great American novelists and poets such as Hemingway, Bradbury, Burroughs, etc.

Last but most DEFINITELY not least, the female representative of the group is the super soulful Adeline, originally from Paris, France, is an amazing vocalist, guitarist/bassist & songwriter who has also traveled the world (Finland, Greece, Belgium, Norway, & London just to name a few spots!) playing live music and stirring up quite a buzz with a style influenced by Aretha Franklin, Tina Turner and Faith Evans. Last year, Akil introduced Randy & Adeline in the studio along with the idea of forming an eclectic Hip-Hop-Pop super group. The chemistry was unmistakable, the synergy… Undeniable. The three put in countless hours of writing, recording, rehearsing, and playing live everywhere from the S train, to Redhook, Nublu (LES) in N.Y.C, to the Tritone in Philidelphia, and so many places in between.

This year the crowd successfully released an Acoustic EP and wrote a musical play entitled “Uptown Down” which they have begun performing themselves at schools and off Broadway stages across the united states. The Crowd is currently writing and recording a second Acoustic album, as well as Studio EP. With the progress they've made, the momentum they've built up, and the accomplishments they've achieved it’s hard to believe that this is only the beginning! You must see this musically revolutionary group to understand how versatile they are. You might catch them with a live band, rocking over a hot track in the club or at an intimate acoustic set, but the energy is always there.

http://www.wearethecrowd.com/

TreZure Empire

Bronx-native TreZure Empire is the new nobility of Hip Hop & Soul Music. With a mindfully original approach to song, her voice stirs the spirit and her lyrics help to expand the mind. Having shared stages with artists such as Van Hunt, Omar and Yahzarah, she is ready to take the world by storm through transcending traditional and modern styles of music. TreZure’s self expression through singing began at 8 years old and in college she began to take things more seriously. Driven to be a Grammy Award winner and an established multi-lingual touring artist, TreZure is poised to be a legend. “It was when I had to leave school that I began learning how to make money in music. Much like Billie Holiday and Lena Horne,” she says. “My career jump started because I needed to survive.” While her influences include those that affect most of today’s R & B singers, TreZure represents a more global artist. “I see myself like Fela and Afrobeat to Soul and Jazz music; akin but a separate genre. Hip Hop and NRO specifically push me lyrically. I like being a singer that can go harder than the average fluffy rapper.” TreZure Empire is also a care-taker of the arts. She is an ethnomusicologist who works hard to make the proper fusions of her influence. Singing in several languages has definitively set her apart from her contemporaries. She performs incantation, spiritual music as well as popular styles. She cares more about the quality of sound and personal connection when it comes to live performance, as opposed to big names and marquee lights. TreZure is a true crafts-woman and healer. As her catalog grows, a high standard of art will be maintained. “Hip Hop isn’t as brilliant as it used to be,” TreZure notes. “If we don’t regard our skills more seriously, the coming generations will continue to lose them.”

http://trezureempire.bandcamp.com/