For more information about the following Ambassadors Of American Culture please click on the name of the artist.
Chick Willis will be one of the first to tell you, that it is no exaggeration to state, that the blues, regarded globally as a unique American art form, is one of the most flexible music forms. While most people associate this music with despair, the down and out, and the overcoming of adversity, it is also a sanctuary for much humor about the human condition.
While the majority of performers only hint at this and even fewer utilize it effectively, hilarity and good times permeate the music of Chick Willis. He can, and often does, lay down some serious blues, but his good nature and concern for his audience almost demand, that he keeps it on the light side and entertain them.
Chick, who currently resides in Forsyth, Georgia, was born in 1934 in Cabiness, GA. His Dad was a railroad man and the Willis family moved to Atlanta when he was six years of age. He was surrounded by music as a youngster and displayed an early affinity by teaching himself guitar and singing. His early influences included Sam 'Lightnin' Hopkins, Guitar Slim and Little Milton in the later years. he became good enough in his late teens to begin working professionally in Atlanta at the old Royal Peacock Club, where he backed a variety of talent including Jackie Wilson, Esther Phillips, Ruth Brown and other blues legends of the Hey Day of the art form like Sam Cooke, Big Joe Turner, Nappy Brown and Ray Charles in venues like the Apollo Theater and the Magnolia Ballroom.
Chick toured with his cousin Chuck Willis, a rollicking R&B showman who later became known as 'The King Of The Stroll'. throughout the U. S. during the fifties until Chuck's death in 1958.
Chick continued to tour with the band, taking over the spotlight, and it was with this band that Chick solidified his concept of a satisfying stage show and emerged from this period with a wealth of experience. Chick has become one of the most sought after performers on the international blues and R&B circuit and has been an ambassador of American culture for many years. His penchant for racous humor was undoubted primed when he worked in the sixties with Rudy Ray Moore of 'Peatie Wheatstraw' fame. Chick appeared in the Buddy Holly story. In addition to being a first rate vocalist and writer, his guitar playing is full of drum sticks, playing with his feet, tongue or behind his back -- anything is possible in his pursuit to electrify an audience with his dynamic stage presence.
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Hank Ballard is one of America's most underrated entertainers and cultural artists, even though he has countless hit recordings that have climbed the popular music charts over the past 40 years.
Hank was the true pioneer of what became Rock & Roll, a derivative of black American blues, which was the stepchild of black American gospel music, twinges of which can still be heard today in Hank's live performances. Hank has often been mistaken for a Country & Western singer, and even though he can sing Country with the best of them if he wants to, Hank is a sensational blues vocalist, and transformed blues into Rock & Roll before Elvis Presley came along and took it higher and crossed it over to eventually become acceptable to mainstream American audiences.
Hank Ballard & The Midnughters originated at Dunbar High school in Detroit, Michigan in 1952. Hank wrote 'Work With Me Annie' in 1954 and it quickly climbed to the top of the pop music charts. In 1958 he wrote 'The Twist' and created the world's biggest dance craze, ironically however, it was actually the 'B' side of one of his fabulous blues recordings 'Teardrops On Your Letters'.
Hank Ballard was introduced into the Blues Hall Of Fame and The Rock & Roll Hall Of Fame in 1990 in recognition of his many accomplishments and contribution to the culture of American music. A sensational Ambassador Of American Culture!
Hank took an eight year hiatus from performing after the American public deserted the Rhythm & Blues concert halls for discothecs in the 1970's, but he came roaring back with his authentic solid R & B Review in 1985, and for the past ten years has been once again blazing the trails of Europe and the U. S. occasionally, thrilling jazz and blues festival attendees with his sensational show.
James Brown for years has claimed to be the hardest working man in show business, but obviously he has not been to a Hank Ballard & The Midnighters show. Hank just performed in Belgium with a great lineup of acts like Wilson Picket, Ike Turner, Percy Sledge, The Mighty Clouds Of Joy, Keb Mo and The Soul Stirrers, who were all received extremely well by the 10,000+ attendees, however, Hank Ballard & The Midnighters were the showstoppers with three encores and standing ovations.
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Born in Lake Charles, Louisiana, Al Lewis, aka. Al Rapone, was reared in a bayou environment noted for it's traditional music. he grew up around a family who's background includes a host of musicians. His mother played accordion and sang, his father still plays Hohner harmonica at age 81, and his uncles Louis and Maurice Broussard were innovative accordionists, all of whom were influential in persuading him to pursue interests in the field of music. At the tender age of 13 Al practiced on a hand-me-down accordion his mother brought home for the family, which consisted of his two brothers and four sisters (notably Queen Ida). Having inherited the talent and dedication for the music their mother loved, Al began his career in music at an early age.
By this point in time he had chosen music as his profession. Al made his debut playing accordion with a Louisiana quartet at various Cajun/Creole social functions and night clubs at age 15. Unable to earn a living in the San Francisco Bay Area as an accordionist Al switched to guitar and began working with rock and blues band in various San Francisco night clubs. He played rhythm guitar for the legendary Willie Mae ( Big Mama) Thornton and backed up other great blues acts such as Lowell Fulsom, Jimmy Reed and Gatemouth Brown. His conscientiousness and expertise as a professional landed him the job as lead guitarist for recording artist Bobby Freeman. While touring the USA with the Bobby Freeman troupe, Al encountered the artistry of Sly (Sly And The Family Stone) and Larry Grahm (Grahm Central Station).
Returning to the bay area, Al went to college to further develop his musicianship and gain knowledge in writing, arranging, recording and producing. Al and one of his classmates, bassist Gerald Haynes, formed a trio with drummer Robert Hammond. They named it: 'The Barbary Coast Good Time Band'. He was approached by his sister Ida with a proposal to make a merger and they did. Al dubbed the merger of Ida and his Good Time Band: 'Queen Ida And The Bon Ton Zydeco Band'. The merger enjoyed seven years of world wide success. His sister Ida on lead accordion and vocal, their older brother Wilbert on rubboard, and Al assumed the responsibilities of music director, lead guitarist, lead vocalist, arranger and producer of 4 albums for GNP Crescendo Records:
and their last album together
Since then, Al and Ida terminated their partnership in lieu of pursuing their individual careers in separate interests. Queen Ida maintained the Bon Ton Zydeco Band, while Al resumed his stage name, 'Al Rapone', and reacquainted himself with the diatonic accordion and formed his own group:
THE ZYDECO EXPRESS
The rest is history in the making.
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Unconventional: Not conventional; not bound by or in accordance with convention; being out of the ordinary.
Add one more definition to Webster's Dictionary under the word unconventional: Nicole Yarling. She's everything you'd NEVER expect and more. Violinist, vocalist, and composer, Nicole has become somewhat of an institution in the South Florida area. Why? Because she manages to keep reinventing herself. Just when you think you can pin a name on her and her musical style, she's left her mark and moved on to conquer new musical territories.
When asked about her preference, she simply replies that "American music is basically made up of 12 notes. My challenge is to take those notes and make them different and interesting (for myself and the listener) everytime i perform", and she's had many opportunities to do so.
Her three year stint with Jimmy Buffet as a featured soloist produced two recordings (one of which turned platinum), travels throughout the US and Canada, and appearances on the Tonight Show, at the Hollywood Bowl, the Greek Theater and Madison Square Garden.
As a leader of her own band 'Little Nicky And The Slicks/Sandbox Romeo). she's celebrated eight successful tours of Europe (one of which included a Soviet/American tour in Denmark; the first of it's kind), two recordings and the 'best band' status on the local scene.
As a freelance artist, Nicole Yarling appeared on stage and recorded with such people as Dizzy Gillespie, Ira Sullivan, David Bromberg, Dr. John, Charles Neville, Randy Bernsen and KC And The Sunshine Band.
"Musical expression is an extention of yourself. In other words, you are what you eat". This could explain the warmth, vitality, clarity and strength of Nicole's abilities. "The highest compliment I've ever received is when people hear my voice or violin and say 'I knew it was you'". Her playing is as malleable as a sculptor's clay. She always says "my violin is my vehicle of expression", so why not take a ride?
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Gospel-Classical-Jazz pianist, organist, vocalist, actress, teacher, composer and arranger Lillette Jenkins is internationally renowned for her class, talent, intelligence and eloquence, combined with experience and seasoning. Her musical training was completed at New York University, with pipe organ enhancement by Dr. Ron Beresford and voice enhancement with Leonard Hayward and the Westminster Choir College.
She has for many years been presented in the Carnegie Hall, New York City, in concert for the United Negro Fund. Other acclaimed performances include the Lorraine Hansberry Concert Series, European jazz festivals, coliseums, symphony halls and college and university concerts.
Her recordings include 'Meditation', 'Introducing Lillette Jenkins' and 'Live At Chez Josephine'. She has appeared in halls and festivals in Europe and Africa, as well as hosting her own TV Jazz Variety Show in Detroit, Michigan.
Her television and film credits include 'The Cotton Club', 'Coming To America', 'Good Day New York', 'All My Children', 'Live At Five' and 'Real People'.
Ms. Jenkins has received numerous awards honoring her contributions and commitment in the industry, including the Urban League Humanitarian Award.
Ms. Jenkins has just recently released a new gospel/classical album an Michigan Satellite Records, produced by Sylvia Moy, the first female producer for Motown Records, and a very talented and gifted songwriter.
The Ambassadors Of American Culture are proud to have Ms. Jenkins as an Ambassador.
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A new career has been launched for Hadda Brooks after a sixteen year hiatus from performing. For those who remember, Hadda Brooks was that beautiful and talented singer/pianist in all those Humphrey Bogart movies back in the fifties.
Hadda has just completed two new CD's for Point Blank/Virgin records and is accompanied by long time Frank Sinatra guitarist Al Viola and Dave Brubeck's longtime bassist Senator Eugene Wright, still great performers, as well as an inspiration for not only senior citizens, but a whole generation of jazz and blues music lovers world wide. Cultural Ambassadors of the highest caliber.
The first time around, Hadda was a staple of show biz, with artists like Duke Ellington, Charlie Barnett and Arte Shaw playing background for her throbbing piano beat, she made movies with Humphrey Bogart and Lana Turner, she was the first black person to have her own television show. In the 1940's and 1950's Hadda was music royalty -- billed everywhere as the 'Queen Of The Boogie'. Hadda's first hit records were 'Blues In The Boogie' and 'Swinging The Boogie', Hadda's vocal debut came with her fabulous recording of 'That's My Desire' still a jazz classic, followed by 'Don't Take Your Love From Me' and 'Dream', and thus establishing her an even more prominent position in the history of America's 'Torch Singers And Balladeers'.
Hadda Brooks toured Europe with the Harlem Globetrotters as the half time entertainment feature, performing in Wimbledon Stadium in England, a bull ring in Spain and a private audience with Pope Pius XII in Rome. She commuted to Europe in the 1970's for performances in nightclubs and festivals, but performed rarely in the United States.
Hadda remembers the reverence and attentiveness of the Australian and European audiences, where they still respect black American performers as culturally significant entertainers today, and it is no surprise, that her touring and performance dates are in very high demand in the European market, where at 78 years young she is still referred to as 'The Queen Of Boogie'. Petite, powerful and still pretty, Hadda Brooks is and always has been a class act and a true Ambassador of American Culture.
Reviews or her shows and performances in the U. S. since her return to performing in 1988 (thanks to her publicist and producer Alan Eichler, another unsung Ambassador of American Culture) have all been sensational.
Don't miss the opportunity to present this great artist this time around.
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They are bringing the good news. That's right sanctified gospel-blues and great traditional southern style vocal harmonies like you've never heard them before. This fine hardworking group puts on a truly high energy inspirational show with songs in their repertoire to please everyone in attendance at their concerts. Saints and sinners alike.
Combine the inspirational intricate vocal harmonies with seasoned vocalists and entertainers, the hard driving hypnotic rhythm of a solid band and you have a soul stirring combination everytime . Some folks have been heard to say at a Corinthians concert 'That sounds just like the Four Tops with Otis Redding at church'.
Have a pretty good idea what the Corinthians are all about?
The Corinthians don't hold back anything and often tell folks that 'if you didn't come here to have a good time and enjoy yourself then we suggest you get up and leave right now, cause when we get started you will have a good time every one of you . The Corinthians are here to entertain you and make you feel good, forget your troubles your aches and pains, and concentrate on the good things that surround us. The Corinthians would like you all to go away today feeling good and making everybody around you feel good. It's catching, you know, sooo... here's some good gospel music,we hope you enjoy our show.'
Some folks have been heard to say that you shouldn't mix blues and gospel music but they simply do not understand that blues and gospel music are one and the same. It's not the music, it's the message that the singers are attempting to get across to the audience. The music is versatile and usable for everybody and you can adapt your own message to the music.
The great art form of blues was created as a means of communication many years ago and remains today the strongest influence on popular music all around the world, and certainly gives new meaning to the old statement "music is the international language of all people.''
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The Soul Stirrers were organized, and named in Trinity, Texas by founding artist manager, S. R. Crain in 1928. In 1936 the group relocated to its current residence in Chicago, Illinois. For many years the Soul Stirrers were trend setters in both the Gospel, and the R & B fields of music. During the years founding musician Sam Cooke was in the group, legendary artists such as B.B. King, Ray Charles, Sam and Dave, The Drifters, Wilson Picket and other R & B artists were seen the audience. The Soul Stirrers never broke their ties with Legendary Sam Cooke completely. On some of his biggest solo hits, the Soul Stirrers can be heard in the background. S. R. Crain managed the group until 1959 in resignation to manage Sam Cooke's solo career. The mantle was passed to J. J. Farley in 1959, and in 1974 to Arthur Crume along with last performing original member Leroy Crume. Who have solidifying the authenticity and artistic integrity of the culturally historical act.
In the ear y 50's the group recorded such hits as 'Jesus Gave Me Water', 'Be With me Jesus', 'Nearer To The', and many more specialty records. Later hits include: 'The Love of God', 'His Precious Love' and 'Wade In The Water'. Recordings can be found on SAR Records, owned by Sam Cooke.
The Soul Stirrers musical contributions and acknowledgments include:
The present members include: Leroy (original member and former member of Aretha Franklin's band), Arthur and Dillard Crume (brothers), James Davis and Frank Davis (not related).
Today, The Soul Stirrers records on their own label, 'Crumco Records' and as true Ambassadors of American Culture, are touring the world performing in concert Halls, the world's most prominent Jazz, Blues and International Music Festivals, opera houses, nightclubs, churches, cathedrals, and anyplace else that appreciates this fabulous art form.
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Right in time with today's more sophisticated listeners of contemporary inspirational music, the JOHN GUYTON ENSEMBLE brings a wonderful message of personal achievement and faith to their audiences, while entertaining them with the sheer delight of the ensemble's professionalism. The beauty of their enormous and well blended talent and the joy of their music strikes a responsive chord of inspiration in all who hear them.
Organized in 1979, the five member ensemble began while most were students at Hampton University in Hampton, Virginia. As most newly formed groups, they performed as much as possible at churches and schools in the Hampton Roads area.
Because of their ability to perform classical and sacred church music, the ensemble had the opportunities to work on music projects with the Christian Broadcasting Network (CBN) in Virginia Beach, Virginia, and through this endeavor the ensemble went on to work with: Tony Award winning, Grammy nominated actress/singer Dee Dee Bridgewater, producer Gilbert Moses, and song-writer/arranger Jerry Peters. It was during this time that the ensemble first gained exposure to a national audience with a performance tour that took them to practically every state in America.
The ensemble migrated westward to San Jose, California, where they quickly became one of the San Francisco Bay Area's premier groups and began working with artists such as: Danniebelle Hall, Tremaine Hawkins, Bobby Jones, Ken Medema, Vernessa Mitchell, Whintley Phillips, and Fletch Wiley.
In addition to maintaining a heavy concert schedule, they pursued graduate degrees. The ensemble continues to expand their horizons, and recently relocated to the Southern California area. With the majority of the members holding advanced degrees, they present workshops as well as concerts. Audiences are impressed by their ability to maintain spiritual awareness while delivering an unusually diverse program that ranges in scope from jazz and contemporary Christian music, to traditional spirituals and classical music.
Through the translation of the traditional gospel elements, the Ensemble has created a refreshing interpretation that appeals to all ages and races. Listeners will appreciate their accomplishments which serve as inspiration to achieve for all. The ensemble is an ideal rare combination of solid training and professionalism, with the exuberance of discipline and contagious joy!
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Bass Marc Clemons has sung with Essej since the original Music Makers formed. With all the group's vocal arrangements centered around the bass lines, Marc is truly the bedrock on which the Straight Company sound is built.
Jeffrey Murrah is Essej's younger brother. Eight years younger than Essej he grew up hearing the Music Makers and, unbeknownst to Essej, cultivating a considerable vocal talent of his own. Hearing his kid brother perform for the first time with a college vocal group, Essej was shocked to discover that Jeffrey was, in his own words "a serious singer". After years of watching Essej perform, Jeffrey joined the act himself.
Another Murrah sibling is Essej's sister Kim, ten years his junior. Kim acted in local theater productions in her teens in Louisville, and like Jeffrey, sang with a vocal college ensemble. Once again Essej was amazed to find another "singer's singer" on his own family tree. With the kind of sound that can only come from being family, Essej, Jeff and Kim sing with a seamless blend that can make it sometimes hard to distinguish one from the other.
Alto/soprano Yvette Watkins not only brings the group a tremendous, multi-octave vocal range, but physical beauty to match her inner beauty and talent, having won numerous beauty pageants in her teens and early 20's. Essej first heard Yvette sing in the Miss Louisville pageant and knew immediately that she would be perfect for Straight Company.
Tierra Watkins, Yvette's brother and the youngest group member, also grew up on the Music Makers. A knowledgeable musician and arranger, Tierra left a career in law enforcement with the Dallas, Texas police department to hit the road with straight Company.
Having co-written eight of the new album's 10 songs, Essej says the gorgeous ballad 'I'll Take The Pain' is especially close to his heart. With all the earmarks of an enduring classic, the song powerfully expresses God's commitment to take the pain of the cross and give His people the joy of eternal life.
On 'Death Ain't No Big Deal' Straight Company deftly crosses stylistic lines to create something uniquely its own. "'Death Ain't No Big Deal' was pitched to us on a tape with four other songs, and it had a country feel to it," says Essej. "It's such a cleverly written song, it stuck with me. We go to Cedric Dent of Take 6 and did a jazzy arrangement, but kept a little of the country flavor."
'Find It In your Heart', written with co-producers Robert White Johnson and Bill Cuomo, draws on classic 50's 'doo-wop' harmony to make a powerful point.
"This song talks about one of the most important aspects of our ministry, and that's breaking down racial barriers and prejudices," Essej explains. "When we look at others and see not only a brother or sister, but ourselves, and Christ himself, then how could you be hateful or spiteful, or even unkind?"
From the bright, infectious calypso of 'Taf Zali Osi-Jali' to the group's joyous remake of Jackie DeShannon's 60's pop classic 'Put A Little Love In Your Heart' Straight company puts its distinctive imprint on everything it touches.
"'Put A Little Love' says a lot in a simple, straightforward way," says Essei, "and it says a lot about the heart of Straight Company. It speaks about mankind - let's quit hurting each other and put a little love in our hearts. But ultimately it's the love of God we're talking about. If we can just communicate that, and get people's eyes off themselves and each other and turned toward heaven, then we have accomplished our ministry."
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