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| Ascendant: Aleata Holloway * vocals/bass One of the most unique artists around today, Aleata Holloway is a bass virtuoso combined with lyrical honesty and heartfelt emotion. Her capabilities seem endless as she flows through a melodic ballad or a rocking burst of funk with ease. Aleata began dabbling in poetry at an early age as an outlet for her emotions and thoughts. Her music career followed shortly after as she began to express her lyrics by creating melodies with her voice only. She broadened her musical vision as a lyricist and picked up the electric bass thanks to the major influence of 70's recording artists A Taste of Honey. Aleata is not formally trained but picked up her bass playing skills from watching, listening and practicing diligently for several hours every day. She began playing keyboard strictly as a tool to assist in her songwriting. Aleata has played with countless bands in and around the Chicago area. She has performed in numerous venues in Chicago and toured the midwest and east coast. She also did a six month stint overseas in Singapore playing with a contemporary jazz group. Aleata says music for her is an expression and extension of self: thoughts, talents, emotion, knowledge, ability, energy...spirit. Ascendant is the musical avenue in which she desires to give of self. The greatest reward is knowing that others feel the vibe and are effected on a positive level. Aleata: "No matter how hard we think about the past or the future, the truth is, we can only live now...choose your thoughts wisely" INSPIRATIONS: Stanley Clarke, Louis Johnson, Larry Graham, Richard Patterson, A Taste of Honey, Stevie Wonder, Prince, all the funkmasters and Funkateers of the 70's, countless others Kael Mboya * vocals/keyboards Kael Mboya (pronounced em-BOY-YAH) Bradley is intensely passionate and sometimes painfully dedicated to his artistry of music. He is always true to what the music is asking of him; putting his heart and full energy into the creativity, completion and performance of each song. He adds brilliance of colors through his free and full but disciplined playing style. The musical journey began early for Kael. He performed on piano for the first time at age six. He continued with classically trained music lessons for ten years. His musical knowledge grew along with his love of music and has taken him half the world over. He's played all over Italy, New York City, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, Detroit and his hometown of Chicago. After having performed in several bands and played many musical styles, it was time to apply his energy toward his unique expression. Kael's experience has led him to discover "that all this categorizing musical genres isn't real. The chords don't change, how you play them does. But that is different regardless because no two people will play a song the same way". Kael calls writing music "channeling" because, "we don't write anything really. Creation does. The chords already exist. Being a part of that process, being a vessel for it to flow through, that's an artist's job. We channel it. It directs us and we have to be open and true to the spirit of it." INSPIRATIONS: Wide range of artists including but not limited to: Stevie Wonder, Sting, Prince, Duke Ellington, Gil Scott Heron, George Duke, Sly & the Family Stone, Roy Ayers Michael Lockett * vocals Michael Lockett's falsetto is reminiscent of a 70's slowjam balladeer but with a contemporary feel. He has an uncanny ear for coming up with complimentary harmonious vocal arrangements which is a flavorful ingredient of Ascendant's musical sound. Michael was bitten by the singing bug when he was nine years old. For years after, it was just something he liked to do. But when he understood how much music was a part of him, it was time to make it a career. With that, he began singing with a local vocal group, Truce. After competing in various talent shows and clubs around Chicago, they released the single "Pump It" on the Strictly Rhythm Records label. Before Truce disbanded, they toured the U.S. and had a brief stint in Italy. Throughout his career, singing and songwriting has allowed him to express himself honestly; his dreams, his happiness, his sorrow. Michael: "My experiences are unique to me, yet through my songs, I always hope to open a doorway to the heart of the listener, connecting us, even for only a moment." INSPIRATIONS: Phil Perry, Rachelle Ferrell, Prince, Stevie Wonder, Sting |
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Musical groove with a message |
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