TAKE 6

February 5, 6

Fairmont Southampton

Music with a mission beyond entertainment. That's the philosophy of the a cappella vocal sextet, Take 6, which opens the first of two Bermuda Festival performances in the Mid-Ocean Amphitheatre of the Fairmont Southampton resort this evening.

The group's sound is unmistakably its own, and its members — Alvin Chea, Cedric Dent, Joel and Mark Kibble, Claude McKnight and David Thomas — have always been committed to creating a ministry with their music.

The group's style is not easy to briefly define, unless the phrase "feel-good music" suffices. Certainly the six male vocalists weave a joyful, sophisticated and often rollicking sonic tapestry, which becomes a celebration of the human voice lifted in appreciation of the wonders of life, and the goodness of God. In performance and in recordings, Take 6 is known for making sparkling, buoyant and exhilarating music. While its bedrock is in the rich tradition of gospel music, it also adds elements of jazz, pop, R&B or soul music.

Interestingly, its musical style and tight harmonies have directly influenced pop groups such as Boyz II Men, N'Sync and Backstreet Boys.

The extent to which their music comes across is clear from the 18 Grammy Award nominations Take 6 has garnered, making it the most-nominated gospel, jazz, pop or R&B artists in Grammy history. It has also earned ten Grammys, ten Dove Awards, and a Soul Train award, as well as two NAACP Image Award nominations.

The acid test of any music is how others in the industry describe it. Producer and longtime collaborator Quincy Jones dubbed Take 6 as "the baddest cats in the business", while it is so universally recognised as being "the best" that Take 6 has virtually 'owned' Downbeat magazine's annual readers' poll, winning the 'Favourite Jazz Vocal Group' title for nine consecutive years.

Formed 18 years ago in Huntsville, Alabama, the band has grown immeasurably through the years, exploring new settings for the inspired vocals which are the centrepiece of their music, and gaining fans around the world.

Take 6 has recorded ten albums, and recently launched its own record label, Take 6 Records, not only to capitalise on the enormous depth of experience accumulated over two decades of public performance but also to take a more active role on the business side, because it wanted to innovate and discover new avenues of expression.

Performances begin at 8.30 p.m. For tickets/further information visit website www.bermudafestival.org or contact the Festival box office adjacent to the ferry terminal in Hamilton between 12 noon and 2 p.m. (telephone 296-5774).