Artists on tour Summer 2016

On Tour June/July/August 2016:
Brian McKnight
As a singer who needs no introduction, Brian McKnight has earned himself a spot in contemporary music history. He has released 15 albums, of which 3 went platinum and he has sold over 20 million albums worldwide. In addition to being a singer, songwriter and producer, Brian McKnight is the brother of Take 6 founder Claude McKnight and performs with the group occasionally.
The Manhattan Transfer 
The multi Grammy® award winning group and platinium artist has redefined the artform of vocal jazz. Since the early 70s they are inventing the boundaries of vocal music in the context of jazz, pop and numerous other styles. The legendary quartet continues with full force and new member Trist Curless after the passing of founder Tim Hauser. In 2016 the Manhattan Transfer will reunite with legendary arranger/songwriter, and previous collaborator, Johnny Mandel to record songs by Mandel.
Take 6
The most awarded vocal group in history (10 Grammy® Awards, 10 Dove Awards, a Soul Train Award, and more) - heralded by Quincy Jones as the “baddest vocal cats on the planet!’, is the quintessential a cappella group which sounds like a full band.  Six virtuosic voices united in crystal clear harmony, against a backdrop of syncopated rhythms, innovative arrangements, and funky grooves that bubble into an intoxicating brew of gospel, jazz, R&B, and pop. 2016 Take 6 will release a new album, collaborating with songwriter/producer Ross Vannelli. Together they will  showcase Take 6’s additional skills as songwriters, producers, arrangers and add to other songs the “voices” of other great instrumental musicians.
The first single "When Angels Cry” has just been released.
"The Summit":
Manhattan Transfer & Take 6

Between them, the two groups boast a remarkable 20 Grammy®Awards, and a range of styles that covers nearly every genre of popular music; from jazz to swing, from gospel to R&B. As The Manhattan Transfer mark the 40th anniversary, joining Take 6 they share their crystal clear harmony, innovative arrangements and funky grooves, demonstrating why this sextet is recognized as the pre-eminent a cappella group in the world. No ordinary double bill, this is a show combining unexpected twists and turns to create a once-in-a-lifetime event!
Fourplay
For two decades, the contemporary jazz super group has enjoyed consistent artistic and commercial success by grafting elements of R&B, pop and a variety of other sounds to their unwavering jazz foundations. The stellar all star line up with Bob James, Nathan East, Harvey Mason and new member Chuck Loeb continues to explore the limitless dimensions of jazz and appealing to a broad mainstream audience. In 2015 - 2016 the group celebrates their 25th anniversary with the release of „Silver" 
Patti Austin
The first lady of song is undisputed one of the worlds top vocalists in todays music world. 
Her "For Ella“ - project was nominated for a Grammy® and is the finest Ella rendition these days. The album „Avant Gershwin“ won a Grammy® for best vocal album. Besides that she performs various jazz (Trio and Big Band) projects and her pop hits. As a performer she has had a star-studded career beginning at the age of four, discovered by her god-mother Dinah Washington and her god-father Quincy Jones with whom she cooperates through all of her life.
Richard Bona
Fans call him “The African Sting,” critics call him a pro, but it’s his unique and electrifying style of connecting with his audience that titles him what he really is a true musician
The self taught virtuosi has been recognized as one of the planet’s five revelations of the past decade. A complete artist, an absolute master of his art, and a melodist of rare elegance and sensuality, he’s also a poignant singer, and a member of that exclusive club, "the world’s best bassists.” Richard Bona will be touring in 2016 with various projects: Richard Bona group, Mandekan Cubano and together with Mike Stern and his new gypsy project
Monty Alexander
In a career spanning five decades, Jamaican pianist, Monty Alexander has built a reputation exploring and bridging the worlds of American jazz, popular song, and the music of his native Jamaica, finding in each a sincere spirit of musical expression. In the process, he has performed and recorded with artists from every corner of the musical universe and entertainment world. In 2016 he will be firing up the audiences world wide with the Grammy® awarded project „Harlem Kingston express“!
Nathan East
A founding member of the chart-topping contemporary jazz group Fourplay, East was 16 years old when he got his first break and found himself on the road with Barry White. The next time the phone rang, Quincy Jones was on the line than Stevie Wonder, Eric Clapton, Toto and last but not least Daft Punk and the rest is history. His genre-crossing bass groove has made him the most wanted and top bass player in the world. His solo album „Nathan East“ in 2014 was a huge success and will be toured in 2016!
The New York Voices 
New York Voices lives up to its reputation as the most exciting vocal ensemble in current jazz. The Grammy® Award-winning group is renowned for its excellence in the art of group singing. Like the great vocal groups that have come before them they have taken the artform to new levels. Their roots are in jazz, with Brazilian, R&B, classical, and pop influences represented with equal creativity and authenticity. Each member is a giftet songwriter and they are involved in education. Touring Projects with Trio, Big Band and Symphony.
Till Brönner
Two time Grammy® nominee Till Brönner, is the most famous German Jazz musician and nation's biggest-selling jazz artist of all time! The trumpeter, flugelhornist and crooner, is - undisputed - one of the worlds leading jazz hornplayers.

 
Giora Feidman
The King of Klezmer is a token of true mastership who succeeds in reinventing himself daily. For decades many have praised Giora Feidman as the leading clarinetist worldwide who also is an ambassador for the cultures of the world and his artform. Giora Feidman is a personality of contemporary history and awarded multiple times.
 
Vocal Sampling
Vocal Sampling may sound like a full salsa band - but in reality their unique sound is created by a six piece Cuban a-capella group. All the instruments of the Latin Orchestra - percussion, horns, keyboard, bass - are vocally reproduced with astonishing accuracy for their hugely entertaining set of classic boleros, rumbas, and salsa, as wells as more contemporary compositions. This way and, little by little, they went tuning their throats to the sound of the metals, the percussions and the strings and created the unique and full sound of Vocal Sampling.
Bossarenova Trio

After recent huge live success worldwide the BOSSARENOVA TRIO, consisting of Paula Morelenbaum, Tom Jobim’s former singera and wife of the renowned Jacques Morelenbaum, and two of Germany’s most prestigious jazz-musicians, trumpeter Joo Kraus & pianist Ralf Schmid, is now presenting a brilliant mix of distinguished jazz and delicate bossa nova with a hip unique twist.


Laila Biali Trio 
Canadian award winning jazz pianist, vocalist, composer and arranger Laila Biali has been garnering not only national attention but worldwide recognition for her music. She has toured with Grammy® award winners Chris Botti, Paula Cole and Suzanne Vega and recorded with and supported pop icon Sting. Laila takes the best of pop, rock, classical and soul, informs it with her knowledge of jazz and weaves it all into her musical arrangements which could also be described as alternative jazz.
AJ Brown
This young British singer, saxophonist, pianist and very productive songwriter is a member of the new generations of crooners. His velvet fresh and sassy voices sounds like a combination of Al Jearreau mixed with Michael Buble. But also the smooth self-penned lyrics are wowing audiences. And that is why Sir Tom Jones invited him in Summer of 2015 to open his UK shows!
The Swingles 
For more than half a century The Swingles have pushed the boundaries of vocal music. The seven young singers that make up today’s London-based group are driven by the same innovative spirit that has defined the five-time Grammy® winners since they first made waves in the 1960s. With their new album Deep End (official release 18th Sept 2015), The Swingles celebrate that legacy by starting a whole new chapter.