SILVANA MAGDA, KATENDE BAND
& Viva Brazil Dancers

Born in Salvador Bahia, Brazil, Silvana Magda arrived in the United States in 1984 already an accomplished professional dancer and choreographer with visions of showcasing her talents in America.With her knowledge of culture and ballet, she launched her dance career in 1975, performing with the "Loni Duro Bahia Dance Company". She toured with "Viva Bahia Dance Company" and "Orquestra Afro Brasileira" as a featured soloist throughout Europe, Canada, South America, Central America, Caribbean and the Orient. In 1988 she created the "Viva Brazil Dance Company". In 1995 she formed the "Katende Band" to connect her years of dance experience with music.

Magda's Extended Bio

Silvana Magda website

HAROLD MELVIN'S BLUE NOTES

The Blue Notes are one of the dynamic groups that came out of the Gamble and Huff Sound of Philadelphia Family. They have been previously know as Harold Melvin and the Blue Notes, featuring Teddy Pendergrass. The Blue Notes were formed over thirty five years ago in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Their vocal talents and choreographic genius have always marked them 'specialists' in the trade. Among their credits, they have recordings of singles and albums that have reached Gold and Platinum status. "If You Don't Know Me By Now" was nominated for a Grammy Award, "The Love I Lost" "Bad Luck" "Wake Up Everybody"... the list of hits become endless. The Blue Notes years of experience allows you to bear witness to a spell binding soul stirring performance.

Blue Notes Website

BOBBY MATOS
& the NY/LA Latin Jazz All-Stars

Percussionist and arranger Bobby Matos, a New York City native now based in Los Angeles, is a Latin jazz veteran whose career began in the 1960's. He's learned alot along the way, including how to pick and adapt great tunes, how to achieve the perfect blend of the music's jazzy, improvisational element, and it's rhythmic identity.

His group is known for tradition and innovation co existing in their new arrangements of classic Latin Jazz and originals, as heard in their recordings, festival, and concert appearances. They blend beautiful melodies, passionate Afro Latin rhythms, and Jazz blowing.

Matos' Extended Bio

Bobby Matos website

ONAJE ALLAN GUMBS

Onaje Allan Gumbs is one of the industry's most respected and talented musical collaborators. He has worked for more than 30 years with an illustrious list of jazz, R&B and pop artists. Onaje Allan Gumbs continues to contribute his talents as a keyboardist, composer, arranger and producer. As he states: "Music has a healing force that is immeasurable and I am committed to being a part of it."

Gumbs' Extended Bio

Onaje Allan Gumbs website

MARK SHINE and the Rocsta'z

Born in London UK, the son of a Jamaican preacher, UpFlite Recording Artist Mark Shine describes himself musically as the "Rocsta". Mark's music is a unique blending of reggae and rock flavors; although his music captivates people of widely varied cultures, languages and backgrounds, Mark's influences are deeply rooted in his homeland. Mark will tell you "I'm a Jamaican born in the UK." A former resident of Mexico, Mark allows his mastery of the Spanish language to add yet another dimension to his lyrical expression.

He has a handful of albums to his credit, including the all-classic Reggae Latin Romance. The Rocsta continues to explore ways to marry the myriad musical influences that have inspired him. From rock to reggae to salsa to soul, Mark is chameleon-like in his ability to distill varied influences into a lyrical and musical expression that defies the conventional categories and labels generally assigned to music. Catch the new wave!! Rocsta -MARK SHINE and the ROCSTA'Z. "There's a new Sound Emerging and Mark Shine is in the forefront and creating it" (LJ Sal)

www.myspace.com/markshine
www.upflite.com
www.markshine.com

ROCSTA'Z Bandmember Bios

"Feed the people"

BLUE MAGIC

This Philadelphia, USA-based vocal quintet currently comprised of * Wade Elliott-lead vocalist * Keith "Duke" Beaton- tenor * Wendell Sawyer- baritone * Vernon Sawyer- tenor, baritone, was originally produced by Norman Harris, a Philly sweet soul veteran. The group's textured harmonies were ably supported by the classic MFSB house band, resulting in some of the genre's finest moments. Although early releases were confined to the R&B chart, Blue Magic broke through in 1974 with the million-selling US Top 10 hithas "Sideshow", and the equally evocative "Three Ring Circus". The group remained a consistent fixture on the black music listings. Later US hits included "Magic" (1983) and, owing to renewed popularity in the late 80s, "It's Like Magic" and "Romeo And Juliet".

ROY AYERS

To date Roy Ayers has released seven CDs under his own labels, Uno Melodic and AFI CD Records & Tapes. Always the consummate showman, Roy Ayers has managed to incorporate his jazz virtuosity, with driving funk, melodic rhythms and stirring vocals into an amalgam that almost defies its description as ösmooth jazz.ä With over forty years in the music industry Roy Ayers is and shall always be a music icon and a part of popular worldwide culture¡Roy Ayers is, without question, a legend in his own time.

Roy Ayers Website