The Kevin Flowers Band

 

 

Since its beginning the band has demonstrated its ability to perform the music of jazz greats from Duke Ellington to John Coltrane and even the new music masters of today such as Phillip Mossman, Joshua Redman, Kenny Garrett and Bobby Watson. This also includes the music styles of the contemporary jazz masters such as Grover Washington Jr., Art Porter, Najee, and David Sanborn. His band repertoire includes Kevin's own compositions and favorites of the swing era, funky standards by the jazz greats, and an array of styles form various jazz idioms, funk, fusion, swing, bop, reggae, and latin.

 

Not only has Kevin Flowers performed all over world as a guest artist of many jazz greats such as Harry Connick Jr., Roy Hargrove, Bobby Watson, David Haynes, Hanibal Peterson, and Richard Davis. He has headlined jazz festivals in Berlin and played in several of the majors clubs throughout Germany such as, Berlin: Quasimodo Jazz Club, A-Trane, Franz Club, Frankfurt: Jazz Life, Jazz Keller, Jazz Kneipe, Munich: The Unterfahrt, Heidelberg: Cave 54.

 

The leader and saxophonists, Kevin Flowers, have brought together some of the finest musicians from the Norfolk VA area, to form a unique sound that is constantly maturing into a solid wall of diverse talents. His saxophone is the heart and nucleus of the group that offers traditional elements of jazz with new and fresh modern tastes of his own personnel American and European experiences.

 

He is supported by a rhythm section of drums, Leon Alexander, Dexter Whitaker on Bass,Piano, Gregg Rich, and on Guitar Andre Avelino, that demonstrates its ability to swing and change a groove from one style to the next from the mood or direction of the music.

 

When the time is called for, he adds one or two horns, Clay Sattazhan (Trombone), Mitch Martin (trumpet), that makes the sound of pleasure to the listeners ear, with his carefully arranged horn lines and harmony its hard to turn away that "wall of sound." For more effect he adds a vocalist. It is well know that words are a key factor in music. With the vocals of Gregg Rich and Dexter Whitaker, singing any style with his band and can "whoo" the crowd at any given moment. Even when the audience native tongue is not English the pitches of the vocalist can overwhelm any audience. The combination of his horn and rhythm creates a fascinating sound that forces the listener to truly concentrate on the mood of the music. Be it the "fat accompaniment" of a saxophone background lick backing up a solo or a "locked grove" of the rhythm section makes the audience snap their fingers or clap their hands. If the aforementioned does not give you enough then a down home "straight ahead" solo will give the feeling of being back in the cool-era. This total package not only plays the music, but also puts on a show that gives visual impact. They give the audience something to focus upon wile hear the beautiful sounds coming out of the band. Nonetheless the Kevin Flowers Band can be summed in four words: spontaneous, diverse, powerful and entertaining.

 

  • Dexter Whitaker (bass) has performed in numerous bands and ensembles throughout and eastern North Carolina and Virginia ranging in a variety of styles such as Pop, jazz, R&B, Gospel, Latin, etc.  A self taught instrumentalist he furthered his studies at Elizabeth City State University where he performed with the award winning ECSU Gospel Choir working with gospel recording artist such as Shirley Caesar, Daryl Coley, Keith Pringle and the New Jersey Mass Choir.

                 While attend ECSU, Whitaker performed as a side musician for The Marvellettes and worked with R&B recording artist Roger Trottan/Zapp and EU.  Whitaker also performed and toured with former Step One country recording artist Don Cox and performed with Tracy Bird.  Throughout his career he worked with and studied with various professional musicians and continuously donates his talents toward numerous charitable events such and The March of Dimes, AIDS Foundation, The Wish Foundation, Green peace, & The Michael Jordan Foundation.

  • LEON E. Alexander Jr. (drums) was educated at the Oberlin Conservatory of Music and the University of California San Diego. He played with artist such as Melba Moore, Billy Preston, Aaron Neville, Charles Neville, Dr. John and the Wild Magnolias. He has played in such performing groups such as the New Orleans Philharmonic Orchestra and the United States Navy Steel Band.

  • At one time or another, Howard University jazz Studies graduate, Andre Avelino (guitar)  has been blessed with the opportunity to wear the various musical hats of guitarist, recording artist, educator, clinician, and columnist (featured articles in international Jazz Journal "Downbeat")

He now lives in Virginia Beach, Virginia since moving from the birthplace of Jazz, New Orleans, hometown operations have included Guaynabo, Puerto Rico; Washington, D. C. and Chicago, IL. All of which have served to facilitate performances around the world in various musical genres with emphasis on Jazz and latin Jazz styles.

Currently, along with solo performances he can be heard as a member of arranging great Wardell Quezergue's "Slamin Band", and "Clockwork" featuring the celebrated and nationally acclaimed recording artist and steel pan player Billy Overton with whom he has opened for the famous and world renowned Ray Charles.

Most notably is his Hechos412 Productions presentation of the straight ahead Jazz CD recording entitled Lazarus Testimony which features some of the most sought after session players in Puerto Rico and Chicago i.e. Jose "Chequito" Encarnacion and Larry Gray.

After years of international professional performing and recording experience, Andre Avelino offers depth and quality to any presentation. He is definitely a asset to the Kevin Flowers Band!