Music
for the mind and soul!
Aniya is
a six-member smooth jazz ensemble based in Bear, Delaware. Their
music has been described as upbeat, funky,
smooth jazz with Latin, neo soul, and hip-hop
grooves. The group has been in
existence since 2003 and has recorded two CDs: Spring Fling
and In The Moment. Nbeatmusic.com commented on their debut CD, Spring
Fling, saying, “together these artists
mix up a dose of pure listening pleasure”.
Their second CD, In
The Moment, is already
creating a buzz. It was recently released
and reviewed by Earbuzz.com who was
quoted as saying, “This is certainly
world-class jazz. The CD is magic.”
Nbeatmusic.com went further by saying,
“Aniya is back with their new release In The Moment. If you
thought their first CD was smooth,
wait until you hear this one. There's no doubt, Aniya
destined to become the next great jazz
group of their time”.
Aniya has
been promoting their current project
primarily through Internet radio and
distribution. Although the group has been
reviewed by and included in the programming
of several stations, live performances
are their most engaging form entertainment.
Their list of performance venues have varied from weddings to festivals,
and they played at the famed Zanzibar Blue Jazz Club (Wilmington, DE)
a standing room only crowd before its
closing in 2004.
Aniya consists
of talented musicians from various
backgrounds and genres. The group
leader is Delbert Boyer (guitar), who also
serves as composer/arranger, and producer.
The rhythm section consists of Tyrone
Blanford (bass), Nate Jacobs (drums),
Tim Sessoms (keyboards), and Glenn
Williams (keyboards). And last but not
least, Mark Mitchell plays the saxophone.
Band/Artist Name: Aniya
Musical Style: Smooth jazz
redefined: includes smooth jazz, traditional, neo-soul,
Latin, Gospel, and hip-hop
Home Base: Bear, Delaware
Band Members & Instruments:
Delbert Boyer: Guitar
Tyrone Blanford: Bass
Nate Jacobs: Drums
Tim Sessoms: Keyboard
Glenn Williams: Keyboard
Mark Mitchell: Saxophone
Interesting Facts:
• Released current CD in
Spring 2005
• Previously released
debut CD in 2003
Delbert Boyer - Guitar
Delbert Boyer, guitar
player for Aniya has been playing for over 20 years. He grew up and
performed in the Philadelphia area, including Delaware and New Jersey.
Delbert has opened for major acts such as B. B. King, Pieces of a
Dream, Houston Person as well as many familiar local artists and bands.
Delbert influences include George Benson, Carlos Santana and the late
Wes Montgomery and Jimi Hendrix just to name a few. Delbert attended
Temple University as a guitar major. He studied with Tom Giagabetti,
Ed Flanagan and Larry McKenna. Delbert later moved to San Diego where
he was exposed to the Yellow Jackets, Fattburger and Spyro Gyro.
Exposure from these groups would be the food that led his career into
Smooth Jazz. .
Mark Mitchell -
Saxophones
Mark Mitchell, saxophone
player for Aniya started playing 30 years ago. He grew up in
Philadelphia and was introduced to instrumental music within the
school system, before studying at Settlement Music School. During his
early teenage years he had the opportunity to be mentored along with
such notables as; Pieces of a Dream, Robert Landam, and Pam Williams.
He was mentored through the Mount Airy Cultural Center (MACC), by the
likes of Tony Williams, Gerald Price, Tommy Grice, Odean Pope, Eddie
Green, and Al Jackson to name a few. He has studied with saxophonist,
Tony Williams, Willie Williams, and Larry McKenna. His influences
range from Charlie Parker to Kirk Whalum.
Tyrone Blanford - Bass
Tyrone (T-Bone)
Blandford has been playing bass for over 25 years. Having started out
as a huge lover of R&B, Tyrone eventually became a popular gospel
bassist in the Philadelphia area after hooking up with the late Ernie
Saunders while they attended Lincoln University, PA. Tyrone was also
featured in Bass Player Magazine’s (Feb. 96) scouting report.
Through our drummer Nate Jacobs, Tyrone met guitarist Delbert Boyer.
All of whom had a background at Lincoln U.
Tyrone has several gospel recordings to his credit and explores his
love for jazz with the group Aniya. He is still primarily a gospel
musician and you can catch him in action at Victory Christian Center
located in Phila. PA
Glenn Williams -
Keyboards
Glenn Williams has been
playing the piano over twenty-five years. The piano actually is his
second instrument with the saxophone being his primary. What began as
a tool for theory and improvisation became a significant musical voice
for him. Glenn is primarily a jazz instrumentalist who obviously
received his talent genetically from his father, saxophonist, Tony
Williams. Glenn was exposed to jazz at an early age as well as
Philly's famous jazz musicians. Names such as; Shirley Scott, Trudy
Pitts, Mr. C, Bootsy Barnes, Gerald Price, Eddie Green and to name a
few. During his youth he had the opportunity to participate in groups
along with members of the group, Pieces Of A Dream. To his credit he
has been a band leader, a sideman for several groups and recorded a
solo CD. Glenn has had the distinct priviledge to perform with the
earlier mentioned individuals that mentored him including Donald Byrd
and Buddy Rich.
Tim Sessoms - Keyboards
Timothy (Daddykeys1)
Sessoms has been playing piano and keyboards for a very short time.
Timothy is definitely on the fast track to becoming a very influential
individual in the music world. He has played with various jazz ,
rhythm & blues, and gospel groups. Timothy is unique in that he
strives to be himself musically. Timothy digs deep within himself to
develop his playing style and motivation. Timothy has a deep respect
for the past masters of the art, but always says that they all had one
thing in common, they were all unique.
Timothy also produces, records, and engineers projects in his spare
time.
