Malik Alston is one of Detroit’s premier DJ’s, producers, performers, vocalists and improvisationists. Malik was influenced as a DJ by the groundbreaking radio show of the Electrifying Mojo, and the eclectic radio show of jazz aficionado Ed Love. The creativity of DJ/producers Kenny Dixon, Jr., Norm Talley, Craig Huckaby and Rich Medina has inspired Malik’s style on the decks. As a pioneer in electronic dance music, he produces and spins without boundaries, often fusing a multitude of styles to create a new innovation in sound. Malik’s use of keyboards, voice, effects and composition sets a new standard.

He has delighted audiences in the United States and abroad, inviting them into his unique world of sound. Malik toured the United States as a founding member of the DJ collective Rhythmic Fusion, bringing audiences unlimited excitement on the decks fused with stellar live performance. During the tour he shared the stage, performing with artists such as Eric Roberson, P.J. Morton, Mone’t, and Blue Nefertiti (of Les Nubians). He has toured in the U.S. with Dwele, and has appeared in Canada with Paul Randolph, and Jerry the Cat (as a founding member of Dark River Collective). He appeared in Tokyo, Japan as a featured artist in the Beatdown Sessions Series.

Malik currently performs original works as a keyboardist and vocalist with his solo project, Malik Alston & The Linwood Ensemble. The band has been warmly received at the Movement 14: Detroit’s Electronic Music Festival, House of Blues in Chicago as the opening act for Les Nubians, and at return appearances at the Jazz Café at the Music Hall Center for the Performing Arts in Detroit. He has performed as a founding member of the jazzfusionhouse band Painted Pictures. His poetry and music performances have been featured with the poetry troupe EmRuop and in concert with the Last Poets, Gil Scott-Heron and Jessica Care Moore.

Malik has performed with Dwele, Les Nubians, Amp Fiddler, Bubs Fiddler, Louie Vega, Mr. V, Gabe Gonzalez, Blue Nefertiti, Eric Roberson, Martin Luther, The Linwood Ensemble, Painted Pictures, Sky Covington, Paul Randolph, MonicaBlaire, Marcus Belgrave, Allan Barnes, Baatin and Robert Glasper, among many artists.

He has written and produced for many artists, including Neco Redd, Maurissa Rose, LaRonn Dolley, Souldeacon, LaRae Starr, Sean Blackman, Marissa Guzman, Elmahdi Obeid, Craig Huckaby, Rich Medina, Alton Miller, Adesola Osakalumi (principal lead, as FELA!), Takashi Iio, Djallo Djakate, diamondancer, Recloose, Ray 7, John Arnold, :brownstudy, LaVeda Davis, Roy Davis, Jr., Al McKenzie, Dwayne Jensen, Doc Link, The Linwood Ensemble, Painted Pictures, Javontte, Badriyyah Wazeerud-Din, Howard Wazeerud-Din II, Yolanda Day, Pirahnahead, Gerald Mitchell, Billy Love, Veronique, Keith Beber, Nick Speed, D. Maurice, Jillian Jackson, Adeboye, Cencera Dervin.

Malik has produced hot new remixes for several artists in 2014, including Hurry, Hurry (Malik’s Let The Horn Play Mix) on It’s OK, by Andy Vaz (Yore Records), What Up Doe (Malik Alston’s Linwood Mix) on What Up Doe (The Detroit House Anthem) EP by Pirahnahead (Whasdat Music), Japanese Garden (Malik Alston’s Bee Stinger Mix) by Yusuke Hiraoka (Smooth Agent Records).

Malik is the CEO of his label, Truth Manifest Records, founded in 1997. He continues to be a creative vessel and convey passion in his music, with new and exciting projects soon to be released on Truth Manifest. He has released several well-received projects, including Beyond Jazz, Lost Files: The Beginning, This Music Is Life, Tuxedo Sessions, Dinner Music, Conscious Exposure and Malik’s Mind (Truth Manifest Records); Caterpillar EP (Third Ear Recordings), Butterfly on Beatdown Sessions Series Volume One (Third Ear Recordings). Classic singles from Malik’s repertoire, among many favorites, include Badeya, Back 2 Chicago, In A Better Way (Change) and Inside.

Selected Performances

Movement 14: Detroit’s Electronic Music Festival

Movement 12: Detroit’s Electronic Music Festival

2010 African World Festival

2009 – Rhythmic Fusion U.S. Tour, founding member, Rhythmic Fusion (live performance/DJ collective)

Movement 09: Detroit’s Electronic Music Festival (with Kevin Reynolds)

2009 – Dwele, U.S. Tour, Background Vocalist

Movement 07: Detroit’s Electronic Movement Festival (presenting selections from his solo project, This Music Is Life)

2007 Comerica CityFest

2006 Winter Music Conference in Miami, Florida with a special performance, The Pocket: This Music Is Life

Movement 06: Detroit’s Electronic Music Festival (special guest appearance with Louie Vega)

2005 Fuse-In: Detroit’s Electronic Movement (with Mike Clark)

Movement 04: Detroit’s Electronic Movement Festival (Painted Pictures)

2003 – Special solo concert appearance at Club Module in Tokyo, Japan (featured artist, Beatdown Sessions Series)

Residencies

2013 – Resident DJ/Host at the Grasshopper, Ferndale

2011-2012 – Resident DJ at Mars Bar, Detroit

2011 – Resident DJ at Pulse Lounge, Detroit

1999-2000 – Resident Live PA, The Velvet Room, Windsor, Canada

Special Projects

2014 – Composed and produced the original score for The Jitterbugs, Pioneers of the Jit (Hardcore Bros., LLC – 2014), a documentary on the pioneering art form of jit dance in Detroit. The film was warmly received at a standing-room only premiere, Jit Happens! at the DIA, at the Detroit Institute of Arts.

2008 - One of twelve featured Detroit artists on the 2008 Dodge promotional CD, Out of Detroit, Into Dodge. The project was distributed to first-anniversary vehicle owners for the International Owner Loyalty Program.

2006-2008 – Worked with the Southeastern Michigan Chapter of the American Red Cross, composed original music for radio and television commercials for the 2006-2008 Home Team Campaign, featuring members of the Detroit Tigers, Pistons, Red Wings, Lions and Shock. The campaign was geared to raise awareness and funds for regional Red Cross assistance programs.

Honors

2014 – Appreciation, The Jitterbugs, Pioneers of the Jit, Jit Happens! at the DIA 

2007 – Nomination, Best Male Jazz Vocalist, Detroit Metro Area Musicians and Entertainers Association (DMAMEA)

2005 – Nomination, Outstanding Electronic/Dance Writer Producer of the Year, Detroit Music Awards

SELECTED DISCOGRAPHY

EP Releases

Faith – The Remixes, 2011 / Veronique / Digital (Truth Manifest Records)

You Are – The Remixes, 2011 / Malik Alston / Digital (Truth Manifest Records)

Lost Files: The Beginning, 2011 / Malik Alston and Ray 7 / Digital (Truth Manifest Records)

Beyond Jazz EP, 2011 / Malik Alston / Digital (Truth Manifest Records)

Badeya Remixes, 2010 / Malik Alston / Digital (Truth Manifest Records)

In A Better Way (Change), 2010 / Malik Alston / Digital (Truth Manifest Records)

The FutureSoul EP – This Music Is Life, 2007 / Malik Alston / 12″ (Truth Manifest Records)

The Soulatin EP – This Music Is Life, 2007 / Malik Alston / 12″ (Truth Manifest Records)

Tuxedo Sessions EP, 2004 / Painted Pictures / 12″ (Truth Manifest Records)

Caterpillar EP, 2003 / Malik Alston / 12″ (Third Ear Recordings)

CD Releases

Malik Alston presents Truth Manifest In The Mix! Mixed By DJ Norm Talley, 2007 / various artists, compilation (Truth Manifest Records)

This Music Is Life, 2007 / Malik Alston (Truth Manifest Records)

Tuxedo Sessions [Japan Edition], 2005 / Painted Pictures (Truth Manifest Records / P-Vine Records)

Tuxedo Sessions, 2004 / Painted Pictures (Truth Manifest Records)

Dinner Music, 2001 / Malik Alston (Truth Manifest Records)

Conscious Exposure, 2001 / Malik Alston (Truth Manifest Records)

Poetic Reflections, 2000 / Malik Alston (Truth Manifest Records)

Malik’s Mind, 1997 / Malik Alston (Truth Manifest Records)

Singles/Collaborations

Promise Me Love (ft. LaRonn Dolley), 2014 / Malik Alston and LaRonn Dolley / Digital (Makin’ Moves)

Hurry, Hurry (Malik’s Let The Horn Play Mix) on It’s OK, 2014 / Andy Vaz / 12”, Digital (Yore Records)

What Up Doe (Malik Alston’s Linwood Mix) on What Up Doe (The Detroit House Anthem) EP, 2014 / Pirahnahead / Digital (Whasdat Music)

Japanese Garden (Malik Alston’s Bee Stinger Mix), 2014 / Yusuke Hiraoka / 12”, Digital (Smooth Agent Records)

I.D.F.D.F.I. on Dave Clarke: fabric 60, 2011 / Malik Alston and Ray 7 / CD (fabric Records)

Vibe Out on Out of Detroit, Into Dodge (Dodge promotional CD, International Owner Loyalty Program), 2008 / Malik Alston, MonicaBlaire, Neco Redd

Paige One, Sparkle on A Reason To Be, 2006 / Al McKenzie and Malik Alston / Al McKenzie / CD (AMAC Records)

Close To You on Up All Night, 2005 / Malik Alston and No Milk / No Milk / CD (Music Conception/Soundscape)

In A Better Way on Mahogani Music, 2005 / Jason Hogans and Malik Alston / CD (Mahogani Music)

Inside (Mr. Scruff Remix), Inside (Henrik Schwarz Remix) on Style and Pattern, 2005 / John Arnold and Malik Alston / John Arnold / CD (Ubiquity Recordings)

Inside on Detroit Soul: Real Soul Music From The Motor City, 2004 / John Arnold and Malik Alston / CD (Unisex Recordings)

Lightshine on African Diaspora Vol. 2: An Electronic Music Compilation, Cranbrook Art Museum, 2004 / Malik Alston / CD (Time Machine Commercial Recording Studios)

Back 2 Chicago, 2003 / Infinity feat. Malik / Roy Davis, Jr., Malik Alston, Doc Link / 12″ (King Street)

Butterfly on Detroit Beatdown Vol. 1, 2002 / Malik Alston / 3 x LP, 2 x CD (Third Ear Recordings)

Cardiology on Cardiology, 2002 / Recloose and Malik Alston / Recloose / CD, 12″ (Planet E)

Shari Vari, 2002 / Malik Alston, Sky and Mike Grant (Remix) / 12″ (Puzzlebox)

Funk All Y’all on Funk All Y’all, 2000 / Detroit Grand Pubahs / CD, 12″ (Jive Electro)

www.truthmanifestrecords.com

www.facebook.com/malikalston

malikmusic_2000@yahoo.com

Booking/Production: 313.790.6323

Nagi & Kei Sugano make up the exciting Japanese house music DJ / Production duo, Dazzle Drums.

Kei was inspired in his early years by the Hip Hop culture of ’92 spurring him on to become to a club dj in Tokyo but after listening to the likes of Tony Humphries and Timmy Regisford his attentions moved to, Soulful Music based on House and Dance Classics, leading him to visit NYC many times where he found his second roots in The Loft, Warehouse, Zanzibar, Sound Factory Bar, The Shelter, Body & SOUL and the other party.

Nagi, fell in love with dance music when she was 15, but it wasn’t til many years later that she experienced her first club experience. On the dance floor, she sensed that she could express her personality no matter what nationality, and she soon started to pursue her own dj career. She became resident at “Smoker” which is a japanese legendary DJ Nori’s party he has been holding every wednesday at club LOOP in from ’98 to ’08.

The duo started working together in 2005, releasing on established house labels such as  ”King Street Sounds”, “Nite Grooves” and the UK’s “Centric Music”. In September of 2010, they founded their label, “Green Parrot Recordings”, and continue to energetically pursue their DJ activities. More recently they’ve started working regularly with UK label Makin’ Moves and have some very exciting material forthcoming.

You can catch Dazzle Drums dj’ing at their monthly party…every 2nd Sunday afternoon “Block Party” @ 0 Tokyo, Aoyama.

Being brought up as a child listening to his fathers vast soul and jazz-funk record collection must have had some kind of influence on Gianluca Pighi; since then his destiny has been cast – a life of music, music and more music…

At the age of fifteen he sneaked into his older cousins pirate radio station armed with some of his favourite vinyl and began to learn the art of broadcasting playing funk classics, hip-hop and 80″s soul. He was soon playing at street parties in his area. Soon after there followed his first real paid gigs which enabled him to feed his “record collecting addiction” that often took him to Milan at least once or twice a month; “Getting hold of records back then wasn”t easy, sometimes it would even end up in fist-fights” he says laughingly. His DJ career took off and Gianluca played at various residencies including clubs such as Avila and Masero which gave him much exposure. He also tried his hand at promoting and managing club nights where he worked alongside such names as Pasta play casino Boys, Claudio Coccoluto, Ricky Montanari, Ivan Iacobucci and Luca Trevisi. Pighi”s sets began to earn him a very strong reputation which saw him spin at legendary club Mazoom, opening up for established luminaries such as David Morales, Frankie Knuckles, Tony Humphries, Derrick Carter, Louie Vega, Harvey and Joe Claussell – since then he has never turned back and today also continues to shake up the floors with his very high quality mixture of great sounds.

With his profound love of music it was inevitable that Gianluca Pighi would also carve out a very strong career in the recording studio. Over the years there have been many productions released on some global leading labels getting back up from people such as Francois K, Kenny Dope, Anthony Nicholson and others and we have even seen recording collaborations with icons like Robert Owens and Frankie Knuckles. Today he can be seen mastering and engineering some of the biggest and the best productions coming out of Italy.

A native of Patterson, New Jersey, Tiger Wilson grew up in church singing and playing music at an early age. Through the church Tiger already had valuable experience on guitar, drums and keyboard before he entered high school and decided to teach himself piano. Singing along with the chords, Tiger began laying the foundation towards becoming a great songwriter, musician and vocalist.

His first industry opportunity came at the hands of producers Darren and Cliff Lighty. Working with the Lighty brothers gave Tiger some of his first tangible experiences working in the industry. He further developed as a writer, vocal coach and producer through his work with Jaheim and Donell Jones, under the auspices of the Lighty brothers.

It was because these opportunities that Tiger would cross paths with Timmy Regisford, who was looking for a keyboard player at the time. Timmy met Tiger and got more than he bargained and the two formed an incredible partnership and friendship. As a musician Tiger is adaptable to any environment or genre but Timmy was the one to turn the young prodigy onto producing house music. Not a musician himself, Timmy was able to bring a different perspective to the music making process especially after finding out he and Tiger communicate in the same language.

Despite his tenure in the game, Tiger never had aspirations of being a solo artist. In the last several years, in collaboration with Timmy Regisford and Adam Rios, Tiger Wilson put out great records such as “In The Club”, “Masterpiece” and “Burning Hot” that all became staples at the notable NYC house club, The Shelter. Tiger finally hit the tipping point on becoming a bona fide solo artist when he did a vocal reference a soulful house tune called “Sometimes,” from COVERS, a Timmy Regisford album. Everyone in the studio was floored by his performance, the song was kept as is and became a dance-floor smash. It was set, Tiger began working on his full length debut after more than 12 years as a professional in the music industry.

“Anything Is Possible” is a song-driven soulful house experience. Driven by an eponymous first single, the album will establish Tiger as a voice of his generation. Combining his vast experiences and influences, from the Philly and Motown soul he loves, to the Gospel and R&B he grew up with and the dance-floor focus he’s had in recent years, Tiger is ready to make a statement and inspire his people with Anything Is Possible.

It has been said that music has the power to influence a generation. For Washington, D.C. based singer/songwriter Tamara Wellons, those words are more than a cultural adage, they are her life’s mission.

At the core of Tamara Wellons is the desire to educate. After several years of teaching elementary school aged children, she has not lost her passion for helping children discover their inner voice and the world around them through music.

Growing up in her hometown Ivor, Virginia, Tamara was known as the “little girl with the big voice.” Singing was only natural for the granddaughter of the legendary gospel group, The Pritchett Sisters. Tamara grew up on what she refers to as “folk music”, knee slapping, hand clapping and foot stomping syncopated rhythms, and unbridled harmonic chants, reminiscent of ancestral celebration.

While the church was most certainly the incubator for Tamara’s talent, it was her collegiate experience that sharpened and diversified her musicality. In 1995, Tamara left Ivor, Virginia to attend Bowie State University. There, while studying early childhood development, she also immersed herself in the sounds of eclectic jazz and soul music. She joined the Bowie State Jazz Ensemble and began booking live performances around the Washington D.C. area. Her commanding vocals and hypnotic blend of folk, soul, jazz and house varieties would later garner performances at some the hottest venues, including the prestigious Jazz Café in London.

Some people in life are seem to be guided by a internal light that keep them on a path of ascension for they claim elevation and balance as their true north.

That’s the case with Ezel Feliz, a young and very gifted multi-disciplinary artist that has made a name for himself as a very sought-after musician, songwriter, DJ and music producer.

Hailing from Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic , a melting pot of cultural heritages where african meet indian and spanish culture, since a early age his work started to get recognition locally as a excellent keyboard player for such iconic dominican pop/funk bands as “Santo Domingo Funk Crew’ and “Calor Urbano” experiences that allowed him to craft his skills as a live musician. Also coming from being a the piano player in his local church allowed him to soak into musicality that was soulful and spiritually oriented, a seal that has kept ever since in all his music endeavors.

By 2007, after exploring many opportunities locally, his talent got blessed to receive the attention of music producer and soulful house music genius Osunlade, how propelled and guide his career toward new dimension of success. Allowing him to involved in  remixes a few notable singles for his label Yoruba Records, Ezel made his entrance into the big stage of independent and soulful dance music, first releasing a full length album “Secreto”  under african/roots oriented soulful house label “Ocha Records”, led by influential DJ and producer Carlos “Casamena” Mena who helped to shape Ezel sound among the line of the deeply spiritual and soulful sexiness. Later on, countless remixes came over the years further propelling his name and signature sound to discerning dance floors worldwide and receiving support and approval from such influential voices such as Gilles Peterson, Simbad, Reel People, Kyoto Jazz Massive, Bugz in the Attic and Joaquin “Joe” Claussell  to name a few.

Having already traveled to some parts of the world as part of a supporting act for latin music megastar “Juan Luis Guerra” and with many performances and showcases on the several Winter Music Conferences to which he attended, served as a solid ground for what was about to come to him. In 2011, he became the proudly recipient of a full scholarship to make professional studies of Audio Engineering at the prestigious SAE Institute in Barcelona, Spain.  While making these intensives studies during that year the school, his widespread success within house music demanded him to travel and show music credential at some of the best clubs and venues in the world such a Djoon in Paris,  Casablanca Soul in Santorini, Greece, The Room in Tokyo, Japan and his participation in the famous ADE (Amsterdam Dance Event) in Holland that further helped him connect with some the mosts relevant DJs, singers and producers worldwide

In 2012 after finishing school in Barcelona,  he settled yet again in Dominican Republic to face a stage of personal growth and a re-definition of goals. Even tho his work stills maintains a wide appeal on the realm of soulful dance music, he has refocused towards the personal improvement of his musical skills, and has been getting in touch with more musicality oriented influences such as Jazz, soul and the ethnic traditional sounds of his homeland. As he explore what is to become of his next full length album and if wether this will be presented again in solo mode or now will a full fledged music band, he continues to play his instrument for some of the most  relevant acts in his country such as upcoming star Vicente Garcia and folk/racine experimental artist Canadian-Hatian singer Sara Renelik among others.

Other contributions include music scoring for local television series and advertising work.

It is time for yet whole new dreams in the life of Ezel, perhaps ones that will take him into new dimensions in the world of music, defying all paradigms. As he seeks knowledge and betterment in mission to integrate his sense of being to the totality of his ultimate goal in this lifetime, stay tuned for yet more breakthrus in the ongoing development of very sensible artist who strives for advance towards true light, in the pursuit of happiness and divine balance.

Peven Everett was born and raised in Harvey – Chicago, Il. and is an artist spanning multi genres plays countless instruments proficiently writing, arranging, producing and performing all of his works himself..

Starting out in Jazz band, he stormed through school programs attaining all but one first place title that he competed for warranting him to be recruited to NYC at 17 where he played Carnegie Hall and worked with Jazz greats such as Betty Carter, Wynton Marsalis, and Branford Marsalis.

He stepped out of the Jazz spot light to hone his own skills to produce original songs for his own label Studio Confession Entertainment.

His first foray into solo artistry saw the release Gabriel that he wrote and performed which has been covered by numerous artists including Adam Lambert and more recently was Performed By Peven Everett at The Evidence Grace in Winter Ball Silver Ball at the Plaza also featuring Jennifer Holliday of Dream Girls fame.

Peven also being savvy and business minded chose to continue in releasing his albums independently in licensing partnerships with other labels globally such as ABB Records, Defected Records, Traffic, King Street, Kindred Spirits and some select others.

Often copied but never replicated Peven has written and controls the rights to over 500 original timeless songs in his vault spanning genres from Dance, Jazz, Rock, R&B, Hip Hop, Pop, Drum and Bass, as well as having created his own genre he calls Power Soul. Often likened but never compared to artists like Miles Davis, Stevie Wonder, Prince and Marvin Gaye. Peven brings a special element of soul and spirit to everything he touches with emphasis on a special blending of retro and future music making an original sound.

He has travelled the globe performing numerous live shows including major events like Southport Weekender, Sydney festival, IAJE, StadtMusik festival, Bird Fest, and WMC which is his preference in connecting to his fans. His shows have been described by fans to be “Electric, Exciting, and The Best Show on Earth”.Peven has made numerous radio interview appearances such as BBC Radio One Gilles Peterson, Garth Trinidad KCRW as well as Red Bull Music Academy, Colourful Radio Uk and Local Radio including Power 93,Soul 106.3 and WHPK, WLUW.

He has appeared playing his trumpet in “Marsalis on Music” the book and documentary and appeared with his band live on Late Night with Carson Daly.

Everett was awarded the Independent Achiever award from Heineken’s Red Star Soul and has also been featured in numerous print publications magazines and webzines. Some of which include New York Times Magazine, Straight No Chaser, Vibe, Chicago Reader, Chicago Tribune and Sun Times, Time Out, and the Guest List Network to name a few.

Peven shows no signs of stopping as he is currently working with his artist Billie Jewell on new music as well as PBJ their duet, his Hip Hop project including “Upper Esh” hip-hop for the elite minded gentlemen, Experimental Rock, Pop, and as always a constant stream of the Best Soul and Dance music in the World.

This Spring Peven will see Washington as he embarks on becoming faculty where he once went to learn from the great Betty Carter. He will be a resident in the Jazz ahead program hosted at the John F Kennedy Center for the Arts reintroducing many to his Jazz Personality to the masses.

 Various projects due out this year include releases on his label Studio Confession such as Man Vs. Machine, Bonjour, and a full release in partnership with Makin Moves titled King of Hearts with a much anticipated return trip to UK and chartering new territories in the East.

Vocalist – Musician – Composer…This Is Who I am!

Music has always been a constant presence in Dana Weaver’s life. At the age of four, Dana’s parents witnessed her amazing ability to play the piano with no prior training. She began training as a classical pianist, which she continued doing until graduating from high school. Dana completed her last two years of studies at the Peabody Preparatory in Baltimore, MD. When Dana turned 13, she was asked to “breathe new life” into the children’s choir at the church she attended. Within weeks, the choir increased its membership, and eventually became the most sought out and distinguished ministry of her church. At a young age, Dana demonstrated her incredible talents by directing, accompanying, and composing songs for the choir.

 One of Dana’s first career highlights occurred during her senior year of high school, when her school’s chorus was one of four selected to accompany the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra during a winter concert. The material Dana performed with the orchestra was diverse, even requiring her to learn an entire song in Hebrew.

 Upon graduating from high school, Dana continued to accompany and compose music for local artists. She was a member of two local gospel groups. Dana also had a brief opportunity to sing with then group, Light the World, led by Guy Robinson. Dana’s voice has been described as “powerful” and “soothing…nothing like I’ve heard before”. She continued to perform locally, always capturing the attention of her audience.

 In 2000, Dana started to focus more on music expression through her vocal performances. To accomplish this objective, she began to hone in on her writing capabilities. Dana began collaborating with many artists and musicians. Her most treasured collaboration was with famed producer and original Basement Boys member, Neal Conway. Together, Dana and Neal have created a catalog of music, some of which has been featured in rotation on internet radio stations. Additionally, she has contributed to the projects of local artists such as Siren, Brian Wright, Urban Tea, and Lisa Mack.

Besides being a vocalist, Dana is also a gifted pianist, arranger and composer of her material. Dana’s music has been described as “thought-provoking” and “deep”. Her jazz-kissed piano melodies and instrumentation can be heard on compositions like ‘You’ and ‘My Inspiration’ from the SoulFlow-ah (Soul Flower) CD. Dana yields to her “sultry and sexy” side on tracks like ‘Understand Me’ and ‘Calling’, which is definitely a crowd pleaser.

 In July of 2006, Dana reached another career high. She was one of several individuals selected to work with the incredible, late Vesta Williams, providing supporting vocals for Williams who performed live at Club 347 in Baltimore, MD.  She has also been a featured vocalist for countless bands and venues in the Baltimore/D.C. area where she resides.

 Dana is also a founding and current member of The Groove Zone Music Entity. The Groove Zone is a multi-faceted organization specializing in music performance, composition, and recording. The band is comprised of talented vocalists and musicians who have performed and supported various national artists within the US and abroad. The Groove Zone’s repertoire crosses several music genres, featuring original compositions. In 2010, The Groove Zone shared the stage with R&B and soul songstress, Chrisette Michele. The band opened for Chrisette Michele, who performed at the International Festival in Baltimore, MD.

 In 2011, Dana formed an alliance with two of the most talented and sought-after producers, DJ Spen and Thommy Davis of Quantize Recordings. ‘Heavenly’, Dana’s first single for the label was a Traxsource Top Ten chart topper for weeks, propelling her onto the House music scene, and landing her the honor of being the featured vocalist at the 2012 Collective Minds Music Festival. It is no surprise that Dana will continue achieving new and exciting career heights through the medium she loves, which is music.

 You can also check out Dana’s Music at: http://soundcloud.com/danaweaver or http://myspace.com/thegroovezone

 For purchase at: iTunes, Beatport.com and Amazon MP3.com

From the very first single that Qness released, to his very first live set, he proved beyond reasonable doubt, to be a an icon-in-the-making DJ and Musical Producer. His debut single titled “Fugama Unamathe” earmarked him as not just a producer, but a true musician and has been referred to many a time as one of the reputable Dee jays that have the “winning formula”. Hailing from the dance-cultured streets of Johannesburg in South Africa with just his “music”, his “mind” and “God-given talent”, Qness first entered the musical scene as an R ‘n’ B singer in a boy band at school, before he moved
on to do hip hop in upper grade with some high school friends, where he was also the producer for the band, until he finally got catapulted into dance music when he first heard the Oskido’s Church Grooves First Commandment.

This was the time when he started to experiment with dance music, particularly House, quietly at home, while analysing the scene which at the time was mostly dominated by international renowned DJ’s and producers such as Louie Vega, Nick Holder, Masters at Work and many other House greats. With his PC at home, a music-making programme, and a small portable electronic keyboard, he began the musical journey that was to take charge of his whole life and take him to subways he had never ever dreamt of before. While studying Information Technology and Computer Programming in the city of Johannesburg, he juggled between his books and music…

Meanwhile, he had started going to clubs and getting acquainted to the party scene around Johannesburg and Pretoria. The loud speakers at the clubs and the sight of one man behind a set of decks taking charge of the crowd just fascinated him and that’s when he truly realized how deep his love for music had developed, and he fell in love…he fell in love with the decks. Come 2005 and the dance scene in South Africa just blew up! Producers sprang from everywhere, penetrating the clubs, radio stations, taxi ranks and many other mediums and Qness could only celebrate the music. He had started working seriously on some projects and looked up to and idolized guys like DJ Mbuso (whom he still credits as having been instrumental in helping facilitate his first break into the scene), Black Coffee, Oskido (who is still and always will be a key role model in his career), Christos, and Vinny Da Vinci , while internationally he has looked up to David Guetta, Tiesto, Dennis Ferrer, Boddhi Satva, Manoo, Osunlade, Kerri Chandler, Frank Roger, Avi Elman (who has mentored him in so many ways) and many others too many to mention.
By 2008, Qness had already acquainted himself with some of South Africa’s most influential DJs and producers, and he had received a lot of guidance from industry influential people such as Ricardo Da Costa of Soul Candi Records, DJ Mbuso himself, as well as Euphonik whom they were peers at the time. His first break came through when he did his single Fugama Unamathe, which featured some indigenous African vocals and lots of congas and Afro-beat influenced percussions. The song featured the amazing UK-based vocalist Oluhle and went on to become a critically acclaimed crossover dance hit not only in South Africa, but abroad as well. Small UK stations began pumping the song and other countries like the USA, Australia, and Canada followed and before he knew it, he had an international hit on his hands and the single went on to spark the interest of Belgian based Boddhi Satva, who then signed it to his label Offering Records which went on to release the single internationally, along with a very strong remix package.
Qness has proved his ability to please a wide crossover market with his productions, having already worked with and done amazing remix work for renowned worldwide greats such as Britian’s M.I.A whom he worked with on the single XXXO, along with hip hop mogul Jay Z, as well as Kele from Bloc Party, whom he has done two successful remixes for already, inclusively Qness has also done other remix and production work for labels such as XL Recordings whom Adele is signed to, as well as Beacause Music in France. The success of his timeless dance classic of 2008/2009 “Fugama Unamathe” in South Africa was immediately followed up by his single “Uzongilinda” which also features a talented vocalist who goes by the name of Malehloka, whom Qness was very instrumental in unearthing and introducing to the dance music market not only in South Africa, but the world. Therefore Qness firmly believes that he does not make songs, but makes music, which can be listened to and appreciated by all people of all walks of life which is why he has bee able to break into the international market at such grassroots levels and at the very inception of his career.

He has in the short span of his career so far made two internationally acclaimed worldwide hits namely “Fugama Unamathe” (released for the world through Offering Records, Belgium in 2009) and “Uzongilinda” (released for the world through soWHAT Records, Tel Aviv Israel 2009), both of which became huge successes on the digital download market proclaiming him as one of South Africa’s most internationally recognized talents. Both singles were featured on his debut album titled “DJ Qness – On Cue Vol.1” on which he collaborated with a number of vocalists and other musicians. The “Uzongilinda” single sees Qness collaborate with some world recognized legends on the dance market such as Abicah Soul, UPZ (Avi Elman) of the “Pure Surprise” fame as well as UK talent Euan Mitchell, Rancido, and local greats Infinite Boyz, Sbonza and Mindlo. He has built himself into a somewhat undisputable local talented force to deal with and continues to make “good music” as he puts it.

He also released a repackage of his debut album and aptly named it “On Cue Reloaded” after the success of “On Cue Vol. 1” and the repackage brought along plug singles such as “Time” which became an instant hit and national anthem, debuting on charts within days of release and was abruptly followed by his immensely irresistible remix of “Believing” (originally a collaboration by UPZ and Kafele), making it his fifth number one single on the South African charts after “Fugama Unamathe”, “Uzongilinda”. “Time” and the distinct “Bambelela”. On the business side he recently clinched a very reputable deal as South Africa’s very first celebrity, face of, spokesperson and brand ambassador for the fashionable and very stylish Beats by Dr. Dre headphones, manufactured by the super power, Monster Cable Company. He becomes the very first South African celebrity to attach his name to the legendary Dr. Dre. Armed with talent, charisma, mogul-like busniess acumen and and a lot of passion Qness has proved himself beyond reasonable doubt and has shown that he is the epitome not only of music, but business fashion and style. He is certainly not about to stop, as he continues in his quest to make “music”, and not “songs” as he puts it, and he is certainly on his way to becoming a true ambassador of African dance music.

Xoli M is a singer and song writer, who was born in KZN and grew up in Pretoria, Soshanguve. She Started her journey of in music in the year 2010, when she recorded her first hit track “Set Me Free” along side Blackmotion and recently signed with Strongroots entertainment. In addition to the list of talented music extraordinaires and producers she has worked with, DJ Qness, Mckenzie (Rhythmic elements), Sir Javas, Afrikaroots and other International producers DJ Sylivi and DJ Malvado. You can find her on Facebook Xoli Mazibuko, and on Twitter @xolimazibuko.