Untitled Document

:DISCOGRAPHY:

AJAMU AKINYELE

Black Magic : The Gold Edition - Collectors Item (2007)

Black Magic : The Cyber Jazz Experience (2006)

Supernova (2005)

As MARCEL

Secret Weapon Volumes 1 & 2 (2004)

Uptown : 2025 E.P. The Remixes (2004)

Uptown : 2025 A.D.
feat. Jon O'Begh (2003)

Spice The Alternative Hip-Hop Experience (2001)

The Diary of Marcel (1998)

Available at AMAZON, CDBABY & iTunes

Andre Marcel Ajamu Akinyele
(bass, guitar, keyboards, percussion & programming)

Producer/Bassist Andre Marcel Ajamu Akinyele, pronounced Ah-jah-moo + Ah-kin-yay-lay, recorded as MARCEL from 1998 to 2004. As MARCEL, he released five CD's ranging in style from Funk to World, but as Ajamu Akinyele, embarked on his first cyber jazz CD titled Supernova, (2005).

He changed his birth name on his 32nd birthday, June 21, 2004, from Andre Marcel Wilson to Andre Marcel Ajamu Akinyele (meaning "Strong Warrior" in the Yoruba language of Nigeria, Africa) to reflect a more African heritage. Ajamu released his last CD as MARCEL titled, Secret Weapon Volumes 1 & 2, (2004).

He struggled in his career as MARCEL trying to find his true musical style. Now he has created his own unique identity producing what he calls "Cyber Jazz - Funk Fusion," trying to redefine jazz for a new generation.

Recording as MARCEL, he arrived on the scene in 1998 with his debut CD The Diary of Marcel. His follow up release Spice : The Alternative Hip-Hop Experience (2001), helped him to establish a loyal independent following in Japan and Europe. With the release of his third and fourth CD's Uptown : 2025 A.D. (2003), and Uptown : 2025 E.P. The Remixes (2004), he developed a true sense of artistry and a vision of being dedicated to his musicianship. These releases gained him radio airplay on the "Upper Room with Joe Kelley," and on MTV Germany. Uptown : 2025 A.D. was a self-awakening, and now he is aware of who he is, and where he's going! On Secret Weapon Volumes 1 & 2, his fifth and final release recording as MARCEL, he displays funk in a way that makes you think of bands like Parliament/Funkadelic. Secret Weapon Volumes 1 & 2 also gained him distribution, radio airplay, and exposure in Australia.

Supernova, (2005) his first cyber jazz CD is filled with elements of futuristic sounds combing funk and fusion, while maintaining a sense of an R&B feel. This CD is a reflection of his personal and musical growth as a recording artist. So, Supernova was not only a new beginning or a rebirth, but also a new direction in sound to take him to the next level in his journey, Cyber Jazz!

Black Magic The Cyber Jazz Experience, (2006) captures the true essence of cyber-jazz, which is a blend of smooth jazz - funk fusion influenced by the smooth sounds of Sade, the laid back grooves of Me'Shell Ndegeocello, the funkiness of Prince, and the fusion of Miles Davis. This double CD gained him exposure on the morning television show Sacramento & Co. (ABC affiliated KXTV). His music was featured on the hit television shows Girlfriends, The Tony Danza Show, and Entertainment Tonight.

With the release of Black Magic The Cyber Jazz Experience, Ajamu Akinyele and Jon O'Bergh, together as Gemini Soul, toured continuously performing in such venues as Borders Books & Music, Santana Row, The Bubble Lounge, The Monterey Bay Spring Summer & Fall Festivals, The Napa Summer Concert Series, The Sonoma County Harvest Fair, The View Lounge atop of the Marriott Hotel in downtown San Francisco and etc...

Ajamu Akinyele states "My overall goal is to introduce my music to all generations and to all ethnic backgrounds in support of jazz of all genres; while trying to unite us as a people of one nation under a groove through cyber jazz." Experience Cyber Jazz!

:DISCOGRAPHY:

JON O'BERGH

Songs from Other Planets (2004)

Meditations from A Lost World (2002)

Sacred Spaces (2001)

Carta (2000)

Millennial Landscapes (1998)

Available at AMAZON, CDBABY & iTunes

For more information contact www.obergh.net

Jon O'Bergh
(piano, keyboards & programming)

Jon O'Bergh has been playing piano since the age of 7. He graduated from the University of California at Irvine, where he studied piano performance and composition while performing with a rock band. He has written and produced 6 CDs, including "Song of Fire," currently unreleased; "Songs from other Planets;" "Carta," which was #1 nationwide on the NAV chart; "Meditations from a Lost World," which reached #3; "Sacred Spaces"; and "Millennial Landscapes," which reached #2.

Jon has also co-produced songs for Marcel (now known as Ajamu Akinyele) on Marcel's 2003 release "Uptown : 2025 A.D.," and for R&B recording artist Jarrod on his debut CD "Every Part of Me."

Jon has written songs, music for television and institutional projects, and concert music. "Timescape 2" for piano and violin introduced his music to San Francisco audiences in a concert that was subsequently broadcast by National Public Radio station KQED.

Andrew Foster
(percussion)

Andrew Foster is a soldier with the National Guard, martial artist, and now a Musician. Andrew Foster's transition from one skill to another is like the Sade tune "Smooth Operator." Growing up in the early seventies, listening to many styles of jazz including brazilian and tradition jazz, inspired Andrew to become a percussionist. In late January 2007, Andrew met with Ajamu one evening after a show and the rest is history. Andrew recalls during the first jam session, "It was like magic playing with Ajamu Akinyele and Jon O'Bergh...it just came naturally. I'm very fortunate to be a part of the band Gemini Soul and I'm ready to take it to the next level!"

Alex Marks
(drums)

Alex Marks started playing drums at the age of 17. He always wanted to play an instrument as a kid. His early influence was his uncle, who was a drummer; Alex learned to play drums using his uncle's set of drums. The drummer David Silveria from the rock band Korn and the drummer John Bonham from the 70's rock band Led - Zeppelin, influence Alex. So, why jazz? Alex's first drum teacher suggested that he listen and learn from the music and styling of Miles Davis, Tower of Power and John Coltrane. Alex's music teacher wanted to encourage him to play different styles of music, making him a well-rounded musician. Alex loves funk, fusion and Latin jazz. Alex joined his first band, The Psychiatric Format Pill, in early 2005 and left the band to join A Place to Call Home in late 2006. For a short time Alex was in the band San Francisco Summer of Love performing 60's rock. In early June 2007, Alex joined Gemini Soul and plans to bring his influences of rock and funk/fusion, enhancing Gemini Soul's Cyber Jazz experience.