Chor Leoni presents the Vancouver Premiere of Smooth and Soulful A Cappella Cavaliers -TAKE 6 –

Chor Leoni proudly opens its fourth annual VanMan Male Choral Summit with Take 6, the most-awarded a cappella group in history, as they enjoy their Vancouver debut, April 6, 2018 at 8pm in the Queen Elizabeth Theatre. All audiences are invited to experience the harmony-rich and swoon-worthy sound of this larger-than-life, all-male sextet. The ensemble are set to charm with their singular renditions of cherished jazz, gospel, pop and R&B favourites, including songs from their just-announced, soon-to-be-released album, ICONIC.

“Coming off their 25^th anniversary world tour, Take 6 is simply the gold standard of a cappella singing,” says Chor Leoni’s Artistic Director Erick Lichte. “I wanted to bring to our festival a group who could move effortlessly between pop, jazz and gospel music. I also felt it was important to celebrate a cappella singing from a totally different tradition and culture than what we hear with most Vancouver choirs. We can’t wait to introduce local choral-lovers to these internationally-renowned, vocal heavyweights!”

From classic ballads such as Ben E. King’s Stand by Me, to chart-topping hits like Pharrell’s Happy, Take 6 are known to “bring the house down”. Since they began in Huntsville, Alabama in 1980, Take 6 have won the hearts of fans and critics across the globe, racking up a staggering 10 GRAMMY’s, 10 Dove Awards (Gospel Music Awards), Best Jazz Vocal Group honours for seven consecutive years in Downbeat’s Reader’s and Critic’s Poll, a Soul Train Music Award, and many other prestigious recognitions. In 2014, the illustrious crooners were inducted into the Gospel Music Association Hall of Fame.

Founding member Claude Mcknight – elder brother to the famed solo artist Brian Mcknight – formed Take 6 while studying at Oakwood College. Together, these impassioned young vocalists brought their talent to packed churches and campus theatres, until being signed by Warner Brothers in 1987. In their first foray in the record industry, Take 6 became an immediate winner. With their extraordinary arrangements and irresistible soul, Take 6’s eponymous first album earned them two GRAMMY Awards, and landed them in the Top Ten Billboard Contemporary Jazz and Contemporary Christian Charts.

A quarter century later, the band hasn’t showed any signs of slowing down. For release in Spring of 2018, ICONIC will be the multi-platinum selling group’s 12^th studio album. Famously praised by inimitable producer Quincy Jones as the “baddest vocal cats on the planet!”, current members Mark Kibble, Joel Kibble, Dave Thomas, Alvin Chea, Khristian Dentley, along with Mcknight, continue to refine and redefine the ensemble a cappella technique.

With clarity and precision, swinging from tender falsetto, to lush baritone without missing a beat, Take 6 draws sold out crowds. Major artists as diverse as Stevie Wonder, Ray Charles, James Taylor, k.d. lang, and Sheryl Crow have sought these singing cavaliers out to collaborate on stage and in recordings. Called to perform on Saturday Night Live, at the Oscar’s, at the White House, and in countless other high-profile gigs, Take 6 remain in the spotlight and in high-demand.

About Chor Leoni (chorleoni.org)
Known internationally and loved locally, Chor Leoni Men’s Choir is recognized as one of the vanguard male vocal ensembles in North America. Founded by the late choral luminary Diane Loomer, Vancouver’s Singing Lions have enriched and transformed people’s lives through singing for over twenty years. With stylistic grace and an adventurous spirit, Chor Leoni performs in many languages and styles and genres, always aiming to communicate, engage, and entertain.