Vocalist Claude McKnight is a member and founder of one of the most successful gospel vocal groups here and abroad. The Acapella unit Take 6 along with other members the sextet have kept Christ central in their music and ministry. Take 6 has fused and blended both spirituals and gospel music with soul, jazz, pop, and modern R & B; while staying focused on maintaining God’s word to music fans all over the world. The sextet features vocalists Mark Kibble, Claude McKnight, Dr. Cedric Dent, David Thomas, Joey Kibble, and Alvin Chea. The group has made an impact on the music scene for 30 years and has used music as a ministry to reaching the word of God to music fans all over the world. At a time where most gospel singers have made their “cross-over” to R & B and the Pop charts to expand their fan base, the men of Take 6 have chosen to keep their ministry and focus on bringing God’s music to fans first and foremost. The group has and is still blessed to sing and work with some of the greats in the record industry. Artists ranging from Quincy Jones to Jon Hendricks to Brian McKnight. Take 6 could’ve made millions singing secular music, but their love for Christ has kept them current in a time where the industry continues to perpetuate negativity where gospel music is becoming like BET or “mainstream.” McKnight started Take 6 in the fall of 1980 while attending Oakwood College, a private Seventh-Day Adventist university located in Huntsville, Alabama. McKnight’s Gentleman’s Estate Quartet was one of many a cappella groups on campus. Before one of the groups performance, vocalist Mark Kibble heard them and joined adding a fifth part that evening. Both Mark and future member Mervyn Warren were in a vocal group named “Alliance” and eventually joined what would become Take 6. The sextet  performed at local churches and colleges over the next few years generating a buzz across the country.  Due to certain members leaving the group due to graduation and other commitments, members Alvin Chea, Cedric Dent, and David Thomas became the final fixture of the group. Take 6 has won 10 Grammy Awards, 10 Dove Awards, 1 Soul Train Award and 2 NAACP Image Award nominations.  This year Take 6 kicked off this year's 2010 Detroit International Jazz Festival with the Mulgrew Miller Trio. Both Miller and Take 6 performed together last fall at Jazz at Lincoln Center in tribute to the 50th Anniversary of Miles Davis's "Kind of Blue." Mulgrew, being this year's 2010 DIJA Artist In Residence, chose Take 6 and asked the guys to perform selections from the performance as well as their material. To find out upcoming Take 6 tour dates visit them on the web at take6.com or myspace.com/ take6.

• published: 11 Sep 2010
• views: 197