Artist description Sweet Soul/R&B, with Blues-Island-Latin fusions! For A Taste Of SWEET SOUL MUSIC With That Legendary Sound! THIS IS THE ONE! Come on in! Let's Party! This Song's for YOU! Listen!

Music Style Rhythm and Blues/Soul/Pop/Blues

Musical Influences Sam Cooke/Marvin Gaye/Jackie Wilson

Similar Artists Sam Cooke,Bobby Womack,Marvin Gaye,Al Green,Jackie Wilson, Stevie Wonder,James Brown,R.Kelly,Ron Isley

Artist History Vel Omarr was born during the 50's on a small farm in the Mississippi Delta. His mother, Sarah, found that living in the south and working in the cotton fields was not... could not... be all that life had to offer. So, like thousands had done before her, Sarah packed her bags and took the "next train smoking" to Chicago in search of better things. Vel remained in Mississippi with his grandparents. He attended church every Sunday and remembers sometimes they would travel to neighboring towns to hear a "Big Preacher" or enjoy a shouting, spirit filled "Gospel Fest". At the age of eight Vel moved to Chicago to be with his mother. This was pure culture shock! "From the sticks to the bricks" says Vel. The first song he heard on the radio as the train pulled into the station was "You Send Me" sung by Sam Cooke. "The song eased my longing to be back home in Mississippi," Vel remembers. Vel began singing at the age of 14 and upon graduating he was sure he wanted to make show business his life. In the early 1970's Vel boarded a plane bound for Los Angeles to concentrate his efforts on a singing career. Vel credits Sam Cooke with being his singing inspiration from childhood. Mastering Cooke's vocal techniques and stage presence have made him a sought after vocalist throughout the Los Angeles area. Vel sings his original compositions using his life experiences; the cotton fields of Mississippi, the tough streets of Chicago,and the struggling entertainer trying to make it in Hollywood to soulfully deliver a passionate blend of music guaranteed to please. Could this be the creation of yet another legend? You better believe it, baby !! VEL OMARR~ RESUME (Partial List) HEADLINER * Los Angeles Convention center-BLACK EXPO 2000 Production - "ANOTHER SATURDAY NIGHT" * Hollywood Park Casino-- "Soul Explosion"-- Featuring The Marvelettes and Jewel Akens(Birds and the Bees) * Disneyland (Pacific Bell Regional Convention) * Queen Mary Cruise Ship(Long Beach, CA)-- National US Postal Convention * Paradise Casino - Yuma Arizona * Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel Cinegrill Room * The Proud Bird Restaurant - Los Angeles, Ca. LEGENDS OF ROCK 'N' ROLL * GREEK THEATRE (Los Angeles, Ca.)-- The Legendary Robins(reunion) OPENING ACT - A TRIBUTE TO THE LEGENDARY SAM COOKE * The PLATTERS LIVE! at the Brave Bull - San Gabriel,Ca. * BRENTON WOOD'S SWEET OLD SCHOOL REVUE The Greek Theatre - Los Angeles, Ca. Starring James Brown -BB King's Blues Club - Universal City--- The Hop - City of Industry Ca.--- San Manuel Casino - Highland, Ca.-- Fantasy Springs Casino - Indio, Ca.--- The Hop - Lakewood, Ca.--- Club Caprice - Redondo Beach, Ca.-- In Cahoots - Riverside, Ca.-- Normandie Casino - Gardena, Ca.

Instruments vocals

Albums Rhythms And The Blues

Press Reviews Artist: Vel Omarr CD: Rhythms And The Blues Home: California Style: R&B Quote: "There are delightful surprises like Vel Omarr out there, making the kind of magic that made us R&B devotees in the first place". Much of modern R&B is sung in whispers, falsettos and throaty murmurs. It's refreshing to run across an R&B voice that is seasoned, strong and solid. Vel Omarr has such a voice. Omarr has been in the business since the 1970s. His growing-up years followed the classic blues/soul pattern: childhood in Mississippi, adolescence in Chicago and adulthood in California. He cites influences that show some depth of experience. In fact, he says one of his most vivid boyhood memories is of stepping off the train in Chicago and hearing "You Send Me" by Sam Cooke for the first time. His new CD, "Rhythms and the Blues," presents a robust range of approaches to modern R&B. "You're all That" features a loping bass line tightened by a sustained synth-string fill and - guess what? - Sam Cooke-influenced vocals. "That's Alright With Me" is romantic and manly in the old-school, slow-dance / piano triplet sense. "Morality" is pretty much straight reggae. The background vocals punctuate the chorus at just the right times and the lyrics are refreshing straight talk on the state of modern society. There is a lot of discussion on R&B web sites about the lack of good old passion and groove in today's artists. Those with this complaint might do well to explore some of the indie sources of the music they care about. There are delightful surprises like Vel Omarr out there, making the kind of magic that made us R&B devotees in the first place.

Location Los Angeles, California - USA

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