Artist description Fertile Ground is one of the regions hottest bands. Voted by Baltimore City Paper as the #1New Contemporary Jazz/R&B Group in 1998, Fertile Ground has spent the last year on a whirlwind tour both in the states and abroad. Fresh off of a very successful stint in the UK and The Netherlands the band is poised to take on Japan with a stand at the Tokyo BlueNote this Month. Fertile Ground's ebulient sound unites people of all cultures and ages with unique style and soul. Recently, the band has performed with R&B legends Regina Bell, Chaka Kahn, The Gap Band, Jean Carne, Jazz pianist Loston Harris Hip-Hop Contemporarys the Black Eyed Peas and numerous others. They have appeared at major venues and festivals throughout the world. Fertile Ground has a live show that Jazz legend Ruby Glover referred to as "unparalleled." The group's natural blend of Jazz, Latin, Soul, Hip Hop and Reggae give it a unique sound which is best categorized as Urban-World-Jazz. Their CDs "Field Songs", "Spiritual War" and recent European hit "Perception" have introduced thousands of listeners to their sound. Currently, the unit is in the studio recording a hotly anticipated follow-up to 1998's "Field Songs". So far six new songs have debuted at recent shows to enthusiastic reception. The CD is due in stores in November of 2001.

Music Style Urban World Jazzy Soul

Musical Influences Maxwell, Erykah Badu, Sade, Billie Holliday, Lee Morgan, Sarah Vaughn, Ella Fitgerald

Similar Artists Hmmm? You listen and decide.

Artist History Fertile Ground started out in 1996, the brainchild of leader and keyboardist, James Collins. The founding members-James, Navasha Daya, and Marcus Asante formed the backbone of the band whose sound was puntuated by the crisp horn-work of trumpeter/flugelhornist, Freddy Dunn who was added later that year. Fleshed out by the more recent additions of Ekendra Das on percusion, Craig Alston on sax, Lionel Lyles on trombone, and Joel Mills on guitar they are imminently ready for the world! Most of the songs in their refreshingly original catalog are penned by James, although Navasha has made major contributions with a few crowd favorites like "Peace & Love" and co-writing credits on "Cottonfields" and "Lovin' You". The execution and arranging of tunes is a fully collaborative effort which allows each members' light to shine through. Ekendra and Marcus set the tone with their feet firmly planted in World rhythms. Collins and Freddy Dunn represent for the Jazz-Funk element. Alston on reeds thows in a solidly jazzy perspective. While Navasha's vocals invoke a favorable comparisons to Ella, Billie, the late great Phyllis Hyman and even Tina Marie! In mid-year 2002 Marcus Asante stepped down from the drum throne with the band and was replaced ably by DC native, Mark Prince. Mark brings an approach more owing to R&B and Jazz, and has made a seamless transition that enables the Fertile Ground light to continue to shine both here and abroad. The band is just back from their second international tour which included stops in Belgium, Holland, Scotland, England, Spain, a five night stand in Yokohama Japan, and 18 US stops!

Group Members James Collins-Keys, Navasha Daya-Lead Vocals, Marcus Asante-Drums, Mark Prince-Drums, Ekendra Das-Percussion, Freddie Dunn-Trumpet/Flugel, Craig Alston-Sax

Instruments Trumpet, Sax, Vocals, Drums, Guitar, Percussion, Keys

Albums Field Songs, Spiritual War, Perceptions, Seasons Change, Terra Firma

Press Reviews 1998-Baltimore City Paper-Best Jazz Band 1999-Baltimore Magazine-Up and Coming Music Act 1999-Music Monthly-Runnerup to Dru Hill for Best R&B Band 2001-Blu (UK)-Best Soul Group 2001-Tokyo Blue Note-Best Performance by Group 2002-Every Wednesday-Front page and center spread 2002-City Paper-Cover and five page feature

Location Baltimore, Maryland - USA

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