Artist description Taking the backbeat of hip-hop,jazz and soul, spicing it up with phat 70's bass, stirring in some retro-wah guitar, Rhodes and Hammond keys, Stax-inspired horns, Latin-tinged percussion and powerful layered vocals, CONGREGATION blends it all together for an explosive, sophisticated and positive vibe.

Music Style Blend of funk, urban soul and jazz with a hip-hop backbeat

Musical Influences 70's soul and funk/90's house and acid jazz

Similar Artists Sly & the Family Stone, Stevie Wonder, Maxwell, Lauryn Hill

Artist History Based in Washington, DC, originally formed in late 1995. First-ever show was in DC in December of 1996, and since that time, CONGREGATION has shared stages with Kool and the Gang, The Isley Brothers, Gap Band, The Meters, Groove Collective, Tom Tom Club and many others, in addition to headlining many of its own shows in the top venues in DC and New York.

Group Members David Boris, Steve Barke, Jenee Bevett, Aaron Hall, Eric Leifert, Frank "Mint" Mitchell, Matt Simms, Alan Blackman, Warren "Bala" Harper

Instruments Bass, Guitar, Saxaphones, Drums, Percussion, Rhodes Keyboard

Albums Sound Is In Your City (currently sold out); Urban Philosophy

Press Reviews "Congregation brings high-test funk and soul!" - The New Yorker; "A sophisticated, hot sound of hip-hop and soul" - Time Out New York; "The best live band in the city" - Eric Brace, The Washington Post"; (Urban Philosophy) is the first session in what turns out to be an advanced class in vintage soul, funk and jazz" - Mike Joyce, The Washington Post; "Congregation's music emphasizes musical and racial harmony - it's a family affair whenver they play and they'll include anyone who wants to join their groove thang!" - Holly Bass, Washington City Paper; "They've gained a large following with a mix of retro-soul that's hard to resist" - Arch Campbell, WRC-TV Channel 4, Washington, D.C.

Location Washington, DC - USA

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