6 by 5 by Upper Structure

Dre, Christina Aguilera, Mosaic, Royal Crown Revue, Jonatha Brooke, Siedah Garrett, Steve Tyrell, Airto Moreira and Flora Purim, Andy Summers, Rita Coolidge, Brian Auger's Oblivion Express, the Stan Kenton Orchestra, Patrice Rushen, Vanessa Paradis, John Pattitucci, Larry Klein, Luis Conte, and many, many more.

The group's music - all original compositions - defies easy categorization. The initial concept for the band was "a hip hop Steely Dan", and Upper Structure does reflect that group's influence in its use of horn arrangements and its fusing of jazz and pop sensibilities, but the band also draws heavily on funk, R & B, Latin, African, and Middle Eastern music, bebop, folk, and rock.

One of the most unique elements in the group's sound is the play between Katisse's rap and Kate's vocals - these two very different voices maintain a constant dialogue within the band's music. The floating, beautiful tone of Kate's vocals are a perfect foil to Katisse's aggressive rap style, which delivers spiritually positive and forward-thinking content with hard-hitting exuberance. There is plenty of space within the band's material for muscular and intense soloing from each member, but the goal is always to serve the song first and foremost, and the players utilize solo space judiciously.

The group strives to challenge the listener's expectations while still remaining accessible, to meld the textures of Hip-Hop with the dynamics of live instruments, to infuse concise arrangements with fluid improvisation, to marry lyrical insight and musical integrity, and to provide as many colors and shades as possible within the space of each performance.

Upper Structure has been recording with legendary engineer and co-producer Tony Shepperd (Take 6, Kenny Loggins, Whitney Houston), and has been joined in the studio by session aces and longtime musical partners Lee Thornburg (trumpet) and Cassio Duarte (percussion). The band is currently performing in the Los Angeles area to enthusiastic acclaim.

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