Ajamu Akinyele

You've heard the buzz about his latest CD "Black Magic The Cyber Jazz Experience," predicted to be one of "The Best Independent Jazz Album's of 2006," from music critics around the world. You've seen the amazing album cover. You've heard his music on 89.5 KPOO, 103.7 KKSF, 96.5 KNOZ and 91.1 KCSM, but who is the man behind the music? Meet producer/bassist/keyboardist/pianist/label owner and one half of the dynamic duo "Gemini Soul," Andre Marcel Ajamu Akinyele, pronounced Ah-jah-moo + Ah-kin-yay-lay.

Meet producer/bassist/keyboardist/pianist/label owner and one half of the dynamic duo "Gemini Soul," Andre Marcel Ajamu Akinyele, pronounced Ah-jah-moo + Ah-kin-yay-lay.

Ajamu Akinyele has a new double CD out titled "Black Magic The Cyber Jazz Experience" released January 9, 2006 on his own recording label Pearl Jazz. As MARCEL, he released five CD's ranging from Funk to World, but as Ajamu Akinyele, embarked on his first cyber jazz release titled "Supernova" in 2005. Ajamu Akinyele is originally from the San Francisco bay area and resides in Noe Valley, a section of San Francisco, with his music collaborator, and the other half of Gemini Soul Jon O'Bergh. They met in 2002 and have been writing and performing together ever since.

Jon O'Bergh plays keyboard and piano with a combination of sequenced music to add a "Live" feel to the overall performance, i.e. Herbie Hancock, Tori Amos, and Sweetback; while Ajamu Akinyele plays bass laying down pure funk, i.e. Prince, Stanley Clarke, Marcus Miller, and MeShell Ndegeocello creating a unique and identifiable sound called "Cyber-Jazz," which is a blend of smooth jazz-funk fusion.

"Black Magic The Cyber Jazz Experience" has been labeled "Musically stunning & captivating" by his peers. Jazz Improv Magazine calls "Black Magic The Cyber Jazz Experience"...Creative & Entrancing; The Sacramento Cultural Hub Magazine calls it...Outstanding; JazzReview.com says...This duo proves to be the perfect formula for a winning endeavor; while San Diego City Beat says...Ajamu gets down for the funk of it. With reviews and performances at such venues as Borders Books & Music, Santana Row, The Bubble Lounge, The Monterey Bay Summer Festival, The Napa Summer Concert Series, and etc...Gemini Soul f/ Ajamu Akinyele are well on their way.

Ajamu Akinyele's style of music has been compared to the smooth sounds of Sade, the laidback grooves of bassist MeShell Ndegeocello, the funkiness of Pop Icon Prince, and the fusion of Miles Davis. Ajamu Akinyele states "My overall goal is to introduce my music to all generations and to all ethnic backgrounds in support of jazz of all genres, trying to unite us as a people of one nation under a groove through cyber jazz."