ViBE Newsletter: June 2006
The ViBE at The Apollo Theater . . . A Standing Ovation!!!J
. . . And God received all the glory at The Apollo Theater on May 31st, 2006 in New York City where The ViBE received 7 repeated cheers and applause throughout the course of their original composition, "Walk in the Light".
Before one of the most hostile and unruly crowds The Apollo has ever seen (said Apollo Theater staff members), the amateur night acts were being booed off the stage left and right. Before The ViBE hit the stage the three acts that appeared immediately before them were booed with sirens blaring and the "Sand Man" dancing them off and on their way.
The Sand man (now also known as "The Executioner") was working over time that night.
The audience was even booing acts that had the obvious ability to sing. They booed many acts even before they started their routines. The spectacle was an amazement to witness.
By the time The ViBE hit the stage, it was like a feeding frenzy out there with the crowd wetted with the appetite to boo yet another group no matter who they were or what they did.
Then their time arrived . . ."Ladies and Gentlemen please welcome to The Stage "The VIBE" . . . With the crowd restless and rumbling with a riotous current of noise, The ViBE marched on stage in a single file formation, with Terence, Kiyaa, Herbert, Tim and Nels each taking a moment, in keeping with the tradition, to touch
"The Tree of Hope".
Lined up across the stage, heads bowed in a meditative manner, The ViBE waited as the crowd made efforts to quiet itself. Just as the crowd came to a near quieted silence, Herbert Johnson began with his opening solo . . .
"Walk in the Light . . Beautiful light . . . Upon hearing his air-stilling vocal, the crowd quieted, with sparks of exclamations coming haughtily from the crowd saying "OK!!!" and "Alright!!!"
Herbert continued with the lyrics with . . . "Beautiful Light" . . . "down where the dew drops of mercy shine bright" . . . At this moment, although initially enchanted by Herbert's quieting vocal, the hostile crowd began to show signs of boredom, with the slightest beginnings of a boo to be heard in the air. . Just then the entirety of The ViBE took a breath and joined with their lead vocalist with a full chorded five-part resounding vocal harmony that sent a voluminous, rushing wave of sound over the capacity crowd at The Apollo Theater. Within seconds, the crowd responded in approval with wall-shaking screams as they clapped and stomped and applauded to The ViBE sound.
From that point forward the crowd would join in the rhythm and beat from their seats with resounding ovations of applause at every turn and phase shift of The ViBE's multi-sectional unique composition. The grand finale saw the group move into their signature trademark jazz baroque styling which TORE THE HOUSE DOWN!!! and brought the 2000 seat capacity crowd to their feet with a resounding
STANDING OVATION!!!!!
With that, “The ViBE” let out a bellowing "THANK YOU APOLLO!!!!" and exited the stage with the audience
still on their feet.
On May 31st, 2006 God received all of the glory at The world famous Apollo Theater!!!
Please stay tuned for any upcoming announcements
God Bless You!!! We Love You All
And To God Be all The Glory . . . In Jesus Name, Amen
ViBE Newsletter: May 2006 (DPI Publication Article)
The ViBE Brings a Fresh Approach to the First Instrument . . . . .
The ViBE is a 5-person Christian vocal ensemble based out of the Nation's Capital that brings listeners a truly distinctive and captivating musical experience. Specializing in a capella music, the group's sound has often been called "deeply moving and uplifting" by a diverse and ever-growing array of listeners across the country.
Since their simple beginnings in 2001, The ViBE has been itself an instrument of inspiration, comfort and spiritual connection for many through their trademark vocal stylings. Such broad appeal is a blessing perhaps easier to understand when one considers the eclectic backgrounds of the members. "Music is much like cuisine . . ." says Tim Campbell, who started the group five years ago with fellow members Terence Hope, Nels Olson and Herbert Johnson - their number settled at five two years later with the addition of gifted vocalist Kiyaa Washington - " . . . what you bring to the table begins with what you have in the kitchen." And this vocal band's cupboards are amply stocked, to be sure; The ViBE draws from a varied palette of musical influences from
Stevie Wonder and Michael Jackson to Take 6, Bobby McFerrin and Sam Cooke.
The genres in The ViBE range from blues to classical to Afro-Cuban jazz. "Each of us has been prepared for this ministry in one way or another through all our lives, " says Tim. "From classical training to decades of experience in chorales, college bands and other musical projects, each member of the group brings rich creative influences to bear in what the Spirit produces through our group efforts." Such efforts have borne auspicious fruit.
This year is seeing some exciting new horizons open up for this cutting-edge collective. A highlight of special note; In early March The ViBE held a concert /workshop by special invitation of the Oscar-winning actress Cicely Tyson. Following a gracious personal introduction by the actress herself, The ViBE filled the evening with a stirring performance of many of their original compositions highlighted by a marvelous a capella rendition of the jazz classic "All Blues" by the legendary Miles Davis. The evening also featured an interactive session with students from
The Cicely Tyson School of Performing Arts where the concert was held. This same stage has been shared by the likes of jazz greats Wynton Marsalis , Branford Marsalis , and a who's who of world-renowned performers.
At the time of this writing, the group is preparing to cap off a busy May schedule with their first appearance at the world-famous Apollo Theater in New York City. "We're definitely honored, says Tim. We want to be a blessing to as many as possible through our music."
The ViBE is always looking to expand the reach of their unique harmony. The group has a
self-titled, 5-track mini-CD currently on sale @ www.theevibe.com , with their first full-length album to be released later this year. The ViBE is available for bookings for all manner of events. For more information please visit The ViBE's website listed above, or contact them via email at thevibesound@hotmail.com.
DPI Publications (May 2006)
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