Sounds Of Blackness
"Ooh Child"
The Five Stairsteps
Arr. Edwin Hawkins
©1976 Private Label

Rarely does an ensemble possess diversity, intensity, and ethnicity and present these qualities in a compelling and entertaining manner. Yet, The Sounds of Blackness meet and exceed this description with a focus on educating and empowering listeners to encounter the entire scope of the African-American music experience. The Minnesota-based group has reached both national and international prominence throughout the last decade, and their current project Reconciliation is currently climbing the charts as we speak. However, the history of this organization has extensions a bit beyond the scope of the last decade.

"We got our start at Macalester College, a private institution in Minnesota, back in 1969," says director Gary Hines. "At that time we were known as the Macalester College Black Voices. Our focus was to continue the legacy of the great Duke Ellington. We were one group who would present all styles of black music." After changing their name to The Sounds of Blackness in 1971, the choir independently recorded their first project titled Images of Blackness in 1974. They proceeded to record the sequel to that project, Images of Blackness II in 1976 and The Night Before Christmas in 1978. While these projects were wonderful musical experiences for the choir, they would not make their commercial debut until 1991.

The chief lead singer of the group was Ann Nesby until 1995 when Nesby left the group to pursue a solo career. The group continues to perform internationally.

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