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My
testimony:
"Cafe 290
in Atlanta was the club my cousin and his girlfriend took my fiancé
and me to hear "something special", as they put it. The place was
packed. People were standing around pool tables and at the bar wrestling for
the bartender's attention. We found a small table with bar stools in a corner.
The music was already going and sounding good. My cousin pointed to a guy
bending to pick up his instrument from a case and said, "That's him!
That's the guy I was telling you about. He would be perfect for your wedding."
I really didn't know what to expect when the musician pulled out a blue violin
from his case. My fiancé and I looked at each other like, "What's
up with the violin!" The violinist glanced at the guy playing the keys,
nodded at the drummer and then checked his chin with his violin. The band
began to play Kool & The Gang's "Summer Madness". The violinist
played with intensity and force. You could feel every note; every string left
a resounding hum in my soul. The music had me in shock. As the violinist hit
one of the songs super high notes, the crowd burst into applause. He had us
and he knew it. By the end of the song, I felt out of breath and knew this
was the guy I had to have play at my wedding."
That was in 1996.
In 2001, the violinist I experienced at Cafe' 290, Ken Ford, has released
his long anticipated debut CD, "Burnt Toast".
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Tirrell
D. Whittley
General Manager
LiquidSoulRadio.com |
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Ken Ford is a
classically trained jazz violinist from Atlanta, Georgia. Ken was first introduced
to the violin at the tender age of nine. He mastered his craft by playing
with the DeKalb Youth Pop Orchestra, DeKalb Symphony Orchestra, and the African
American Philharmonic Orchestra. Although, Ken was grounded classically, he
had a deep desire to play the type of music he enjoyed most and grew up listening
to around the house, which is contemporary jazz. Ken taught himself to play
by ear by playing songs from the radio. His perseverance molded him into an
exceptionally talented jazz performer.
Due to Ken's
large and rapidly growing following, he has been requested to perform as the
opening act for jazz artist Boney James, Neo-Soul master D'Angelo, and jazz
artist Kirk Whalum. Ken's talents also awarded an invitation from Wyclef Jean
to appear with him on the nationally broadcasted "VH-1 Storytellers",
where he performed an acapella duet of "Til' November" from Wyclef's
CD "The Carnival". Other artists that Ken has performed with are:
Goodie Mob, Laurnea, Eric Benet, Roy Ayers, Rachelle Farrell, and Maxwell,
just to name a few.
Ken's most recent
accomplishment is the release of his chart-topping debut CD entitled "Burnt
Toast". "Burnt Toast" refers to Ken's desire to keep the "Toast"
or his talent in the oven a little longer than most had hoped before popping
into the spotlight. As a result, the final product serves up a spread of musical
enjoyment. Ken delivers a smooth and soulful sound through his CD. Those not
familiar with the jazz violin quickly understand the sensual vibe from every
track on his debut CD.
Ken's authentic
personality and unique style is evident though his talent and his CD. I experienced
Ken in a special way back in 1996, while he was still in the toaster. We invite
your appetite to experience Ken in all his fullness with his release of "Burnt
Toast".
Check Ken Ford
out at www.kenford.net.
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