SunSpots: Vinx - A Musical Journey!

 

Vinx:  One Man.  One Voice.  One Drum.

Stephanie!
Soleil@so-LAZE.com

We've probably all experienced the power of an artist who touches us in a special way, who seemingly journeys through life with us, who uplifts us when we need it most, provides a laugh or sets a mood.  Vinx has been that for me and he is a gift that I'd like to share with you.*

I was first introduced to Vinx in 1991 when a girlfriend shared a cassette tape (hey - it was the early-90s!) containing five versions of Touch My Heart.  Passionate, emotional, lyrical - just Vinx, accompanied by Patrice Rushen on piano.  I was hooked and got my late fiancé, Edward Wilson, hooked, too.  Together, we went on a quest to find more - Rooms In My Fatha's House, I Love My Job, The Storyteller - hooked!

What is it about Vinx?  He's uncategorizable.  Jazz, R&B, Rock, Caribbean, Gospel-ish and stuff you just can't smack a convenient label on.  Ed vowed to wake our future children daily with I Feel Incredible.  I chose Tell My Feet (I Made It Home) to close Ed's funeral on an uplifting note.  When I drive down to Alabama, the song Why O Why is my best friend (okay - so is every Vinx CD I own)!  He runs the gamut.  It would be easy to go through his various CDs and extract an R&B album (Will Downing covered his tune Don'tcha Talk to Me Like That) that would easily fit within the mainstream.  However, to do so would mean eliminating the essence of Vinx: individuality and true artistry.

Five versions of a song?  That's not uncommon with Vinx, who sometimes performs a full show with only his drum.  Or he may be accompanied by other musicians and vocalists.  Or he may create intricate layers of sound with his voice - guitar, bass, drums and vocal harmonies - recorded live and looped to provide the coolest background for a new vocal take on an old favorite!

There is no better way to begin your Vinx musical journey with than An Intimate Jazz Jam on Friday, March 30th, 2012.  Only fifty guests will be able to attend this special event held in an historic Bronzeville mansion, with proceeds benefitting the Rotary Club of Chicago Southeast.  Brace yourself for an extraordinary journey with twists, turns and varied terrain, expertly guided by the lush, baritone voice that is Vinx.  Enjoy!

*Enter to win a pair of tickets to see Vinx at RCCSE's 15th Anniversary Celebration on Saturday, March 31, 2012, 7pm at The Connection, 4321 S. Cottage Grove.  Deadline to enter is Wednesday, March 28, 2012 at 8pm.  You must be a subscriber to enter!

Comments

[Susan Shorter-Glend]

Thank you! I so missed this brother! Plan to see him. Susan Glend