K'Alyn

Take a hint of Sting, a dose of Hendrix, a pinch of Stevie, add it up and you've got the flavor of K'Alyn (pronounced K-Allen). The talented multi-instrumentalist and singer/songwriter has made fans of Mick Fleetwood and Me'Shell Ndegeocello with his rich amalgam of organic jazzy grooves, poetic and insightful lyrics, rocked out guitar anthems and keen compositional chops that draw from the best elements of folk, R&B, soul and funk. K'Alyn is a true original with an adventurous musical spirit. The Washington, DC native who initially had his sights set on becoming a doctor shares, "My music is music from and for the soul. It's music to dream to. I want to be an example of grace and beauty through sound. I am making music for the future...and if you're hip now...welcome to another level."

K'Alyn has honed his skills and built an impressive resume leading his own band and touring the world as both a singer and guitarist with a collective of like-minded musicians. Most recently he has been on the road touring as a member of Jive Records R&B recording artist Raheem Devaughn's band as lead guitarist. Prior to working with Devaughn, K'Alyn was a featured vocalist with bassist/singer Me'Shell Ndegeocello. While with Ndegeocello, he toured the US, Europe and Japan extensively and appeared on late night TV shows Jay Leno and Carson Daly. K'Alyn maintains a busy schedule producing tracks for other DC artists featuring Eric Roberson, and up-and-coming singers Wayna and Bilal Salaam, with a compilation of the city’s most soulful talent forthcoming during the fall of 2005.

Like neo-soulster D'Angelo, K'Alyn has the rare ability to play most instruments he encounters in the studio. K'Alyn is a one man band, or a leader of many, depending on the occasion. His creative genius, instrumental agility and comfort in the studio can be heard on his three independently released and recorded projects: Coco, The Beauty of…, and his newest outing Verse 1, Chapter III. Verse 1, Chapter III pays homage to his musical heroes while at the same time explores his own unique tapestry of sound. "I was fortunate to work with some great producers on this project who helped me to stretch out musically. From one project to the next, I don't ever want people to expect that they will know what they will hear from me. I want to have the same ability that a musician like Sting has. I want to be able write great songs in whatever genre it takes to create the proper mood and tone. Verse I Chapter III transcends category. I feel like I have created something for everybody on this record."

Hailing from the nation's capitol, the University of Maryland graduate was inspired to find his own musical path at an early age. "DC has such a rich music history," declares K'Alyn. "Go-Go music has had a tremendous effect on my musical development. It sparked my infatuation for live music, improvisation and percussive music. DC also has a legacy of soulful songwriters like Marvin Gaye, Roberta Flack, Me'Shell Ndegeocello and numerous others. There is a constant, never-ending pulse in DC that radiates through my body."

Being the son of two professional musicians, K'Alyn's childhood was filled with music. He shares, "My mother taught piano lessons at the Sewell Music Conservatory in DC, and instead of going outside and playing with other kids after school, I would go there and hang out. I also spent a lot of time hanging out at my father's jazz band rehearsals. I remember once my father dropped me off at his rehearsal and went to park his car and while he was gone, I proceeded to step behind his drum kit and jam with the band. I was on cloud nine, I actually thought I might be able to take his place. I was 4 years old!" K'Alyn's earliest performance experiences include playing keys in a local Go-Go band, singing as a member of his family's gospel ensemble, and leading a teen acapella ensemble.

The soft-spoken, handsome and intellectual artist credits musicians like Jimi Hendrix, Miles Davis, Sting, Sly & the Family Stone, Steely Dan, Bjork, Stevie Wonder and Joni Mitchell with helping to shape his own musical vision. About Hendrix he says, "When I first heard Jimi Hendrix's, "Axis Bold as Love," I had an outer body experience. I was sonically high. If Jimi were around today he'd be happy to see his influence on sonic dimension and stereophonics. He'd be like 'why y'all biting....I was doing that stuff in '68!'" K'Alyn has also learned some important lessons on the bandstand and through various musicians he has had the privilege to collaborate with.

K'Alyn's sonic collage artfully weaves themes of love, spirituality and compassion. His compelling songs resonate with an honesty and deep emotion that is rare in an age of one-hit wonders, passing trends and formulaic musical acts. It is refreshing to witness the emergence of a new voice. K'Alyn concludes, "I write to make people f