Onaje Allan Gumbs---Piano Magic Fingers !

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Snellville, Georgia, United States of America (Free-Press-Release.com) December 8, 2011 -- By Tom Livsey, Ourtown National News Editor,

It was the year 1949, on the third day of September, a musical genius was born in St. Albans, of Queens, New York, named Allan Gumbs.

He reveals," I adopted the name "Onaje"Allan Gumbs in 1972. The meaning of the name is,"The Sensitive One, Owner of the Feeling".

From an early age of seven this young boy started to unveil his God Given musical talents. Henry Mancini was one of his earliest and greatest influences from watching the TV shows like "Peter Gunn" and "Mr Lucky".

Later while studying at the Music and Art High School in Manhattan, with the help of a childhood friend's father, Leroy Kirkland, who eventually became his musical mentor, Onaje was on his way to stardom.

Onaje went on to study classical piano, composition, arranging and graduated with a degree in Education at the State University of New York at Fredonia in upstate New York.

He has been a professional music artist since the early 70's, when Leroy Kirkland introduced Onaje to the renowned Detroit guitarist Kenny Burrell ,to whom Onaje gave a demo tape.

The following day, Onaje received a call to play with Kenny Burrell at Baker's Keyboard Lounge in Detroit. This work led to further performances with major jazz musicians such as bassist Larry Ridley, as well as The Thad Jones/ Mel Lewis Orchestra.

During those early 70's, Onaje replaced Nat Adderley, Jr. in a great contemporary jazz ensemble called Natural Essence. At that time in the course of two years, some the personnel of this group included drummer Buddy Williams, bassist David Williams, Earl McIntyre and on percussion, Thelonious Monk Jr.

For over four decades, Mr. Gumbs have worked with numerous groups like, Natural Essence, and hired as an arranger for the album Dark of Light.

Onaje went on to contribute keyboard work for subsequent albums by Norman Connors, including the albums Love From the Sun, Saturday Night Special, You Are My Starship, Invitation and Mr C. Onaje's sideman work soon included stints with Buster Williams Cecil McBee, and Betty Carter.

Onaje's most recent sideman role is on Avery Sharpe 's 2009 album Autumn Moonlight; here Onaje's fresh approach to the piano and his skills as a composer ("Palace of the Seven Jewels" and "First Time We Met") are evident.

Not long ago, Onaje recorded an album for 18th and Vine records entitled Sack Full of Dreams. While Remember Their Innocence was a studio-intensive project, Sack Full of Dreams was recorded with a live feel in the studio, using few takes.

His most recent release with Avery Shape is "Running Man"(2011).

"I am going into the studio with him to record a new project dedicated to Sojourner Truth entitled "Ain't I A Woman" which should be released in 2012. My most recent solo project is "Just like Yesterday released in Japan last year. My projects aside from "Just like Yesterday"are available at itsaboutmusic.com , says Mr. Gumbs.

The film and stage actor Obba Babatundé appears as guest vocalist on the title track.

In 2006, Onaje was nominated for an NAACP Image Award in the Outstanding Jazz Artist category for his independent project, Remember Their Innocence.

There are just too many great musicians and outstanding musical groups to mention, but to be sure, if you asked any knowledgeable musician around the country, Who is one of the best pianists in the world is ?
Nine times out of ten, they will reply quickly, Mr. Onaje Allan Gumbs !

For more information please visit http://onajeallangumbsnetwork.ning.com/

There you will be able to purchase of CDs and booking Mr. Gumbs for your organization's entertainment.

Also check out some of his great YouTube's videos...like this great one, Smooth Jazz . Click or copy and paste this link below, and listen for yourself:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YciGbSI8glE

Contributing site: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Onaje_Allan_Gumbs .

###

CNN iReport     google     jazz music     Music Genius     new york     Onaje Allan Gumbs     Tom Livsey