The most awarded vocal group in history (10 Grammy Awards, 10 Dove Awards, a Soul Train Award, and more) celebrates their 25th Anniversary!

Take 6 (Claude McKnight, Mark Kibble, Joel Kibble, Dave Thomas, Alvin Chea and Khristian Dentley), heralded by Quincy Jones as the “baddest vocal cats on the planet!", is the quintessential a cappela group and model for vocal genius. Six virtuosic voices united in crystal clear harmony, against a backdrop of syncopated rhythms, innovative arrangements, and funky grooves that bubble into an intoxicating brew of gospel, jazz, R&B, and pop. With praise from such luminaries as Ray Charles, Stevie Wonder, Brian Wilson, Ella Fitzgerald and Whitney Houston, the multi-platinum selling sextet has toured across the globe, collaborated across genres, and is recognized as the pre-eminent a capella group in the world.
source: www.take6.com

1980

The story of Take 6 starts at Oakwood College in Huntsville (in the north of Alabama).
Oakwood, an at that time small Seventh-day Adventist college, is renowned for their quartets.

A student at Oakwood (also known as ‘an Oakwoodite') once wrote on the school's website section “You're an oakwoodite if...":
Your an Oakwoodite if you ever left for class and found 20 or more guys in front of the dorm having an impromptu singfest...an event which could last all morning as guys came and went according to their class schedule. But the music never stopped, perfect 4 part harmony.

From the moment on 17 year old Claude McKnight sets foot on Oakwood, he tries to form a quartet to sing in after classes. He finds three fellow freshmen (his roommate Willie Armstrong, Wyatt Phillips, and Darryl Glenn Hunter) and comes up with a name: the Gentlemen's Estate Club, named after their freshmen dormitory Gentlemen's Estate (also known as G.E.).
Actually, G.E. was no more than a trailer park.

Composition of this group:

tenor 1: Wyatt Phillips
tenor 2: Darryl Glenn Hunter
baritone: Claude McKnight
bass: Willie Armstrong

The group is inspired by the quartet that originated from this school: the Breath of Life Quartet.
The sole public performance of the Gentlemen's Estate Club quartet is on a friday night at the J.L. Moran Hall . They sing, among others, ‘No More Sorrow' of the Breath of Life Quartet.

After a while, they realize that no one except Claude can reach all of the high notes, so they decide to shuffle the parts around:

tenor 1: Claude McKnight
tenor 2: Wyatt Phillips
baritone: Darryl Glenn Hunter
bass: Willie Armstrong

Several months after the quartet's instigation, in autumn of 1980, they are warming up for a performance in one of Oakwood's auditoriums where student performances happened all the time. This warm up takes place in the bathroom beneath the auditorium (because of the voice-friendly acoustics). Several groups are to perform that evening.
But as it happens, the moment the Gentlemen's Estate Club quartet is warming up with ‘If We Ever', one Mark Kibble walks by and recognizes Claude's voice. Mark, who is 16 and attending a high school near Oakwood College, knows Claude from the church at Buffalo (New York) when they were little.
He enters the bathroom and improvises a fifth part to what they are doing... and they gladly except his contribution: they perform with five that night! Naturally they have to come up with a new name: Sounds of Distinction.

Line up of this new group could have been:

tenor 1: Claude McKnight
tenor 2: Mark Kibble
tenor 3: Wyatt Phillips
baritone: Darryl Glenn Hunter
bass: Willie Armstrong

Mark's fifth voice is most welcome, because they are now able to produce more jazzy sounds. Mark starts arranging for the group (i.e. the song Bless This House).

Though fellow students are very enthousiastic about this new group, the faculty members are not really. One internet source says: “They mainly sang for AYS (weekly friday night vespers), and were not allowed to sing in the Oakwood College sanctuary because their music was sprinkled too much with “worldy" influence, but they definitely sang for AYS in the gym during Alumni weekend."
Mark Kibble said in an interview one time that the school made a new regulation:
“If you sang in a college-sponsored group or choir, you couldn't be in any other groups of more than four people. Of course, we were more than four. But that didn't even matter to me. It mattered more that I stick to this particular thing that we had, because it was so good.
I think part of the reason was that if you were in another group, you might run into scheduling conflicts when it came to rehearsals or performances with college-sponsored groups.
But, yes, I think it really was about the style. Oakwood is a Christian school, and historically, there's always been a resistance toward anything jazzy. We were very jazzy. And even though we were not using jazz instruments, we sounded like we were. That was enough. Change is always hard, especially in environments like that. And they just didn't know what to make of us. So, they tried to keep the reins tight."

Mark introduces this year (still 1980) Mervyn Warren as an extra member. Mervyn too is still attending high school. Mervyn and Mark used to do several musical projects together (i.e. the group A Special Blend!). Mervyn is accepted – and now we have a sextet!

Members:

1st tenor: Claude McKnight
1st tenor: Mark Kibble
2nd tenor: Mervyn Warren
2nd tenor: Wyatt Phillips
baritone: Darryl Glenn Hunter
bass: Willie Armstrong

Mark en Mervyn arrange ‘Bless This House' again to make it 6-part.

1981

Wyatt leaves in the beginning of 1981 for Keene, Texas (the Southwestern Adventist College) and Darryl leaves Oakwood too (and therefore the group too). New Tenor is Hallerin Hilton Hill and new Baritone Jerry Hutchinson. The group takes on a new name: Alliance.

Line up:

1st tenor: Claude McKnight
1st tenor: Mark Kibble
2nd tenor: Mervyn Warren
2nd tenor: Hallerin Hilton Hill (perhaps)
baritone: Jerry Hutchinson
bass: Willie Armstrong

At the beginning of the new semester (fall 1981) Willie is no longer at Oakwood. Eric Greene (a former room mate of Claude) replaces him. Claude himself is away too. Wyatt has returned however and Mark asks him to fill in for Claude (for just one live concert); in this line up they perform ‘Mary' at Moran Hall.

Line up of Alliance:

1st tenor: Wyatt Phillips
1st tenor: Mark Kibble
2nd tenor: Mervyn Warren
2nd tenor: Hallerin Hilton Hill (perhaps)
baritone: Jerry Hutchinson
bass: Eric Greene

Mervyn decides this year to follow courses at Oakwood. With Alma Blackmon, he studies music theory, piano and techniques of choral conducting. He sings, like Mark and Eric, with the Aeolians. The conductor of The Aeolians, Ms Alma Blackmon, doesn’t like the fact of choir members singing in other groups (because the choir members should be available for all rehearsals and concerts), so (for a short period?) Alliance is disbanded.

Mervyn continues during his tenure (4 years) to sing in The Aeolians, later on becoming their stage director, assistant conductor, and alternate accompanist. He will travel a lot with the choir through the US, Bermuda, the Bahamas, England, Scotland and Wales.

1983

Alliance records their first album at the Sound Cell Studios: Something Within at the Legacy Records label. This small label is founded by Henry Mosley, professor at Oakwood at that time. Mosley serves as manager of the group too.
The first song Doug Jansen Smith (from Sound Cell) is recording with the group (on a Sunday morning) is ‘Come Unto Me'.
The group uses their song ‘6 to 1' (Walk On The Wild Side) to appear on stage one by one. (Oakwoodites remember that they were dressed completely in white.)

Note: according to a Youtube comment at the first song of this album (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nLkgEE-tZh8) Keith Pascal is singing lead, so the line up of the group has changed here already. “That's Keith Pascal singing lead. He used to be my youth pastor. I remember them singing this at my church way back when they were still Alliance."

1985

At the start of this year, it is certain that Alliance comprises of:

1st tenor: Claude McKnight
1st tenor: Mark Kibble
2nd tenor: Mervyn Warren
2nd tenor: Keith Paschal (new!)
baritone: Jerry Hutchinson
bass: Eric Greene

Official sources say: “2nd tenor, baritone and bass graduate and leave the group."
Jerry returns to New York and begins working as a studio musician. I don't know what happens to the others.

Voices two and three (Mark and Merv) are the only carryovers from the previous lineup. The first tenor seat, a 2nd tenor seat and baritone and bass are vacant.

According to the All Access video, the first to join the remains of Alliance is David Thomas, as a second tenor.
Mark subsequently calls a baritone he knows: Cedric Dent. Cedric came to lie in Alabama earlier this year; he'll be doing a master at the University of Alabama starting the fall of 1985.

Mark explains: “We heard about Ced in Detroit by his work. He had a group called the Dent Family Trio that did harmony like us with only three voices. We heard them and were blown away! So when we had an opening we sought him out. And he agreed."

And finally... the new bass, Alvin Chea. Alvin knew of the group from an Alliance/Special Blend concert in Oakland and was very impressed by them. He himself sang in a group of friends (“Sacred Destiny", with Bobby Pena (lead), Donovan Grice (2nd tenor), Chuck Hackett (3rd tenor), Javier Romero (baritone) and himself (bass)) but Alliance was totally different...
At one time, he decided to take a one year course (one year only...) at Oakwood College. Since Alliance was still looking for a good bass, and one Alvin promissed to be a good sight reader, Mervyn looks him up to ask him to join the group. Alvin on the subject:

Actually, the back story is that he tried to track me down for a couple of weeks before I'd even talk to him. It's not that I was being deep. I was scared of him. I thought he was trying to kick my butt. It all began when he started dating a girl that I'd hung out with for a couple of weeks when I first got down there. Well, a month into the school year, I'd faded off the scene and he and this girl were wrong and strong. I thought he found out that I had been dating her and was trying to set me straight. I was avoiding him like the plague. By the time he finally tracked me down, he had a little attitude.
“Man...I've been trying to get a hold of you for a couple of weeks now..."
“Oh really...wha-what...about?"
“I want you to try out for this group."
“Oh yeah...I heard that you were conducting a choir, A-Classic is it?"
“Naw man...I mean yeah it'd be nice for you to sing in that group too, if you have the time. But, I'm talking about Alliance."
“What! Are you kidding? Of course I'd love to try out for that group."
“Cool."

Alvin prepares himself very well to the audition, and is hired instantly. Alvin tells about this audition:

My first group rehearsal happened in September of '85. I'll never forget it. I had been invited to join by Merv and he said that they usually got together on Friday nights.
Rewind to the living room where five dining room chairs were set up in semicircular fashion. There was a little brown spinet piano and a piano bench which sat empty. I took the end seat next to Dave and waited nervously while Cedric and Merv chatted. About ten minutes later, Mark arrived and took the seat at the piano bench. This was strange. Because, like lots of people, I just assumed that Merv was the main arranger. It turned out that Merv arranged for A Special Blend; but the sound of Alliance, which later became Take 6, belonged to Mark.

Mark and Merv were innovators and just had an innate feel for how things should be done. When we recorded, though we were a cappella, they insisted on putting down guide and click tracks, which instantly set us apart. And, when we used instruments, they could realistically program drums and arrange masterfully.

They too had a sense of their self-worth by having both a manager and a performance fee. Keep in mind these guys were still in their teens.

1986

Alliance still comprises of five people:

tenor: Mervyn Warren
tenor: Mark Kibble
tenor: David Thomas
baritone: Cedric Dent
bass: Alvin Chea

Alvin:

Folks were shuttled in and out of that first tenor spot like nothing. In the dorm late at night, I'd hear of a guy getting called up for an audition with the much-feared Alliance. The next day, you'd see him in the cafeteria completely dejected chewing on a veggie dog. But, for those first few months, the group that would one day be known as Take 6 was but a Take 5. We pushed on rehearsing week after week. And though there was nothing on the horizon save more rehearsals, I loved this cool new sound. Inevitably, after rehearsal, I'd see Mark and Merv shaking their heads... “Man, it just isn't there. Has anybody tracked down Claude yet?" This went on for months. Occasionally we'd hear something about Amway and Claude in Florida, but nothing confirmed. It was like spotting Elvis. I'm thinking, “Who IS this dude?"

Mark would teach the five of us our parts then would leave to sell paint at Sears. In fact, I really have to give Mark his props for holding us together through those thin years. He'd graduated the year before and had passed on several “grown-up" job offers in order to keep our dream alive. He taught his arrangements to those he could track down. In those early days, even Dave was hard to find - and he lived down the street.
Finally, one Friday night as we were setting up chairs for rehearsal, in walked a visibly relieved Mark. “Fellas, we found Claude. I sent him a tape and he promised to listen to it. And, oh yeah, he'll be here for Alumni weekend." Did you hear that? Claude is coming. They found Claude and he's coming back (pass it down). That night we rehearsed with a renewed vigor. Soon there would be six chi-chi-chilly Jordans.

Sure enough, when Oakwood's Alumni Weekend came, Claude showed up and killed it! It was great because his tone was the signature sound of Alliance. He had an amazingly smooth mellifluous voice with the charisma to boot. He was tall, dark and handsome. And when he sang, oh did the ladies swoon. Still do! What more could you want?

Finally they are with six again.

1st tenor: Claude McKnight
1st tenor: Mark Kibble
2nd tenor: Mervyn Warren
2nd tenor: David Thomas
baritone: Cedric Dent
bass: Alvin Chea

The group cannot continue using the name ‘Alliance'. It appears to be in use with another group. After reviewing about 50 names, they choose: Take 6.
Alvin: “None of us really liked the name; it was the name that we all hated the least."

Their first performance as Take 6 takes place at the Tennessee Performing Arts Center in Nashville.

1987

Because the group is performing outside campus more and more, they decide to hire a personal manager: Gail Hamilton from Choice Management. She lives and works in the Nashville area. In June, she puts up a showcase for Take 6 (and A Special Blend) at the Koinonia Christian Bookstore & Coffeehouse in Nashville. 30 gospel record company representatives (producers) are invited.
The group had been rehearsing for this event for about a year, because they only managed to come together in the weekends (30 to 40 hours per weekend).

Unfortunately, the performance is not as good as they'd hoped it would go… and only 10 representatives showed up.
Amongst them is a non invited guest: Jim Ed Norman, Nashville representative of Warner Brothers.

Cedric:

This guy showed up, and he told us the most incredible story about how he learned about TAKE 6. He said someone [Michael Martin Murphy, -red.] gave him an unlabeled cassette tape that had only a portion of one of our songs. He said the little bit of this performance on the tape floored him, and he wanted to find out more about this group. He kept this tape with him for about a year. When he heard about our showcase, he thought he would go to find out if, by chance, it was the same group. Sure enough, we sang the full version of the song he had on his tape. He immediately walked up to us after the concert and said that he would love to talk to us about a recording contract. Two days after the showcase, we had a record deal with Warner Bros.

This was a wonderful affirmation from the Lord that He was guiding our careers and opening these kinds of doors. When God does something, He always does it in such a way that is so supernatural and so miraculous that those involved can't take credit for it.

The demo Jim heard was a fragment of ‘David and Goliath', made by Doug Jansen Smith:

Doug has helped many aspiring artists meet their goals. His record for 8 hours of continuous work on a 8 second vocal part, created the demo that he used to entice Jim Ed Norman into signing multi-Grammy Gospel/Jazz artists Take 6.

(source: https://www.soundcell.com/producers.htm)

In the end, Jim signs the group with Warner/Reprise Nashville, officially as Take 6, and makes their LP's also available on the Reunion Records label, a strategy aimed at saturating both the Christian and secular markets.

Claude mentions that he had to abandon his studies at Oakwood (according to the bio of Brian McKnight ) and that they all moved to Nashville:
“After that successful show [the showcase], we literally were in the studio 20 days later, and subsequently moved to Nashville as a group during that process... it was CRAZY, and quick, but it was necessary for us to be together at that point."

Alvin:

At the very early days on Warner Bros., they didn't know what to do with us. They loved our sound but were unsure of just how to get us to entertain. A&R decided to bring in a Choreographer. Being the country division of the label, they hired someone straight out of a Branson review to work with us.
They videotaped our rehearsals on a Nashville soundstage. Song-by-song they began staging our early a cappella jams. 5-6-7-8 and *step* “Get away Jooordan..." And touch and pivot and to the side...GOOD! We rehearsed until we were heard “step and back" in our sleep. Mark, being saturated with musical talent, was not given much in the way of dance. Actually he was given none. According to Claude, Mark once single handedly sprained his ankle on a solo breakaway lay-up. I didn't see it, but I could believe it. Anyway, we finished the rehearsals and took the tapes to then-President Jim Ed Norman's house to celebrate our arrival. Jim Ed popped the tape in and we watched ourselves in action. Now remember, we are young, immature, and self-conscious. We hadn't seen each other because we were concentrating on getting our own moves right. So, as the tapes played there was a general snicker. Dude, does my voice sound like that? Now, as one particular song ended, we were supposed to strike this Vegas pose. We saw it end and chuckled at the pose. Until Dave yelled, “Wait did you see Mark?!...ha ha ha?" Stop, rewind, play...Mark had fallen behind in one of the steps and tried to catch up on the very last move. And, somehow he went from move 5 to 8 in a half-second. We ROARED! Stop, rewind, play...We hollered! Stop, rewind, play...We CRIED! It took him a long time to live that one down.

Youtube contains a clip from this era. The comment beneath the song If We Ever says:
“This was recorded at the Rosewood Music Festival the summer of 1987, Nashville, Tennessee by 3ABN. The group known as Alliance had just signed or was negociating with Warner Brothers."
David Rose , a producer of this festival, says:
“Rosewood Music Festival took place on the front lawn of my estate. The event was broadcast live in part and taped for later national television broadcasts. I did stage design, talent auditions and selection, brochure design, promotions, sponsor recruitment, program director."

This year, Joel Kibble (brother of Mark) and Peter Campbell form a vocalgroup at Pine Forge Academy, which will be singing Take 6-like songs: Special Music. Apparently, the group does not hold for long, because Peter states at a Youtube comment: “2 years later at Oakwood College we revived the group, at the Oakwood Alumni Weekend Friday Night Concert 1989."

This group comprises of:

1st tenor: David Caldwell
2nd tenor: Reggie Reid
3rd tenor (and lead): Joey Kibble
4th tenor: Arthur Hicks
baritone: Wayne Bucknor
bass: Peter Campbell

1988

In March, first album Take 6 is released at Reprise Records.
Cover designer Kav DeLuxe will clarify later: “The phrase “do be doo wop bop" was included simply as a design element."
The songs ‘Spread Love', ‘David & Goliath', ‘Milky-White Way' and ‘Goldmine' (https://www.discogs.com/Take-6-Gold-Mine/master/267649) are released as singles.

Cedric: “Philadelphia was one of the first cities to embrace Take 6's self-titled debut CD in 1988", he says. “For that, we will always be grateful. Philly will always have a special place in our hearts."

Take 6 opens for jazz legend Andy Williams at his concerts in 12 American cities.

Warner Brothers arranges a promotion video, called “Take 6" (nicknamed by fans: “A Great Report").
Video: Take 6 (WB)

Warner Brothers is proficiant in taking Take 6 to Japan. Cedric in a 2008 interview :

We were with Warner Brothers for many years, and they did a great thing with helping us develop an audience in Japan, in particular. Every CD that we did here was released there, with an extra insert that had all the lyrics of our songs translated to Japanese. So when we performed there, they knew what the songs meant, and that was helpful for us. In Europe, people are multilingual and they understand the words. That was a really good thing for us, because it helped us develop a rapport with a Japanese audience. For a long time, Japan was our largest market outside of the U.S. And in some ways it still is.

In March, David marries Marla Davis.

Mark and Mervyn collaborate vocally (but indistinguishably) with BeBe & CeCe Winans on track 4, ‘You', of their album Heaven.

Performances
Collaborations

Performances

01- ?-88 Chicago, IL (3rd Stellar Awards)
The group is nominated for two Stellar Awards:
- winner in the category Jazz/Gospel: Best New Artist
- winner in the category Jazz/Gospel: Best Performance by a Duo or Group, Contemporary: album ‘Take 6'
They probably do not sing this evening. They do in 1990.

01- ?-88 (TV) 20th NAACP Image Awards
(NAACP stands for National Association for the Advancement of Colored People)
The group is nominated for a NAACP Image Award:
- nominated in the category Jazz/Gospel: Outstanding Gospel Artist

02-03-88 New York City, NY (Radio City Music Hall: 30th Grammy Awards)
Immediately after the record release they are invited to perform at the Grammies.

09-09-88 until 10-09 Orlando, FL (Walt Disney World Resort: Night of Joy)
Performers are, next to Take 6: Stryper (main act), Geoff Moore & The Distance, Mylon & Broken Heart, Russ Taff, White Heart and Bebe & CeCe Winans.

10-16-88 Los Angeles, CA (Dodger Stadium: World Series; Oakland Athletics against the Los Angeles Dodgers)
At one of the Games (most certainly not at Game 1, October 15) Take 6 sings the National Anthem (The Star Spangled Banner)

06-11-88 (TV) New York, NY (Chelsea Television Studios: TV-show ‘Night Music' (previously ‘Sunday Night', NBC); episode 6)
This late-night TV show is hosted by Jools Holland (UK, organ player) and David Sanborn (US, saxophone player). Other guests tonight are Randy Newman, Mark Knopfler and Slim Gaillard.
Video: Spread Love

17-12-88 (TV) Lou Rawls Parade of Stars
(“The United Negro College Fund's 9th annual fund-raiser, with appearances by members of the casts of the TV shows Amen, Cosby, Head of the Class, 21 Jump Street and the film Dirty Dancing.")
Video: Gold Mine

1989

The new album So Much 2 Say was originally planned for release this year, but the group's quick rise in popularity after the release of the first album opened doors to work on a string of collaborations with other artists, including Dianne Reeves, Quincy Jones, Spike Lee, Steve Dorff, Joe Sample and others. The album has to be postponed to next year.

Stevie Wonder buys 200 copies of the Take 6 album and gives them away to family and friends, and even puts ‘Spread Love' on his answering machine. The single ‘Spread Love' is very well received in the US.

Music legend Quincy Jones seems to have said: “Take 6 are the baddest vocal cats on the planet. On this subject there is nothing else to discuss. That's the way it be's."

The day after graduation, they start touring with Al Jarreau. They tour through Europe, visiting London, Milton Keynes and Rotterdam, as well as 40 American cities. During the tour, they're out playing basketball and goofing around during the day - wondering why Al spends all day sleeping and resting up in his room...

July 11, the RIAA grants the Gold certification to the album ‘Take 6' (500.000 copies sold).

They make a second appearance in the Night Music show (of Jools Holland and David Sanborn) and sing this time: Get Away Jordan

Performances
Collaborations

Performances

01- ?-89 Chicago, IL (Arie Crown Theater: 4th Stellar Gospel Music Awards)
Take 6 sings their own version of ‘The Rules'.

02-22-89 Los Angeles, CA (Shrine Auditorium: 31st Annual Grammy Awards)
The group is nominated for three Grammy Awards for the year 1988:
- nominated in category Jazz/Gospel: Best New Artist
- winner in category Jazz/Gospel: Best Soul Gospel Performance by a Duo, Group, Choir or Chorus: album ‘Take 6'
- winner in category Jazz: Best Jazz Vocal Performance by a Duo or Group: song ‘Spread Love'
The sextet is still in college, so during the Awards show they have their books with them to be able to study backstage!
Video: Get Away Jordan
Video: If We Ever
Video: If We Ever, with the awarding of the ‘Best Soul Gospel Performance by a Duo, Group, Choir or Chorus' to Take 6 at 7:55
At this show, Bobby McFerrin receives two with his ‘Don't Worry, Be Happy' song (‘Best Pop Vocal Performance' and ‘Song of the Year').

02-23-89 (TV) Pat Sajak Show
Video: Spread Love
Video: Mary

04-13-89 Nashville, TN (20th GMA Dove Awards)
The group is nominated for four Dove Awards for the year 1988:
- winner in category Jazz/Gospel: Contemporary Black Gospel Album of the Year: album ‘Take 6'
Video: Dove Awards
- winner in category Jazz/Gospel: Contemporary Black Gospel Song of the Year: ‘If We Ever'
Video: Dove Awards
- winner: Group of the Year
Video: Dove Awards
- winner: New Artist of the Year
Video: Dove Awards
Video: If We Ever, without introduction
(note: a few years later they've taken the word “Black" out of the category titles)

04-13-89 Los Angeles, CA (Santa Monica Civic Auditorium)
During the 1989 Soul Train Music Awards (a live broadcast) the group is nominated for a Soul Train Award for the year 1988:
- winner in category Jazz/Gospel: Best Gospel Album: ‘Take 6'

04-27-89 Greeley, CO (The UNC/Greeley Jazz Fest)
Video: Walk On The Wild Side (Six To One)

05-14-89 Philadelphia, PA (Uptown Theater: “Voices...We Don't Need No Music")
An “a cappella and poetry concert".

05-29-89 (TV) Arsenio Hall Show (season 1, episode 105)
They sing ‘The Star Spangled Banner'

06-04-89 (TV) Freedom Festival
Artists sing in the Independence Hall, Philadelphia, on occasion of Independence Day.

06-11-89 Hollywood, CA (Hollywood Bowl, Playboy Jazz Festival)

08-??-89 (TV) Lonesome Pine Special (season 4, episode 14)
Appeared on video
They sing: ‘6 to 1', ‘Get Away Jordan', ‘David and Goliath', ‘A Quiet Place', ‘Milky White Way', ‘Sunday's On The Way', ‘If We Ever', ‘Gold Mine' and ‘Spread Love'.

09-11 until 09-12 Orlando, FL (Walt Disney World Resort: Night of Joy)
Performers are, next to headliner Take 6: Petra, Michael W. Smith, Margaret Becker & The Reckoning, Shirley Caesar, Phil Keaggy and Rex Band.

10-06-89 (TV) Ebony/Jet Showcase
Take6 stars on this talk show tonight, along with En Vogue.
"Conversations with black Americans who have achieved success in the fields of entertainment, sports and business. In 1983 the show began as ‘Ebony/Jet Celebrity Showcase', but after a one-year hiatus it returned to syndication with a shortened title and a format that was expanded to include segments on diet, fashion and health."

10-10-89 (TV) Arsenio Hall Show (season 2, episode 22)
Video: Mary
Video: Spread Love
Video: Spread Love

11-??-89 (TV) Good Morning America (ABC)

11-06-89 Barcelona, Spain (Palau de la Música, XXI Festival Internacional de Jazz de Barcelona)
A performance of the Jan Garbarek Group + Take 6, 9:30 pm.
Video: Mary
Video: Spread Love
Video: A Quiet Place

12-18-89 (TV) Christmas in Washington (NBC)
Hosted by Olivia Newton-John. They sing ‘If We Ever' (according to www.tcm.com )

1990

In September, the second album is released by Reprise Records: So Much 2 Say
Off the album, singles I L-O-V-E U (by the way, see www.contactmusic.com for a HQ video), I Believe and Where Do The Children Play are released.

Take 6 collaborates with k.d. lang on the soundtrack of the movie “Dick Tracy"; it concerns ‘Ridin' The Rails'.
Mervyn and Mark arranged the vocals of this song. Mervyn says on the music video: “Those are the very suits the actors wore in the movie (hopefully cleaned before we shot the video). k.d.'s suit, too."
The ‘Sire' released single contains two songs: ‘Ridin' The Rails' and ‘Seven Lonely Days'.

April 4, single Lift Every Voice And Sing is released (recorded in May of this year).
Melba Moore asked several artists to join her on this anthem (Stevie Wonder, Anita Baker, Lou Gossett, Dionne Warwick, Stephanie Mills, Jasmine Guy, Freddie Jackson, Bobby Brown, Rev. Jesse Jackson, BeBe and CeCe Winans and Take 6 as well). Proceeds from the single's sales will go to the NAACP and the National Association for Sickle Cell Disease Inc.
On www.take6.net, you'll find this promotional photo and this promotional photo for the single.

Presumably, VH1 broadcasts this year TV special called ‘So Much 2 Say', of which you can find the first part on Youtube

October 20, an article is published in the Post Tribune about the rumour that the group had done a beer commercial.
The fact that they didn't, shows the interview “Divine Inspiration" of October 3, 1990.

They arrange and sing the leader for the series ‘Brewster Place' (which is a spin-off of the 1989 “Women of Brewster Place" series). This series runs for eleven episodes but is ended halfway through the year.
Video: theme song

This year, Mervyn Warren informs the group that he is about to quit because he wants to work as a producer in Los Angeles! The message lands as a bomshell. How can they go on without this important arranger, visionary and friend??

Performances
Collaborations

Performances

01-15-90 (TV) 5th Annual Stellar Gospel Music Awards
Marla Gibbs and Clifton Davis host this show in the Aquarius Theatre of Los Angeles. Take 6 is invited to sing (they were nominated for two Stellar Awards back in 1988).
Video: Mary

02-10-90 (TV) Saturday Night Live (Quincy Jones & Co.; season 15, episode 12)
Quincy receives musical guests, including David, Claude, Mark, Joey, Cedric and Alvin according to IMDB . It's strange that Mervyn is not listed there, since he hasn't left yet...

02-21-90 Los Angeles, CA (Shrine Auditorium, 32nd Annual Grammy Awards)
The group is nominated for two Grammy Awards for the year 1989:
- winner in category Jazz/Gospel: Best Gospel Performance by a Duo or Group, Choir or Chorus: ‘Time After Time (The Savior Is Waiting)'
- nominee: Best Jazz Vocal Performance by a Duo or Group: ‘Like the Whole World's Watching'
They perform ‘If We Ever' this night.

04-09-90 Newark, NJ (Mount Zion Baptist Church)
Sarah Vaughan passed away April 3rd. Take 6's “A Quiet Place" was her favorite song. Therefore, Quincy Jones, musical director of the funeral ceremony, asks Take 6 to sing this song in church.

05-10-90 (TV) Spike & Co.: Do It A-Cappella (Great Performances, season 19, episode 1)
Hosts are Spike Lee and Debbie Allen. Recorded in the Majestic Theater of Brooklyn's Academy of Music.
They sing: ‘Get Away Jordan', ‘Gold Mine' and ‘Somethin' Within Me'.
Video: Get Away Jordan + Somethin' Within Me
Video: complete show (low Q!)

05-23-90 until 05-24 New York City, NY (Carnegie Hall; Special Olympics Benefit “Take 6 and friends".)
The concert is held in an effort to get African teams to the US Special Olympics next year.
From a review of the NY Times :

(...) The group opened Wednesday night's concert with a dreamy six-part harmonization of ‘The Star-Spangled Banner' in the style of the Hi-Lo's, then moved into the sort of vocal imitations of instruments that has been a staple of harmony groups since the Mills Brothers.
(...) Wednesday's concert also showed that the group has reached a level of confidence where it can improvise comfortably even within arrangements that are texturally very dense. And in numbers like ‘Mary (Don't You Weep),' the singers tossed tones, notes and phrases at one another like musical footballs, turning these motifs into playful singing matches.
(...) Take 6's guests, most of whom performed two numbers, included Stevie Wonder, James Taylor, Phoebe Snow, Patti Austin, Branford Marsalis, the Boys Choir of Harlem, BeBe and CeCe Winans, and Bela Fleck and the Flecktones. All were hampered by sound problems that were never satisfactorily solved. Outside of Take 6, which seemed unaffected by the difficulties since it does not use instrumental backup, Mr. Wonder fared the best. His most impressive moment was a cautionary ballad for voice and piano that portrayed a world ‘stealing all the love and beauty' of God's land.

07-14-90 The Hague, Holland. (North Sea Jazz Festival)
Jan Steen hall, 21:15 - 22:15.

09-??-90 (TV) The Today Show
Video: Something Within Me

10-03-90 Scottsdale, AZ (Scottsdale Center for the Performing Arts; Amphitheater)
This same day, the film “Listen Up: The Lives of Quincy Jones" is shown at the New York Film Festival. (Released in 1991 in France, Germany and Holland.) It's a 115 minute documentary (of director and writer Ellen Weissbrod) about QJ, interviewing several artists; Take 6 among them.
Trivia: Michael Jackson refused to be lit for his interview so it was conducted in the dark.

10-06-90 Los Angeles, CA (Wiltern Theater)

10-09-90 Anaheim, CA (Celebrity Theater)

10-13-90 Santa Rosa, CA (Luther Burbank Center)

10-15-90 (TV) The Tonight Show (with Jay Leno)

So Much 2 Say

I L-O-V-E U

10-20-90 Columbus, OH (Palace Theatre)

10-21-90 St Louis, MO (Fox)

10-22-90 Chicago, IL (Regal Theater)

10-23-90 Madison, WI (Madison Civic Center)

10-25-90 Denton, TX (Coliseum)

10-27-90 Chicago, IL (The New Regal Theatre)

10-28-90 Austin, TX (Texas Bass Hall)

10-30-90 New Orleans, LA (Saenger Theater)

10-31-90 Birmingham, AL (UAB Arena)

11-01-90 Atlanta, GA (Fox Theater)

11-04-90 Orlando, FL (Florida Theater PAC)

11-07-90 West Palm Beach, FL (Heritage Fest)

11-08-90 Tampa, FL (Tampa Theater)

11-10-90 Durham, NC (Durham HS)

11-11-90 Baltimore, MD (Meyerhoff Sym Hall)

12-01-90 Tokyo, Japan

12-12-90 Sendai, Miyagi, Japan

12-16-90 Tokyo, Japan

12-18-90 Tokyo, Japan

12-20-90 Tokyo, Japan

1991

In January, Mervyn officially resigns. Several people are asked, such as the brother of Claude, R&B singer Brian McKnight, but he declines. (Probably because his solo career is taking off.)
The younger brother of Mark, Joel Kibble, is another option. He sings in a Huntsville based group called Special Music - nicknamed Take 5.99. Meaning: they sound almost like Take 6... Listen and watch their 1990 song Christian Automobile from the “Jonathan Slocumb Show" in Indianapolis.

Joel, who has always been a fan of Take 6, is asked to join and he agrees. At first, he learns Mervyns part.

The line up is therefore:

1st tenor: Claude McKnight
1st tenor: Mark Kibble
2nd tenor: Joel Kibble
2nd tenor: David Thomas
baritone: Cedric Dent
bass: Alvin Chea

Alvin elaborates on the first days of Joel with the group:

Now like I've said before, when Merv left the group, it was devastating. I can remember being in Japan wondering who could possibly replace Merv. But our God Jehovah-Jireh is the author of order and He always provides. In fact, no one had to replace Merv; instead someone stepped up to serve God. It's not about the servant -- it's about being in His service.
It quickly became clear that Joey brought so many wonderful gifts to this ministry that his awesome vocal talents paled in comparison to the others. Joey probably has brought more spiritual awareness and bold leadership to this group then anyone else. And that's not easy when you're the new young guy.
His fearlessness was never more typified than his debut concert with the group. Believe it or not, Joey's first concert was at Carnegie Hall [New York City] on Valentines Day in 1991 in front of thousands. Talk about trial by fire. But he came through with flying colors. We even performed one of “Special Music's" arrangements, which received a rousing ovation.

During concerts they regularly repeat Joel's audition, at which he convincingly solos the introduction of ‘When I Die' (“oh..oh..oh.., I have, I have this assurance").
You can watch this solo, sung with Special Music on a 1989 Oakwood College Alumni Weekend, on Youtube; at the end you'll see Claude McKnight getting on stage to give props to Joey.

Third album He Is Christmas is released by Reprise Records in September.
Off the album God Rest Ye Merry, Gentlemen is released as single.
Claude collaborates this year vocally on the album of guitarist Eric Essix: Second Thoughts. The song is called ‘Just Like You' (track 3).

Performances
Collaborations

Performances

02-03-91 New York, NY (Apollo Theatre)
Black History Month Benefit Concert, in the series “It's Showtime at the Apollo".
Video: Spread Love (with drum intro of Cedric and Alvin)

02-20-91 New York, NY (Radio City Music Hall, 33rd Annual Grammy Awards)
The group is nominated for two Grammy Awards for the year 1990:
- winner in category Jazz/Gospel: Best Contemporary Soul Gospel Album: ‘So Much 2 Say'
- nominated in category Jazz: Best Instrumental Arrangement Accompanying Vocals: ‘Come Sunday'
Donna, Cedric and Mervyn have been nominated together for this song, which can be found on Donna McElroy's 1988 album Bigger World.

04-11-91 Nashville, TN (Grand Ole Opry House, 22nd GMA Dove Awards)
Hosted by Clifton Davis and Sandi Patti.
The group is nominated for five Dove Awards for the year 1990:
- winner in category Jazz/Gospel: Contemporary Black Gospel Album of the Year: ‘So Much 2 Say'
- winner in category R&B/Gospel: Contemporary Black Gospel Song of the Year: ‘I L-O-V-E U'
- nominated in category R&B/Gospel: Song of the Year: ‘I L-O-V-E U'
- nominated in category Jazz/Gospel: Group of the Year
- nominated in category Gospel: Traditional Black Gospel Song of the Year: ‘Something Within Me'

?- ?-91 São Paulo, Brazil (Free Jazz Festival, with Joey)
They'd already been invited for the 1990 festival, but that festival was cancelled by the sponsor.
Video: Introduction
Video: I Believe
Video: David And Goliath

06-08-91 The Woodlands, TX (The Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion)
Larry Fox has made a recording of this open air concert (which he doesn't sell by the way), see https://www.larry-fox.com/DesktopDefault.aspx?tabindex=2&tabid=27.

08-18-91 Norfolk, VA (Jazz In The Park)

09-22-91 New York, NY (Central Park: Billy Graham Crusade)
They sing ‘Come Unto Me' and ‘Something Within Me'.

11-05-91 Barcelona, Spain (Palau de la Música Catalana, III Festival de Tardor de Barcelona) 10:00 PM.

11-19-91 (TV) Arsenio Hall Show (season 4, episode 48)
Video: Medley Amen+Revelation, plus an interview

12-02-91 Sendai, Miyagi (Japan)

?- ?-91 Detroit, MI (Gem Theatre)

1992

Joel is about a year with the group now. Mark notices that Joel's voice is a little to heavy for the blend; his voice is thicker than Mervyn's was. The group therefore decides to switch Joel and David. So, from top to bottom:

1st tenor: Claude McKnight
1st tenor: Mark Kibble
2nd tenor: David Thomas
2nd tenor: Joel Kibble
baritone: Cedric Dent
bass: Alvin Chea

Video All Access is released, directed by Mustapha Khan (producer is Mac Bennett; executive producer is Gail Hamilton).

Mervyn Warren is collaborating with Quincy Jones on Handel's Messiah – A Soulful Celebration. Mark and Merv arrange the rap of “Every Valley" which is in the end sung by Chris Willis, with Mike E on guitar.
(Mervyn asks Mike E later to play along with another song as well.)
Partly due to this collaboration Mike E is prompted to ask Take 6 to provide backing vocals to the song “I'll Do Anything" on his new album “Good News For The Bad Timez". Mike E:

Kibble and the rest of the incredible Take 6 can be heard on the new Mike E album backing the track “I'll Do Anything", a track that was written by Mike's partner Jet P. According to Mike, “[Jet] put the tracking together and we were listening to how pretty it was and said, ‘Wouldn't it be freaked out if we could get the fellas to do the background vocals.' We couldn't lose anything, so we just asked. We hang out with the guys from time to time, playing different sports and such. We had nothing to lose, so we just asked them, and they said, ‘Cool'.

bron: https://members.aol.com/rlongman1/MikeE.html

Joey and Mark write the theme to the sitcom “Martin". Release date of this sitcom is 27 August 1992. The series runs from 1992 until 1997. According to https://www.vergenashville.com/recording, the recording of this theme song has been done by Dave Bates.
Video: Theme music of “Martin"

Furthermore, they sing for Yves Saint Laurent a commercial for the ‘Jazz' perfume: ‘C'est si bon d'être Jazz'. Director of the music video: Jean Baptiste Mondino.
Video: 1 minute commercial
Video: 30 second commercial

Performances
Collaborations

Performances

02-26-92 Los Angeles, CA (Shrine Auditorium, 34th Annual Grammy Awards)
The group is nominated for a Grammy Award for the year 1991:
- winner: Best Jazz Vocal Performance: album ‘He Is Christmas'

03-20-92 (TV) Ebony/Jet Showcase (= talk show)

04-09-92 Nashville, TN (23rd Annual GMA Dove Awards)
The group is nominated for a Dove Award for the year 1991:
- winner in category Jazz/Gospel: Contemporary Black Gospel Album of the Year: ‘He Is Christmas'

05-04-92 (TV) Sesame Street
Take 6 sings the song ‘Take 6' on Sesame Street (episode 3001). muppet.wikia.com explains:

“Take 6" is a Sesame Street song sung by Take 6, a group of the same name. The song demonstrates the number of members in the group, how they can sing, and how each member has their own kind of role when singing.
This episode focusses on the letters X and P, and the number 6.
Video: Take 6

06-13 or 06-14-92 Chicago, IL (Gospel Festival, Grant Park)

06-12 or 06-13-92 Richmond, VA (Richmond June Jubilee, venue Shockoe Bottom)

07-18-92 Montreux, Switzerland (Festival de Jazz de Montreux)
Video: Introduction (6 to 1)
A DVD has been issued on which you can see ‘Mary'. See: https://www.montreuxjazzshop.com/product_info.php?language=de&info=p194_Q--JONES---C--NOBS-PRESENT--MONTREUX-JAZZ-FESTIVAL-1991--1992.html

11-30-92 (TV) Sesame Street
Take 6 sings ‘The Alphabet Song' on Sesame Street, episode 3010.
Video: The Alphabet Song
This video is shown again in episode 3097 (March 16, 1993) and 4125 (September 18, 2006).

1993

The Boston Pops orchestra, conducted by Marvin Hamlisch, performs Dr. Dent's arrangement of “Bless this House" as accompaniment for Take 6.

Cedric and Joey collaborate on percussionist Eric Darken's album A Drummer Boy's Christmas on track 4 (What Child Is This) and track 5 (We Three Kings).
Alvin and Mervyn Warren collaborate on the album Always You by James Ingram (they are inaudible; they probably sing in the background choruses).
Claude collaborates on the album March On (various artists).

Performances
Collaborations

Performances

01-16-93 Pasadena, CA (Pasadena Civic Auditorium, 25th NAACP Image Awards)
The group groep wordt genomineerd voor een NAACP Image Award:
- genomineerd in het genre Outstanding Gospel Artist/Various Artists: ‘Handel's Messiah – A Soulful Celebration'

02-24-93 Los Angeles, CA (Shrine Auditorium, 35th Grammy Awards)
The group is nominated for a Grammy Award for the year 1992:
- nominated in category Best Jazz Vocal Performance: ‘I'm Always Chasing Rainbows' (from the album ‘Glengarry Glen Ross')

04-01-93 Nashville, TN (Grand Ole Opry House, 24th Annual GMA Dove Awards)
The group is nominated together with Mervyn Warren (and others) for a Dove Award for the year 1992:
- winner in category Jazz/Gospel: Contemporary Gospel Album of the Year: ‘Handel's Messiah – A Soulful Celebration'

08-13-93 (TV) Evening at Pops
Subtitle: “Marvin Hamlisch and Friends With Showstoppers". “Marvin Hamlisch conducts and plays the piano with singers Colm Wilkinson, Sally Wolf, and the a cappella group Take 6". For the first time, a symphony orchestra accompanies the group. The arrangement is of “Dr. Dent".
Video: Get Away Jordan
Video: Bless This House (with orchestra)

1994

Fourth album Join The Band is released in June with Reprise Records.

In the past three years they've experienced quite some personell changes: not only Merv left and Joey joined, but there were changes in management as well. It is about time to ponder about what direction the group should take. Alvin: “It just took a while to find out exactly where we wanted to be artistically. It reminds me of Miles Davis, who was constantly reinventing himself."

Single ‘All I Need (Is A Chance)' is released, as well as mini single ‘I Will Always Love You' and maxi single ‘I Will Always Love You'.
Furthermore, single Biggest Part of Me (12 inch) is released. On side A: ‘Biggest Part Of Me (Edit)' (4:18); on side B: ‘Biggest Part Of Me (Album Version)' (4:15). Apparently it's released on cassette and CD as well.

Album Take 6 is awarded Platinum on June 14. (1.000.000 items sold)

December 17, a Reunion Concert is held in Atlanta, where Wyatt sings once more with Special Music.
Video: Be With Me Jesus
Video: The Jesus Medley

Performances
Collaborations

Performances

06-26-94 Los Angeles, LA (Shrine Auditorium)
VH-1 Honors. Together with Stevie Wonder.

09-24-94 (TV) Soul Train (season 24, episode 1)

09-26-94 Los Angeles, LA (House of Blues)
They contribute to a Kenny Rogers concert.
Video: Love Is Just Around The Corner
In 2005, this video is released on DVD “Going Home – Live at the House Of Blues" by Kenny Rogers. David Foster, producer of Rogers' album “Timepiece", conducts the orchestra tonight.

1995

In Japan only, Best Of Take 6 is released.
Single ‘You Can Never Ask Too Much (Of Love)' as well.

This year they sing at Oprah Winfrey's, together with Patti Austin and Brian McKnight, ‘Moody's Mood For Love'.
Video: Moody's Mood For Love
Video: Moodys Mood Take 6 Chord Video! (Convenient if you'd want to transcribe the song!!)

They perform at the Stellar Awards as well, which is broadcasted from January 14 to February 12, and was recorded in Chicago, IL. Actors Meshach Taylor and Arnetia Walker host the show.
Official announcement:
“In celebration of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.'s birthday, Central City Productions presents The Tenth Annual “Stellar Gospel Music Awards," a spirited two-hour television special honoring the achievements of African-Americans in the gospel music industry."

March 6, album Join the band is awarded Gold. (500.000 items sold)

In March as well, collection album Rhythm & Soul (various artists) is released containing ballad ‘Even If' (track 8) sung by Claude and Liz Lee.

Performances
Collaborations

Performances

01-11-95 Osaka, Japan

01-12-95 Okayama, Japan

01-13-95 Fukuoka, Japan

01-15-95 until 01-17 Tokyo, Japan

01-19-95 Nagoya, Japan

01-20-95 Osaka, Japan

01-21-95 until 01-22 Tokyo, Japan

01-24-95 Sapporo, Japan

01-25-95 Sendai, Miyagi, Japan
SUBARU NEW Impreza PRESENTS TAKE6 JAPAN TOUR '95

01-30-95 Los Angeles, CA (House of Blues)

03-01-95 Los Angeles, CA (Shrine Auditorium, 37th Annual Grammy Awards)
The group is nominated for a Grammy Award for the year 1994:
- winner in category Jazz/Gospel: Best Contemporary Soul Gospel Album: ‘Join The Band'

04-27-95 Nashville, TN (Grand Ole Opry House, 26th Annual GMA Dove Awards)
The group is nominated for a Dove Award for the year 1994:
- winner in category Jazz/Gospel: Contemporary Gospel Album of the Year: ‘Join The Band'

30-01-95 Los Angeles, CA (House of Blues)

05-16-95 (TV) Live from the House of Blues
Other artists are Sheila E, David Foster and Andru Donalds.
Video: What's Going On (motown back in the day)
Video: You Can Never Ask To Much Of Love
Other songs, like ‘Revelation', ‘David & Goliath', ‘Brazilian Rhyme' and ‘Can't Keep Goin' On' are no longer on Youtube.

1996

Album Brothers (the 5th album under Reprise Records) is released in October.

Mark says: “This album was entitled Brothers because #1, Brian McKnight (Claude's brother) produced most of it... #2, we are all brothers in Christ, and #3, we invite you to be a part of our family. The a cappella album will probably come in 1997, because we are working on it right now."

Single ‘Almost Paradise' is released. To the Japanese market, a seperate version of Brothers is released.

Warner Jazz releases an album with Take 6 songs: Les Incontournables

Performances
Collaborations

Performances

06-23-96 Pittsburgh, PA (Three Rivers Arts Festival)

07-12-96 Tokyo, Japan

07-15-96 Tokyo, Japan

07-17-96 Tokyo, Japan

07-21-96 Saga, Japan

07-22-96 Fukuoka, Japan

11-30-96 (TV) Soul Train

1997

Take 6 performs some songs with the Cincinnati Pops on January 19 (or 26) 1997. Alvin about it:

This is our first major concert with an orchestra. We performed one number with the Boston Pops, but this is the first time we're doing three songs, plus a number of a cappella numbers. We're taking baby steps. This is where the magic of charts or arrangements gets tested. Instead of the group providing the accompaniment for the melody, we've got a whole orchestra. The differences in timbres presents new challenges, but we're really excited about it.

April 8 single “You Don't Have to Be Afraid" is released on the Warner Brothers label, in 4 different mixes.
One of those mixes you'll find as a clip on Youtube

In August, Joey marries Karima Trotter (of the Christian group Virtue).

Cedric receives this year his degree! He wrote a dissertation on the Quartet Singing tradition: ‘THE HARMONIC DEVELOPMENT OF THE BLACK RELIGIOUS QUARTET SINGING TRADITION'.
This dissertation contains some bars of Cedrics transcription of ‘If We Ever', ‘Something Within Me', ‘Get Away Jordan' and ‘Bless This House'; a full transcription of ‘Mary', and a 5-part ‘If We Ever' (from the time before Mark joined).
The thesis is accompanied by a tape with examples (unfortunately no longer available). It contains the following songs:
1. I'm Praying Humble - Mitchell's Christian Singers (1937)
2. One Day When The Lord Will Call Me - Southern Sons (1942)
3. Mary Don't You Weep - Swan Silvertones (1959)
4. Mary - Take 6 (1988)

Performances
Collaborations

Performances

04-25-97 Nashville, TN (28th Annual GMA Dove Awards)
The group is nominated, together with others, for a Dove Award for the year 1996:
- winner: Special Event Album of the Year: ‘Tribute: The Songs of Andrae Crouch'
Participants on this album: CeCe Winans, Michael W. Smith, Twila Paris, Bryan Duncan, Wayne Watson, The Winans, Clay Crosse, Take 6, The Brooklyn Tabernacle Choir, First Call, Andrae Crouch and the All-Star Choir.

06-03-97 San Diego, CA (Humphrey's)

06-19-97 Sarasota, FL (Wan Wezel Performing Arts Hall)

06-26-97 Interlochen, MI (Interlochen Center)

06-28-97 Ann Arbor, MI (Power Center)

06-29-97 Cleveland Heights, OH (Cain Park)

07-01-97 Springfield, OH (Veterans Park Amphitheater)

07-12-97 The Hague, Holland (North Sea Jazz Festival)
Tuinpaviljoen, 7:45 - 9:00 PM.

07-13-97 Vitoria-Gasteiz, Spain (21st Festival de Jazz)

07- ?-97 Lugano, Switserland (Estival Jazz)

1998

Album So Cool is the 6th one under Reprise Records and is released in October. Somewhere this year the sing the title song of this album on TBN.
Video: So Cool or So Cool
Claude collaborates on the Christmas album of his brother Brian, Bethlehem, on the song ‘The First Noel' (track 8).
Alvin collaborates on the album Avenues of Love of Marilyn Scott, track 5 ‘Heaven's Design'.

Performances
Collaborations

Performances

02-25-98 New York, NY (Radio City Music Hall, 40th Annual Grammy Awards)
The group is nominated for two Grammy Awards for the year 1997:
- winner: Best Contemporary Soul Gospel Album: ‘Brothers'
- nominated: R&B Group Vocalist, for the song ‘You Don't Have To Be Afraid'

06-30-98 Kongsberg, Norway (Kongsberg Jazzfestival)

09-03-98 until 09-04 Buenos Aires, Argentina (Teatro Gran Rex)

09-09-98 until 09-11 San Paulo, Brazil (Bourbon Street)

09-14-98 Curitiba, Brazil (Teatro Guaira)

09-1?-98 Porto Alegre, Brazil (Teatro da Universida)

09-18-98 until 09-19 Punta del Este, Uruguay (Conrad Resort)

10-03-98 Washington, D.C. (Takoma Park SDA Church)

11-05-98 Fort Worth, TX (Caravan of Dreams)

11-06-98 until 11-07 San Antonio, TX (Majestic Theatre)

12-05-98 Wilmington, DE (Grand Opera House)

12-06-98 Englewood, NJ (John Harms Theatre)

12-09-98 Westbury, NY (Westbury Music Fair)
Christmas performance.

1999

In July, the seventh album Greatest Hits is released on the Warner Bros. Records label.

Reprise issues a single: ‘One and the Same' (featuring CeCe Winans).

Eighth album We Wish You A Merry Christmas is released in October at Warner Bros. Records.

Performances
Collaborations

Performances

03-24-99 Nashville, TN (Nashville Arena, 30th Annual GMA Dove Awards)
The group is nominated for two Dove Awards for the year 1998:
- nominated: Contemporary Gospel Album of the Year: ‘So Cool'
- nominated: Urban Song of the Year: ‘Fly Away'

07-13-99 until 07-18 New York, NY (Blue Note)

07-24-99 Nashville, TN (TPAC)

08-05-99 Chicago, IL (Christ Universal Temple)

08-18-99 Hollywood, CA (Hollywood Bowl)

09-07-99 (TV) 1st Annual Gospel Festival
Organised by The United Negro College Fund (UNCF), Congress of National Black Churches, and the National Urban League.
Video: Biggest Part of Me
Video: I Got Life/Spread Love

09-27-99 until 10-02 Fukuoka, Japan
Photos: www.take6.net

10-04-99 until 10-09 Tokyo, Japan (Blue Note)
The recordings of October 4 until 6 are intended to be used for a new LIVE album!

10-11-99 until 10-16 Osaka, Japan (Blue Note)

11-05-99 Houston, TX (Houston Arena Theatre)

11-06-99 Ft. Lauderdale, FL (Sunrise Musical Theatre)

11-07-99 Chicago, IL (New Regal Theatre)

11-12-99 Newark, NJ (Symphony Hall)

11-13-99 New York, NY (Beacon Theatre)

11-14-99 Philadelphia, PA (Academy of Music)

11-18-99 (TV) Lift Every Voice (BET)

11-19-99 Baltimore, MD (Lyric Opera House)

11-20-99 Washington, DC (DAR Constitution Hall)

11-23-99 Santa Monica, CA (Santa Monica Civic Auditorium)
2nd Annual Soul Train Christmas Starfest. Performers are (among others): Yolanda Adams, Mary J. Blige, Kenny G, Patti LaBelle, Brian McKnight, Chante Moore, Jeffrey Osborne, Lou Rawls, Tamia, Take 6, The Whispers.

11-26-99 Oakland, CA (Paramount Theatre)

11-27-99 Los Angeles, CA (Wiltern Theatre)

12-17-99 Boston, MA (Symphony Hall)
Take 6 is featured together with Martina McBride and soprano Kelly Kaduce at the Boston Pops.

2000

Ninth album Live is released by Reprise.

In November, Mark informs us that they're already working on a new album, to be produced by Marcus Miller. Release date for the moment unknown.

Cedric is collaborating on an educational series about music, “Music To My Ears".

Produced by Nashville Public Television and the Country Music Hall of Fame, Music to My Ears is a resource for music teachers at the middle and high school level (grades 6-12). The series, comprising of four 30-min. episodes, has several goals. The most important is to encourage the viewer to become an active listener who employs careful observation and critical thinking in the art of listening.
Secondary goals include 1) helping audiences make connections between concepts in music and other art forms, such as the visual or performing arts; 2) exposing students to a variety of musical styles and genres; and 3) introducing viewers to musical structure and terminology.
The series is hosted by Dr. Cedric Dent of Take 6. Dent holds a Ph.D. in music and is active as a composer and educator as well as performer. The other members of Take 6 join Dent to provide vocal demonstrations of the ideas being presented in each show. Other featured groups include the Nashville Bluegrass Band, the Fairfield Four, the Beegie Adair Trio, and the Nashville Chamber Orchestra Trio. Each program explores a musical idea through performances, conversations, and demonstrations. Other art forms are used to create analogies for the musical concepts.

Bron: https://www.ait.net/catalog/index.php?cPath=1_439

See https://www.ait.net/products/clips/music_taking_turns_clip.mp4 for a video sample of episode “Taking Turns".

Performances
Collaborations

Performances

01-17-00 Ann Arbor, MI (Hill Auditorium, Martin Luther King Jr. Day)

04-14-00 New Haven, CT (Pattel Chapel)

04-18-00 Nashville, TN (Ryman Auditorium, Gospel Music Association Week)

04-20-00 Huntsville, AL (Von Braun Center)

04-25-00 until 04-29 New York, NY (Blue Note New York, 9pm and 11:30pm)
Photos: https://www.take6.net/BNNY2000.htm

04-30-00 New York, NY (Blue Note New York, 11:30pm)

06-17-00 Bowie, MD (Prince Georges Stadium)

06-18-00 Indianapolis, IN (Indy Jazz Festival)

06-24-00 New Haven, CT (International Festival of Arts & Ideas (New Haven Green))

07-14-00 until 07-15 Canary Islands (Festival)

07-18-00 Dell Hala, Sweden (Festival)

07-21-00 until 07-22 Pori, Finland (Pori Jazz Festival)

08-06-00 Trenton, MI (Jazz On The River)

08-12-00 Riverside, CA (Life Church, Riverside Convention Center)

08-13-00 Louisville, KY (St. Stephen Jubilee Festival)

08-27-00 Boston, MA (City Hall Plaza)

09-02-00 Redondo Beach, CA (Redondo Beach Performing Arts Center)

09-05-00 Toronto, Canada (Roy Thomson Hall)

09-09-00 Redondo Beach, CA (Redondo Beach Performing Arts Center)

09-18-00 until 09-23 Las Vegas, NV (Blue Note club, Aladdin Hotel)

10-07-00 Merrillville, IN (Star Plaza Theatre)

10-22-00 Universal City, CA (Universal Ampitheater)
Power of Praise Gospel Celebration, with other artists.

11-05-00 Jacksonville, FL (Billy Graham Crusade at Alltel Stadium)

11-13-00 until 11-18 Osaka, Japan (Blue Note)

11-20-00 until 11-25 Tokyo, Japan (Blue Note)

11-28-00 Hamamatsu, Japan (Hamamatsu Hall)

11-29-00 until 12-05 Fukuoka, Japan (Blue Note)

12-16-00 (TV) Holiday at Pops 2000 (A&E Network)
Recorded at the Symphony Hall in Boston: The Boston Pops Orchestra (conductor Keith Lockhart), the Tanglewood Festival Chorus and guests Martina McBride, Take 6 and Jimmy Tingle.
They sing ‘Let It Snow', ‘Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas' and with Martina ‘I'll Be Home For Christmas'.

2001

Joey takes his first singing lessons with Kim Wood Sandesky (from Nashville, Tennessee). “Learning how to do those exercises helped to open up my range and helped to get a better quality."

DVD-audio “Take 6" is released in April. It contains the first album, added with two songs: ‘I L-O-V-E U' (1990) and ‘So Cool' (1996).
In August 2000, Jack Nicely (of 16th Avenue Sound and Seventeen Grand Studios) receives the commission to create a surround sound mix (5.1) of Take 6's debut album. He writes about this on https://jakeniceley.com/mix.august.00.html:

The first Take 6 CD was originally cut on a 3324 by engineer Don Cobb. Not surprisingly, remixing for 5.1 gave Niceley the opportunity to create an interesting dimensional image of the six singers spread around the soundfield. But again, he cautions, “you still have to create a coherent acoustic space, and in the case of a record that a lot of people know and love, you have to be faithful to the original mix to a large degree or it won't sound right to people. You have to be respectful; you can't just have everything all over the place."

That doesn't mean there was no room for creativity, however. “There's a song on there called ‘I L-O-V-E You' that was 48 tracks," he says. “It had multiple voices, plus they used their voices to sound like instruments. They had two passes for each singer-the first was for the primary vocal, and on the second pass they would double the part but also they might change the part very slightly here and there.
In the 5.1 mix, I separated those two parts and flipped the doubled part to the opposite speaker, so if someone was predominantly in the left front, then their double would be in the right rear. Then I also used a lot of very tight stereo delays and some longer delays to create even more space. Everything was tempo-mapped and there's a lot of panning going on in the Take 6 stuff, particularly when they're imitating instruments. I have that flying all over the place.
‘I L-O-V-E You' is like a roller-coaster ride. At the end of that you're exhausted," he laughs. “But that track was more the exception; the rest is more straightforward, though hopefully still fun to listen to."

After “9-11" Stevie Wonder calls Mark on September 18, to ask the group to join in on “Amerca: A Tribute To Heroes" which is about to be LIVE broadcasted coming September 21. They agree and rehearse the next day with Stevie in Los Angeles the song ‘Love's In Need Of Love'.

This year, documentary Waikiki – In the Wake of Dreams of Edgy Lee is released. Take 6 collaborates on this by singing the song ‘Waikiki' a cappella.
(Note, this version can NOT be found on the album accompanying the movie ‘Paniolo o Hawaii', which is compiled by Jim Ed Norman of Warner Bros.! The album is called “Na Mele O Paniolo (Hawaiian Cowboy Songs)" by the way.)

Performances
Collaborations

Performances

02-02-01 Irvine, CA (Barclay Theatre, UC Irvine)

02-21-01 Los Angeles, CA (Staples Center, 43rd Grammy Awards)
They sing with Nnenna Freelon ‘Straighten Up and Fly Right'; the first time they're singing with a woman. Claude: “We've done very few fully-arranged a cappella songs with women." “During the telecast, I don't know if you could see this at home or not, but as we were singing, you could see people thinking “Okay, what's goin' on here?" There was a full standing ovation afterwards; it was incredible!"

02-03-01 New York, NY (Apollo Theatre - Black History Month Benefit Concert)

03-17-01 Auburn, WA (Green River Community College)

05-05-01 New York, NY (Blue Note)
Photos: https://www.take6.net/photos20010505BNNY.htm

05-20-01 Singapore
Photos: https://www.take6.net/photosinSingapore.htm

06-24-01 St. Kitts, West Indies (St. Kitts Music Festival)

06-30-01 The White House, East Room!
Website https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Take_6_performs_at_the_White_House.jpg reports:
“Take 6 performs for President George W. Bush and First Lady Laura Bush during a Black Music Month celebration in the East Room of the White House."
In March 2009 Claude tells about this:
“We've performed at the White House during 3 Presidencies, and were never put on song “restrictions!". You get invited for specific functions and reasons, but, they invite you for who you are, and what you're known for musically." Fortunately...

07-21-01 Detroit, MI (Chene Park Amphitheater)
Celebrity Homecoming Concert, to celebrate Detroit's 300th birthday. With Stevie Wonder among others.

08-28-01 until 08-29 Eilat, Israel (Red Sea Jazz Festival)

09-02-01 Miami, FL (Miami Music Fest)

09-23-01 Cleveland, FL (Severance Hall)

10-04-01 until 10-07 Pittsburgh, PA (Manchester Craftsmen Guild)

10-26-01 until 10-27 Honolulu, Hawaii (Blaisdell Concert Hall)
Their first visit to Hawaii. They perform some songs with the Honolulu Symphony.
Photos: https://www.take6.net/photosinhawaii10272001.htm

11-16-01 Washington DC (Kennedy Center)

11-20-01 (TV) 4th Annual Soul Train Christmas Starfest
Guest stars are (a.o.) Mary Mary, James Ingram, Rev. Jesse Jackson.

11-21-01 (TV) America: A Tribute to Heroes
Video: Love's In Need Of Love Today (with Stevie Wonder)

11-25-01 until 12-16 Japan Tour
Photos: https://www.take6.net/photos2001injapan.htm

11-30-01 (TV, Japan) Takeshi's Anyone could be Picasso
Takeshi Kitano is known as movie director. Some clips:
Video: Biggest Part Of Me
Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9-dX_187798 (Marc says here in Japanese: “You didn't think I could speak Japanese now did you?")
Video: Beautiful World

2002

In June, album Beautiful World (Warner Bros.) is released, the 11th one (if you count the DVD-A). Off the album, single ‘Takin' It to The Streets' is released.
With this record, the contract with Warner Brothers comes to a close. Mark says (only in a 2006 interview):

“We've been with Warner Brothers our entire career, and toward the latter three quarters of that time, we experienced such a lack of interest. They would allow us to do CDs, but just kind of drop 'em after we did 'em.
We also realized that record companies may put up a lot of money to produce the CDs, but they also get all the returns. So, it made sense for us to use our finances and our abilities to just do it! And to let God bless it and bless us in the meantime! (laughs hard)"

So it has become Take 6 Records. That means they will have to invest in their products themselves... Mark: “We've struggled over the last 10 years financially. It's been difficult for us to hang together and do things, but God has maintained us. None of us is starving or hurting deeply financially. We're OK."

From an interview between David and Ken Gibbs (editor at Africana.com):

[David]: “It was sort of a journey where we started out with a concept and the concept grew changed and took on a life of its own. We started basically trying to go for jazz standards that had a spiritual base and over time that grew into, “let's not just limit ourselves to one genre of music, let's open it up to good songs with a spiritual base," and then we just started listening to the material. After going through hundreds of songs, the ones that had four stars by them meant that at least four members of the group were feeling it. They lived, and then we took it further from there, put it through the record company and our producer Marcus Miller, and we kind of created the package that you have now."

About their record company:
[Ken]: “I've been looking for information on your new album and I can't find too much on it. Do you all get significant promotion from your label?"
[Dave] “Well, it comes and goes in ways — the reason I say that is because for the past few albums that we released, at the moment that our album was going to come out we had no record company, which meant they were changing administrations. It's always a weird situation when that happens, but thing that we learn as human beings and as adults is that, in general, in today's society you have to take the bull by the horns and with the help of the lord steer your own destiny."

In 2002, Michiko visits their Vertical Sound Studio. This studio has been built by Mark: he's got skills and has always worked in electrical engineering and construction. Together with Joey he runs the studio now.

Performances
Collaborations

Performances

03-23-02 Tampa, FL (Tampa Bay Performing Arts Center, Art & Spirituality Festival)

04-18-02 Burghausen, Germany (33. Internationale Jazzwoche)
Video: Takin' It To The Streets
Video: If We Ever + I've Got Life / Spread Love
Video: I've Got Life / Spread Love
Video: Wade In The Water
Video: People Get Ready
Video: Badiyah
Video: Take 6 Medley
Video: Somethin' Within Me
Video: Fly Away
Video: A Few More Miles
Video: Don't Give Up
Video: Grandma's Hands
(So Much 2 Say, Beautiful World, Mary)

05-20-02 until 05-22 Fukuoka, Japan (Blue Note)
Concert “Super A-Cappela", 7:00 & 9:30 PM.

07-12-02 The Hague, Holland (North Sea Jazz Festival)
Paul Acket Pavillion, 6-7:15 PM. Musicians: Alvin Chea, Cedric Dent, Claude V. McKnight III, David Thomas, Joey Kibble, Mark Kibble; Darrel Tibbs, Jet Penix.
Set list: I've Got Life - Wade In The Water - People Get Ready - Brazilian Rhyme - Few More Miles - Don't Give Up - Say Yeah - Grandmas Hands - So Much 2 Say - Beautiful world
Video: People Get Ready
Video: Brazilian Rhyme
Video: introduction of members

11-16-02 Huntsville, AL (Oakwood College)

12-08-02 (TV) A Motown Christmas
In this Special, Take 6 sings ‘Joy To The World' (with Stevie Wonder) and ‘Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas', and ‘This Christmas' with Stevie, Brian McKnight, The Temptations and Thelma Houston.
At the same time a DVD is released with the same name, containing more songs than could be heard in the TV show.

2003

In June, they collaborate on the TV special ‘Denyce Graves: Breaking The Rules'. It's been made into a DVD as well. https://www.whyy.org/about/pressroom/denycegraves.html reports:

“DENYCE GRAVES: BREAKING THE RULES, recorded in June 2003 in front of a live audience at the Mann Center of the Performing Arts in Philadelphia, celebrates the talent, style and versatility of the mezzo-soprano.
Graves leaves behind opera scores and wows the crowd with an electrifying collection of classical, gospel, R&B, and jazz favorites such as ‘Get Happy', ‘Old Man River', ‘Laid Down My Burdens', ‘Joint is Jumpin'' and more.
Highlights include Graves performing a powerful duet with Patti LaBelle. Another special moment in the program is a rousing rendition of ‘Smile' by male a capella group, Take 6. The soulful group also engages the audience in a participatory version of ‘Wade in the Water'."

Performances
Collaborations

Performances

01-22-03 (TV) Wayne Brady Show (Los Angeles, CA)
Tonight the episode is aired where Take 6 sings.
Video: Love's In Need of Love Today (low quality)

02-23-03 New York, NY (Madison Square Garden: 45th Annual Grammy Awards)
The group is nominated for a Grammy Award for the year 2002:
- winner in category Best R&B Performance by a Duo or Group: ‘Love's in Need of Love Today' (Stevie Wonder & Take 6)

06-28-03 The Hague, Holland (WORLD PORT JAZZ FESTIVAL)
That's what it's called these days... could have taken place on fridaynight 06-27 by the way. The internet contains very few references to this concert.

07-13-03 Ravenna, Italy (Ravenna Festival, Palazzo Mauro de André)
Video: Interview and soundcheck

09-27-03 Mississauga, ON (Mississauga Seventh-Day Adventist Church)

10-02-03 until 10-05 New York, NY (Blue Note)

11-11-03 Basel, Switzerland (AVO Session)
Video: If We Ever
Video: Grandma's Hands
Video: Jazz Vibe introduction
Video: Take6 Medley:
- Amen
- Goldmine
- David and Goliath
- He Never Sleeps
- Revelation
- Get Away, Jordan
The complete session can (could?) be downloaded from: https://www.4shared.com/dir/9906176/2c013881/Grupos_Vocais_A_Capella.html

11-12-03 Leverkusen, Germany (24. Leverkusener Jazztage)
Someone had to make a DVD cover for this concert, and according to that cover the track list consists of:
‘I've Got Life', ‘Spread Love', ‘Fly Away', ‘So Much 2 Say' and ‘Grandma's Hands'. However, on https://www.quesonegro.com/html/guestbook.php it is shown that ‘Sunshine' was performed too.
A journalist writes on https://www1.sticks.de/news/0310/news.htm:
“Der Konzertabend “Voices Of The World" im “Forum" am 12. 11. ab 18.30 Uhr dürfte nicht nur für die Liebhaber besonderer “Voices" interessant sein. Beim “80th Birthday Concert" von Charlie Mariano feat. Karnataka College of Percussion werden die Percussionisten Ramesh Shotam und T.A.S. Mani das Publikum in die exotische Welt der indischen Percussion entführen. Neben dem Vocal-Sextett Take 6 rundet der Auftritt von Sängerin Lyambiko und ihrer Band mit dem fantastisch subtil groovenden Drummer Torsten Zwingenberger das Programm ab."

12-01-03 until 12-02 Nagoya, Japan (Blue Note)
During their Japan tour (Blue Note, Tokyo) they are asked by operations officer Lt. Edmond Aruffo to come and give a lunchtime concert on the USS Vandegrift (a US Navy ship). They do that on:
12-09-03 They sing in the helo hangar before about 80 sailors. Mark: “Coming out here to perform was awesome," said Kibble. “It was such an honor to be able to do it because these are the people who ‘have our backs.' We're so proud of you all. Just to come and share a little bit of joy with you during the Christmas season, and share some of God's love, was the biggest honor for us. We realize you guys have a tough job to do so, we're praying for you while you're out here and we ‘got your back' too."

Source: https://www.navy.mil/search/print.asp?story_id=11178&VIRIN=&imagetype=0&page=1

2004

About halfway through the year, thoughts about new album “Feels Good" are taking shape (according to a program booklet of the 2006 Ann Arbor concert).

Performances
Collaborations

Performances

01-16-04 Troy, NY (Troy Savings Bank Music Hall)

?- ?-04 Bern, Switzerland (29th Bern International Jazz Festival)
The festival lasts from March 6 - May 22.

04-13-04 Los Angeles, CA (Walt Disney Concert Hall)
https://www.filmmusicsociety.org/news_events/features/2004/041604.html writes:

The two-hour concert that night at Disney Hall was entitled “A Tribute to Henry Mancini." It was a benefit for the Henry Mancini Institute, which has become something of a summertime Mecca for talented young instrumentalists seeking to broaden their classical training to include jazz and more popular forms.
Peter Gunn drew one standing ovation; the second was when Mancini's Oscar-winning theme for Breakfast at Tiffany's, “Moon River," was performed by Stevie Wonder on harmonica and the vocal harmonies of Take 6.

https://www.jazzreview.com/articledetails.cfm?ID=2907 writes:

In celebration of Henry Mancini, one of the 20th century's most prolific and honored composers, Concord Records has teamed with his daughter, Monica, to release Ultimate Mancini on March 23. Many of Mancini's most memorable songs have been re-recorded, in some cases using the original arrangements.
In addition to Monica Mancini, the CD features several special guests, including Stevie Wonder, Take 6 and Kenny Rankin.
Henry Mancini is best known for the endearing music that he wrote for films and television. Some of his best songs, including “Moon River," “Two For The Road," and “The Pink Panther Theme" are included on the new CD. During his career, Mancini earned four Academy Awards and 20 Grammy Awards.
The release of “Ultimate Mancini" is one of several special events happening in 2004, which would have been the composer's 80th birthday. Ten years after this death, the U.S. Postal Service is also issuing the Henry Mancini Commemorative Stamp in April. Other events happening this year include a tribute concert at the new Walt Disney Concert Hall in Los Angeles.
JazzReview.com: There's a nice version of ‘Moon River' on the new CD with Stevie Wonder and Take 6.
Monica Mancini: “That was Dad's original arrangement for ‘Moon River.' It came right off the film ... we took the exact same arrangement with the same instrumentation and said who would be the best harmonica player we could come up with. Stevie Wonder was first on the list. And our favorite vocal group, and they are just hot as hell, is Take 6. We asked and they were delighted to do it. It came out great."
JazzReview.com: Was it key for this CD to use as much of the original arrangements as possible?
Monica Mancini: “It was. We really wanted to point out the fact that this music is so timeless. You can take these original notes that he put on paper and if someone comes and plays the same notes, it just adds a freshness and uniqueness. It can sound very contemporary even today even though some of the arrangements are 30-some years old."

04-20-04 Brno, Czechia (Jazzfest Brno)
Photos: https://www.jazzfestbrno.cz/jfb04/en/?acc=fotogalerie

07-16-04 Vitoria-Gasteiz, Spain (32nd Festival de Jazz)
Video: 1. Wade In The Water
Video: 2. Take 6 Jazz Vibe
Video: 4. Over The Hill Is Home
Video: 5. Fly Away
Video: 6. We Don't Have To Cry
Video: 7. Grandma's Hands
Video: 8. Somethin' Within Me
Video: 9. So Much 2 Say

07-17-04 Birmingham, England (Symphony Hall)
Birmingham's Black Voices are present as well.

08-10-04 Marciac, France (27th Jazz in Marciac (August 1-15))
Photos: https://www.jazzinmarciac.com/souvenir-take6-2004-93.html

08-12-04 Oslo, Norway (Oslo Jazz Festival (August 9-15))

08-13-04 Haugesund, Norway (Sildajazz (August 1-15))

09-10-04 Tuscaloosa, AL (in the Concert Hall of the Moody Music Building of the University of Alabama, taking part in UA's School of Music Celebrity Series)

09-18-04 Monterey, CA (Monterey Jazz Festival)

11-05-04 Seoul, South Korea (JVC Jazz Festival)
With the Marcus Miller Band and Four Of A Kind.
Video: entire concert

2005

They visit Japan twice this year.

May 18 a new album of the Korean-American singer Lena Park is released (she is known in Korea as Park Jung-hyun). The album, called “Beyond The Line", is only released in Japan. Take 6 collaborates on the song ‘My Superman'.

September 10, they perform for the first time in Ireland (Dublin).

Performances
Collaborations

Performances

01-26-05 until 01-29 Nagoya, Japan (Blue Note)

02-13-05 Los Angeles, CA (Staples Center, 47th Annual Grammy Awards)
The group is nominated for a Grammy Award for the year 2004:
- winner in category Best Pop Collaboration with Vocals: “Moon River" (Stevie Wonder & Take 6)

02-19-05 Tallahassee, FL (Ruby Diamond Auditorium)

03-05-05 Baton Rouge, LA (Manship Theatre at the Shaw Center for the Arts)
Celebrating the opening of this theater!

06-30-05 (TV) Soundstage (PBS)
Normally the concerts are recorded in the WTTW television studio in Chicago, but this concert has probably been taped in Tennessee. The group are guests at a Michael McDonald concert.
Video: The Track of My Tears

09-10-05 Dublin, Ireland (National Concert Hall)
See for the radio broadcast: https://www.rte.ie/radio1/inconcert/1052228.html (or https://www.rte.ie/radio1/inconcert/rams/19september.smil)

09-13-05 until 09-15 Milan, Italy (Blue Note)

10-01-05 until 10-02 New York, NY (B.B. King's Blues Club, with Marcus Miller)

10-22-05 Louisville, KY (The Brown Theatre, part of the Brown-Forman Midnite Ramble Series)

11-15-05 Nagoya, Japan (Blue Note)

11-17-05 North Bethesda, MD (Music Center)

12-13-05 until 12-15 Villingen, Germany (Franziskaner Konzerthaus)

12-16-05 Sankt Pölten, Austria (Festspielhaus)

12-18-05 Catania, Italy (Teatro Massimo Bellini)

12-20-05 Rome, Italy (Auditorium Parco della Musica)

2006

In January, Mark sees one Tony Huerta working as front of house sound mixer at the CMEA All State Vocal Jazz choir. Mark asks Tony to become FOH engineer with Take 6! First collaboration is at a concert in April, in Quito (Ecuador).

Take 6 is touring to Indonesia for the first time. To give an impression, their world tour consists these days of: March 1 in Seoul, Korea; March 3 and 4 at the Jazz festival in Jakarta, Indonesia; March 6 and 7 in Brisbane, Australia and March 19 back in the States (Chicago).

The 12th album is released on March 21: Feels Good (Miles High Productions, under their own record label Take 6 Records.)
‘Come On' and ‘More Than Ever' are released as singles.

Claude on the group development:

Interestingly enough I think that Take 6 as a group has undergone a rebirth. That rebirth started two years ago (2004) and it's been a process of probably 5-7 years but within the last two years I think we've really grown to love one another on a very real level. I think we've learned how to communicate with each other and I think that when you really start being real with each other at whatever point if it's 20 years later or next week I think that that enables your business to grow, your creativity to grow it enables your spirituality to grow and I think that's what's happening with this group.

Claude tells about the advantage of having your own record label:

We may have taken more time than we really needed to lay down tracks because we wanted them to sound like we knew they could. We didn't have the “if only we'd spent more time" excuse not to make the songs sound exactly the way we wanted them to. We did a lot more experimentation on this album to perfect the sound and arrangements. It was the first time that all six of us liked every single song and arrangement on the CD.

More Than Ever has become very different from its original incarnation. It evolved through experimentation processes. We tinkered with the final arrangement a lot. We tried to stay true in a vocal sense but it is very different for us. It has become one of our favorite songs on the album now.

We were able to create changes in the studio as well which helped the song Wait for the Sunshine. We weren't getting the best feel for the sound that we wanted, so we changed it up about four different times. Finally, because we took the time, it did come out the way that we wanted it. In the past year the song would have simply gone on the album and we would not have liked it.

In addition to Feels Good they do two exclusive songs for ITUNES® and Rhapsody®. For ITUNES: ‘You Know What It Means to Miss New Orleans' with Aaron Neville, of which the revenues go to Habitat for Humanity. For Rhapsody® they record Marvin Gaye's ‘What's Going On' with Brian McKnight. Claude: “We may release that with some other artists to see what develops. We'll include those on the next pressings of “Feels Good" but right now they are exclusives." They release this record on single as well.

https://www.acappellanews.com/archive/001122.html tells about “Do You Know What It Means...":

For 60 days beginning March 7, the song will only be available through the online digital download site, iTunes, and the artists' share of the proceeds from the sale of the song will benefit Neville's favorite charity, New Orleans area Habitat for Humanity. Following its run on iTunes, the song will be available on all major digital download sites. A native of New Orleans, Neville's home was severely damaged by Hurricane Katrina and the singer currently resides in Nashville.

“What a thrill to be able to do a song that is so appropriate for victims of Katrina," said Take 6 member Mark Kibble. “Aaron brought the passion that only one who lived in the city - and knew it for everything that it was and is - can bring. He's the classic best and it is an honor to have him help us aid those who are still in need of relief."
In commenting on the project, New Orleans area Habitat for Humanity Development Coordinator Gina Stilp said, “Thanks to generous partners like Take 6 and Aaron Neville, Habitat for Humanity's Musicians' Village will help keep the rich musical traditions of New Orleans alive. The Musician's Village will provide home ownership opportunities for dozens of musicians and their families that have been displaced by Hurricane Katrina."

David and Mark work on Brian Littrell's (Backstreet Boys) first solo gospel album ‘Welcome Home' which will be released in summer 2006 on the Reunion Records-label.

Mark tells about the album of Ray Charles:

We were almost on his very last CD (Genius and Friends). We'd actually done the title cut for it. But by the time we finished it, he was already too ill to perform it. But my memories with him are so great, because I actually got to spend time with him in his studio, bringing him the material. He didn't allow me to watch him to record; he just said, “You just give me the music, and I'ma do my thing, and I'll send it back to you." I gave it to him, let him listen to it, watched him go around his whole studio, knowing where every button was, threading the tape machine, the whole nine. He had a great appreciation for what we do, and for me, so our friendship was great. I had many conversations with him, and it was just a wonderful experience.

Alvin has gone back to college: he wants to be an entertainment lawyer.

Take 6 promisses to start publishing sheet music! ‘Family of Love' and ‘I'll never turn back no more' for starters.

Performances)
Collaborations

Performances)

01-08-06 West Palm Beach, FL (The Raymond F. Kravis Center for the Performing Arts)
Beachfront Property - Manhattan Transfer meets Take 6 and cook together.

01-14-06 Durham, NC (Page Auditorium, Duke University)

01-16-06 Ann Arbor, MI (Hill Auditorium)
They sing at the University of Michigan celebration of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. day. The group uses a Steinway piano.

02-06-06 Wheaton, MA (Wheaton College)
A ‘clinic'.

02-07-06 Wheaton, MA (Wheaton College)

02-18-06 Albuquerque, NM (Texico Youth Fest)

02-19-06 Sacramento, CA (Capitol Christian Centre)

03-01-06 Seoul, Korea

03-03-06 until 03-04 Jakarta, Indonesia (Jazz Festival)
Video: Mary

03-06-06 until 03-07 Brisbane, Australia

03-19-06 Chicago, IL (Willow Creek)

03-20-06 Chicago, IL (WGN-TV)

03-22-06 (TV) Behind The Scenes (TBN)
Probably broadcasted today, possibly recorded as well!
Video: Come On
Video: breaking down the parts, based on Come On
Video: Lamb Of God
See also the complete broadcast: https://www.tbn.org/watch/files/index.php?file=2006_3_22_300k.wmv&show=92

03-23-06 until 03-26 Los Angeles, CA (Catalina Bar & Grill)

03-25-06 until 03-26 Los Angeles, CA (Saddleback Church)

03-27-06 until 03-31 New York, NY (Blue Note)
According to https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/feels-good/id106175824 a state-side CD release party took place here (perhaps not on this date?). Cedric is replaced by Chris, from Florida. (Chris who?)

04-07-06 until 04-08 Quito, Ecuador (La Musica Sacre)

04-14-06 Danbury, CT (Premiere Music Hall)

04-15-06 New York, NY (TV) The Saturday Early Show
CBS, season 9, episode 33

04-16-06 Tampa, FL (Without Walls)

04-25-06 (RADIO) Rejoice! Musical Soul Food (ABC)
Live concert on ABC-radio.

06-02-06 Paducah, KY (F. Carsons Four Rivers Center)

06-08-06 (TV) Praise The Lord (TBN)
Complete show: https://tbn.org/watch/files/index.php?file=2006_6_8_300k.wmv&show=85
They sing: ‘Come On', ‘More Than Ever', ‘Lamb of God' and ‘This Is Another Day'.

06-10-06 until 06-11 Los Angeles, CA (The Smile Festival, Audubon Middle School)

06-13-06 (TV) Garden Grove, CA (Crystal Cathedral, “Hour of Power"; broadcasted on October 29)
A transcription of the service: https://www.hour-of-power.de/sermons/2006/1913e_2006_10_29.htm
Video: Come On

06-15-06 until 06-18 New York, NY (Blue Note)

06-29-06 until 07-01 Oakland, CA (Yoshi's Jazz Club)

07-08-06 Washington, DC (Carden Barin amplin theater)

07-09-06 Nashville, TN

07-13-06 Montreux, Switzerland (Montreux Jazz Festival)

07-17-06 Molde, Norway (Molde International Jazz Festival)

07-28-06 Detroit, MI (Chene Park Amphitheater, with Yolanda Adams)

09-12-06 Beverly Hills, CA (Beverly Hilton Hotel)
15th Ella Award, celebrating Johnny Mathis' 50th Anniversary of Recording Songs

09-28-06 Osaka, Japan

09-29-06 Nagoya, Japan (Blue Note)

10-01-06 until 10-07 Tokyo, Japan (Blue Note)
Video: We Don't Have To Cry; recording of 10-02 (or 10-01).

10-08-06 (TV) Bobby Jones Gospel (BET)

10-??-06 (TV) Fox & Friends
Take 6 sings two songs and is interviewed briefly; later this day they will sing at the Brooklyn Tabernacle in New York City.
Yesterday they lost their luggage during travel! Tomorrow they head to Europe.
Video: Family Of Love - You Can Make It

11-01-06 Salzburg, Germany (Salzburger Jazzherbst)

11-02-06 until 11-04 Milan, Italy (Blue Note Jazzclub)

11-05-06 Ingolstadt, Germany (Kirche St. Augustin)
23. Ingolstädter Jazztage

11-11-06 Leverkusen, Germany (Leverkusener Jazztage)
With the WDR Big Band. Broadcasted on TV on Wednesday March 7 2007, from 0:00 tot 0:58 AM. Roger Ryan sings baritone, instead of Cedric.
Video: 1. Wade In The Water
Video: 2. Come On
Video: part of Come On filmed from the audience
(3. Feels Good is missing)
Video: 4. Family Of Love
Video: part of Family Of Love filmed from the audience
(5. Just In Time is missing)
Video: 6. Wait For The Sunshine
Video: 7. God Will Take Care Of You
Video: 8. More Than Ever
(9. You Can Make It is missing)
(10. This Is Another Day is missing)
Video: 11. My Friend
Video: 12. Set You Free
Video: short interview with Mark Kibble
Video: interview with Michael Abene
Video: part of the Mary encore
Video: part of the Mary battle

11-13-06 Oslo, Norway (Oslo Konserthus)

11-15-06 Kiev, Ukraine

11-17-06 London, England (Barbican Center)
Part of the London Jazz Festival, in collaboration with BBC Radio 3.

11-18-06 Cologne, Germany (in the Philharmonie)
With the WDR Big Band. Broadcasted LIVE on WDR 3, 8:03 PM

11-19-06 Poole, England (location “Lighthouse")

11-20-06 Manchester, England (Royal Northern College of Music)

11-21-06 Moscow, Russia
Youtube has a large part of the concert (the last of the European tour), with Roger Ryan as backup for Cedric:
Video: Come On
Video: Feels Good
Video: I've Got Life
Video: Wade In The Water
Video: Just In Time
Video: Set You Free
Video: Lamb Of God
Video: Fly Away
Video: We Don't Have To Cry
Video: More Than Ever
Video: Grandma's Hands
Concert report (in Russian): https://www.jazz.ru/mag/372/default.htm

11-23-06 (RADIO) Nashville, TN (All Things Considerd (NPR News))
Michelle Norris hosting.
See here for a transcript

12-06-06 Atlanta, GA (New Birth Missionary Baptist Church)
Recording of the Patti LaBelle Christmas Special (BET). Take 6 sings on this show, among others. (Multiple) broadcasts follow as of December.

“A Mary Mary Christmas with Take 6"-tour:

12-17-06 Oakland, CA
12-19-06 Seattle, WA (Paramount Theater)
12-21-06 San Diego, CA
12-22-06 Los Angeles, CA
12-23-06 Cerritos, CA (Cerritos Center for the Performing Arts)

2007

In September they collaborate on the Miss Italy Pageant in Milan. A report:

Take 6 with Eros Ramazzotti at Miss Italy pageant. What an amazing three days! Take 6 traveled to Milan Italy to meet and rehearse with Eros Ramazzotti a song that they had previously recorded earlier this year that will be featured on his upcoming 20 year retrospective. After an evening rehearsing at Eros' Isola Studios in Milan and getting to know each other, the guys traveled about an hour and half south of Milan to Salsomaggiore, which is where the Miss Italy pageant is held. The actual performance occurred near the end of the broadcast on RAI1 (Italian TV Network) and we are told that the estimated audience in Italy alone was over 5 million persons.

In addition, Dolce & Gabbana provided clothing for the six performing members of Take 6 and if you see them at selected special events in the future, you may notice some high fashion on the guys. On a final note, the trip coincided with Milan's famous “fashion week" and it was an opportunity to experience Italy at it's very best.

In November, they record a track for the movie “Sweetwater" (with Robert DeNiro and Richard Dreyfuss; to be released next year). “We're all family men and work individually on a lot of other projects, but we make Take 6 our first job priority," Chea says. In November the group is already collecting jazz standards for their upcoming CD.

Double CD(DVD) ‘We Are Family 2007 (Artists and Friends for Hurricane Relief)' is released on February 27, on which Take 6 can be heard with Al Jarreau and Gerald McCauley on the song ‘Eagle and The Condor'.

Performances
Collaborations

Performances

01-25-07 Hollywood, CA (Catalina Bar & Grill)

03-01-07 Seoul, Korea

03-03-07 Tokyo, Japan (Blue Note. 20th Anniversary Tour)

03-04-07 Nagoya, Japan (Blue Note. 20th Anniversary Tour)

03-05-07 until 03-07 Tokyo, Japan (Blue Note)

03-08-07 until 03-09 Osaka, Japan

03-11-07 Singapore (Mosaic Music Festival)

05-18-07 The Hague, Holland (The Hague Jazz, World Forum Convention Center)

06-03-07 Columbia, MD (15th Annual Capital Jazz Festival (Pavilion Stage))

06-08-07 Pittsburgh, PA (Byham Theater)

06-15-07 Dallas, TX (Meyerson Concert Hall)

06-30-07 Washington, DC (Washington National Cathedral)

07-01-07 Philadelphia, PA (11AM at the Sharon Baptist Church; 5PM at Independance Hall)

07-03-07 Denver, CO (Pepsi Center, ‘Harmony Foundation Show')

07-07-07 Grand Prairie, TX

07-28-07 Kalamazoo, MI (Western Michigan University, Steve Zegree Vocal Jazz Summer Camp)
Cedric was the guest artist this year. “Dent worked with students on a choral arrangement of ‘O Come All Ye Faithful' from Take 6's 1991 CD He Is Christmas and an arrangement of ‘Family of Love, Family of God,' from the group's 2006 CD Feels Good."

07-28-07 Florence, AL (Norton Auditorium on the University of North Alabama campus (W.C. Handy Music Festival))

08-03-07 Charlottesville, VA (The Paramount Theater)

08-04-07 Cleveland Heights, OH

08-25-07 Vancouver, WA (Esther Short Park, Vancouver Wine & Jazz Festival)

10-14-07 Chapel Hill, NC

10-25-07 Nashville, TN (the Grand Ole Opry House)
“TAKE 6, AARON NEVILLE and LONESTAR bring HOLIDAY NOTES FROM HOME to GRAND OLE OPRY HOUSE". The show will be taped live and features performances from Take 6, Aaron Neville, Lonestar and the Band of the Air Force Reserve with special guests the Air Force Strings. Holiday Notes From Home will air multiple times on the Armed Forces Radio and Television Network during the Christmas holidays. The entertainment line-up for this concert embraces all genres of music and is certain to have something to suit everyone's musical tastes.)
A 1 hour special has been broadcasted by GAC-TV (Great American Country TV) on December 18, 19, 24 and 25. The full length version has only been broadcasted the 25th.

11-09-07 Kalamazoo, MI (Miller Auditorium, Western Michigan University)
They sang here in 1989 already! Alvin about this place:

We know the tradition of Western Michigan University's Gold Company jazz vocal group well. We know (WMU jazz studies professor) Steve Zegree and he runs a wonderful program there. It's so great to hear those harmonies so big and so tight. You're always ready to sit and learn something new.

12-08-07 (TV) Christmas at Union Station 2007 (Nashville, TN)
Part of a series of 4 concerts. At the beginning of December, Mandisa and George Huff were on TV, after that an evening with Jars of Clay; tonight Take 6 and Trin-i-tee 5:7. Natalie Grant on December 15.

12-19-07 Los Angeles, CA (The West Angeles Church. Christmas @ The Cathedral)
Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vjmmkc8udIs
(This video serves as promo for Christmas @ The Cathedral 2009, with Take 6 singing ‘Hark!' in 2007.)

2008

As of January 1, Oakwood College is called Oakwood University.

Album The Standard is released at Heads Up International on September 30.
They arrange a Release Party on September 26, 7:30 PM in the Langford Auditorium of the Vanderbilt University – with of course a Meet & Greet afterwards.

Mark based his arrangement of ‘Windmills Of Your Mind' on Sting's version for the movie ‘The Thomas Crown Affair', see https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kb9dcv1xDiY

Performances
Collaborations

Performances

01-24-08 New York City, NY (Blue Note)
Within the context of the “Grammys in the Schools" project, students attend the soundcheck preceeding the evening concert, “to learn how Take 6 works with engineers during sound check to prepare for their evening performance."

01-25-08 New York City, NY (Blue Note)

01-26-08 Holland, PA (Council Rock High School South)
During a Music Class (from 8:00 AM 'till 5:00 PM) Take 6 gives a Master Class at 13:00 PM.

01-26-08 New York City, NY (Blue Note)

01-27-08 New York City, NY (Blue Note)

01-31-08 Little Rock, AR (Philander Smith College/Robinson Auditorium)
Video: Battle (part)

02-10-08 Modesto, CA (Mary Stuart Rogers Theater)

02-14-08 Los Angeles, CA (Shrine Auditorium: 39th NAACP Image Awards 2008 (aka NAACP Pride Awards))

03-01-08 Grand Rapids, MI (DeVos Performance Hall)
“Symphony with Soul", a collaboration with the Grand Rapids Symphony.

03-08-08 Torrance, CA (El Camino College)

03-16-08 Seattle, WA (UNCF Fundraiser & Master Class)

03-28-08 Charlottesville, VA (Paramount Theater)

03-29-08 Berrien Springs, MI (Andrews University, Howard Performing Arts Center)

04-05-08 Nagoya, Japan (Blue Note)

04-15-08 Seoul, Korea (LG Arts Center)

04-24-08 Greely, CO (UNC/Greely Jazz Festival, University of Northern Colorado)
During daytime they do a clinic.
Video: Come On (part)
And a concert at night.
Video: Come On
Video: If We Ever
Video: Just In Time
Video: My Friend
Video: Set U Free
Video: Wade in the Water

05-26-08 Montgomery, AL

06-22-08 Milan, Italy
Only Claude performs with the Anno Domini Gospel Choir.
Video: I Believe I Can Fly

07-26-08 Veszprem, Hungary (Veszprem Summer Festival)

08-02-08 Memphis, TN (Master Class at the Orpheum Theater)
“14:30-16:00 Free master class (thanks to the NARAS sponsorship). Members of Take 6 demonstrate how to create original a cappella arrangements."

08-02-08 Memphis, TN (Contemporary Acappella League at the Orpheum Theater, 7:30 PM)
“Performance by Take 6 and DeltaCappella. The 10-time Grammy-winning vocal group performs alongside a newly formed group from Memphis."

08-03-08 Memphis, TN (Cedric's Recital in the National Civil Rights Museum, 2:30 PM)
“Take 6 member and professor of music Cedric Dent lectures on the ‘History and Development of Gospel Music'. Free."

08-28-08 Denver, CO (DNC, Democratic National Convention, with Stevie Wonder; the convention itself took place August 25-28)
A musician (a drummer) writes:

Being a part of the “Drums of Unity" was very special. Munyungo Jackson on cajon, Fausto Cuevas on congas, Steve Haney on snare and tambourine, and Glen Ahhaitty and Mark Makai on Native American drums. I feel so humbled to have had the chance to share the stage with all of these amazing artists.
The atmosphere of the convention was absolutely phenomenal. 75,000 people is definitely the largest audience I've ever played for! Looking out from my drums into a sea of people was quite a moment.

After the performance I made my way onto the floor of Invesco Field to watch Obama's speech. It was amazing to be a part of. A historic moment and Obama gave the most inspirational political speech I've ever heard. I'm filled a hope and optimism about our country that I've never felt before. This is definitely a day I'll be telling my grandchildren about. “I was there when President Obama gave the speech that defined a generation… really... no really..." Finally a leader that seeks to inspire us to a higher purpose rather than speak down to us like a bunch of idiots.
Sometimes it's hard for me to believe all of the places this art form has taken me. I'd like to thank Stevie Wonder and Munyungo Jackson for this amazing day and amazing opportunity!"

Video: Fear Can't Put Dreams To Sleep (clipped sound)
Video: same song, better sound

09-18-08 until 09-21 Los Angeles, CA (Catalina's)

09-26-08 Nashville (or Nash-Vegas, as Vinnie would call it), TN (Vanderbilt University)
Release party of “The Standard"!

09-30-08 until 10-01 San Diego, CA (Anthology)
Photos: https://anthologysd.com/blog/2009/03/20/photos-of-take-6-live-at-anthology-october-1-2008

10-02-08 (TV) Behind The Scenes (TBN) (with host: Carman)
Video: Windmills Of Your Mind
Video: Shall We Gather At The River

10-04-08 Buffalo, NY (Buffalo State College)

10-05-08 Annapolis, MD (2 shows at Rams Head Tavern & Fordham Brewery (5:00 PM and 8:00 PM))

10-21-08 Siegen, Germany

10-22-08 Cologne, Germany (Das alte Pfandhaus)
Video: Wade In The Water
Video: Shall We Gather At The River (part)
Video: 7 Steps To Heaven (part)
Video: Windmills Of Your Mind (part)
Video: Set You Free (part) plus “introduction"
Video: I've Got Life (part)
Video: Straighten Up And Fly Right (part)
Video: Windmills Of Your Mind (part), posted by Claude

10-23-08 Prerov, Czechia

10-24-08 Baden Baden, Germany

10-25-08 Malmö, Sweden

10-26-08 Stockholm, Sweden

10-27-08 Göteborg, Sweden

10-29-08 Copenhagen, Sweden

10-30-08 until 10-31 Milan, Italy

11-01-08 Notteroy, Norway (Notteroy Kulturhus)

11-02-08 Helsinki, Finland (Finlandia House)
Video: So Much 2 Say, part of the battle
Video: Rock With You
Video: I Wish
Video: Happy Birthday dear Vinnie
Video: Just in Time (part)

11-05-08 Madrid, Spain (Centro Cultural Conde Duque)

11-06-08 Paris, France (New Morning (a club)).
Although Andy Dixon prohibited shooting films, several people did nonetheless: Samuel Légitimus posted five videos (see a written comment in French ):
Video: So Much 2 Say (part)
Video: Mary (battle)
Video: End Of The Road (part)
Video: Something Within Me (part)
Video: Windmills Of Your Mind (part)
Radio opname (TSF Jazz): megaupload.com

11-07-08 Zaragoza, Spain (Auditorio Palacio de Congresos)
Photos: picasaweb.google.com

11-08-08 Cartagena, Spain (Nuevo Teatro Circo)

11-11-08 Bochum, Germany (Jahrhunderthalle Bochum)
Video: Windmills Of Your Mind

11-12-08 Rome, Italy (The Place)

11-13-08 Costabissare, Italy (Max Live)

11-14-08 Novi Sad, Serbia (Cultural Center of Novi Sad)

11-15-08 Prague, Czechia (11th festival swingové hudby, in the National House Vinohrady)

11-16-08 London, England (Royal Festival Hall)
Photos: picasaweb.google.com

11-19-08 Chalon, France (La Comête Scène Nationale de Châlons-en-Champagne)

11-20-08 Szczecin, Poland (Cathedral)
Photos: picasaweb.google.com

11-21-08 Ostrow, Poland (Kino Teatr Komeda)

11-22-08 Gdynia, Poland (Teatr Muzyczny)
Photos: picasaweb.google.com

11-23-08 Gdynia, Poland

12-07-08 Wheat Ridge, CO (Applewood Baptist Church)

12-12-08 Kansas city, MO (Midland Theatre)

12-12-08 (TV) Nashville, TN (Christmas at Union Station)
Other artists are: Natalie Grant, George Huff, Jars of Clay, Mandisa Trin-i-tee 5:7.
Take 6 sings ‘Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas', ‘Lamb of God', ‘Joy To The World', Hark the Herald Angels Sing, ‘Let It Snow' and ‘O Come All Ye Faithful'.

12-13-08 Hammond, IN (The Venue at Horseshoe Casino)

12-20-08 Ocala, FL (An Evening In December)
“The City of Ocala's Holiday Happenings Presents: An Evening in December"
With recording artist, Garneau, featuring guest vocalist Claude McKnight from 13-time Grammy winning super group Take 6 and a showing of “It's a Wonderful Life" on the Downtown Square. 6PM.

2009

In February, Take 6 is nominated for two DOVE-awards for the coming 40th GMA Dove Awards in April: ‘Shall We Gather At The River' (Contemporary Gospel Song) and ‘The Standard' (Contemporary Gospel Album).

In May, DVD ‘Soundstage: Michael McDonald – A Tribute To Motown Live' is released. Next to India.Arie, Billy Preston and Toni Braxton Take 6 sings with Michael McDonald on the songs ‘What's Going On' (track 3), ‘Tracks Of My Tears' (8) en ‘Since I Lost My Baby' (9).

During the Standard tour the sing covers as well in the “back in the day" section.
Dave sings lead on: End Of The Road.
Claude sings lead on: What A Fool Believes (Michael McDonald/Kenny Loggins; the original is of The Doobie Brothers on the 1978 album Minute By Minute) or sometimes After The Love Has Gone (Earth Wind & Fire).
Joey sings lead on: I Wish (Stevie Wonder).
Khristian sings lead on: Rock With You or Billy Jean (Michael Jackson).
After the death of Michael (June 25, 2009) they decide to add to that: Remember The Time; Claude explains this on this video
And now and then they sing: Hallelujah.

Performances
Collaborations

Performances

01-17-09 Osaka, Japan

01-18-09 Osaka, Japan

01-19-09 Osaka, Japan
Alvin and Joey are interviewed this morning on the Funky 802 FM morning show hosted by Hiro Teradaira, supporting tonight's performance.
Video: Feels Good

01-21-09 Fukuoka, Japan

01-22-09 Fukuoka, Japan

01-24-09 Tokyo, Japan

01-25-09 Tokyo, Japan

01-26-09 Tokyo, Japan

01-27-09 Tokyo, Japan

02-06-09 Rancho Cucamonga, CA (Abundant Living Family Church Sanctuary)
“Singles Valentine's Jazz Concert", with Take 6 and J. Boykin, sax.

02-08-09 Los Angeles, CA (Staples Centre, 51st Annual Grammy Awards)
The group is nominated for a Grammy Award for the year 2008:
- nominated in category Best Gospel Performance: ‘Shall We Gather At The River'
Video: Windmills (short) backstage
Cedric is nominated in category Best Instrumental Arrangement Accompanying Vocalist(s) for the song ‘Grace'.
Till Brönner is nominated in category Best Jazz Instrument Solo for his contribution to ‘Seven Steps To Heaven'.

02-14-09 New York, NY (Jazz Lincoln Center)

02-28-09 Garden Grove, CA (Crystal Cathedral)
Drug Alternative Program's “Evening of Inspiration", with guest speaker Dr. Benjamin Carson (Pediatric Neurosurgeon) and on the center stage: Take 6.
Video: I've Got Life/Spread Love

03-08-09 Mount Pocono, PA (Pocono Community Church)
They sing, in celebration of the festive opening of a new church hall, during three services today, plus an evening performance.
Video: Windmills of your Mind
Video: (again) Windmills

03-29-09 West Reading, PA (19th VF Outlet Berks Jazz Fest, location Scottish Rite Cathedral)
Claude says hello

04-07-09 until 04-08 San Francisco, CA (Yoshi's)

04-10-09 Atlanta, GE (Rialto Center for Performing Arts, Georgia State University)
Video: So Much 2 Say , again with a (vocal percussion) battle.

04-29-09 Macomb, IL (Western Illinois University)

05-09-09 Balestrand, Norway (Kviknesalen)

05-10-09 Stavanger, Norway (IMI Forum)

05-12-09 Gorizia, Italy (Teatro Communale Giuseppe Verdi)
Claude joins the CASA website and writes:

We're in Gorizia Italy now, after having done 2 great shows in beautiful Norway!! We're so blessed to be able to continue traveling the world some 20+ years now!! We'll be in Europe on this tour until the 25th of May. It doesn't get any better than this!! Ciao for now!

05-13-09 Leipzig, Germany (A-Cappella-Festival, Werk II)

05-14-09 Wroclav, Poland (Kosciol sw. Marii Magdaleny)

05-17-09 Luxembourg (Printemps Musical, Den Atelier)
Video: 7 Steps To Heaven

05-18-09 Wiehl, Germany (Jazztage 2009, Wiehltalhalle)

05-20-09 Hannover, Germany (HCC Hannover Congress Centrum)

05-21-09 Hannover, Germany (Tramplatz)

05-22-09 The Hague, Holland (The Hague Jazz, venue Chez Ella)
Photos: https://www.musicfrom.nl
Video: Back in the day (Cedric, Dave, ClaudieMac)

05-24-09 Tampere, Finland (Tampere Hall)

06-27-09 Harstad, Norway (Harstad Kulturhus)

06-29-09 Caen, France (Festival Viva Voce)

07-01-09 Ascona, Switzerland (JazzAscona, Torre Tent)
Video: interview
Photos: www.flickr.com

07-03-09 Tortosa, Spain (Teatre Auditori Felip Pedrell)

07-04-09 Berlin, Germany (Gendarmenmarkt)
Video: Shall We Gather At The River
Video: Just In Time

07-07-09 Llubjana, Slovenia (Teatre Krizanke)

07-12-09 Freiburg, Germany (Zirkuszelt)

07-13-09 Geneva, Switzerland

07-15-09 Grugliasco, Italy (Gruvillage)

08-25-09 Nashville, TN (Nashville Public Library)
In the Courtyard of the public library “Three Tenors from vocal jazz/gospel group sensation Take 6" are singing!

08-30-09 Washington DC (HBCU event, at the Kennedy Center)
Claude on this:
“It's not a concert! We are being honored, and a 105 voice choir will be doing “Come On" and “Mary" with us!"
Video: Happy Birthday Christopher

09-07-09 Orem, UT (Scera Amphitheater)
On Labor Day, they sing ‘Somethin' Within Me', but without prior warning they ask David Osmond to sing the lead! (David Osmond participated with this song at American Idol and got to the Hollywood Week with it).
Video: Somethin' Within Me, with David Osmond

09-19-09 Lansing, MI (South Church)

09-25-09 Denver, CO (7:30PM in the King Center Concert Hall of the University of Colorado (College of Arts and Media, aka the Kenneth King Academic & Performing Arts)
11:00AM this morning they gave a Master Class in the King Center Recital Hall.

09-26-09 Solvang, CA (Solvang festival theater: 3rd annual Solvang Jazz Festival)

10-04-09 Chicago, IL (Governor's State University, with warm-up act: Higher Praise (a famous SDA choir))
Video: David & Goliath
Video: Windmills Of Your Mind
Video: Straighten Up And Fly Right

10-09-09 Lynden, WA (Christ the King Community Church)

10-10-09 Edmonds, WA (Edmonds Center for the Arts)

10-26-09 Nashville, TN (Grand Ole Opry House)
“Holiday Notes from Home" with Take 6, Brian McKnight and Amy Grant, and the Air Force Reserve Band & Strings*. Tickets are FREE courtesy of the USAF! Come join us for the taping of this show that will appear on TV later this year!
* Members of the United States Air Force and Air Force Reserve, Arnold AFB, Tenn., Tennessee Air Force Reserve, service members from Fort Campbell, Ky., and the Tennessee Army & Air National Guard were invited as special guests to send heartfelt holiday greetings to our soldiers and their family members who are serving around the world.
Video: report

10-29-09 Poznan, Poland (Congress center of Iniversitet, ul. Przybyszxeskiego 37, Poznan)

10-30-09 Warsaw, Poland (Sala Kongresowa)

10-31-09 Apeldoorn, Holland! (Theater Orpheus, Vocal Light TOP festival)
Naturally7 withdrew themselves, and Take 6 was subsequently enlisted! See https://www.evenement-foto.com/koren/kvlbxxxx/ for pictures (non downloadable, I fear)
Video: Come On (part)
Video: What A Fool Believes
Video: something of Michael Jackson

11-01-09 Bologna, Italy (Teatro Auditorium Manzoni)

11-02-09 Paris, France (Théatre du Châtelet)
Video: ‘Back in the day'-section: End Of The Road (Boys 2 Men), What a Fool Believes (The Doobie Brothers), I Wish (Stevie Wonder), Remember the Time (Michael Jackson).
Video: What's Going On
Video: So Much 2 Say (HQ), with a fenomenal Vocal Percussion battle!
Video: Remember The Time (part)
Video: Remember the Time; Claude gives an impromptu to this song
Video: Happy Birthday Alvin!

11-07-09 Plzen, Czechia (The Great Theatre, Smetanovy sady 16)

11-09-09 Oslo, Norway (Oslo Konserthus)

11-10-09 Larvik, Norway (Bolgen)

12-04-09 Birmingham, AL (Birmingham-Jefferson Concert Hall)

12-11-09 Lake Jackson, TX (The Clarion, @ Brazosport College)

12-17-09 St. Louis, MO (Powell Symphony Hall)
“A Gospel Christmas". A night of soul-stirring Gospel music with the Saint Louis Symphony IN UNISON® Chorus, the SLSO, conductor Robert Ray, and Grammy Award-winning guest artists Take 6 performing Little Drummer Boy, Sweet Little Jesus, Joy to the World, What A Wonderful Child and more.

12-19-09 Austin, TX (One World Theatre)

12-20-09 Waco, TX (Waco Hippodrome Theater)

2010

October 5, the third Christmas album of Take 6 is released: The Most Wonderful Time Of The Year
They're already working on it in March; June 7, al mixes are complete, and June 8 mastering is done. Claude sings bass now and then!

June 22 they hit the studio with CeCe Winans, Israel Houghton and Aaron Lindsey for a collaboration on a new album of Israel.
Photo: https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?pid=251532&id=117848328242896

Performances
Collaborations

Performances

01-16-10 Washington, DC (Warner Theatre, 3rd annual BET Honors (2010)
Broadcasted on February 1st, recorded on January 16th. Song: ‘Can't Imagine Love Without You', with Stevie Wonder.
Video (audio only): Can't Imagine Love Without You

01-29-10 Texarkana, TX (Perot Theatre)

02-09-10 Casper, WY (Casper College Kinser Jazz Festival, John F. Welsh auditorium (Natrona County High School))
PromoVideos: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZQRiw9Jz5F4 and https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ESElzmEJuHg

02-11-10 Augusta, GA (William B. Bell Auditorium)

02-12-10 Flagstaff, AZ (Northern Arizona University. 2010 Vocal Jazz and Madrigal Festival (Jazz Mad))
Video: 6 girls visit the meet & greet

02-14-10 Loma Linda, CA (Loma Linda University Church of S.A.)
Video: I've Got Life/Spread Love
Video: Shall We Gather At The River
Video: Windmills Of Your Mind
Video: Just In Time
Video: Set U Free
Video: Happy Birthday
Video: Family Of Love
Video: Come On

02-19-10 Shreveport, LA (The Strand Theatre Of Shreveport)

02-20-10 Naperville, IL (Wentz Concert Hall, North Central College)

02-27-10 Thousand Oaks, CA (Thousand Oaks SDA Church).
Just Alvin.
Video: I Need Thee Every Hour
Video: Remind Me Of My Love For You

03-12-10 New York, NY (Carnegie Hall, Community Sing Serie)
Source: https://rahrahrah.posterous.com/i-sang-at-the-apollo-with-take-6?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+TheRahRah+%28The+Rah+Rah%29

I Sang At The Apollo with Take 6 ...
... There were several hundred other people singing with them too as part of Carnegie Hall's FREE Neighborhood Concert & Community Sing Series. After leaving the Girl Talk Exhibit @ Renaissance Fine Art Gallery I dropped by the Apollo where a nice lady gave me an extra Take 6 ticket (Thank You again wherever you are). I'd been meaning to drop by the box office every day and just hadn't gotten around to it. I've been to a couple of these community events before and what I like about them is that they are not just a performance but a communal and interactive experience. You get to learn more learn about the artists and their art form.

I know Take 6 primarily from their early 90's hey day, but they have some devoted fans. The place was packed, including the balcony where I was. It was cool to watch their process.
The audience was asked to come up with 6 words which they would turn into a song with 6 part harmony. A lady came up with “I Was Born In The Bronx". The group's chief arranger, Mark Kibble, who happened to have been actually born in the Bronx, took to the piano to work out the melody. He then taught each member of the group their part and then rehearsed them separately. Then they blended together for that signature Take 6 sound.

People from the audience were asked to join Take 6 on stage and attempt to replicate their sound. Wanna be singers from the balcony were salty because none of them were chosen and in true Apollo fashion started to boo some of the less than stellar performers.

Take 6 has been in the game for a long time and with the exception of one member still has all the original members. You've never heard any ‘Behind The Music' drama about these guys. And they still look and sound great. To be able to withstand the ups and downs of the music biz while racking up 21 Grammy noms and 10 Grammy wins is impressive. So when these guys talked I listened and I'm passing on to you some of the knowledge they dropped:

Take 6's 5 Tips for Aspiring Arrangers:
1. Form/Join a group that you can try your ideas out on them and get feedback
2. Listen and learn from recordings
3. Start with a broad concept and then narrow it
• First figure out what kind of groove - Shuffle, Latin, R&B, Swing, etc. - you want the song to have
4. Conserve Musical Ideas
• Don't try to to everything you've ever learned in one song
• Repeat an idea with a slight twist - Don't reinvent the wheel
• Try variations on a principle
5. Melody Is King!
• Always make sure the melody can be heard, make sure the melody is protected
• Use Oooos instead of Ahhhs

03-30-10 until 04-04 New York, NY (The Blue Note)

04-17-10 Annapolis, MD (Rams Head On Stage, 6:30PM and 9:30PM)

04-18-10 Washington, DC (The Kennedy Center (John F. Kennedy Center For The Performing Arts), 20:00)

04-19-10 Washington, DC (Duke Ellington School Of The Arts, 11:00AM. Private event)

04-30-10 New Orleans, LA (New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival, 3:45PM)
Video: So Much 2 Say (part)

05-15-10 until 05-18 Tokyo, Japan (location: Billboard Live)
Setlist of 05-15: Straighten Up, I've Got Life / Spread Love, Wade In The Water, Set U Free, Smile, Windmills, Just in Time, 7 Steps, Shall We Gather, Old School, So Much To Say, Come On

05-20-10 until 05-22 Osaka, Japan
Video: intro Something Within Me
Photo: https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?pid=208674&id=117848328242896

06-10-10 Murfreesboro, TN (Middle Tennessee State University (MTSU), Tennessee Governor's School for the Arts)
Master Class and concert.
Video: master class. Cedric teaches on this school!

07-15-10 Wigan, England (Wigan International Jazz Festival, in the Lowri Beck Celebration Hall)
Announced as: Double Header - Gerald Clayton Trio & Take 6.

07-16-10 Hamburg, Germany (Schleswig-Holstein Musik Festival, in the Laeiszhalle)
Video: intro Wade In The Water
Video: Set You Free
Video: Windmills Of Your Mind
Video: Just In Time
Video: Shall We Gather At The River
Video: covers: End Of The Road + Hearts of Fire
Video: cover: I Wish
Video: battle Mary

07-24-10 Oxon Hill, MD (Gaylord National Resort & Convention Center, 12:00PM)

07-24-10 National Harbor, MD (The Plateau at National Harbor, 7PM)
At this outdoor show, next to Take 6 BeBe & CeCe Winans, Byron Cage and Kirk Whalum perform.

07-26-10 Midlothian, TX (Camp Hoblitzelle)
A free but Private Event: Master Class & Performance for participants of The Salvation Army's Camp Hoblitzelle, organised by The Southern Territorial Music Institute (TMI), ‘a 9-day intensive music & creative arts camp held annually at the end of each summer'.
Video: Come On
Video: Spread Love
Video: End Of The Road cover
Video: Two cover songs: What a fool believes & I Wish
Video: Forever You're My Love

08-01-10 Greenwood, DE (Sam Yoders Farm, Jubileefest)

08-29-10 Arcadia, CA (Los Angeles County Arboretum and Botanical Garden)
Redwhite+bluezz Pasadena Jazz Fest
Video: Back in the day (End of the Road, What A Fool Believes, I Wish)
Video: Family Of Love
Video: Just In Time
Video: (Tony Huerta)
Video: So Much 2 Say

09-03-10 Detroit, MI (31st Detroit International Jazz Festival (DJF))
With the Mulgrew Miller Pianotrio
Video: Mary
Video: interview
Video: All Blues

09-11-10 Denver, CO (Marriott City Center)
“The Spirituals Project – The Red Gala of Denver"

A fundraising benefit and awards ceremony for The Spirituals Project. Held to honor the memory of those enslaved African people who lost their lives in the pursuit of freedom, and the blood shed by those individuals who spoke out against social injustice. Jericho Award presented to those who work to further social justice today. 2010 Jericho Award Recipient: Harry Belafonte - Social Activist / Singer.

09-14-10 Nashville, TN
Video: 3 tenors from Take 6 with parts of songs:
- Minute by Minute (Doobie Brothers)
- Biggest Part of Me
- ?
- Hearts of Fire?
- ?
- Grandma's Hands
- Minute by Minute reprise

10-15-10 Ontario, CA (Dina Vanks Middle School)
“Artists 4 Children II ~ ‘Jazz Blues & BBQ LIVE'." (The poster says: “Jazz & Blues Under the Stars - A Benefit Concert on the Lawn.")
"Enjoy an evening on the beautiful lawn setting with Take 6, featuring Ray Fuller, Ellis Hall, and Pete & Peter Michael Escovedo."

10-16-10 San Bernardino, CA (Roosevelt Bowl, Perris Hill Park)
Artists 4 Children II ~ ‘Jazz 4 Our Father'
Also featured Ellis Hall, Pete & Peter Michael Escovedo.

10-23-10 until 10-24 Miami, FL (Capital Jazz Supercruise)
The journey begins in the harbour of Miami, and visits St. Thomas, Grand Turk and San Juan.

10-30-10 Miami Gardens, FL (Mt. Pisgah SDA Church)
Video: Alvin announces that his wife is to give labour in two days
Video: Just In Time

11-19-10 until 11-20 Statte, Italy (Blue Note; 9PM and 11PM)

11-21-10 Porto So, Italy (Porto Antico-Magazzini del Cotone Sala Grecale)

11-23-10 St. Sebastien sur Loire, France (8PM)

11-25-10 Sankt Pölten, Austria (Festspielhaus)

11-26-10 Prague, Czechia (Narodni dum Vinohrady; XIII. Festival Swingové Hudby)

11-27-10 Moscow, Russia (International House of Music)
Video: Back in the day (Rock with You, Remember the Time) + So Much 2 Say
Video: Come On
Video: Mary
Video: Wade in the Water (part)

11-29-10 St. Petersburg, Russia

11-30-10 Riga, Latvia (Riga Congress Centre)

12-01-10 Talinn, Estonia (Kaarli Church)

12-02-10 Helsinki, Finland (Kulttuuritalo)

12-04-10 Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Spain (Auditorio Alfredo Kraus (Sala Sinfonica))

12-06-10 Paris, France (New Morning)
Video: Mary (battle)

12-11-10 Brooklyn, NY (Brooklyn Center for the Performing Arts)

12-12-10 Flemington, NJ (Master Class at 3:30PM; Christmas Benefit concert at 7:30PM in the Hunterdon Central High School Auditorium)

12-18-10 Memphis, TN (The Orpheum Theatre Memphis)

12-19-10 Birmingham, AL (Old Car Heaven)

2011

May 18, Cedric announces that he will leave Take 6. This hasn't been an overnight decision, as proves a post on the Take 6 website:

Ave Atque Vale

Being a member of TAKE 6 has been the time of my life! It has been a storybook career-one that has taken us to some of the most beautiful and interesting places in the world! We've performed at the foot of Mt. Fuji in Japan, on the bank of the Red Sea in Israel, at Estes Park in the Colorado Rockies and visited the Berlin Wall months before it came down in 1989.
We've performed for heads of State including Nelson Mandela while he was president of South Africa, and for four US presidents.
In addition to winning 10 Grammy Awards, we've performed for the Grammy Awards ceremony several times, as well as other prestigious award ceremonies including the Oscars, the NAACP Image Awards, the Dove Awards, The Sports Emmys, and the Stellar Awards.
We've met interesting people from all walks of life and from nearly every part of the world. One encounter that comes to mind is the compliment that we received from Liza Minnelli after TAKE 6 performed the song “Moon River" with symphony orchestra featuring Stevie Wonder on harmonica. She said that there was a spirituality that comes through in everything that we sing.
We've recorded with or shared the stage with artists across several genres, headlined prestigious venues such as New York's Carnegie Hall and Apollo Theatre, and sang our rendition of “A Quiet Place" at a memorial service for the great Sarah Vaughn.

And now, two years before the 25th anniversary of TAKE 6's first commercial release, it is with mixed emotions that I announce that I will be stepping down from my post as a principal member of TAKE 6. This comes after much prayer and fasting, as well as conversations with family and my brothers in TAKE 6. It is perhaps one of the most difficult decisions I have had to make in my adult life, but I am convinced it is the right decision for all concerned.
It is my prayerful belief that this change will be a win-win for TAKE 6. For while I will not be touring with TAKE 6, I will still work with TAKE 6 behind the scenes contributing musical arrangements and offering help whenever needed.
One ongoing project about which I'm very excited is the “TAKE 6 Vocal Jazz Scholarship" that we are establishing at Middle Tennessee State University (MTSU). I believe that this will be an important part of TAKE 6's legacy and, as a member of the faculty at MTSU, I will take a leading role in raising scholarship funds. I recently read that those who consume without contributing to society develop a deep sense of emptiness. Accordingly, it is my firm belief that TAKE 6's continued longevity and sense of fulfillment and satisfaction can only be realized through stewardship in this area. The wise man said it best: “Cast thy bread upon the waters: for thou shalt find it after many days.“ Eccl. 11:1.

My decreased role in TAKE 6 will also allow me to pursue other creative endeavors including more composing and arranging, music research, teaching, consulting, and writing books. Perhaps what I look forward to most is spending more time with my wife Beverly and son Cedric, Jr.
Finally, I must say a word about the multi-talented Khristian Dentley who will be replacing me in the day-to-day operations. He has been filling in for me off and on for 7 years, and in that time has developed a fine rapport with the group. He is a music producer in his own right, plays multiple instruments, and is a great singer and songwriter. With his youth (he's 20 years younger than me!) comes a fresh perspective and new ideas that will serve TAKE 6 well in the years to come. Most importantly, I'm impressed that he loves the Lord and is Spirit-filled.
Though I will be semi-retired from the group, my prayer is that God will use Khristian and me to the maximum benefit of TAKE 6 and ultimately to the glory of God.
Thank you to all who have supported and poured into TAKE 6 over the years. Please continue to do so and “More than Ever," keep us lifted in prayer!
“Hail and Farewell."
Cedric Dent

The last performance of Cedric takes place in Lanham, MD, in the Restoration Praise Center.
Video: the pastor is praying for him
Video: group interview by RPC

Performances
Collaborations

Performances

01-20-11 Salt Lake City, UT (Libby Gardner Hall at the University of Utah)

01-21-11 Austin, TX (One World Theatre)

01-22-11 Lexington, KY (Singletary Center for the Arts)

02-12-11 Dallas, TX (Winspear Opera House)
Take 6 and Yolanda Adams

02-19-11 Carmel, IN (The Palladium at the Center For The Performing Arts)
Take 6 and Yolanda Adams

03-03-11 Detroit, MI (Orchestra Hall)
Actually this was supposed to be a Bobby McFerin concert, but he cancelled.

03-10-11 Nashville, TN (USN Music Night, at the Ingram Hall of the Blair School of Music (part of the Vanderbilt University))

03-18-11 Los Angeles, CA (Loyola Marymount University, Sacred Heart Chapel)

03-19-11 Cleveland, OH (Playhouse Square Center/Ohio Theatre)

03-24-11 Iowa City, IA (University of Iowa: Iowa Memorial Union, Main Lounge)

03-26-11 until 03-27 Bogotá, Colombia (Teatro Mayor Julio Mario Santo Domingo)

04-01-11 Baltimore, MD (MENC Conference)

04-02-11 Rochester, NY (Roberts Wesleyan College)

04-21-11 Huntsville, AL (Von Braun Center North Hall)
UNCF Gala: an evening performance on opening night of homecoming festivities for Oakwood University.

04-30-11 Philadelphia, PA (Zellerbach Theatre at the Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts)
West Philadelphia Gospel Festival.

05-13-11 Napa, CA (Napa Valley Opera House)

05-26-11 Japan..?

05-27-11 Okinawa, Japan

05-29-11 Tokyo, Japan (Orchard Hall)

05-30-11 until 05-31 Tokyo, Japan (Sumida Triphony Hall)

06-03-11 Newport News, VA (Ella Fitzgerald Theater, Downing-Gross Cultural Arts Center)
Video: concert report
According to the video it's the LAST performance of Cedric singing in Take 6!

06-05-11 Columbia, MD (19th Annual Capital Jazz Fest, Merriweather Post Pavilion)

06-24-11 Wilmington, DE (Clifford Brown Festival)

06-25-11 Detroit, MI (The Sanctuary at Greater Emmanuel Church)
Photos: facebook

08-19-11 Denver, CO (The Larimer Lounge)

08-28-11 Sao Paulo, BR (Credicard Hall)

08-30-11 Sao Paulo, BR (Espaco Nova Semente)
Just a workshop.

08-31-11 Curitiba, SP, BR (Teatro Positivo)
Video: Lamb of God

09-01-11 Belo Horizonte, BR (Chevrolet Hall)

09-03-11 Recife, BR (hotel Golden Beach)

09-04-11 Rio De Janeiro, BR (Citibank Hall RJ)

09-06-11 Brasília, BR (Centro de Convens Ulysses Guimar)

09-21-11 until 09-24 Saint Louis, MO (Jazz St. Louis (Formerly Jazz At The Bistro))
Video: Naturally7 is talking to Take 6 backstage

09-25-11 Mobile, AL (Renaissance Jazz Fest)

09-30-11 Clinton, NY (Hamilton College)

10-01-11 Syracuse, NY

10-02-11 Boston, MA (Scullers Jazz Club at the Doubletree Suites)

10-20-11 Shanghai, CN (Shanghai Centre Theatre)

12-02-11 Atlanta, GA (Robert Ferst Theatre)

12-04-11 Nashville, TN (The Rutledge)

12-07-11 Ashland, OH (Hugo Young Theatre)

12-09-11 Pittsburgh, PA (Manchester Craftsmen's Guild (MCG) Jazz)

12-16-11 New Orleans, LA (Mahalia Jackson Theater Of The Performing Arts)

12-17-11 Raleigh, NC (Raleigh SDA Church at ‘The Arc')

12-18-11 Miami, FL (Adrienne Arsht Center)

2012

This year is Take 6's 25th anniversary!
Mark Kibble:

The glue for Take 6 is that we consider this a Ministry. We are God's group! We are also family in the sense that we care deeply about each other, and that helps keep us together. We have times when it gets tough, but we pull together because of the love we have for one another.

March 27 new album ONE is released with Shanachie Entertainment.

Khristian, substitute of Cedric, is working along nicely thanks to the extensive learning experiences in the past years. He's got a fair share in contributing to the album (programming, co-arranging) and is the driving force behind the music video for the song One
The clip has been recorded in a garden of a suburb Los Angeles mansion. Several family members and friends can be spotted: Stevie Wonder, Brian McKnight, Lalah Hathaway, Lil Fizz (of B2K) and Greg Gunther (former pro football player).
“The video was all about getting together at a family styled barbecue and hanging out and just having fun", Claude says. “We invited some of our friends, we had some cameos. It was just a lot of fun."

October 2, Claude celebrates his birthday: it's his 50th!
October 11, the group is re-recording their debut album (in celebration of the 25th anniversary) in the Nashville studios. It will probably take some months to complete.

Mark sings polyphonicly on the new album of Ben Tankard Full Tank: track 2, ‘Black Butterfly'.

Performances
Collaborations

Performances

02-03-12 New York, NY (Zankel Hall at Carnegie Hall)

02-04-12 New York, NY (Apollo Theatre)

02-11-12 until 02-12 Tokyo, Japan (Blue Note)

02-14-12 Tokyo, Japan (Sumida Triphony Hall)

02-24-12 Laramie, WY (Arts & Sciences Auditorium)

03-23-12 until 03-24 Dallas, TX (Morton H. Meyerson Symphony Center)

03-25-12 Dallas, TX (Oak Cliff Bible Fellowship)
For the first time they perform the song ‘One' publicly.
Video: One

04-01-12 Coral Gables, FL (University of Miami, Maurice Gusman Concert Hall)
With the Henry Mancini Institute Orchestra, Gordon Goodwin and Terence Blanchard.

04-20-12 Durham, NC (NCCU Art Museum; B N Duke Auditorium)

06-14-12 New York City, NY (Marriott Marquis Hotel: Songwriters Hall Of Fame Awards)
The group covers ‘Stand By Me' and sings with singer LP (aka the American Laura Pergolizzi) the song ‘This Land Is Your Land.'

06-17-12 Beverly Hills, CA (Saban Theatre: All Star Jazz Benefit)
“ALLSTAR JAZZ BENEFIT FOR CHERYL BENTYNE AND CITY OF HOPE WITH MANHATTAN TRANSFER AND FRIENDS! Many know that Cheryl Bentyne from Manhattan Transfer was diagnosed with Hodgkin's Lymphoma. She is currently recovering, and City of Hope has been instrumental in her treatment and recovery program."

06-24-12 Chicago, IL (Chicago Gospel Music Festival, Bronzeville stage)

06-30-12 Moscow, Russia (Open Air Fest)

07-01-12 Vienne, France (Théâtre Antique: Jazz à Vienne)

07-02-12 Geneva, Switzerland (Cour de l'Hôtel-de-Ville)

07-04-12 Grugliasco (Turin), Italy (Gruvillage)

07-05-12 Cervia, Italy

07-07-12 Berlin, Germany (Rathaushof Kopenick; Jazz in Town 2012)

07-11-12 Paris, France (New Morning)

07-12-12 London, England (Ronnie Schott's)

07-13-12 Vienne, France (Théâtre Antique)

07-14-12 Wiesbaden, Germany (Kurhaus Wiesbaden: Rheingau Musik Festival)

08-29-12 until 09-01 Tokyo, Japan (Billboard Live)

09-03-12 until 09-05 Osaka, Japan (Billboard Live)
Video: cover ‘Stand by Me'

09-08-12 Tokyo, Japan (Tokyo Jazz Fest)

09-22-12 Norfolk, VA (Chrysler Hall, with the Virginia Symphony Orchestra)

10-13-12 Raleigh, NC (ARC building (7th Day Adventist Church))

10-17-12 Sacramento, CA (Physician of the Year Award)
Video: cover ‘Stand by Me'

10-18-12 Deerfield, MA (Deerfield Academy. Community singing & workshop)

10-27-12 Austin, TX (Long Center for the Performing Arts, with the Austin Symphony Orchestra)

11-02-12 Moscow, Russia (Moscow International House of Music)

11-04-12 Ingolstadt, Germany (St. Augustin (church), 29. Ingolstädter Jazztage)

11-07-12 Prague, Czech Republic (Palác Zofín)

11-08-12 Milan, Italy (Blue Note)

09-11-12 Lugano, Switserland (Teatro Cittadella)

11-11-12 Notteroy, Norway (Kulturhus)

11-16-12 recording of PBS Great Performances
Claude: we're singing “How High the Moon" with the incredible Patti Austin...and...we were supposed to do “Straighten up and Fly Right" with her as well....BUT, the producer Phil Ramone decided he wanted a “Take 6 moment" for us....so...we're doing “Just in Time" by ourselves....:-))))

11-29-12 Santa Clarita, CA (College of the Canyons)

11-30-12 Malibu, CA (Smothers Theatre at the Pepperdine University)

12-01-12 Rancho Cucamonga, CA (Victoria Gardens (Lewis Family Playhouse))

12-20-12 St. Louis, MO (Powell Symphony Hall, with the St. Louis Symphony)

2013

In July, the group tours for the first time through Australia.

Jessica McKnight, first daughter of Claude (living in Birmingham), is said to give labor on September 14.

Optredens

Optredens

12-01-13 New York, NY (B.B. King Blues Club and Grill)

19-01-13 Tuscaloosa, AL (Moody Music Hall, 24th Martin Luther King Jr. Realizing the Dream concert, teaming with The Aeolians)

22-02-13 Moscow, ID (Lionel Hampton Jazz Festival, in the University of Idaho)

29-03-13 Newark, NJ (New Jersey Performing Arts Center (NJPAC))

06-04-13 Colorado Springs, CO (The Broadmoor Resort, Earl Klugh Weekend of Jazz)

18-04-13 Greeley, CO (Greeley Jazz Festival, University of Northern Colorado)

26-04-13 Wolfsburg, Germany (ZeitHaus Museum)

27-04-13 London, England (Dominion Centre)

28-04-13 Stockholm, Sweden (Konserthuset)

29-04-13 Zürich, Switzerland (Kaufleuten)

30-04-13 Wendelstein, Germany (St. Nikolaus Kirche)

02-05-13 Paris, France (New Morning)

07-05-13 t/m 12-05 New York, NY (Blue Note)

09-06-13 Yountville, CA (Lincoln Theatre)

28-06-13 t/m 29-06 Osaka, Japan (Billboard Live)

01-07-13 t/m 03-07 Tokyo, Japan (Billboard Live)

04-07-13 Tokyo, Japan

08-07-13 t/m 09-07 Hobart, Tasmania, Australia (Radio interview + Choir Workshop)

11-07-13 Hobart, Tasmania, Australia (Festival of Voices)

12-07-13 Brisbane, Queensland, Australia (Conservatory Theatre, workshop)

13-07-13 Brisbane, Queensland, Australia (QPAC Concert Hall)
In the afternoon, they perform live at (and participate in!) the Worlds Biggest Orchestra event (during the Queensland Music Festival) at the Suncorp Stadium.

15-07-13 Mackay, Australia (Mackay Entertainment Convention Centre)

18-07-13 t/m 19-07 Molde, Norway (Molde International Jazz Festival, Domkirke)

20-07-13 Montreux, Switzerland (Montreux Jazz Festival)

21-07-13 Montreux, Switzerland (Auditorium Stravinsky)
The Official European Quincy Jones 80th Birthday Special in Tribute to Claude Nobs. Join TAKE 6, Marcus Miller, and many artists for a Special Birthday Celebration for Quincy Jones and Special Tribute to Festival Founder and legend Claude Nobs.

01-08-13 Fertod, Hungary (Esterhazy Castle)

02-08-13 Fussen, Germany (Klosterhof)

03-08-13 Moscow, Russia (Igor Butman Jazz Club)

04-08-13 Sochi, Russia (Winter Theater)

07-08-13 Haugesund, Norway (Maritim Hall)

09-08-13 Berlin, Germany (Rathaushof Köpenick)

10-08-13 Sankt Moritz, Switzerland (Dracula Club)

14-08-13 Oslo, Norway (Oslo Konserthus)

24-08-13 Vancouver, WA (Vancouver Wine & Jazz Festival, Esther Short Park)

04-09-13 Sao Paulo, Brasil (HSBC Brasil Music Hall)

05-09-13 Curitiba, Brasil (Teatro Positivo)

06-09-13 Rio de Janeiro, Brasil (Vivo Rio Music Hall)

27-09-13 Franklin, TN (The Factory at Franklin - Liberty Hall. Take 6 25th anniversary tour)

28-09-13 Charlotte, NC (Halton Theatre, in the 5th Annual Carolina Jazz Concert Series)

02-10-13 Annapolis, MD (Rams Head On Stage)

03-10-13 Wilmington, DE (The Queen, World Café Live)

04-10-13 Washington, DC (Howard Theatre)

10-10-13 Norfolk, CT (Infinity Hall)

12-10-13 Cranston, RI (Rhode Island Center for Performing Arts, The Park Theatre)

13-10-13 Boston, MA (Hilton Hotel, Scullers Jazz Club)

02-11-13 Fort Lauderdale, FL (Capital Jazz Supercruise)

05-12-13 Northville, MI (Ward Church, 4th Annual Jazzy Christmas)

Take 6: biography

Article Index

1980

1981

1983

1985

1986

1987

1988

Performances

Collaborations

1989

Performances

Collaborations

1990

Performances

Collaborations

1991

Performances

Collaborations

1992

Performances

Collaborations

1993

Performances

Collaborations

1994

Performances

Collaborations

1995

Performances

Collaborations

1996

Performances

Collaborations

1997

Performances

Collaborations

1998

Performances

Collaborations

1999

Performances

Collaborations

2000

Performances

Collaborations

2001

Performances

Collaborations

2002

Performances

Collaborations

2003

Performances

Collaborations

2004

Performances

Collaborations

2005

Performances

Collaborations

2006

Performances)

Collaborations

2007

Performances

Collaborations

2008

Performances

Collaborations

2009

Performances

Collaborations

2010

Performances

Collaborations

2011

Performances

Collaborations