Sounds of Blackness

Photo: Tate Carlson

Jean Kabambe and Louis Wilson

Two members of the preeminent Twin Cities music group, Sounds of Blackness, make their homes in Woodbury: longtime member Louis Wilson plays the saxophone and Jean ‘Titi’ Kabambe lends her well-seasoned voice to the group of 10 musicians and 20 singers.

Answering the Call

Wilson describes his beginnings with the group as tenuous. After hearing them in concert, he looked into auditioning. He called over a period of three months, leaving messages on a machine or with whoever answered the phone, to seek out Sounds of Blackness founder, Gary Hines. “Finally, I told my wife that I would try to reach him only once more and would not ever try again . . . this would be my final attempt,” says Wilson. “For the first time, Gary answered my call.”

Hines is no doubt glad of the timing as that call delivered a musical member of over 30 years who has also served in various roles in the organization including treasurer, financial manager, president, photographer and graphic designer. “His [Wilson’s] dedication, wisdom, hard work and business acumen have been and are invaluable to Sounds of Blackness,” says Hines.

Although Wilson may have become a pillar amongst his peers, he describes the group, and what it achieves, as having made an important difference to him. “In some cases, Sounds' music has become my daily standard for living and improving my life,” he says.

Sounds of Purpose

That message has been sounded by Sounds of Blackness music director, Gary Hines, since he started the group (under this name) in 1971. Messages of healing, inspiration and encouragement permeate their songs and their musical lives together. The range of music performed by the group includes jazz, blues, R&B, gospel, hip hop, rock, reggae, world music and more. The quality and variety of their work has garnered three Grammy awards; three Stellar Gospel Music awards; International Time for Peace, International Dance Music and Soul Train awards; as well as gold and platinum records.

Wilson knew the group was a good fit for him from the beginning because they were serious about the quality of performance, and “they had good values,” he explains. “The most gratifying communications have come to Sounds' from the many people who have experienced positive changes in their personal lives after listening to the messages in Sounds’ music.”

Feeling at Home

After being a member for less than a year, Jean ‘Titi’ Kabambe describes the group as having a true spirit of love. “You just feel the presence of God in the group,” she says. “Everyone is so connected.”

Kabambe may be new to Sounds of Blackness, but she’s no stranger to music. She started using her pipes in church at age 10, served as director of the church choir, and has written and arranged music for herself and other local artists. She always had a deep voice. “I sing tenor with the guys,” she says.

Hines attests to Kabambe’s rich sound. “She has already proven to be a great addition to the group with her wonderful voice, presence and personality,” he says.

She hails from a family of singers and recently, along with her brother, KK Kabambe, and sister, Tebuho Kabambe, completed a gospel CD entitled The Kabambes. She is the sole writer, arranger and co-producer of the piece which had its release last fall and will soon be available on iTunes.

Sounds of Blackness has had a positive impact on countless people over the past 40 years. Wilson continues, and Kabambe joins, a long legacy of musical tradition that reflects every sound of the black experience.

&

A new CD from the Grammy award-winning Sounds of Blackness, The Sounds of Blacknes, can be found online at iTunes, CD Baby and Amazon, and at Best Buy, Wal-Mart and Target. Check out the video of their single, Fly Again, on YouTube (link found at soundsofblackness.com).

Share this Article

• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
•