Leonard Julien III - Lead and Background Vocals, Saxophone; Daryl Smith - Lead & Acoustic Guitar, Keyboards; Thomas Dunn -Bass Guitar, Keyboards, Saxophone
Influences
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Sounds Like
Smooth vocals reminicent of the classic R&B/Soul sounds of the 70's and 80's, combined with the Motown sound, early funk and rock influences in the musical components, bringing an "old school" feel to the current soul renaissance. No need to bring sexy back, it never left -- we kept it!
DARYL LaCURTISS SMITH - President, Guitarist, Singer, Producer
Born in Chicago, Illinois and raised in Detroit, Michigan, Daryl Smith lives and breathes the Motown sound, which proved to be influential in shaping his musical taste and style over his long career in the music field. Daryl has been fortunate to have worked with some of the great artists of that era; some of them being former Temptations, David Ruffin and Ollie Woodson as well as touring with Martha Reeves & the Vandellas, The Elgins, and The Contours.
Daryl’s formidable guitar skills led to him being in great demand and allowed him to work with a diverse roster of musical legends and perfecting his craft. Working with such artists as Sam & Dave, Frankie Valli & the Four Seasons and one of the original “Supremes”, Ms. Mary Wilson, with whom he became musical director in the late ‘80’s, allowed Daryl to tour extensively throughout the world to such locales as Japan, Canada, France, Germany as well as dates in America.
After leaving Ms. Wilson’s tour, Daryl moved to Denver, Colorado where he made a different name for himself – using his skills and experience to expand his repertoire into the world of rock and roll, with an emphasis on blues rock. He created his salute to the late, great Jimi Hendrix, entitled “The Ultimate Experience”, traveling and touring as the musical and visual reincarnation of the guitar virtuoso in London, Finland and Ireland to critical acclaim.
Now a resident of Atlanta, Georgia, Daryl has continued playing and has done work with local artists, notably, the SOS Band, Montel Jordon, and Mr. William Bell. His work can also be heard on OutKast’s Grammy award-winning CD, “SpeakerBoxx” and has also performed with Andre 3000 in New York for Fashion Week at Radio City Music Hall. He has also collaborated with Andre 3000 on his Cartoon Network project “Class of 3000”, where Daryl can be heard playing guitar on the theme song. Mr. Smith’s talents can also be heard daily in the Atlanta area on WAGA-Fox 5’s “Good Day Atlanta” morning show, where he can be heard playing guitar and providing vocals. In addition, he also tours with Richard Street, formally of The Temptations, as musical director.
Daryl’s latest work can be heard on the Leonard Julien III project, “Reflections of Soul”, which was released in 2008. His credits on the project include producing, co-writing and musical arrangement and with this release, bring his career to another level and a new chapter.
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LEONARD JULIEN, III - Vice-President, Singer and Recording Artist, Saxophonist, Producer
With a sound reminiscent of the legendary R&B/soul singers of yesterday and today, Leonard Julien, III, is a vocalist whose smooth, romantic sounds makes him an upcoming talent to watch on the urban/R&B scene.
Heralding from a family of talented musicians in their own right, Leonard was bitten by the entertainment bug while studying saxophone at Southern University in Louisiana, under the direction of the Alvin Baptiste Jazz Ensemble. An accomplished saxophonist, his formidable vocal talents were discovered and nurtured early on by Dr. Isaac Greggs of the Southern University Marching Band.
Upon relocating to the Atlanta area, Mr. Julien’s talents caught the attention of Millie Jackson, whom he toured with playing the saxophone and singing background vocals. While on tour with Ms. Jackson, Leonard received a call from one of his idols, Otis Williams of the Temptations, asking him to sing the vocals of David Ruffin in the NBC mini-series, “The Temptations”. This lead him to open for the likes of Jeffrey Osborne, Tyrone Davis and the R&B group Ray, Goodman & Brown, just to name a few, as well as performing with noted violinist Ken Ford, poet Hank Stewart and saxophonist Antonio Allen as part of the Five Men On A Stool series as lead vocalist, highlighting his amazing range from deep baritone to clear falsetto.
He can also be heard playing saxophone on Outkast’s releases, “The Whole World” and “I Like The Way You Move” and his versatile talents have also been sought out by hip-hop artist David Banner, appearing on his 2003 release, “Mississippi – The Album”, credited with playing baritone and tenor sax. He also can be heard on his family’s independent release, “Reunion by Valsin”, which has an appearance by Plas Johnson, of the Pink Panther theme fame, and coincidently, Mr. Julien’s cousin.
With a natural vocal talent full of strength and emotion combined with a stellar background in the industry, bringing sexy soul back is something Leonard Julien, III was born to do!
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THOMAS W. DUNN - Treasurer, Bass Guitarist, Saxophonist, Songwriter and Producer
Thomas W. Dunn, a native of Warm Springs, Georgia, is no stranger to the entertainment field. He began his musical journey as a performer as a student of the trumpet and saxophone, but the lure of the low, dominant tones of the bass guitar captivated his interest early on in life. A master of the bass, he also is accomplished at keyboards as well as being proficient in the brass instruments.
His love of music and commitment to performing has taken him on a wonderful journey, covering a span of over thirty years, leading him to open for such legendary performers such as Brick, Earth Wind and Fire, The Dramatics, The Chi-Lites, B.B. King and Ray Charles, as well as various local bands. He has also has spent a majority of his career backing such artists as:
• Rufus Thomas
• Bobby Byrd
• The Platters
• Al Wilson
• Andy Kim
• Maxine Nightingale
• The Miracles
• Richard Street, formerly of the legendary group, The Temptations
His extensive studio and backing experience led for his demand, performing live on such memorable tours as:
• Motor City Memories
• The Sound of the Supremes (with Richard Street of the Temptations)
• Jr. Walker’s All-Stars
These tours have taken Thomas to such international locales such as Manila, Philippines; Ontario, Canada; England and Japan, where he has built up a loyal fan base and have led him to continue his lifelong love, passion and commitment to music and has ignited the desire to diversify his talents into the production side of the industry. Although the road still holds its allure, it has inspired him to further express himself musically by writing and producing original works; starting with the release of his first major project in 2008, Reflections of Soul by Leonard Julien III, in which he executive and co-produced, wrote or co-wrote all of the original music.
Thomas Dunn currently resides in the Atlanta area with his wife, Catherine, and daughter.
