[September 15, 2011] Take 6 continues to try different approaches to a cappella Tweet Sep 15, 2011 (St. Louis Post-Dispatch - McClatchy-Tribune Information Services via COMTEX) -- Take 6 has come a long way with its a cappella sound, earning a strong following and a string of Grammys. Although the six-member ensemble sometimes spices things up with musical instruments -- a bit of guitar, a pinch of piano -- its success is clearly based in rich vocals and a distinctive approach that blends gospel, pop and jazz. "Even though we have a gospel message, it's always lent itself to jazz structuring," vocalist Joey Kibble says. On its 2008 album "The Standard," Take 6 emphasized its jazz connection, taking on such gems of the music's repertoire as "Seven Steps to Heaven" and "Someone to Watch Over Me." The group, which was founded as a quartet in 1980 and has shared stages and recording sessions with stars from Stevie Wonder to Queen Latifah, will begin a four-night engagement Wednesday at Jazz at the Bistro. Kibble is celebrating 20 years with Take 6, whose members also include Mark Kibble (his older brother), Alvin Chea, Khristian Dentley, Claude V. McKnight III and David Thomas. "I had my own vocal group in high school," Joey Kibble said. "When Mervyn Warren decided to leave (Take 6) in 1991, my brother gave me a call. And of course, I said yes." Kibble is one of only two replacements over the years; Dentley recently took over for longtime member Cedric Dent. Although its reputation is based on its mastery of a cappella harmonizing, Take 6 has been flexible enough to experiment musically, Kibble said. "Through at least the 20 years that I've been in the group, we've tried a lot of different variations of what we're doing," he said. "We've added some instrumentation on a couple of albums, we've added full instrumentation on a couple of albums, we went back to complete a cappella. It's expected of creative musicians that you'll try boundaries, and we've had the benefit of being able to do that." Take 6 group came up with its catchy name -- a play on the phrase "take five" and the popular jazz tune of that title -- as a matter of necessity. The group was previously called Alliance, but upon signing with a record label discovered that the name was already in use. "So by a democratic process, they went through a whole list of names -- and collectively chose Take 6," Kibble said. ------ Take 6 When 7:30 and 9:30 p.m. Wednesday through Sept. 24 -- Where Jazz at the Bistro, 3536 Washington Boulevard -- How much $40-$45 -- More info 314-534-1111 or metrotix.com; 314-289-4030 or jazzstl.org ___ (c)2011 the St. Louis Post-Dispatch Visit the St. Louis Post-Dispatch at www.stltoday.com Distributed by MCT Information Services [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ]