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,” Take 6 is the quintessential a cappella 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.
The multi-platinum selling sextet has toured the globe, collaborated across genres and is recognized as the pre-eminent a cappella group in the world. Take 6 knows no musical bounds, having captivated audiences with a tribute to folk icon Woody Guthrie and renditions of Louis Armstrong’s “What A Wonderful World” and legendary singer-songwriter Ben E. King’s classic “Stand By Me.”
Take 6 has come a long way from their days at Huntsville, Alabama’s Oakwood College where McKnight formed the group as The Gentleman’s Estate Quartet in 1980. The group eventually became known as Alliance but when they signed to Reprise Records in 1987 they found that there was another group with the same name, so they became Take 6. Their self-titled debut CD won over jazz and pop critics and they’ve never slowed down.