1) Vaughn “V.KEYS” Henry – Keys/Vocoder
2) Dion Kerr – Bass
3) Harvel Nakundi – Drums
4) David Chiverton – Drums
What do you call a group of diverse, talented, multi-instrumentalist composers? You call them ‘The Smoogies’ — a musical smoothie blended with many cultures, life experiences, and certainly “a vibe.”
The Smoogies are Vaughn “V.KEYS” Henry (keys, vocals), Dion Kerr (bass), Harvel Nakundi (drums, percussion), and David Chiverton (drums), all of whom are formally trained musicians from South Florida. Each member has served interchangeably as leader and accompanist to performing acts worldwide, operating in groups such as Lauryn Hill, Snarky Puppy, Ghost Note, Marcus Strickland, Etienne Charles, and Godwin Louis, to name a few.
The band has recently won the “Jazz Road” touring grant from South Arts, kicking off their debut tour for their forthcoming second record, People Music. The Smoogies refine their sound as a quartet, deepening their connection and cohesion with this album. They also hope to continue the band’s philosophy: to make music for the people and for them to feel good while listening.
Beginning their career with a feature on the digital music series “The Chivertone Sessions,” The Smoogies quickly developed a buzz, catching the ear of trumpeter Nicholas Payton. This led to their collaboration on the self-released debut Planet Smoogies.
Want to go on a unique musical journey? The Smoogies provide an unforgettable live experience intentionally crafted to inspire a greater fellowship amongst their listeners.
Quotes
“A new and fresh sound that combines some of the finest aspects of Funk, Afro-Cuban, and Brazilian music.” -Ignacio Berroa
“I love The Smoogies! They’re always grooving and always interesting. The music has a vibe that’s unique to them” -Ben Wolfe.
“The Smoogies’ new single “Violet” is as funky as adventurous. It’s a colorful blend of timbres and textures that provide a joyfully unpredictable sonic portrait. These world-class improvisers constitute a one-of-a-kind ensemble whose members play with unapologetic soulfulness and share a collective commitment to grooving at all costs. The harmonic and rhythmic creativity of this band is stunning. There are no wasted notes here; they make their melodies matter, too. And every song is a fantastic voyage through stellar soundscapes of beautiful Black music.” -Melvin Butler.
“I believe the Smoogies are the pre-eminent band to emerge from South Florida. They are a once-in-a-generation collective of deeply soulful, intelligent, and socially active artists who truly have the power to change the landscape of creative improvisational music as we know it. I encourage everyone to listen to, interact with, and share their new release. The world needs positivity and optimism, and the Smoogies unequivocally meet the moment.” -Emmet Cohen.
“I love this band. Individually, everyone plays at a high level, but it’s candy for the ears when they come together. There are no limitations for this unit because they understand how to make music that feels good, and for me, that’s the most important.” -Corey Fonville.
“A true band in every sense. When you watch them live, they take you inside the music with the” -Jean Caze.
