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Gemini Soul

Gemini Soul is famous for their eclectic blend of jazz-funk fusion with an electronic element known as "Cyber Jazz." With their motto "Jazz For A New Generation," their sound is reminiscent of Herbie Hancock's Head Hunters movement, the cool bass grooves of Esperanza Spalding and Meshell Ndegeocello, and, at times, the 70s fusion of Miles Davis and Return To Forever.

From the San Francisco bay area, now residing in the Washington, D.C. area, Gemini Soul's founding members Andre Ajamu Akinyele and Jon O'Bergh joined forces to release A Cyber Jazz Holiday (2005). Two years later, Gemini Soul released their second offering Liquid Soul (2007), which featured Andrew Foster on percussion. Due to its success, the world witnessed the band's third release Live : The Liquid Soul Tour (2007), which captured Gemini Soul doing what they did best—performing live. In support of that release, the band launched and headlined their own mini west coast tour with Alex Marks on drums performing in some of the country's most prestigious jazz and club venues. That release has become a favorite among jazz critics, "Gemini Soul's music is a conceptually innovative form of fusion not entirely unlike some of Herbie Hancock's and Miles Davis' material." –JazzReview. A year later, Gemini Soul released their critically acclaimed fourth album The Nefertiti Xperience (2008), which debuted at #37 on Amazon's "Bestselling Hot New & Future Music Releases" chart and climbed to #15, out-performing a reissued Miles Davis album.

The following year, Gemini Soul released their fifth and controversial album Dark Skin Babies : The Movement (2009), which debuted at #13 on Amazon's "Bestselling Hot New & Future Music Releases" chart. In mid-2009, the band announced at a final show that half the band would be moving to the Washington, DC area, which put the band on a six-year hiatus (2009–2015).

In September 2015, Gemini Soul released the sexy, sultry, and sensual jazz album, Willona's Boutique (2015), the band's final album. Inspired by the television show Good Times and the character Willona Woods, the song titles, except for the cover of Meshell Ndegeocello's "Criterion," are words Willona has either said or themed episodes based around her character. Willona's Boutique embodies the horn arrangements of Miles Davis, the space-synth sounds of Herbie Hancock, and combines the bass grooves of Esperanza Spalding. This album is more sophisticated than previous albums. With the absence of Foster and Marks, Willona's Boutique was recorded with the two founding musicians Andre Ajamu Akinyele (bass, guitars, and keyboards) and Jon O'Bergh (piano, fender rhodes, and keyboards), along with additional support by The Nu Jazz Horns (horns), Earl Jones (percussion), and Dean "Stix" Jones (drums).

Gemini Soul Releases - Dark Skin Babies: The Movement - January 20, 2009

Source: All About Jazz
January 20, 2009

San Francisco, CA -- Gemini Soul, are known for their eclectic blend of jazz funk-fusion with an electronic element called “Cyber Jazz," announced the upcoming release of their new double album Dark Skin Babies: The Movement. Dark Skin Babies: The Movement will be released on January 20, 2009 and will be available at CD BABY, Amazon and iTunes.

Dark Skin Babies: The Movement is a two CD set, which contains 20 tracks of non-stoppable experimental jazz funk-fusion at its best. ...
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TV / Film

Gemini Soul "Sound Stage Performance" Airs on Jazzcult TV Show Friday April 25th @ 6 PM - Cable Channel 29 (Jazz/Funk Fusion)

Source: All About Jazz
April 21, 2008

Gemini Soul “Sound Stage Performance" To Air On Jazzcult TV Show (Cable Channel 29 San Francisco) Friday - April 25th @ 6 PM Jazzcult TV Show w/ host Linda Lam Cable Channel 29 San Francisco, CA accessf.org * Check artist website for additional information at geminisoul.net Gemini Soul's “Sound Stage Performance" will air on San Francisco's Channel 29 Jazzcult TV program w/ host Linda Lam Friday ...
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Recording

Gemini Soul's New Album "The Nefertiti Xperience" Now Available (Jazz/Funk Fusion)

Source: All About Jazz
April 14, 2008

Pearl Jazz Recording Label's Cyber Jazz quartet Gemini Soul continues to redefine the genre of jazz with their new album “The Nefertiti Xperience." The opening track “Sun Goddess" is heavily influenced by Herbie Hancock's “Chameleon," with its heavy clavichord funk and driving bass. Gemini Soul describes their new album “The Nefertiti Xperience" as “70's funk mixed with a little jazz and a whole lot of fusion." Reviews for the album are already coming in, with... “Jazz ...
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TV / Film

Gemini Soul Performs "Live" on Sacramento & Company TV Show; Jan. 23rd @ 9 AM on Abc (Jazz Fusion)

Source: All About Jazz
January 18, 2008

Gemini Soul Performs “Live" on Sacramento & Company TV Show; January 23rd @ 9 AM on ABC (Jazz Fusion) Wednesday - January 23rd @ 9am to 10am Sacramento & Company Hosts Guy Farris & Kristen Simoes Airs on NEWS 10 ABC (KXTV) 400 Broadway Sacramento, CA 95818 Just Announced - Gemini Soul will perform “Live" on the morning TV show Sacramento & ...
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Performance / Tour

Gemini Soul "Live" @ 19 Broadway Niteclub; Nov. 7th - Free Show

Source: All About Jazz
October 18, 2007

Gemini Soul “Live" @ 19 Broadway Niteclub

Wednesday - November 7th @ 9 PM 19 BROADWAY NITECLUB 17 Broadway Blvd. Fairfax, CA 94930 415-485-0375

Showtime: 9 PM Admission: FREE Promotional Show

Cyber Jazz recording artists Andre Ajamu Akinyele - bass & programming (Ah-jah-moo + Ah-kin-yay-lay); Jon O'Bergh - keyboards, piano & programming; Andrew Foster - percussion; and Alex Marks - drums will make their debut at 19 Broadway in Fairfax, ...
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Performance / Tour

Gemini Soul "Live" @ The Knitting Factory; Oct. 7th (Jazz Fusion) - Tickets on Sale Now

Source: All About Jazz
September 17, 2007

Gemini Soul “Live" @ The Knitting Factory

Sunday - October 7th @ 8 PM THE KNITTING FACTORY 7021 Hollywood Blvd. Hollywood, CA 90028 323-463-0204

Showtime: 8 PM Tickets: $15 Advance/Door Tickets by phone: 1-866-468-3399

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Performance / Tour

Gemini Soul "Live" @ The Rhythm Room; Oct 3rd (Jazz Fusion)

Source: Kari-On Productions
September 5, 2007

Tickets On Sale Now - Gemini Soul “Live" @ The Rhythm Room

Wednesday - October 3rd @ 8:30 PM THE RHYTHM ROOM 1019 E. Indian School Road Phoenix, AZ 85014 602-265-4842

Showtime: 8:30 PM Tickets: $15 Advance/Door Ticket Purchase through ticketweb.com Tickets by phone: 1-866-468-7624

Cyber Jazz recording artists Andre Ajamu Akinyele - bass & programming (Ah-jah-moo + Ah-kin-yay-lay); Jon O'Bergh - keyboards, piano & programming; ...
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Performance / Tour

Tickets on Sale Now - Gemini Soul "Live" @ Catalina Jazz Club; September 24th (Jazz Fusion)

Source: Kari-On Productions
August 22, 2007

Tickets On Sale Now - Gemini Soul “Live" @ Catalina Jazz Club

Monday - September 24th @ 8:30 PM CATALINA JAZZ CLUB 6725 Sunset Blvd. Hollywood, CA 90028 323-466-2210

Showtime: 8:30 PM Tickets: $10 Advance Ticket Purchase through www.ticketweb.com Tickets by phone: 1-866-468-3399

Dinner & Jazz, what more could you ask for!

Check artist website for additional information (see link below).

Cyber Jazz recording artists Andre ...
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Performance / Tour

Gemini Soul w/ Ajamu Akinyele Opens for Latin/Jazz Percussionist Pete Escovedo (Cyber Jazz)

Source: All About Jazz
June 13, 2007

Cyber Jazz recording artists Gemini Soul w/ Ajamu Akinyele opens for Latin/Jazz percussionist Pete Escovedo Saturday - June 16th @ The San Jose Juneteenth Festival.

Cyber Jazz recording artists Andre Ajamu Akinyele (Ah-jah-moo + Ah-kin-yay-lay) on bass & programming; Jon O'Bergh on keyboards, piano & programming; Andrew Foster on percussion; and Alex Marks on drums will be performing their eclectic blend of smooth jazz - funk fusion with an electronic element as Gemini Soul at the 2007 San Jose Juneteenth ...
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TV / Film

Gemini Soul with Ajamu Akinyele to Appear on the TV Show Sacramento & CO. News 10 / Abc April 19th @ 9 AM

Source: All About Jazz
April 16, 2007

Cyber Jazz recording artists Gemini Soul w/ Ajamu Akinyele to perform “Live" on the morning television show Sacramento & Co. NEWS 10/ABC.

Thursday - April 19, 2007 @ 9 AM to 10 AM Sacramento & Co. www.sacandco.net Channel: NEWS 10/ABC

California Broadcasting Areas: Sacramento; Davis; Fairfield; Folsom; Lodi; Modesto; Rancho Cordova; Rocklin; Roseville; Stockton; Tracy; Truckee; Vacaville; and Woodland

*Also, catch Gemini Soul w/ Ajamu Akinyele “Live" - April 20th at Pachanga Restaurant & ...
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Dark Skin Babies: The Movement takes Gemini Soul ambitious jazz journey into more social commentary, musical twists and turns, and new renditions from those musical groundbreakers that touch their musical soul. –Peggy Oliver (The Urban Music Scene, March 2009)

Dark Skin Babies : The Movement contains an endless fusion of rhythmic funk, swing and collective improvisation. –Tory Barnett (Sentimental Sundays Radio Show, WFSK 88.1 FM, Fisk University, March 2009)

Gemini Soul bring the best of the 70s into the 21st century. –Ron Wynn (Nashville City Paper, Spin Factor, February 2009)

EXTREMELY IMPRESSED! You are now my favorite band for 2009. I'm loving the new CD! –DJ Toni G (Jazzology Radio Show, January 2009)