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About the AfromotiveAfromotive Press
     
   
 
 
   
Kevin Meyame - lead vocals, djembe, congas
Originally from Cote D'Ivoire, West Africa, Kevin performed throughout West Africa and France with drum and dance troupe Tanably. He moved to Asheville, NC in 2004 to perform as lead dancer with Ballet Warraba, and co-founded The Afromotive. Kevin both sings in French, English, and his native language of Baoule, and plays djembe and congas in The Afromotive.
   
Adama Dembele- djembe, congas, vocals
A native of the Ivory Coast, Adama, grew up learning traditional West African drumming from his family. A 33rd generation djembe player, he has toured several continents and brings a wealth of experience to the afrobeat world. He has shared the stage with numerous international artists, and was a member of Yelemba d’Abidjan and Ensemble Koteba. Before coming to Asheville in 2005, Adama started his own group, Djembeso Cote d' Ivoire bringing African drumming to audiences nationwide.
   

Jordan Klemons- guitar
Jordan received his BA in music from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in 2005. Since that time, Jordan has formed and played in several North Carolina bands at such notable venues as The Carolina Theatre in Durham and the Bobcats Arena. He has studied and played with Scott Sawyer, Dave Stryker, Barry Harris, Marcus Roberts, Jason Marsalis, Conrad Herwig, Billy Stewart, Kevin Van Sant, and many other inspiring and talented musicians. A short list of his main influences includes Grant Green, Joe Pass, Sonny Rollins, John Scofield, Bill Frisell, Scott Sawyer, Vincent Van Gogh, Lee Morgan, Jim Hall, Jim Hall, and Jim Hall.

   
Jesse Howerton- keyboards, percussion
A classically trained pianist since the age of 7, Jesse brings the influence of reggae, funk, and jazz to The Afromotive. In the band, Jesse plays a Rhodes piano and a Hammond electric organ.
   
Justin Hunnicutt- shekere, percussion
Justin's musical experience includes Suzuki piano, drumset, and trombone. Her currently holds the percussion seat in The Afromotive. Justin studied jazz trombone at the University of North Carolina Asheville under Dr. David Wilken and percussion under Jack Nitterhaeur. His influences include Art Blakey, Perez Prado, Curtis Fuller.
   
Tyler Kittle- tenor saxophone
Before joining The Afromotive in December 2006, Kittle received his degree in jazz studies from WCU. He has played throughout the US and Europe with various groups and under various leaders. He speaks seven different languages and draws his inspiration from music from all over the world.
   
Ryan Knowles- baritone and alto saxophones, vocals
As one of the main composers and arrangers for The Afromotive, Ryan brings his diverse experiences in jazz, electronic music, Indonesian Gamelan and Middle Eastern music to the band. Along with his work with The Afromotive, Ryan currently teaches and plays Middle Eastern music and is a private saxophone instructor.
   
Ryan Reardon- bass, vocals
Ryan holds a Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in music education and has performed in big bands, funk bands, jazz combos, symphony orchestras. He has traveled to Ghana, West Africa where he studied gyil (a xylophone relative to the balafon) and djembe with renowned performer and teacher Bernard Woma. Past projects based out of the western and central NY areas include Shoeman, Myoclonic Jerk, Stop the Mad Hypnotist, and the United Statesmen.
   
Sean Smith- trumpet
Sean is currently studying jazz composition and commercial electronic music at Western Carolina University. In The Afromotive Sean plays trumpet, and brings a strong, cutting sound to the band. His influences include Lee Morgan, Freddie Hubbard, and Woody Shaw.
   
Curtis Wingfield- drumset
Curtis has been playing the drums and the piano since he was a child. He studied jazz and music theory while attending East Carolina University, where he formed the original jazz trio "Synapse". Inspired by great jazz and fusion artists, and having studied and performed with Jeff Sipe.
Curtis is an in demand teacher and session player in Charlotte, NC and aspires to do everything possible to help fund music education programs in public schools.
Wingfield has performed with: The Other People, Everyone Orchestra (featuring Steve Kimock and Jeff Coffin), Transfusion (featuring bassist Lamont McCain of Vernon Reid's Band and studio guitar ace Phil Hall), and Bellyfull.