The Shance Band

To understand how the fusion of rock, hip hop and R&B results in extraordinary sonic pleasure, listen to The Shance Band.

A ride with The Shance Band deviates from the typical path of finger-snapping fads, and gives a rebirth to the art of show and quality music. The band creates a unified, cohesive blend of musical cultures that erases standard genre divisions, and forms a creative style that draws international appeal.

The five-member band hails from Music City Nashville, Tenn., and its debut album “KoRap Music” is scheduled for release the summer of 2010. The current single “I Am The Man” is an upbeat cut that defines the group’s philosophy to create its own rules in the music game. In other singles “Boiling Point” and “‘Til It Hurts No More,” the group’s rock and hip hop musical inspirations are evident. Their influences include rock group Green Day, Dave Matthews Band, Daft Punk, Fatboy Slim and Coldplay, along with R&B and hip hop greats such as Prince, Bobby McFerrin, Jay Z and Eminem.

“We’re passionate about the integrity of our sound and being sure that we maintain authentic musicianship,” the group professes. “We are true to who we are, and our fans have come to love us for that. We say: remove inhibitions, be yourself, and have fun when you listen to our music.”

The band bears the name of lead singer and guitar player Shance. Since an early age, Shance has used his pure vocals, edgy lyrics and instrumental talent to rock stages from the 1996 Olympic Games in Atlanta to La Carnival of France to an NFL playoff game. He also collaborated on and co-wrote cadences that were performed in the box-office hit movie “Drumline.”

On bass guitar is Phil who began playing bass at age 10 and has since worked with two-time Grammy Award-winning gospel singer Dorinda Clark Cole, Grammy Award-nominated gospel artist Kierra Sheard, the Marable Twins and numerous others.

The heart of the band is 23-year-old Smoke on drums. A native of Nashville, Tenn., he has played throughout the U.S. as well as in the UK, Denmark and other European countries. He played with Electric Church and with gospel great Kirk Franklin.

Nicky Bobby adds a unique flavor of brass melodies on trumpet. Born in Kokomo, Miss., she moved to Nashville after serving two tours in Iraq with the U.S. military, and she joined the band with nine years of experience playing horns.

Jeremy (J Magic) completes the group with his lyrical talent as an emcee. After refining his multi-instrumental crafts in church, he turned his focus to producing tracks and writing rhymes.

This ensemble of bona fide musicians teamed up in 2009, with exceptional chemistry to form a group like none other. Their mission is to introduce the world to fresh music that has substance and longevity, and to make people dance while doing it! Their on-stage energy is unmatched as they entertain crowds with their mastery of versatility and showmanship. For The Shance Band, it’s about more than just music but a movement that infiltrates the spirit and uplifts lives.

Although in its infancy stage, The Shance Band has assembled a die-hard grass roots following, and is poised to burst onto the national stage with presence and finesse that rivals any of today’s music heavyweights. Watch out for The Shance Band as the next phenomenon to claim their place in a long line of timeless acts.