The C. Barnes Project R&B Band from Upper Marlboro, MD

The C.Barnes Project is 10-piece band that specializes in R&B/Variety with the flexibility to play other areas of music for your event. They perform at weddings, private parties, college events, concerts and corporate functions moving fluidly between different types of affairs with an ease that you don't always find in R&B bands….but then, the C.Barnes Project is KNOWN for its professionalism as well as showmanship. The male lead vocalist, known as O'Neal, has a rich baritone voice that can growl on song like Sam & Dave's "Hold On, I'm Comin" and purr with emotion on Al Green's "How can you Mend a Broken Heart." His energetic performance style was honed up and down the eastern seaboard and never fails to leave audiences wanting more. The female lead vocalist, Kimmy Kearse, shows her versatility by performing oldies, Latin, R&B and "party" songs all with the same flair….going from Aretha to Britney to Sade to Gloria Estefan without missing a beat. …And the horns!!! They are what give the C.Barnes Project its Big Band sound. Whether complementing each other in unison or hitting those "Memphis-like" harmonies, this trio (Charles Barnes-trombone, Albert Anderson-saxophones, and Gordon Wade-trumpet and party/vocal grooves) ROCKS! Now, just because we've highlighted the horn section, don't think that the rhythm section can't keep up. Between the five rhythm section members, there are about 90 years of solid experience! These guys, headed by bass player Kenneth Jackson, have exactly what it takes to get the job done. The keyboard player Simon Pitts seems to know every song written in R&B and beyond. The guitarist Vernon Brooks has never met a chord or a song that he didn't like; nor has he met any that he couldn't own…"And the team-up of percussionist (Louis Loman) and the drummer (Charles Barry Wellman) is the most exciting since the Escovedo family showed up on the scene. Did we mention that The C.Barnes Project served as Gene "The Duke of Earl" Chandler's back-up band. According to Gene, "They are a great bunch of quality musicians who take pride in their work, and they are very easy to work with…" This band gets glowing recommendations from everyone with whom (and for whom) they've worked; and the list includes Percy Sledge, Gloria Brown, and Chick Willis.