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{{Short description|American R&B and funk band}}
{{Short description|American R&B and funk band}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=January 2022}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=January 2022}}
{{Distinguish|Dazz}}
{{Infobox musical artist
{{Infobox musical artist
| name = Dazz Band
| name = Dazz Band
| image = Bobby Harris Iraq.jpg
| image = Bobby Harris Iraq.jpg
| caption = Bobby Harris, singer and saxophone player with the funk band "The Dazz Band," sings to Multi-National Division - Baghdad Soldiers
| caption = Bobby Harris performing in 2008
| image_size =
| landscape = yes
| alias = Kinsman Dazz (1977–80)<ref name="AllMusic"/>
| alias = Kinsman Dazz (1977–80)<ref name="AllMusic"/>
| origin = [[Cleveland, Ohio]], United States
| origin = [[Cleveland, Ohio]], U.S.
| genre = {{flatlist|
| genre = {{flatlist|
* [[Funk]]
* [[Funk]]
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*Les Thaler
*Les Thaler
*Ed Meyers
*Ed Meyers
*Michael Wiley (deceased)
*Michael Wiley
*Isaac Wiley, Jr.
*Isaac Wiley Jr.
*Michael Calhoun
*Michael Calhoun
*Kevin Kendrick
*Kevin Kendrick
*Steve Cox
*Steve Cox
*Eric Fearman
*Eric Fearman
*Pierre DeMudd (deceased)
*Pierre DeMudd
*Juan Lively
*Juan Lively
*Kenny Pettus
*Kenny Pettus
*Jerry Bell
*Jerry Bell
*Terry Stanton (deceased)
*Terry Stanton
*Nathaniel Philips
*Nathaniel Philips
Michael G. Jackson (deceased)
*Michael G. Jackson
}}
}}


The '''Dazz Band''' is an American [[Rhythm and blues|R&B]], [[funk]] band most popular in the early 1980s. Emerging from [[Cleveland, Ohio]], the group's biggest hit songs include the [[Grammy Award for Best R&B Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocals|Grammy Award]]-winning "[[Let It Whip]]" (1982), "[[Joystick (song)|Joystick]]" (1983), and "Let It All Blow" (1984). The name of the band is a [[portmanteau]] of the description "danceable jazz".<ref name="AllMusic">{{cite web|last1=Erlewine|first1=Stephen Thomas|title=Biography|url=https://www.allmusic.com/artist/dazz-band-mn0000195634/biography|publisher=[[AllMusic]]|access-date=27 January 2022}}</ref>
The '''Dazz Band''' is an American [[Rhythm and blues|R&B]]/[[funk]] band most popular in the early 1980s. Emerging from [[Cleveland, Ohio]], the group's biggest hit songs include "[[Let It Whip]]" (1982), "[[Joystick (song)|Joystick]]" (1983), and "Let It All Blow" (1984). The name of the band is a [[portmanteau]] of the description "danceable jazz".<ref name="AllMusic">{{cite web|last1=Erlewine|first1=Stephen Thomas|title=Biography|url=https://www.allmusic.com/artist/dazz-band-mn0000195634/biography|publisher=[[AllMusic]]|access-date=27 January 2022}}</ref>


==History==
==History==
The Dazz Band formed in [[Cleveland]], [[Ohio]], United States, in 1976 stemming from the [[jazz fusion]] band Bell Telefunk.<ref name="LarkinSM">{{cite book|title=[[Encyclopedia of Popular Music|The Guinness Who's Who of Soul Music]]|editor=[[Colin Larkin (writer)|Larkin, Colin]]|publisher=[[Guinness Publishing]]|date=1993|edition=First|isbn=0-85112-733-9|page=64/5}}</ref> Founded by Bobby Harris<!-- do ''not'' change this unless you provide a source that is more reliable than http://www.cleveland.com/dining/index.ssf/2013/08/legendary_dazz_band_from_cleve.html. The cleveland.com reference clearly states that Bobby Harris founded the band. -->,<ref name=Aug13>{{cite news|title=Legendary Dazz Band, from Cleveland's Kinsman neighborhood, hits Beachland Ballroom on Friday| url= http://www.cleveland.com/dining/index.ssf/2013/08/legendary_dazz_band_from_cleve.html|date=2013-08-23|access-date=2013-11-03|first=John|last=Petkovic| newspaper= [[The Plain Dealer]] |location=Cleveland, Ohio}}</ref> the Dazz Band has performed since 1976 and continues to perform today. Original Kinsman Dazz/ Dazz Band members included Bobby Harris (saxophonist, vocalist), Kenny Pettus (lead vocalist, percussions), Isaac "Ike" Wiley, Jr. (drums), his brother Michael Wiley (bassist), and Michael Calhoun (songwriter/guitarist).<ref name="LarkinSM"/> The group was originally named Kinsman Dazz at the suggestion of Ray Calabrese, who later became its manager along with Sonny Jones, owner of The Kinsman Grill, located near the street Harris grew up on, and where the band worked as a house band.<ref>{{cite news|last1= Cheeks|first1=Dwayne|title=Dazz aims to perfect its pizazz|work= The Plain Dealer|issue=24|date=December 31, 1982|ref=Cheeks}}</ref>
The Dazz Band formed in [[Cleveland]], [[Ohio]], in 1976, stemming from the [[jazz fusion]] band Bell Telefunk.<ref name="LarkinSM">{{cite book|title=[[Encyclopedia of Popular Music|The Guinness Who's Who of Soul Music]]|editor=[[Colin Larkin (writer)|Larkin, Colin]]|publisher=[[Guinness Publishing]]|date=1993|edition=First|isbn=0-85112-733-9|page=64/5}}</ref> Founded by Bobby Harris<!-- do ''not'' change this unless you provide a source that is more reliable than http://www.cleveland.com/dining/index.ssf/2013/08/legendary_dazz_band_from_cleve.html. The cleveland.com reference clearly states that Bobby Harris founded the band. -->,<ref name=Aug13>{{cite news|title=Legendary Dazz Band, from Cleveland's Kinsman neighborhood, hits Beachland Ballroom on Friday| url= http://www.cleveland.com/dining/index.ssf/2013/08/legendary_dazz_band_from_cleve.html|date=2013-08-23|access-date=2013-11-03|first=John|last=Petkovic| newspaper= [[The Plain Dealer]] |location=Cleveland, Ohio}}</ref> the Dazz Band has performed since 1976 and continues to perform today. Original Kinsman Dazz/ Dazz Band members included Bobby Harris (saxophonist, vocalist), Kenny Pettus (lead vocalist, percussions), Isaac "Ike" Wiley, Jr. (drums), his brother Michael Wiley (bassist), and Michael Calhoun (songwriter/guitarist).<ref name="LarkinSM"/> The group was originally named Kinsman Dazz at the suggestion of Ray Calabrese, who later became its manager along with Sonny Jones, owner of The Kinsman Grill, located near the street Harris grew up on, and where the band worked as a house band.<ref>{{cite news|last1= Cheeks|first1=Dwayne|title=Dazz aims to perfect its pizazz|work= The Plain Dealer|issue=24|date=December 31, 1982|ref=Cheeks}}</ref>


Kinsman Dazz was signed to [[20th Century Records]] in 1977,<ref name="LarkinSM"/> and the group expanded from the original quintet consisting of Harris, Calhoun, Pettus, and the Wiley brothers and added newcomers Ed Meyers (trombone), Wayne Preston (saxophonist), and Les Thaler (trumpet). In 1977, the group went to [[Los Angeles]] to record with producer [[Marvin Gaye]]. Due to illness, Gaye was unable to complete the project. Harris requested and got [[Philip Bailey]], the vocalist of [[Earth, Wind & Fire]], to produce the group's first album ''[[Kinsman Dazz (Kinsman Dazz album)|Kinsman Dazz]]''. They released their first single, "I Might as Well Forget About Loving You" in 1978. Philip Bailey made significant contributions to the group's vocal arrangements and overall sound. He also co-produced the second album ''[[Dazz (album)|Dazz]]'' in 1979, when the band achieved their second charting hit, "Catchin' Up on Love".
Kinsman Dazz was signed to [[20th Century Records]] in 1977,<ref name="LarkinSM"/> and the group expanded from the original quintet consisting of Harris, Calhoun, Pettus, and the Wiley brothers and added newcomers Ed Meyers (trombone), Wayne Preston (saxophonist), and Les Thaler (trumpet). In 1977, the group went to [[Los Angeles]] to record with producer [[Marvin Gaye]]. Due to illness, Gaye was unable to complete the project. Harris requested and got [[Philip Bailey]], the vocalist of [[Earth, Wind & Fire]], to produce the group's first album ''[[Kinsman Dazz (Kinsman Dazz album)|Kinsman Dazz]]''. They released their first single, "I Might as Well Forget About Loving You" in 1978. Philip Bailey made significant contributions to the group's vocal arrangements and overall sound. He also co-produced the second album ''[[Dazz (album)|Dazz]]'' in 1979, when the band achieved their second charting hit, "Catchin' Up on Love".
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The Dazz Band's first album for Motown was ''Invitation to Love'' (1980).<ref name="LarkinSM"/> The album's title track began a string of hits starting in March 1981. The group's next album ''Let the Music Play'' (1981)<ref name="LarkinSM"/> featured the single "Knock! Knock!" which reached the top 50. The Dazz Band's breakthrough came with the hit "[[Let It Whip]]",<ref name="LarkinSM"/> written and produced by [[Karma (American band)|Reggie Andrews]], from their ''Keep It Live'' (1982) album.<ref name="LarkinSM"/> "Let It Whip" reached No. 1 on the US ''[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]'' [[Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs|R&B]] [[record chart|chart]] and won a [[Grammy Award for Best R&B Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocals]].<ref name= "LarkinSM"/> Members of the Grammy Award winning Dazz Band included: Sennie "Skip" Martin, Pierre DeMudd, Bobby Harris, Eric Fearman, Kenny Pettus, Steve Cox, Keith Harrison, Michael Wiley and Isaac Wiley.
The Dazz Band's first album for Motown was ''Invitation to Love'' (1980).<ref name="LarkinSM"/> The album's title track began a string of hits starting in March 1981. The group's next album ''Let the Music Play'' (1981)<ref name="LarkinSM"/> featured the single "Knock! Knock!" which reached the top 50. The Dazz Band's breakthrough came with the hit "[[Let It Whip]]",<ref name="LarkinSM"/> written and produced by [[Karma (American band)|Reggie Andrews]], from their ''Keep It Live'' (1982) album.<ref name="LarkinSM"/> "Let It Whip" reached No. 1 on the US ''[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]'' [[Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs|R&B]] [[record chart|chart]] and won a [[Grammy Award for Best R&B Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocals]].<ref name= "LarkinSM"/> Members of the Grammy Award winning Dazz Band included: Sennie "Skip" Martin, Pierre DeMudd, Bobby Harris, Eric Fearman, Kenny Pettus, Steve Cox, Keith Harrison, Michael Wiley and Isaac Wiley.


On December 31, 1982, during the Dazz Band's New Year's Eve concert at the Front Row Theatre in Cleveland, Mayor [[George V. Voinovich]] presented Bobby Harris and the Dazz Band the Key to the City with proclamations from the State of Ohio.<ref name= Stunek>{{cite news|last1=Stunek|first1=Jim|title=The Dazz Band: turning music into money|work=Scene Newspaper, Cleveland|page= 7|date=January 20, 1983}}</ref> The Dazz Band continued to score R&B hits with the songs such as "Party Right Here" (1983), "On the One for Fun" (1983) "[[Joystick (song)|Joystick]]" (1983), and "Let It All Blow" (also their biggest UK hit single, peaking at No. 12 in 1984.<ref name="British Hit Singles & Albums">{{cite book|first=David|last=Roberts|year=2006|title=British Hit Singles & Albums|edition=19th|publisher=Guinness World Records Limited|location=London|isbn=1-904994-10-5|page=144}}</ref>
On December 31, 1982, during the Dazz Band's New Year's Eve concert at the Front Row Theatre in Cleveland, Mayor [[George V. Voinovich]] presented Bobby Harris and the Dazz Band the Key to the City with proclamations from the State of Ohio.<ref name= Stunek>{{cite news|last1=Stunek|first1=Jim|title=The Dazz Band: turning music into money|work=Scene Newspaper, Cleveland|page= 7|date=January 20, 1983}}</ref> The Dazz Band continued to score R&B hits with the songs such as "Party Right Here" (1983), "On the One for Fun" (1983) "[[Joystick (song)|Joystick]]" (1983), and "Let It All Blow" (also their biggest UK hit single, peaking at No. 12 in 1984).<ref name="British Hit Singles & Albums">{{cite book|first=David|last=Roberts|year=2006|title=British Hit Singles & Albums|edition=19th|publisher=Guinness World Records Limited|location=London|isbn=1-904994-10-5|page=144}}</ref>


Andrews produced five Dazz Band albums: ''Let the Music Play'' (1981), ''Keep It Live'' (1982), ''On the One'' (1983), ''Joystick'' (1983) and ''Jukebox'' (1984), all on the Motown label. Harris was the associate producer on all five albums, and producer of the album ''Hot Spot'' (1985), also on Motown. After winning the Grammy in 1982, Keith Harrison (1983) (vocalist, keyboards) was added to the group.<ref name="LarkinSM"/> In 1985, both Eric Fearman and Sennie "Skip" Martin (trumpet, vocalist) left the group and were replaced by guitarist Marlon McClain;<ref name="LarkinSM"/> and the search began for additional vocalists that would match the Dazz Band sound. In 1986, the Dazz Band recorded ''Wild & Free'' (1986), which featured Jerry Bell as lead vocalist, and was released by [[Geffen Records]].<ref name="AllMusic"/>
Andrews produced five Dazz Band albums: ''Let the Music Play'' (1981), ''Keep It Live'' (1982), ''On the One'' (1983), ''Joystick'' (1983) and ''Jukebox'' (1984), all on the Motown label. Harris was the associate producer on all five albums, and producer of the album ''Hot Spot'' (1985), also on Motown. After winning the Grammy in 1982, Keith Harrison (1983) (vocalist, keyboards) was added to the group.<ref name="LarkinSM"/> In 1985, both Eric Fearman and Sennie "Skip" Martin (trumpet, vocalist) left the group and were replaced by guitarist Marlon McClain;<ref name="LarkinSM"/> and the search began for additional vocalists that would match the Dazz Band sound. In 1986, the Dazz Band recorded ''Wild & Free'' (1986), which featured Jerry Bell as lead vocalist, and was released by [[Geffen Records]].<ref name="AllMusic"/>
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In January 2014, Michael Calhoun, Jerry Bell, Ed Meyers, Robert Young, and Larry Blake applied for the Dazz Band trademark. In March 2015, the mark was registered with the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO). Upon learning of both registrations, Harris secured legal representation from former US Trademark Trial and Appeal Board Judge, Gary Krugman, at Sughrue Mion in Washington D.C. Petitions to cancel the marks and were filed with the United States Trademark Trial and Appeal Board. After two years of legal filings, and a series of unsuccessful attempts to stop Dazz Band performances, the Dazz Band mark was cancelled in April 2017.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://ttabvue.uspto.gov/ttabvue/v?pnam=+Ed+Meyers,+Robery+Young+&+Larry+Blake++|title=USPTO TTABVUE. Trademark Trial and Appeal Board Inquiry System|website=Ttabvue.uspto.gov}}</ref>
In January 2014, Michael Calhoun, Jerry Bell, Ed Meyers, Robert Young, and Larry Blake applied for the Dazz Band trademark. In March 2015, the mark was registered with the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO). Upon learning of both registrations, Harris secured legal representation from former US Trademark Trial and Appeal Board Judge, Gary Krugman, at Sughrue Mion in Washington D.C. Petitions to cancel the marks and were filed with the United States Trademark Trial and Appeal Board. After two years of legal filings, and a series of unsuccessful attempts to stop Dazz Band performances, the Dazz Band mark was cancelled in April 2017.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://ttabvue.uspto.gov/ttabvue/v?pnam=+Ed+Meyers,+Robery+Young+&+Larry+Blake++|title=USPTO TTABVUE. Trademark Trial and Appeal Board Inquiry System|website=Ttabvue.uspto.gov}}</ref>

Former drummer Isaac Wiley Jr. died on April 23, 2023.<ref>{{cite news |title=Dazz Band co-founder and drumming legend Isaac Wiley dies |url=https://www.soultracks.com/story-isaac-ike-wiley-dies |access-date=25 April 2023 |publisher=Soul Tracks |date=23 April 2023}}</ref>


==Members==
==Members==
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*Raymond Calhoun - [[Drums]] (1998–2001; 2019–present)
*Raymond Calhoun - [[Drums]] (1998–2001; 2019–present)
*Donny Sykes - [[Lead Vocals]] (2015–present)
*Donny Sykes - [[Lead Vocals]] (2015–present)
*Alvin Frazier - [[Bass Guitar]], [[Vocals]] (2021–present)
*Alvin Frazier - [[Bass guitar]], [[Vocals]] (2021–present)


===Past===
===Past===
*Wayne Preston - Saxophone (1977–1979)
*Wayne Preston - Saxophone (1977–1979)
*Les Thaler - Trumpet (1977–1979)
*Les Thaler - Trumpet (1977–1979)
*Michael G. Jackson - Keyboards (1977–1979)
*Michael G. Jackson - Keyboards (1977–1979; died 1997)
*Ed Meyers - [[Trombone]] (1977–1981)
*Ed Meyers - [[Trombone]] (1977–1981)
*Michael Wiley - [[Bass guitars]], vocals (1977–1988)
*Michael Wiley - [[Bass guitars]], vocals (1977–1988; died 1993)
*Isaac Wiley, Jr. - Drums (1977–1985)
*Isaac Wiley Jr. - Drums (1977–1985; died 2023)
*Michael Calhoun - Guitars, vocals (1977–1981)
*Michael Calhoun - Guitars, vocals (1977–1981)
*Kenny Pettus - [[Percussion]], vocals (1977–1986; 1998–2001)
*Kenny Pettus - [[Percussion]], vocals (1977–1986; 1998–2001)
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!align="center" rowspan="2"| Record label
!align="center" rowspan="2"| Record label
|-
|-
!scope="col" style="width:2.5em;font-size:90%;"| [[Billboard 200|US]]<br><ref name="Awards">{{cite web|title=Dazz Band - Awards|url=http://www.allmusic.com/artist/dazz-band-mn0000195634/awards|publisher=AllMusic|access-date=27 January 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131106215743/http://www.allmusic.com/artist/dazz-band-mn0000195634/awards|archive-date=November 6, 2013}}</ref>
!scope="col" style="width:3em;font-size:90%;"| [[Billboard 200|US]]<br><ref name="Awards">{{cite web|title=Dazz Band - Awards|url=http://www.allmusic.com/artist/dazz-band-mn0000195634/awards|publisher=AllMusic|access-date=27 January 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131106215743/http://www.allmusic.com/artist/dazz-band-mn0000195634/awards|archive-date=November 6, 2013}}</ref>
!scope="col" style="width:2.5em;font-size:90%;"| [[Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums|US R&B]]<br><ref name="Awards"/>
!scope="col" style="width:3em;font-size:90%;"| [[Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums|US R&B]]<br><ref name="Awards"/>
|-
|-
|align="center"|1980
|align="center"|1980
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|align="center"| —
|align="center"| —
|align="center"|
|align="center"|
|rowspan="8"|[[Motown Records|Motown]]
|rowspan="7"|[[Motown Records|Motown]]
|-
|-
|align="center"|1981
|align="center"|1981
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|align="center"|
|align="center"|
|-
|-
|align="center" rowspan="2" | 1984
|align="center"| 1984
| ''Jukebox''
| ''Jukebox''
|align="center"| 84
|align="center"| 84
|align="center"| 18
|align="center"| 18
|align="center"|
|-
| ''Greatest Hits''
|align="center"| —
|align="center"| —
|align="center"|
|align="center"|
|-
|-
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| [[RCA Records|RCA]]
| [[RCA Records|RCA]]
|-
|-
|align="center"| 1996
|align="center"| 1995
| ''Under the Streetlights''
| ''Under the Streetlights''
|align="center"| —
|align="center"| —
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!align="center" rowspan="2"| Album
!align="center" rowspan="2"| Album
|-
|-
!scope="col" style="width:2.5em;font-size:90%;"| [[Billboard Hot 100|US]]<br><ref name="VF">{{cite web|title=Dazz Band Top Songs / Chart Singles Discography|url=https://www.musicvf.com/Dazz+Band.art|website=Music VF|access-date=17 October 2020}}</ref>
!scope="col" style="width:3em;font-size:90%;"| [[Billboard Hot 100|US]]<br><ref name="VF">{{cite web|title=Dazz Band Top Songs / Chart Singles Discography|url=https://www.musicvf.com/Dazz+Band.art|website=Music VF|access-date=17 October 2020}}</ref>
!scope="col" style="width:2.5em;font-size:90%;"| [[Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs|US<br />R&B]]<br><ref name="VF"/>
!scope="col" style="width:3em;font-size:90%;"| [[Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs|US<br />R&B]]<br><ref name="VF"/>
!scope="col" style="width:2.5em;font-size:90%;"| [[Hot Dance Music/Club Play|US<br />Dance]]<br><ref name="VF"/>
!scope="col" style="width:3em;font-size:90%;"| [[Hot Dance Music/Club Play|US<br />Dance]]<br><ref name="VF"/>
!scope="col" style="width:2.5em;font-size:90%;"| [[Kent Music Report|AUS]]<br><ref name=aus>{{cite book|last=Kent|first=David|author-link=David Kent (historian)|title=Australian Chart Book 1970–1992|edition=illustrated|publisher=Australian Chart Book|location=St Ives, N.S.W.|year=1993|isbn=0-646-11917-6|page=84}}</ref>
!scope="col" style="width:3em;font-size:90%;"| [[Kent Music Report|AUS]]<br><ref name=aus>{{cite book|last=Kent|first=David|author-link=David Kent (historian)|title=Australian Chart Book 1970–1992|edition=illustrated|publisher=Australian Chart Book|location=St Ives, N.S.W.|year=1993|isbn=0-646-11917-6|page=84}}</ref>
!scope="col" style="width:2.5em;font-size:90%;"| [[UK Singles Chart|UK]]<br><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.officialcharts.com/artist/22089/dazz-band/|title=DAZZ BAND &#124; full Official Chart History &#124; Official Charts Company|website=officialcharts.com|access-date=20 April 2020}}</ref>
!scope="col" style="width:3em;font-size:90%;"| [[UK Singles Chart|UK]]<br><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.officialcharts.com/artist/22089/dazz-band/|title=DAZZ BAND &#124; full Official Chart History &#124; Official Charts Company|website=officialcharts.com|access-date=20 April 2020}}</ref>
|-
|-
|align="center"| [[1980 in music|1980]]
|align="center"| 1980
| "Shake It Up"
| "Shake It Up"
|align="center"| —
|align="center"| —
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|rowspan="2"| ''Invitation to Love''
|rowspan="2"| ''Invitation to Love''
|-
|-
|align="center" rowspan="2" | [[1981 in music|1981]]
|align="center" rowspan="2" | 1981
| "Invitation to Love"
| "Invitation to Love"
|align="center"| 109
|align="center"| 109
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| ''Let the Music Play''
| ''Let the Music Play''
|-
|-
|align="center" rowspan="2" | [[1982 in music|1982]]
|align="center" rowspan="2" | 1982
| "[[Let It Whip]]"
| "[[Let It Whip]]"
|align="center"| 5
|align="center"| 5
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|align="center"| —
|align="center"| —
|-
|-
|align="center" rowspan="4" | [[1983 in music|1983]]
|align="center" rowspan="4" | 1983
| "On the One for Fun"
| "On the One for Fun"
|align="center"| —
|align="center"| —
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|rowspan="2"| ''Joystick''
|rowspan="2"| ''Joystick''
|-
|-
|align="center" rowspan="2" | [[1984 in music|1984]]
|align="center" rowspan="2" | 1984
| "Swoop (I'm Yours)"
| "Swoop (I'm Yours)"
|align="center"| —
|align="center"| —
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|rowspan="2"| ''Jukebox''
|rowspan="2"| ''Jukebox''
|-
|-
|align="center" rowspan="2" | [[1985 in music|1985]]
|align="center" rowspan="2" | 1985
| "Heartbeat"
| "Heartbeat"
|align="center"| 110
|align="center"| 110
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| ''Hot Spot''
| ''Hot Spot''
|-
|-
|align="center" rowspan="2" | [[1986 in music|1986]]
|align="center" rowspan="2" | 1986
| "L.O.V.E. M.I.A."
| "L.O.V.E. M.I.A."
|align="center"| —
|align="center"| —
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|align="center"| —
|align="center"| —
|-
|-
|align="center" rowspan="3" | [[1988 in music|1988]]
|align="center" rowspan="3" | 1988
| "Anticipation"
| "Anticipation"
|align="center"| —
|align="center"| —
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|align="center"| —
|align="center"| —
|-
|-
|align="center" rowspan="2" | [[1998 in music|1998]]
|align="center" rowspan="2" | 1998
| "Ain't Nuthin' but a Jam Y'all"
| "Ain't Nuthin' but a Jam Y'all"
|align="center"| —
|align="center"| —
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{{Commons category|Dazz Band}}
{{Commons category|Dazz Band}}
* [http://www.thedazzband.com/ Dazz Band official site]
* [http://www.thedazzband.com/ Dazz Band official site]
* [https://www.discogs.com/artist/198102-Dazz-Band Discography] at [[Discogs]].
* [https://www.discogs.com/artist/198102-Dazz-Band Discography] at [[Discogs]]
* {{Allmusic|class=artist|id=p69350}}
* {{Allmusic|class=artist|id=p69350}}
* [https://www.facebook.com/theoneandonlydazzband/ Dazz Band Official Facebook Page]
* [https://www.facebook.com/theoneandonlydazzband/ Dazz Band official Facebook Page]
* {{imdb name|2595834}}


{{Authority control}}
{{Authority control}}
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[[Category:American dance music groups]]
[[Category:American dance music groups]]
[[Category:Motown artists]]
[[Category:Motown artists]]
[[Category:Geffen Records artists]]
[[Category:Musical groups from Cleveland]]
[[Category:Musical groups from Cleveland]]
[[Category:Grammy Award winners]]
[[Category:Grammy Award winners]]
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[[Category:Musical groups established in 1977]]
[[Category:Musical groups established in 1977]]
[[Category:Musical groups from Ohio]]
[[Category:Musical groups from Ohio]]
[[Category:American musical septets]]

Latest revision as of 13:51, 25 May 2024

Not to be confused with Dazz.
Dazz Band
Bobby Harris performing in 2008
Bobby Harris performing in 2008
Background information
Also known asKinsman Dazz (1977–80)[1]
OriginCleveland, Ohio, U.S.
Genres
Years active1977–present
Labels
Members
  • Bobby Harris
  • Sennie "Skip" Martin
  • Donny Sykes
  • Marlon McClain
  • Raymond Calhoun
  • Keith Harrison
  • Alvin Frazier
Past members
  • Wayne Preston
  • Les Thaler
  • Ed Meyers
  • Michael Wiley
  • Isaac Wiley Jr.
  • Michael Calhoun
  • Kevin Kendrick
  • Steve Cox
  • Eric Fearman
  • Pierre DeMudd
  • Juan Lively
  • Kenny Pettus
  • Jerry Bell
  • Terry Stanton
  • Nathaniel Philips
  • Michael G. Jackson

The Dazz Band is an American R&B/funk band most popular in the early 1980s. Emerging from Cleveland, Ohio, the group's biggest hit songs include "Let It Whip" (1982), "Joystick" (1983), and "Let It All Blow" (1984). The name of the band is a portmanteau of the description "danceable jazz".[1]

History

[edit]

The Dazz Band formed in Cleveland, Ohio, in 1976, stemming from the jazz fusion band Bell Telefunk.[2] Founded by Bobby Harris,[3] the Dazz Band has performed since 1976 and continues to perform today. Original Kinsman Dazz/ Dazz Band members included Bobby Harris (saxophonist, vocalist), Kenny Pettus (lead vocalist, percussions), Isaac "Ike" Wiley, Jr. (drums), his brother Michael Wiley (bassist), and Michael Calhoun (songwriter/guitarist).[2] The group was originally named Kinsman Dazz at the suggestion of Ray Calabrese, who later became its manager along with Sonny Jones, owner of The Kinsman Grill, located near the street Harris grew up on, and where the band worked as a house band.[4]

Kinsman Dazz was signed to 20th Century Records in 1977,[2] and the group expanded from the original quintet consisting of Harris, Calhoun, Pettus, and the Wiley brothers and added newcomers Ed Meyers (trombone), Wayne Preston (saxophonist), and Les Thaler (trumpet). In 1977, the group went to Los Angeles to record with producer Marvin Gaye. Due to illness, Gaye was unable to complete the project. Harris requested and got Philip Bailey, the vocalist of Earth, Wind & Fire, to produce the group's first album Kinsman Dazz. They released their first single, "I Might as Well Forget About Loving You" in 1978. Philip Bailey made significant contributions to the group's vocal arrangements and overall sound. He also co-produced the second album Dazz in 1979, when the band achieved their second charting hit, "Catchin' Up on Love".

In 1980, the Kinsman Dazz changed its name to the Dazz Band, after being signed to Motown Records,[2] which simultaneously included a re-organization of members. Wayne Preston and Les Thaler were no longer with the group, and Sennie "Skip" Martin, (trumpet, vocals), Pierre DeMudd (trumpet, vocals; April 20, 1953 – May 10, 2017),[5] and Kevin Kendricks (keyboards) were added. In 1981, guitarist Eric Fearman was also added.

The Dazz Band's first album for Motown was Invitation to Love (1980).[2] The album's title track began a string of hits starting in March 1981. The group's next album Let the Music Play (1981)[2] featured the single "Knock! Knock!" which reached the top 50. The Dazz Band's breakthrough came with the hit "Let It Whip",[2] written and produced by Reggie Andrews, from their Keep It Live (1982) album.[2] "Let It Whip" reached No. 1 on the US Billboard R&B chart and won a Grammy Award for Best R&B Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocals.[2] Members of the Grammy Award winning Dazz Band included: Sennie "Skip" Martin, Pierre DeMudd, Bobby Harris, Eric Fearman, Kenny Pettus, Steve Cox, Keith Harrison, Michael Wiley and Isaac Wiley.

On December 31, 1982, during the Dazz Band's New Year's Eve concert at the Front Row Theatre in Cleveland, Mayor George V. Voinovich presented Bobby Harris and the Dazz Band the Key to the City with proclamations from the State of Ohio.[6] The Dazz Band continued to score R&B hits with the songs such as "Party Right Here" (1983), "On the One for Fun" (1983) "Joystick" (1983), and "Let It All Blow" (also their biggest UK hit single, peaking at No. 12 in 1984).[7]

Andrews produced five Dazz Band albums: Let the Music Play (1981), Keep It Live (1982), On the One (1983), Joystick (1983) and Jukebox (1984), all on the Motown label. Harris was the associate producer on all five albums, and producer of the album Hot Spot (1985), also on Motown. After winning the Grammy in 1982, Keith Harrison (1983) (vocalist, keyboards) was added to the group.[2] In 1985, both Eric Fearman and Sennie "Skip" Martin (trumpet, vocalist) left the group and were replaced by guitarist Marlon McClain;[2] and the search began for additional vocalists that would match the Dazz Band sound. In 1986, the Dazz Band recorded Wild & Free (1986), which featured Jerry Bell as lead vocalist, and was released by Geffen Records.[1]

The Dazz Band signed with RCA Records[1] in 1988 and released the album Rock the Room, which charted with the single "Anticipation" featuring vocals from Juan Lively. From 1994 until 2001, Terry Stanton (vocalist) contributed on its albums Funkology (1994) and Under the Streetlights (1995). After serving as lead vocalist with Kool & the Gang for many years, Sennie "Skip" Martin returned to performing and recording with the Dazz Band in 1997, and recorded on Double Exposure (1997), recorded live in Seattle, Washington, and shared lead vocals with Terry Stanton on Time Traveler (2001) on Major Hits Records. In 2014, Harris added vocalist Donny Sykes to the band. Cleveland native, vocalist and multi-instrumentalist Alvin Frazier was added to the group in 2021. The band released "Drop It" in 2019, their first single in almost 20 years, on the Bogi Music Group label.

1990s revival

[edit]

Following the infusion of rap into American music, many classic funk/R&B/soul acts in the US began performing abroad. In the late 1990s, Harris, along with the support of business entrepreneur Bo Boviard and long time friend and band member Marlon McClain, decided to revitalize funk in America and called upon members from the Bar-Kays, Con Funk Shun, Charlie Wilson of the Gap Band, the S.O.S. Band, and the Dazz Band, for a project entitled 'United We Funk All-Stars'.[8] A studio album followed that included Roger Troutman of Zapp. The concept was a success, and was captured on a live CD (Major Hits Records)[8] promoted by syndicated radio host Tom Joyner.[9]

Trademark dispute

[edit]

In November 2012, former Kinsman Dazz member Michael Calhoun applied for registration of the Kinsman Dazz Trademark along with Raymon W. Phillips. Calhoun was released from the group in 1981. Harris filed petition to cancel the fraudulent mark in April 2015, and Harris' cancellation of the Kinsman Dazz mark was granted in August 2015, by the United States Trademark Trial and Appeal Board.[10][11]

In January 2014, Michael Calhoun, Jerry Bell, Ed Meyers, Robert Young, and Larry Blake applied for the Dazz Band trademark. In March 2015, the mark was registered with the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO). Upon learning of both registrations, Harris secured legal representation from former US Trademark Trial and Appeal Board Judge, Gary Krugman, at Sughrue Mion in Washington D.C. Petitions to cancel the marks and were filed with the United States Trademark Trial and Appeal Board. After two years of legal filings, and a series of unsuccessful attempts to stop Dazz Band performances, the Dazz Band mark was cancelled in April 2017.[12]

Former drummer Isaac Wiley Jr. died on April 23, 2023.[13]

Members

[edit]

Current

[edit]

Past

[edit]
  • Wayne Preston - Saxophone (1977–1979)
  • Les Thaler - Trumpet (1977–1979)
  • Michael G. Jackson - Keyboards (1977–1979; died 1997)
  • Ed Meyers - Trombone (1977–1981)
  • Michael Wiley - Bass guitars, vocals (1977–1988; died 1993)
  • Isaac Wiley Jr. - Drums (1977–1985; died 2023)
  • Michael Calhoun - Guitars, vocals (1977–1981)
  • Kenny Pettus - Percussion, vocals (1977–1986; 1998–2001)
  • Kevin Kendrick - Keyboards (1980–1981; 1998–2001)
  • Pierre DeMudd - Trumpet, vocals (1980–1988; 1998–2001; died 2017)
  • Eric Fearman - Guitars (1980–1985)
  • Steve Cox - Synthesizer (1981–1988)
  • Jerry Bell - Lead vocals (1984–1999, 2011)
  • Juan Lively - Lead vocals (1988–1993)
  • Terry Stanton - Lead vocals (1994–2001; died 2006)
  • Nathaniel Philips - Bass (1995–1998)

Discography

[edit]
Dazz Band discography
Studio albums15
Singles20

Albums

[edit]
Year Title Peak chart positions Certifications Record label
US
[14] 		US R&B
[14]
1980 Invitation to Love — — Motown
1981 Let the Music Play 154 36
1982 Keep It Live 14 1
On the One 59 12
1983 Joystick 73 12
1984 Jukebox 84 18
1985 Hot Spot 114 24
1986 Wild & Free 178 37 Geffen
1988 Rock the Room — 91 RCA
1995 Under the Streetlights — 42 Lucky
1997 Double Exposure — — Intersound
1998 Here We Go Again — 99
2001 Time Traveler — — Major Hits Records
"—" denotes releases that did not chart.

Singles

[edit]
Year Title Chart positions Album
US
[16] 		US
R&B
[16] 		US
Dance
[16] 		AUS
[17] 		UK
[18]
1980 "Shake It Up" — 65 75 — — Invitation to Love
1981 "Invitation to Love" 109 51 — — —
"Knock Knock" — 44 — — — Let the Music Play
1982 "Let It Whip" 5 1 2 97 — Keep It Live
"Keep It Live (On the K.I.L.)" — 20 — — —
1983 "On the One for Fun" — 9 52 — — On the One
"Cheek to Cheek" — 76 — — —
"Party Right Here" — 63 — — —
"Joystick" 61 9 — — — Joystick
1984 "Swoop (I'm Yours)" — 12 — — —
"Let It All Blow" 84 9 3 — 12 Jukebox
1985 "Heartbeat" 110 12 — — 79
"Hot Spot" — 21 33 — — Hot Spot
1986 "L.O.V.E. M.I.A." — 48 — — — Wild & Free
"Wild and Free" — 44 — — —
1988 "Anticipation" — 38 — — — Rock the Room
"Single Girls" — 19 38 — —
"Open Sesame" — 83 — — —
1998 "Ain't Nuthin' but a Jam Y'all" — 58 — — — Time Traveler
"Girl Got Body" — 81 — — — Here We Go Again
"—" denotes releases that did not chart.

Awards

[edit]

See also

[edit]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ a b c d Erlewine, Stephen Thomas. "Biography". AllMusic. Retrieved January 27, 2022.
  2. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l Larkin, Colin, ed. (1993). The Guinness Who's Who of Soul Music (First ed.). Guinness Publishing. p. 64/5. ISBN 0-85112-733-9.
  3. ^ Petkovic, John (August 23, 2013). "Legendary Dazz Band, from Cleveland's Kinsman neighborhood, hits Beachland Ballroom on Friday". The Plain Dealer. Cleveland, Ohio. Retrieved November 3, 2013.
  4. ^ Cheeks, Dwayne (December 31, 1982). "Dazz aims to perfect its pizazz". The Plain Dealer. No. 24.
  5. ^ "Pierre A. DeMudd April 20, 1953 ~ May 10, 2017 (age 64) Obituary". efboyd.com. Retrieved May 3, 2020.
  6. ^ Stunek, Jim (January 20, 1983). "The Dazz Band: turning music into money". Scene Newspaper, Cleveland. p. 7.
  7. ^ Roberts, David (2006). British Hit Singles & Albums (19th ed.). London: Guinness World Records Limited. p. 144. ISBN 1-904994-10-5.
  8. ^ a b Pantsios, Anastasia (June 14, 2002). "Midnight Star on rise again". The Plain Dealer.
  9. ^ "Tom Joyner Presents: The United We Funk All-Stars Live - The United We Funk All-Stars". AllMusic. Retrieved January 27, 2022.
  10. ^ "Trademark Status & Document Retrieval". Tsdr.uspto.gov.
  11. ^ "USPTO TTABVUE. Proceeding Number 92061312". Ttabvue.uspto.gov.
  12. ^ "USPTO TTABVUE. Trademark Trial and Appeal Board Inquiry System". Ttabvue.uspto.gov.
  13. ^ "Dazz Band co-founder and drumming legend Isaac Wiley dies". Soul Tracks. April 23, 2023. Retrieved April 25, 2023.
  14. ^ a b "Dazz Band - Awards". AllMusic. Archived from the original on November 6, 2013. Retrieved January 27, 2022.
  15. ^ "Dazz Band". riaa.com. RIAA.
  16. ^ a b c "Dazz Band Top Songs / Chart Singles Discography". Music VF. Retrieved October 17, 2020.
  17. ^ Kent, David (1993). Australian Chart Book 1970–1992 (illustrated ed.). St Ives, N.S.W.: Australian Chart Book. p. 84. ISBN 0-646-11917-6.
  18. ^ "DAZZ BAND | full Official Chart History | Official Charts Company". officialcharts.com. Retrieved April 20, 2020.

Bibliography

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