Aaron Akins – Into the Cole

ARA HEADSHOT BLUE


A One Man Show inspired by Nat King Cole

Produced by Don Reed

March 20 — April 11 | Berkeley
Fridays at 8pm | Saturdays at 8:30pm

Aaron Akins presents a One Man Show “Into The Cole” taking you on a musical journey of some of Nat King Coles greatest hits and how they affected him.

Produced by Don Reed.

Artist Biography

Aaron Akins’ music is something out of the ordinary.  On Aaron’s second studio album Love is All Around [2009 – Produced by Darryl Swann (Macy Gray)] he sings compositions like “God Made Women Beautiful,” “I’m Nothin’ if it Wasn’t for You,” Got to Have You,” and “I Just Wanna Luv U,” in which he pours out a heart filled with love and positive feelings and brings a smile to the face.

When Akins envisioned a song like “Mona Lisa,” performed with a twist of hip hop, he may not have been aware that a new concept in music was about to be acknowledged.  The late Carole Cole and Capital Records felt the magic and the tribute to Nat ‘King’ Cole, Nat ‘King’ Cole Re: Generations (King Cole Partners, EMI/Capital, 2009), was born, with Aaron Akins’ name listed among the ‘everlasting thanks’ of the liner notes.  On this album, which features the voice of Nat ‘King’ Cole with the voices of Cee-Lo Green, will.i.am, Natalie Cole and Nas, among others, jazz meets a grownup great-grandson named hip hop.  Just as Akins felt it should.

A brilliant songwriter for Kurt Farquhar’s True Music company (Burn Notice, King of Queens, Lost, Lincoln Heights), and a vocalist of impeccable taste, Akins’ voice is a prodigy of sensuality and elegance.  Also, Akins was honored to sing for the Pope at the Vatican.

Akins creates a voice for a musically mature 21st century.  Put Urban, jazz, Nu-Jazz and Neo-Soul together in the same room and you’ve got an artist named Aaron Akins.  In his own words:

“I would describe my music as a contemporary blend of jazz, Urban and R&B. In college I formed my first band along with Darryl Jones, who was snatched out of that band by Miles Davis, and went on to play for Sting and now plays for The Rolling Stones. I went on to perform at some of the largest venues around the world, like the North Sea Jazz Festival in 1997.  I was the singer for an Indonesian group called the JAMZ All Stars.  It was very exciting to play alongside artists like Ray Charles, Al Jarreau, Herbie Hancock, Eric Clapton and many other great artists.”

“The title of my first album is Into the Cole.  Darryl Phinnesee as the producer of Into the Cole and one of the stars of Michael Jackson’s movie “This is It.” I know that Darryl treated me with the same concentration and focus that he did when he worked with Quincy Jones, Stevie Wonder, and Michael Jackson.   Love is All Around is my second CD. It’s the CD with “God Made Women Beautiful” on it.”

“My song writing has been an intriguing, beautiful process.  I think my writing is a reflection of what I think and how I feel normally.  I seem to have a universal perspective, writing-wise. I know I was inspired by God to write this song “God Made Women Beautiful” I think there are so many negative images and thoughts and words in music today, especially some Rap, that it is absolutely imperative that there be some positive images and thoughts and words in music today. “God Made Women Beautiful” is an attempt to remind women about the truth of who they are.  “God Made Women Beautiful,” because it has a message to all women, not just some women. Every woman on the planet, I am trying to remind them that they can’t be anything but beautiful.  Because anything other than beauty is just an illusion, it is not real, it’s just an idea.”

Currently, Aaron is working on several projects.  His “God Made Women Beautiful” was just considered for a Grammy.  He is working on his new release.  Aaron has also been in discussions about being the subject of a documentary.  Finally, Aaron is enjoying that which he loves most:  Performing live, bringing with him his love and deep gratitude for what life has provided him.