Genre:R & B
“Jazz is in Akina Adderley’s blood, and it flows with a warm mix of old-school soul and R&B.” –Margaret Moser, The Austin ChronicleAkina Adderley’s exciting new project, The Upper East Side, performs with a neo-soul sound deeply rooted in jazz and tinged with gritty attitude. The group features four of Austin's finest and most in-demand jazz and soul musicians: Carter Arrington on guitar (Malford Milligan), Bennett Wood on alto saxophone (The Gabriel Santiago Quintet), Nick Clark on bass (Chrisette Michele), and Wayne Salzmann on drums (Bob Schneider and Lonelyland, Eric Johnson). These powerhouse players perform Akina’s songs with an improvisational spirit, shredding rock ‘n roll energy, and heavy, gut-wrenching soul. Come out to a show. You will be moved by what the Austin American Statesman calls Akina’s “rich, emotive pipes,” impacted by her songs with their infectious grooves and incisive lyrics, and blown away by the monster musicianship of her slammin' new band. Akina has produced two albums with her popular 9-piece soul band, Akina Adderley & The Vintage Playboys. These days, she is heated and hungry to get into the studio with The Upper East Side.