Aaron Akins is a versatile vocalist and songwriter who is trying to come from behind the scenes in the music industry.
Aaron Akins is a versatile vocalist and songwriter who is trying to come from behind the scenes in the music industry.
A star in his own right, the soulful singer performed at the North Sea Jazz Festival in 1997 with music legends Ray Charles, Herbie Hancock and Eric Clapton and has done collaborations with Darryl Phinnessee, Anthony Hamilton, Natalie Cole, Alanis Morissette and Angie Stone, among many others.
Still, he considers his Christmas Day 2000 performance for the Pope one of his major accomplishments.
His current single, God Made Women Beautiful, from his Love CD is played on over 250 Internet radio stations.
Akins was in Chicago late this summer performing and the Defender was able to catch up with him for a brief one-on-one.
Chicago Defender: Tell me a little about yourself?
Aaron Akins: I am someone who has loved music for as long as I can remember. I am a middle child that comes from a large, loving family. I am excited about the possibilities of helping my family remember what it means to be a human being. I am someone who chooses a lot of laughter, joy and happiness, and as a result I experience a lot of laughter, joy and happiness.
CD: What is music to you?
AA: Music is something that is pleasing to the ear. It has the ability to heal. I simply couldn’t imagine a world without music. Music is soothing medicine to my soul.
CD: How would you describe your style of music?
AA: I would describe my music as a blend of jazz, Urban and R&B. But my music is evolving. I am perfectly capable of doing a classic jazz set, a pop set or an R&B set. I also write in various genres.
CD: Why do you love Chicago?
AA: I was born and raised in Chicago, and as a kid I was truly involved in sports. I was the captain of my high school basketball team. I also played a bit in college in the very beginning. I really didn’t sing much at all in high school, just for fun. But when I got to college, I had to declare my major, and I decided to major in music. 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.
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