Formed:
The early 1980s in Minneapolis and St. Paul, Minnesota.
The early 1980s in Minneapolis and St. Paul, Minnesota.
Members:
Lead singer Stokley Williams; Guitarist Homer O'Dell; Keyboardist Lawrence Waddell; Keyboardist/saxophonist Jeff Allen; and guitarist/bassist Rick Kinchen. Former Member: keyboardist/guitarist Keri Lewis.
Lead singer Stokley Williams; Guitarist Homer O'Dell; Keyboardist Lawrence Waddell; Keyboardist/saxophonist Jeff Allen; and guitarist/bassist Rick Kinchen. Former Member: keyboardist/guitarist Keri Lewis.
Early Lives:
Williams began playing West African musical instruments at the age of four, while O'Dell grew up listening to his father play blues bass and singing with him in a family group. Waddell played in a recording arts band at school and mastered keyboards by listening to jazz greats. Exposed to his father's extensive jazz collection, Allen played keyboards and sax in local bands throughout his high school years. Kinchen's first and strongest influence was his family, all of whom played instruments.
Williams began playing West African musical instruments at the age of four, while O'Dell grew up listening to his father play blues bass and singing with him in a family group. Waddell played in a recording arts band at school and mastered keyboards by listening to jazz greats. Exposed to his father's extensive jazz collection, Allen played keyboards and sax in local bands throughout his high school years. Kinchen's first and strongest influence was his family, all of whom played instruments.
Success as a Group:
After forming and playing on the local music scene, the band was featured at the 1986 Minnesota Black Musician Awards program and built a strong core following for themselves in a five-state area (Minnesota, Wisconsin, Iowa, Dakota, and Nebraska) as a result of their dazzling, highly energetic live shows. Mint Condition came to the attention of Minneapolis soul producers Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis as a result of a showcase performance in 1989.
After forming and playing on the local music scene, the band was featured at the 1986 Minnesota Black Musician Awards program and built a strong core following for themselves in a five-state area (Minnesota, Wisconsin, Iowa, Dakota, and Nebraska) as a result of their dazzling, highly energetic live shows. Mint Condition came to the attention of Minneapolis soul producers Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis as a result of a showcase performance in 1989.
Recent News:
After a six-year hiatus, the band released its sixth LP, "Livin' the Luxury Brown," on their own CagedBird Records in 2005 and a live DVD, "Live From the 9:30 Club," in 2006.
After a six-year hiatus, the band released its sixth LP, "Livin' the Luxury Brown," on their own CagedBird Records in 2005 and a live DVD, "Live From the 9:30 Club," in 2006.
Trivia:
Former member Keri Lewis married singer Toni Braxton. Band members Jeffrey, Stokley and Lawrence have a side group called JOTO, in which they play Latin jazz.
Former member Keri Lewis married singer Toni Braxton. Band members Jeffrey, Stokley and Lawrence have a side group called JOTO, in which they play Latin jazz.
