Meet the Kick-N-Flava Playas…

We would like to introduce you to the people that make up Kick-N-Flava!

Jerry Hawes

Keyboards, Background Vocals

Jerry started as a musician at the age of 13. He played with a group called “The Young Mods” in the 70’s doing recording and roadwork. He performed on the road touring Canada, Boston and D.C. In college he studied Music Theory and Classical

Mike Allamby

Saxophones

Mike first picked up a saxophone at the age of 10, studying privately while playing in the school band. At the age of 13, he became active with many of Dayton’s Funk and R&B groups of the 70’s and 80’s. His influences range from Maceo Parker to Sonny Stitt.

Claude Coatie

Lead Guitar

Coatie started playing guitar at the age of 17. He’s played with several groups along the way. His most well-known outing was with a group called “Chazz” during the 80’s. With this group, he recorded several songs. His influences include John Scofield and Chris Bowman

J.D. Williams

Bass Guitar

30pxJ.D. started playing drums at the age of 12, but at the age of 14, switched to bass guitar. He has played with several local bands in the 70’s and 80’s. He has played with bands throughout the city with “The Dayton Co-Op Groups”. His influences include James Brown and John Coltrane.

Brian Smiley

Drums, Background Vocals

Brian started playing drums at the age of 14. By the time he was 16, he was playing locally with a group called “The Capris” in High School. During his college years, he toured different college campuses in different cities with the group “Phase IV”, opening for Isaac Hayes, The O-Jays and the Last Poets. He recorded with the group called “Four Steps Higher”. Brian’s influences include Billy Cobham and David Weckle.

David Matthews

Percussionist, Lead and Background Vocals

Author, Poet/Musician David Matthews plays 19 different Latin percussion instruments. He toured with Gil Scott-Heron, War and the late great Grover Washington Jr. He is the poetic discovery of world-acclaimed “Nikki Giovanni”. He is the author of three books of poetry.

Janelle "Jaye"

Vocals

Janelle’s “Jaye”, love for music was clearly confirmed in the 4th grade, when she joined her school’s musical production of “The Nutcracker”. She later became active in her church choir. After which, she became part of the girl R&B group “ETC”. Jaye was recruited in 2009 to sing lead in the “Chanel One Show Band”. Throughout the years Jaye has sang with various bands around the city. Janelle was called upon by her current band, “Kick-N-Flava”, in 2017, where she is going strong bringing her own sultry, melodic appeal to the band.

William "Bill" Ward

Trumpet

William showed a talent for music at a young age. Starting with cello lessons in the 3rd grade, and then piano lessons in the 5th grade after which he joined the renowned Cincinnati All City Boys Choir. After high school, he attended Central State University where he got his B.S. degree in Music Education. While at Northern Illinois, continuing his education, he performed with Slide Hampton and Maynard Ferguson. William, received his master in Music in 1987. For the past 30 years William has worked as a freelance musician performing with artists such as Lionel Hampton, The Dells, Johnny Lytle, The Dayton Funk All-Stars, and Kick-N-Flava. He is also presently a member of The Flye City Hornz who performs with the legendary R&B group Cameo. His influences include Miles Davis, Terrance Blanchard and Freddie Hubbard.

William "Eric" Bailey

Vocals

Eric knew he wanted to be a singer at the age of 10. He started singing in the church. He co-founded the group Black Diamond which did a lot of traveling. Eric sang with various other bands along the way until he found his musical home with Kick-N-Flava. He also started a gospel group called Created2Praise, which still perform to this day. Eric is a songwriter who has a gospel CD out on Apple Itunes called “Rain On Me”. People told him he sounded a lot like Luther Vandross and labeled him “Little Luther”. God has blessed me with a gift, doesn’t matter if it’s Gospel or R&B, I love music.