Earth, Wind & Fire | Artist

Earth, Wind & Fire is an American soul-funk band formed 1969 in Chicago, Illinois, by vocalist and percussionist Maurice White. White was also a member of Jazz-Funk band The Pharaohs, who released the excellent 1971 album Awakening. Other prominent members of EWF have included Philip Bailey, Verdine White, Ralph Johnson, Larry Dunn, Al McKay, Roland Bautista, Sonny Emory, Sheldon Reynolds and Andrew Woolfolk. The band spans the genres of R&B, soul, funk, jazz, disco and Afro pop, and their sound is characterised by the use of a dynamic horn section, kalimba sound and the contrast between Philip Bailey's falsetto vocals and Maurice White's baritone. The band has won six Grammys from 17 nominations and been inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Their excellent debut album, 1971's Earth Wind and Fire has a strong jazz-fusion style which pre-dates the more dance-oriented sound on later albums. In total the band has released 22 studio albums including the excellent movie soundtrack That's the Way of the World, from 1975. Other standout albums include Open our Eyes, Spirit, All 'n All and I Am. In the 2003 biopic movie BAADASSSSS! the actor Khalil Kain portrayed a young Maurice White in the early days of Earth, Wind & Fire

Artist Website: earthwindandfire.com/history/biography/

Featured Albums: Earth, Wind & Fire

Related Artists: The Pharaohs