Soul duo Kloud 9 joins jazz/soul vocalist Maysa for three evenings of the smooth, sophisticated sounds that resonate with their fans. Their Birchmere shows celebrate the release of Maysa’s “Metamorphosis” and Kloud 9’s third album, “Enjoy the Ride,” both due out next month, the latter in the United Kingdom preceding its U.S. release in spring 2009.
Twins Kendall and Kelvis Duffie grew up singing gospel in their Denver church under their mother’s direction and have been active in the music business since 1987 as performers, writers, arrangers, promoters and producers. Now based in Nashville, Tenn., they divide their time between performing and their roles as gospel industry executives.
“We’ve always strived to emulate the great gospel groups of the ’80s and ’90s with clean, quality soul music,” Kendall says. “We cut our teeth on Stevie Wonder and Chicago and wanted to continue the tradition. I do the majority of the writing, and Kelvis does great vocals and a bit of choreography, not too fancy, but enough to keep it lively.
“We chose our name because being on cloud nine is how you feel while enjoying the ultimate listening pleasure,” he adds. “We simply spell it with a K instead of a C because that’s the first letter of our names. Our ultimate objective is to segue out of our executive roles and spend more time with our creative sides. Right now we’re putting together more shows in the U.S. and some tours.”
Kendall met Maysa when both worked in London. She was part of Incognito, a major U.K. soul band fronted by producer/composer/guitarist Jean-Paul “Bluey” Maunick. Bluey was responsible for inviting Kloud 9 to arrange and sing “Promise,” a song featured on the pair’s debut album, “On Kloud 9.”
It was released separately in Europe (2002) and the U.S. (2003), followed in 2005 by Kloud 9’s second album, “Yearning to Love.” Because the European versions are released first and the music is available on the Internet, two or three tracks are added to the U.S. version to keep it unique.
Kloud 9 often chooses its background vocalists from families whose siblings have a special blend and vibe that work well in ensemble. On this occasion, the female singers are Deshan Jones and Vida.
“We’ve been best of friends with Maysa since London and are pleased to open for her at the Birchmere,” Kendall says. “This will also be a special occasion for Kelvis and me because the 29th is our birthday.”
(If you go: Kloud 9 and Maysa; 7:30 p.m. today to Sunday; Birchmere, Alexandria; $39.50; 703-549-7500; birchmere.com, ticketmaster.com)
