Long noted for their high-energy, improvisational performances the group released their ninth studio album “Hot Spot” in 1985, charting at No. Jazz Band continued to earn a string of hits into the ‘80s, most notably “Party Right Here” (1983), “On the One For Fun” (1983), “Joystick” (1983), and “Let It All Blow” (1984). Produced by Reggie Andrews the single catapulted Dazz Band to notoriety, topped the Billboard R&B charts, and won the Grammy Award for Best R&B Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocal. The full-length “Let The Music Play” arrived in 1981 led by the Top 50 single “Knock Knock”, followed by the group’s breakthrough hit single “Let It Whip” taken from the 1982 album “Keep It Live”. Saxophonist Wayne Preston and trumpeter Les Thaler left the band in 1980 and were replaced by trumpeter Sennie Martin, trumpeter Pierre DeMudd, and keyboardist Kevin Kendricks.ĭazz Band’s debut record for Motown was the 1980 album “Invitation to Love” which resulted in a string of hit singles, most notably “Invitation to Love”. The following year the Kinsman Dazz became the Dazz Band and the group signed with Motown Records. Producer Bailey significantly contributed to the album’s success and subsequently co-produced the band’s sophomore full-length “Dazz” in 1979. Kinsman Band (as they were still known) released their debut single “I Might as Well Forget About Loving You” in 1978 ahead of the full-length “Kinsman Dazz” the same year. Producer Gaye was unable to complete the project and at the request of band leader Harris, Earth, Wind & Fire vocalist Philip Bailey was enlisted as producer. Originally known by the name Kinsman Dazz when the band had residency at the Kinsman Grill in Cleveland, the group signed with 20th Century Records soon after forming and headed to the studio with Marvin Gaye. Founded by Bobby Harris in 1977, the saxophone and clarinet player later invited Wayne Preston, Les Thaler, Ed Myers, Michael Wiley, Isaac Wiley, Jr., Michael Colhoun, and Kenny Pettus to complete the lineup. The group failed to have another hit and quietly faded away.From the ashes of the jazz fusion band Bell Telefunk, came the groovable, danceable sounds of Dazz Band. Soon after its release, the band switched to RCA. That year they had their final charting album, Wild and Free.
The Dazz Band switched labels to Geffen in 1986. While they never reached those heights again, the Dazz Band had a string of six consecutive Top 100 albums that ran until 1986 during that time, they scored two other Top 100 singles, "Joystick" and "Let It All Blow." In 1985, Fearman and Frederick left the band they were replaced by Marlon McClain and Keith Harrison, respectively. "Let It Whip," taken from their second album Keep It Live (1982), reached number five and won a Grammy Award for Best Performance by an R&B Vocal Duo or Group. Once the group veered away from the more melodic, pop-oriented dance music that dominated their debut and started playing a tougher, more groove-oriented funk, the Dazz Band began racking up the hits. Invitation to Love, the band's first release for the record label, was released in 1980. After Calhoun left they changed their name to the Dazz Band in 1980 and signed to Motown. Under that name, the group had two small hits in the U.S.A. Harris and lead songwriter/guitarist Mike Calhoun's concept for the group was "danceable jazz" he shortened the description to "dazz" and called the group Kinsman Dazz. After myriad lineup changes, the end result was an eight-piece band featuring Harris, Skip Martin III, Pierre DeMudd on horns and vocals, guitarist Eric Fearman, bassist Michael Wiley, drummer Isaac Wiley, keyboardist Kevin Frederick, and percussionist Kenny Pettus. Bobby Harris formed the group in the late '70s, merging two Cleveland funk bands, Bell Telefunk and Mother Braintree. The Cleveland-based Dazz Band was one of the more popular funk groups of the early '80s.
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