DaysAhead’s own blend of soul, funk and rock is a welcome breath of fresh air. The strength of guitar and impressive vocals offer a distinctive sound that’s left field from the soul mainstream in a refreshing way.”

— Dirk Binsau (Jazz-not-Jazz)

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TURNING POINT

American guitar/vocal duo, Steve and Kim Wright (aka DaysAhead), have been creating music together for over 10 years, and it goes without saying that this husband & wife duo share a remarkable chemistry.  Their musical style is an eclectic soul/rock/jazz experimental gumbo that is ear-bending, pulse-moving, romantically sentimental, socially conscience and provoking.  Their debut cd Turning Point takes the audience on a sonic ride of African-American rhythms and improvisations blended with European harmonies and styling.  “DaysAhead revises the spirit of the golden era of bands from the 70's & 80’s” (Michael Heyliger, Rhythmflow).  Kim Wright’s smokey and powerfully ripping Louisiana drenched soul-jazz vocals and lyrics mixed with the texture, imagination and striking soaring riffs of Virginia-born guitarist/composer Steve Wright are exciting to hear and captivating to watch.  The beauty and strength of the duo is their ability to seamlessly leap musical landscapes from gospel to soul to jazz to rock in a seconds notice and nod to folk and reggae, on a visceral yet cerebral musical playground, while stretching and twisting the songs into their special arrangements of meter changes, extended forms and improvisation, all while maintaining one cohesive and original voice. 

Nominated Best Duo/Group of the Year by SoulTracks Readers' Choice Awards, and Best Band & Best Album of the Year by RockWired Awards, DaysAhead's music can be heard on terrestrial radio and online throughout the USA, UK, Europe and Japan; landing at #4 and #5 on CMJ Jazz charts and #12 on JamBand charts.  As well as being featured live on several broadcast networks including ZBC TV Zimbabwe, Africa TV, BET J Soul Sessions, TBS Storyline Soundstage, and CBS Better Mornings;  As a guitar/vocal duo or with their full band, DaysAhead has performed Turning Point at prestigious venues including the Intwasa Arts Festival, Montreux Jazz Festival, NewYork Harborfest, Capital Jazz Festival, Bay Fest, Atlanta Jazz Festival, Capital Jazz Supercruise (Bermuda), The Velvet Note, Apache Cafe', Churchill Grounds, and 606 Club London.

DaysAhead has co-billed and/or performed with illustrious artists such as The Brand New Heavies, Al Green, Chaka Khan, Fertile Ground, Gnarles Barkley, Lalah Hathaway, Mike Phillips, Fourplay, Rachelle Farrell, Jhelisa Anderson, George Duke, Maysa Leak and many more throughout the USA, Europe, and Zimbabwe.

Press REVIEWS

Contemporary Jazz 

"Turning Point by DaysAhead features the compelling voice of Kim Leachman-Wright and energetic artistry of guitarist Steve Wright...a near perfect marriage artistically...high energy music with lyrical substance that “rocks” embroidered with the fabric of jazz, soul and occasional Latin influences...“Tuck & Patty” reincarnated in a quartet setting." (Rob Young)

 

FunkJunkiez 

"Turning Point deliberately seeks to cross the genre boundaries...touching, emotive and walks the line between jazz and soul quite sublimely...Kim’s vocals are strong and vibrant and the jazzy riffs are quite catchy...excellent musicians and a great vocal talent...remind you of The Brand New Heavies...I can foresee nothing but successful Days Ahead." (Alfie da Funkjunky)

 

Jazz-not-Jazz

"DaysAhead’s own blend of soul, funk and rock is a welcome breath of fresh air. The strength of guitar and impressive vocals offer a distinctive sound that’s left field from the soul mainstream in a refreshing way." (Dirk Binsau)

 

Soul Tracks 

"One listen and their eclectic, engaging brand of music shows that this is an original group bursting with its own distinct style...Using Steve Wright’s electric guitar as the musical centerpiece with Kim Leachman-Wright, a wonderful smoky-voiced singer. The common theme is strong instrumentation and the “live” feel of the performance. The band is top notch and keeps the whole album sounding immediate. Turning Point is a great showcase for DaysAhead's expansive vision of popular music." (Chris Rizik)

 

RhythmFlow 

"DaysAhead's debut cd Turning Point revives the spirit of the golden era of bands from the 70's & 80's. An air-tight band and a bewitching front woman." (Michael Heyliger) 

 

Rockwired

“Turning Point is a combination of Kim’s impressive command of that indefinable voice that goes from gospel, to soul, to jazz, and to rock in a second’s notice, and the dexterity of partner-in-crime Steve Wright. Who knew such sounds, texture, and imagination could come from just six strings!” (Brian Lush) 

 

Apache Cafe'

"DaysAhead fuses funk, jazz, and rock into a tasty blend that just doesn't sound like anything else. Think Mother's Finest-meets-Incognito. There isn't a dull moment at a DaysAhead show. A great band...seasoned musicians...this band is hot!" (Asa Fain)

 

EyeDrum 

"DaysAhead got rave reviews from everybody on the Atlanta BeltLine. They truly rocked with Steve's hot guitar solos, and a rhythm section with deep soul. Kim holds nothing back in her vocals and has the chops to pull it off." (Priscilla Smith)

 

Richmond Music and Arts Festival 

"Special Guest DaysAhead has a jazz-rock-soul sound all their own. This band brought good music crossing all ages, genders, and cultures. It's what the people, young and old, want and need to hear!" (Clarence Nicholas)

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