
Stephen
Wise - Katriel has been called shaman, healer, sage, wise man
and more through the beautiful noise his music makes. He humbly
states; "I am in service to humanity through my music".
Wise is a multi-dimensional artist/ performer. He is a multi-instrumental
musician, playing various flutes, saxophones and keyboards as
well as aboriginal didgeridoos, conch shells, Native/African drums
and programs his own music tracks.
Also a vocalist, songwriter and producer, Stephen Wise spent five
years developing songs under Stevie Wonder's production and was
featured on two of Stevie's CD's (Characters and Jungle Fever).
His credits include performing for Nelson Mandela and winning
a semi-finalist spot on Ed McMahon's Star Search in the male vocalist
category. He has also worked with Patti Labelle, Teena Marie,
Boyz II Men, The Roots, John Tesh, Bebe Winan, Ritchie Havens
and Britney Spears to name a few.
His diverse musical influences can be traced back to his multi-cultural
roots and from growing up with the sound of his mother's jazz
records. He would sing with his cousins Motown and other soul
favorites and jump on stages singing and dancing at 10 years old.
Landing the starring roles 2 years consecutively in the musical
plays of his Jr. High School gave him the confidence a performer
needs. He formed an original band in High School exploring blues
and rock from the influence of the Woodstock phenomenon and the
sounds of nature. He experienced these sounds while hiking through
the woods of upstate New York and camping out under the stars.
He attended State University of New York at New Paltz and Harlem's
Jazz Mobile (with legendary Jimmy Heath) simultaneously where
he studied music theory. Later, he went on to join a doo wop singing
group called Passion in Brooklyn with Wendell Sawyer of Blue Magic
and the infamous Dr York. Wise later moved to Philadelphia and
worked with musicians and producers from the Philadelphia sound.
Notable names such as: Rena Sinakin, TG Conway, Roland Chambers,
Norman Harris, Ron Baker, Kenny Gamble, McFadden & Whitehead,
Bruce Hawes, Nick Martinelli, Doug Grigsby and others. These were
the musical associations that led him to meet and work with Stevie
Wonder. Brotha Wise was flown to Los Angeles to join the group
"Myx" that Stevie was producing. Creatively he had always
related to Stevie's writing style. Being the same astrological
sign (Taurus) and all, he also wrote about humanitarian themes
and had a similar melodic style. Wonder and Wise had an interesting
one on one relationship in the studio together. Many late nights
trading musical ideas helping Stevie to perfect his own arrangements
as well as working on the group Myx's project from which Wise
was one of the lead vocalists and writers.
When Stephen Wise returned to Philly in '92, he partnered with
Steve Rubin and Clay Sears to create the Cutting Edge Orche-stras
dynasty.
Together they forged what became one of the most sought after
bands in the private events industry throughout the Philadelphia
tri-state area of the Delaware Valley, including Weddings, Bar/Bat
Mitzvahs, Corporate and other private parties. This led to a series
of Orchestras that became the springboard of quite a few very
successful and notable names in the music industry like soul producer
James Poyser, Justin Guarini (first American Idol winner), Imani
(Star Search winners) other musicians in the Cutting Edge stable
went on touring with some of the biggest names in the music game.
Stephen Wise, the seasoned and successful bandleader and lead
vocalist, through his charismatic style and musical talent has
won the approval of literally thousands of satisfied clients and
their guests, singing every style of music you can imagine.
While managing the orchestra he built a home studio and recorded
his own music. At the turn of the new millennium, the age of Aquarius,
Stephen Wise's original sound began to change. His ears started
to stretch as he listened to more world and meditative music.
He reached deeper into spiritual/ceremonial music from diverse
ancient cultures. At that time he predicted that the next wave
of music would be "One world music". During this time
he received his spiritual name "Katriel". Hebrew for
(God is my crown).
Katriel has woven all of his experiences into a soulful sound
that reflects his truly universal style. With six works of art
completed He says he's just warming up and as he puts it; "My
songs are written to help awaken the divine I AM presence inside
everyone to be realized. Music is the one medium that has the
most potential to create a shift in the planet's vibration and
heal the masses. We all must continue to join the ranks of lightworkers
everywhere that are holding higher vibrations of LOVE. Let's create
a global effect and collectively usher in a new era called "the
Great Loving", the great leap in consciousness so many in
this world have been yearning for."
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