“Every day I am grateful for the gift of creative energy,” states Emmy-winning and Grammy-nominated guitarist Chieli Minucci (pronounced Key-eli Mee-noo-chee). With an enviable list of chart-topping radio hits, Chieli Minucci along with the late master percussionist George Jinda, masterminded the ground-breaking ensemble Special EFX. On May 21, 2013, Chieli Minucci swings full circle on Shanachie Entertainment with his latest effort, Genesis, marking 30 years since the inception of Special EFX. The consummate artist is reenergized, and attributes this to the essential things in life. “I am inspired by healthy living, consistent relationships with family and loved ones, friends, and traveling. My music is simply a consequence of what I am thinking about and feeling.” With the release of Genesis the evolution of Special EFX continues. Chieli Minucci confides, “It is my hope that when people hear Genesis that they will enjoy it and be able to relate to it in some way. I hope they are moved and are able feel what I felt as I wrote these songs.”
There is no doubt that Genesis is a celebration. It is a remembrance of Special EFX’s early beginnings and a continuance and testament to Chieli’s enduring vision. Chieli welcomes back old friends and invites new ones for what is an exhilarating set of twelve originals. He is joined by longtime bandmembers, bassist Jerry Brooks, drummer Lionel Cordew and keyboardist Jay Rowe, all who have been a part of the ensemble for the past two decades; Special EFX alums saxophonist Dave Mann and legendary drummer Omar Hakim return to the group on Genesis and Chieli welcomes a host of special guests including master percussionist Mino Cinelu, violinist Karen Briggs, pianist Lao Tizer and vocalists Xu Feiyu and Vic Starsky. The music on Genesis is emotional, generous and transcendent, as is Chieli’s own personal approach to life and his art. He shares, “I try my best to ‘lift’ others and I believe in love. I try to be consistent, try to be like a rock for those who need reassuring. I try to pass on what I have learned, and at the same time, let others experience life as they feel they must. Live and let live.”
more at chielimusic.com
