Diamond Steele

Mission Statement “To Achieve Musical Excellence” Diamond Steele is led by the musical competence of Marcus A. Allen Sr. Mr. Allen is both a trumpet virtuoso and composer from Detroit. Diamond Steele has been playing professionally throughout the Metro Detroit area for many years. Under Mr. Allen’s leadership Diamond Steele has blossomed, into a very accomplished and professional musical recording group. Diamond Steele was discovered by A&R Rep. Conrad DiManche in 2011. Because ...

Mission Statement “To Achieve Musical Excellence” Diamond Steele is led by the musical competence of Marcus A. Allen Sr. Mr. Allen is both a trumpet virtuoso and composer from Detroit. Diamond Steele has been playing professionally throughout the Metro Detroit area for many years. Under Mr. Allen’s leadership Diamond Steele has blossomed, into a very accomplished and professional musical recording group. Diamond Steele was discovered by A&R Rep. Conrad DiManche in 2011. Because of the depth, talent and versatility of this group it is easy to see why they have the ability to play nearly any style of music they choose with ease, yet their collective love for jazz music is the one and only reason why they have made jazz their musical genre of choice. It is the belief of this group that playing jazz also keeps them closer to their musical heritage, as well as allowing them the opportunity to become much more proficient musicians overall. Diamond Steele is currently a member of A&R Select, ReverbNation, Island Def Jam Records, and the National Musicians Union. You can also visit them at www.diamondsteele.net, MySpace, and Facebook. Our CD “Lavish Living” is now on sale at Def Jam Records, amazon.com, iTunes, LastFM, and a number of other reputable musical distribution channels which continue to grow daily. Band Members: Marcus Anthony Allen Sr. was born in Detroit, Michigan on October 19, 1960 and he has been playing the trumpet since his freshman year of high school. He quickly progressed on the trumpet, and after only three short months of studies he found himself performing before large audiences, mostly in the local night clubs throughout metro Detroit. As a young student, Mr. Allen competed musically on the highest level, and because of his fast learning pace he quickly gained recognition as an up and coming solo artist. Mr. Allen continued to play professionally for nearly twenty-eight years before forming Diamond Steele. Overall, he has spent a total of thirty-one years entertaining publicly. After completing high school Mr. Allen continued performing locally around Detroit with such groups as: The Righteous Players, Ruff as Us, the Dramatics, and Earth’s Nature. In 1979 he won the state’s talent competition with his horn section; Three the Hard Way. Later that same year he was invited to perform behind the groups; Brick, the Dazz Band and Michael Jackson in Los Angles, CA., but because of his desire for greater development in the study of music, and his inability to afford the much desired lessons, he regretfully declined these promising invitations and decided rather to enlist in the U.S. Army. His desire for musical growth was his single greatest reason for enlisting in the military. While in the military, Mr. Allen achieved his primal objective, as he had the wondrous opportunity to study music as well as travel around the world with the army band. He also had the pleasure of meeting and performing for many dignitaries. In all, Mr. Allen has had the distinct pleasure of performing for both presidents and kings. During his twelve year stint in the military, Mr. Allen studied jazz and classical harmony, theory and music history through the Army School of Music in Norfolk, Virginia. He excelled in music composition, arranging and scoring, so much so that his company commander awarded him three army accommodation medals because of his skills. Mr. Allen also became proficient on both the oboe and piano during his time in the military. On August 29, 1992 he left the military and returned home to Detroit to further pursue his musical career. It was during this period that he received personal tutorage on the trumpet from one of Detroit’s most prominent jazz musician, trumpeters, Marcus Belgrave. Mr. Allen also received numerous informal instructions from saxophonist and recording artist Larry Smith, Marcus Belgrave and the late Dr. Teddy Harris. He accredits most of his musical prowess, especially where his improvisational skills are concerned, to these three jazz giants from Detroit. He also gives credit to his countless performances with many of Detroit’s best and brightest jazz musicians. Over the years, Mr. Allen has had the pleasure of sharing the stage with such prominent jazz figures as; Dwight Adams, Dr. Harold McKinney, Darren McKinney, and recording artist (saxophonist extraordinaire) James Carter. After completing his studies in jazz, he immediately began studying classical trumpeting under the guidance of Robert Tinsel, a former principal trumpeter for the DSO (Detroit Symphony Orchestra). After completing his classical studies, he decided to turn professional and pursue a career of his own as a solo artist. Today Mr. Allen is both the founder and leader of Diamond Steele. • Marcus Anthony Allen Jr., pianist for Diamond Steele, was born in Detroit, Michigan on May 24, 1995 Marcus Jr. has been studying and performing as a jazz pianist for five years. He began his tutorage under the guidance of his father Marcus Sr., and in just a three year period this young man’s skills grew by leaps and bounds. Not long after receiving tutorage from his father did Marcus Jr. join Diamond Steele, and began doing public performances. At the tender age of eleven, Marcus Jr. has already made several appearances at such prestigious nightclubs as Baker’s Keyboard Lounge, The Music Hall’s “Jazz Café,” and Burt’s Market Place, jazz nightclubs located in Detroit. Marcus Jr. continues to make great progress as a jazz pianist, as he effortlessly performs tunes by Thelonious Monk, Herbie Hancock, and Chick Corea. His desire to perform at Carnegie Hall, before he reaches the age of twenty-one, has become his own personal quest in life. Marcus Jr. is also an active member of his school’s orchestra, as he is continues to study jazz theory, harmony, and composition. • Leslie Morgan Jr., bassist for Diamond Steele, is a quiet listener who came from a long line of talented musician. Mr. Morgan, who is an outstanding musician, was born July 31, 1984. He learned to play the bass guitar under the guidance of his father, Leslie Sr., who also performed professionally throughout Michigan. Leslie Jr. began playing at the tender age of thirteen, and has diligently sought to improve his musical skills ever since. He has performed with such prominent R&B artists as Rell Devine and E-Natural, two popular groups that perform throughout Metro Detroit and the Midwest areas, as he strived towards his professional career. He began his pursuit in music in much the same way as most musicians, during high school, where he performed with many other local acts around the city. After spending his early years watching his father, Leslie Sr. play the bass guitar, Leslie Jr. soon developed a love and desire for the bass guitar. Mr. Morgan Jr., looking to elevate his musical ability, Leslie soon began studying under bassists’ Ralphe Armstrong and Guy Warren from Detroit. After completing his private studies under these men, Leslie soon got noticed by a performing jazz organization, Diamond Steele and was asked to come aboard as their bassist. When an opening arrived, after former Bassist Karla Williams went off to complete her degree, Leslie took over her vacant position. Today, Mr. Morgan Jr. has developed into one of the most musically colorful and well-rounded bassist in the state of Michigan, but it is his humble spirit that sets him apart from the rest. He doesn’t seek to prove his ability as much as he wants to prove that Diamond Steele is one of the best musical groups in the state. He believes that his legacy began and will end with Diamond Steele. • Gerard Evans, a native Detroiter, is the 10th of 11 children. While listening to his father prepare for choir rehearsals Gerard was inspired to play music for a living. His father listened and played all styles of music, from Bach to Charlie Parker. Gerard began playing at eight and began playing saxophone professionally at the tender age of fourteen. Like most young jazz saxophonist, Mr. Evans grew up listening to Charlie Parker, John Coltrane, and Cannon Ball Adderly. Though he has performed abroad, most of his music career has been extensively contained to that of a local musician. Mr. Evans began his musical education by studying with the renowned clarinetist William P. Mobley. He continued his musical education while attending Cass Technical HS. At Cass Tech, Gerard performed with the symphonic wind ensemble, the concert band, the orchestra, and the Jazz band. During his senior year he transferred to Northwestern HS so that he could further his Jazz studies. After being awarded a full ride scholarship, Mr. Evans attended Berkley College of Music for one year. While at Berkley he had the honor of studying extensively with Andy McGee and Billy Pierce. • Willie Davis is the drummer for Diamond Steele. This determined young man, who was born in Battle Creek, MI on December 27, 1973, began playing the drums at the tender age of three, and has continued his pursuit of music excellence ever since. Despite the love and nurturing he has received from his parents, Willie now realizes that he is just beginning to realize his dream. He had always hoped that his mother would have had a chance to see him perform, but because of a sudden illness, she abruptly passed away five years ago. Yet it has been the love that he has had for his mother that has helped to keep him focused and on track throughout his musical career. Willie is a seasoned musician. Most of his musical career has been spent performing before church audiences. Though Mr. Davis possesses exceptional abilities as a drummer, he manages to remain humble. He is quicker to give others praise, rather than sitting back and boasting on his own skills. Mr. Davis’ attitude has prompted the members of the group to bestow upon him the nickname “Baby Giant!” Yet, despite his many accomplishments and numerous performances, Mr. Davis continues to strive for musical excellence, a phrase Diamond Steele has adopted as their mission statement. Mr. Davis’ determination and will to succeed is contagious. ________________________________________ Diamond Steele is proud to announce the release of their new CD entitled, “Lavish Living” due in stores April 1st. Diamond Steele performs live, by-weekly, Thursday nights at the Holiday Inn in the Traveling Fork Lounge, in Livonia, located on the corner of 6Mile and I-275. Location: 17123 Laurel Park Dr., Livonia, MI 48152.