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www.docpowell.comLos Angeles… For the past seven years, Grammy Nominated Guitarist Doc Powell has been the featured guitarist for the
BET Awards and the record-breaking
Celebration of Gospel show. It is no surprise that Powell’s signature guitar sound has now become a staple on another ground breaking BET project; The Mo’Nique Show. This weekly late night show hosted by Golden Globe winner and Oscar Nominated actress Mo’Nique, is rapidly building a global audience that tunes in to see the guest and hear the cast of all-star musicians.
Doc Powell has built a legacy as a musical chameleon. His signature guitar sound has contributed to over 140 recordings of some of the premier recording stars in Pop, R & B, Jazz and Gospel music, a critically acclaimed gospel project and 10 top-charting contemporary jazz solo projects with guest appearance by such greats as Dave Koz, Sheila E, George Duke, Boney James, Patrice Rushen, Kirk Whalum, Bob James, Billy Preston, Gerald Albright, Jeffrey Osborne and Marcus Miller.
Doc’s musical journey started in Spring Valley, New York over twenty years ago. At age six, he began playing guitar and continued in high school where he formed a band and played at school dances and bar mitzvahs. He later studied at the University of Charleston, West Virginia. After a couple years in, he decided to try his hand at session work in New York City.
As a young, struggling musician in New York City, Powell was handpicked by Italian producer Fred Petrus, to go to Italy and record an album for an unknown group called “Change”. The group’s lead vocalist was a talented jingle singer named Luther Vandross. The meeting between Powell and the late Vandross catapulted into a relationship that would span over 15 years of performing on stages all over the world and live recordings of some of Vandross biggest hits such as: Give Me The Reason, Busy Body, Forever, For Always, For Love and Stop To Love (with Powell’s infamous rock guitar solo) which became a mega hit. Powell also performed with Vandross on his 10-day sold-out, record breaking performances at Wembley Stadium (1989), making history for the most sold-out concerts by an artist, which was previously held by Sir Elton John. When Vandross penned She Loves You Back and sang the line, ”This man is the Doctor”, it became Powell’s formal introduction to the music world.
Powell soon became the most sought after guitarist in New York, recording and performing with some of the biggest names in music including Aretha Franklin’s comeback record Jump To It, the late Grover Washington Jr., Quincy Jones, Gerald Albright, George Duke, Bob James, Stanley Clarke, Patrice Rushen, Randy Brecker, George Benson, Dave Koz, Chaka Khan, Patti Labelle, Shirley Caesar, The Mighty Clouds of Joy, the late Teddy Pendergrass, Jeffrey Osborne and Vanessa Williams. He also started getting calls for television commercials, and movie soundtracks such as; Down and Out In Beverly Hills, Turner & Hooch, The Goonies, Hero and The Five Heart Beats.
Doc’s big solo break began when he scored a gig at Mikell’s, one of Manhattan’s hot jazz clubs, where veterans like Art Blakely and The Jazz Messengers, Mc Coy Turner, George Benson and Miles Davis frequented. The owners, Mike & Pat Mikell, decided to take a chance and book him for a weekend at the club. It didn’t take long for Powell to build a loyal fan base that quickly grew into a huge following long before he became a recording artist.
In 1987, he landed a solo deal with Mercury/Polygram and his debut, “Love Is Where It’s At,” earned a Grammy nomination for his inspiring cover of Marvin Gaye’s classic, “What’s Going On.” However, even with an emerging international fan base and a hit single under his belt, it would take another five years before his second record, “The Doctor,” was released on Vital Records, a small indie jazz label.
Four years later, Powell decided to set up his own label, West Coast Records, and finance his third release, “Inner City Blues.” Initially licensed by JVC in Japan and later by Discovery/Warner Bros. in the U.S., Powell scored a huge radio hit with the self-penned “We’ll Make It Last,” which re-ignited his popularity at radio.
The project was recorded in its entirety with a Korg M-1 sequencing keyboard, which was a birthday present from Luther Vandross. “I took all the money I made touring with Luther to finance the record, and was ready to sell it door to door,” informed Powell.
“Laid Back,”(London/Sire Records, 1996) followed two years later, and his final release with the label, “Don’t Let The Smooth Jazz Fool Ya,” released in 1997, featured guest performances by Grammy award winner Roy Hargrove and smooth jazz star Dave Koz. In 1999, Powell released his first gospel effort, “I Claim The Victory,” which helped raise funds for his church, West Angeles Church of God In Christ, in Los Angeles. The title track featured stirring vocals by former Temptations lead vocalist, Ollie Woodson. By 2000, Powell opted to birth a new entity, DPR Music Group, and his first release, “Life Changes,” (distributed by Samson Records, 2001), featured special guests Bob James and Patrice Rushen.
Prior to his debut on Heads Up International, “97th & Columbus,” (2003) Powell served as bandleader on Grammy winner Kirk Franklin’s top grossing “Hopeville Tour,” which also headlined gospel superstars Yolanda Adams and Donnie McClurkin. He also recorded another solo project “Cool Like That,” (2004) and performed on several other major recordings by Aretha Franklin, Stevie Wonder, Bishop Paul Morton, Smokie Norful and Kurt Carr.
He now adds to his boundless resume Prince, Ciara, Wycliffe Jean, and John Legend. CeCe Winans, Marvin Sapp, BeBe Winans, J Moss, Israel, Dr. Bobby Jones, Mary, Mary and Fred Hammond.
For many, these accomplishments alone would be enough. But for this trailblazing artist who has always extended the boundaries of music, it’s just the tip of the iceberg. Doc continues to record - (presently working on his next jazz & gospel project), tour - last summer he performed with his own at the Joy of Jazz Festival in South Africa & debuted as a solo artist at the legendary Hollywood Bowl in Los Angeles. Powell continues to tour throughout the world with Kirk Franklin and Jennifer Hudson. He is still in demand for session work with superstars such as Mariah Carey and Anita Baker. It doesn’t stop there! Powell has a new venture called The Doctor’s Bag – a leather instrument & accessory company, which he has already designed products Lenny Kravitz, Vanessa Williams and many others.
Grammy Nominated Guitarist Doc Powell epitomize what legends are made of and continues to build a musical legacy that the world will enjoy for a very long time.
