Victor Ezell
Growing up in Brooklyn, New york from the age of 4, Victor has always found himself singing or playing an instrument. Whether it was playing drums, guitar, Bass or piano. Often as a child Victor would find himself sitting in on his older brothers band rehearsals, hoping to either get the chance to sing with them or mess around with the instruments while they were on a break.
As a teenager Victor was asked by his oldest brother who was working with a promoter if he would like to open up in concerts with him as a group. Little did Victor know that he would be opening small venues for "the Coasters", The Platters, Little Anthony and the Imperials, David Washington,The Drifters and B.T Express.
This would serve as a foundation for Victor as a studio musician and artist, taking melodies such as revered musicians as Kashif,
Stevie Wonder, Larry Graham. David Benoit, Jeff Lorber, George Benson, Babyface and a host of others. Still In his teenage
years Victor would join his church choir, and in a short time he would become one of the lead vocalist, then also becoming
the section leader for the Tenor section. He also filled in as Bassplayer for the worship band.
From there Victor would form his own band with members from his church choir called Shades, playing and singing songs of the likes of Prince, The Time, Rick James, Frankie Beverly and Maze, Cameo and Ready For the World.
In the early 90's Victor met an Artist by the name of Terrence "Parole" Clarke, an artist who was signed to M.C.Hammers
Record label and was recruited to produce an album for Parole. Not only did Victor create music, but sang hooks on 2 tracks on the album: "I Just Want To Testify" and " Stop Begging".
After working on Paroles album for about a year, Victor was called into ministry by God , joined another church, and was
ordained a Minister of music. Because of the gifts that Victor attained he would be asked to help other church members and friends when they needed a studio musician. He then would be called on to sing at weddings and memorials quickly giving him the name The Wedding Singer.
Victor then embarked on acting , so he auditioned for the Harlem Theater Company headed by James Pringle.
There Victor would get into sound design, creating and running sound cues for the plays they performed there.
It would also get him roles as an extra in television shows such as " New York Undercover"and Saturday night Live, and
a movie named " New York Mysteries".
While in school at the Harlem Theater company Victor would receive a call from one of the directors from the Mens' Chorus
( an 85 member choir) at his new church home, The Brooklyn Tabernacle and asked if he wanted to join. He accepted. The mens' chorus would take Victor on a spiritual tour across the states ministering in song. After being there for about 3 months he was asked to lead a few songs.
In 2007, right after releasing his first single " Dance Like David", Victor heard the voice of God tell him to take his wife and child and move to Detroit, Michigan. When they arrived in Detroit, they joined a church. While there he and his wife joined the choir until a year later GOD would call them out to start their own ministry and record label " Surety Records" where their motto is: We're not just a record label , but a ministry and ministry meets the people where they are. Their ministry feeds and cater to the homeless, and their music feeds their souls. Victor gives all thanks and praises unto God for keeping him and his family, and he
thanks his wife Teena for her loyal support .
Victor is releasing 2 singles from his upcoming album titled "Matters Of The Heart: "I Need A Miracle" and "We Come To Praise HIM"a salsa flavored uptempo rhythm and praise song. This singles will be released January 29,2010.
Artist Q&A:
1.) How did you first hear about Open Labs?
I heard about Open Labs from a DJ friend of mine.
2.) What Production Station do you have?
I have the NeKo EX5.
3.) How has the gear changed your method of work?
The Neko has my creative juices always going, So I'm always creating something new. I have not felt this way in a while.
4.) What is your production station's primary function, live or studio?
Both. I can take it anywhere and still have all the original sounds I created the songs within the studio.
5.) What is your favorite software on the board?
Reaper. And I love the fact that I can add any other DAW inside of the Neko.
6.) How do you use it?
I create in it, import some of my older projects inside of it and build new tracks around the older tracks giving me new music to write to.
7.) Which kind of equipment have you owned in the past and how do they compare to your Open Labs equipment?
I've owned the Korg Karma, ,Still have my Korg Triton and the Roland Fantom G. There is no comparison. That's like trying to compare a Cadillac to a Rolls Royce.
8.) Has the gear changed the way you write songs?
It has changed the way I'm able to get my ideas recorded in a much faster way.
9.) How different is the composition process compared to the standard computer or laptop system?
Well, when an idea hits me I don't have to turn on 3 different keyboards and wait for the computer to boot up. I just tap the button on my NeKo and I'm up and running.
10.) Do you think the quality of your production now would be possible with another keyboard?
No.
11.) Have you had any experience with our Tech Support and how does it rate with you?
The Tech Support crew are very helpful and patient. On a scale from 1-10, I give them a +15.
12.) What is next for you and your Production Station?
I've already begun working on material for my next project and another artist living in Chicago.
Equipment used:
Purchased NeKo EX5
Artist Links:
http://www.Suretyrecordings.com
http://www.myspace.com/victorezell
http://www.CDbaby.com/victorezell
http://www.itunes.com/victorezell