8VAlution’s (Brian Seay, Karmessa Padgett, Brittany Seay, Andriana Haygood, Sharita Smith, and Cameron Blackmore) journey began on the hills of Alabama A&M University as the “Vocal Jazz Ensemble”. The VJE, under the leadership of its founder, Dr. Horace Carney, was established to give students the opportunity for an alternative-performing outlet in which to display their training and talents. Beginning in 2011, through inspiration by the performances of the “Real Group” and “Take Six”, the group became more interested in A Cappella Jazz Music.

 

As the ensemble began to evolve in and with the music so did the student director, Brian Seay, under Carney’s tutelage. Then, the ensemble began to gain recognition from the community and surrounding cities when they became the first HBCU to participate in the Alabama Choral Directors Show Choir and Jazz Festival. The reviews were outstanding. Captivating the audience with their style, intricate harmonies, drive, and sensitivity, they were judged to have a superior performance and received a standing ovation. This historic moment gave the group inspiration to premiere their first concert ever, Evolution, on the campus of Alabama A&M to show their musical evolvement. The group, that night, established their name as “8VAlution”. Why the name, 8VAlution? “The hard work, the passion, and the dedication it takes to be great, has helped us constantly evolve into better singers and musicians, and that sums up our name,” says Padgett. Another member of the group, Smith said, “We have evolved and made the transition from being college students performing in a class room to young professional musicians best describes 8VAlution.”  The eight distinguished melodious voices of 8VAlution are known for their, spine-tingling arrangements, intricate harmonies, and seamless versatility in jazz, R&B, choral, pop, and gospel music. Currently, 8VAlution is preparing to start another aspect of them in the form of a full band.