The C.Barnes Project is 10-piece band that specializes in R&B with the flexibility to play other areas of music for your event. They perform at weddings, private parties, college events, concerts and corporate functions moving fluidly between different types of affairs with an ease that you don’t always find in R&B bands … but then, the C.Barnes Project is known for its professionalism as well as showmanship. The male lead vocalist, known as O’Neal, has a rich baritone voice that can growl on songs like Sam & Dave’s “Hold On, I’m Comin” and purr with emotion on Al Green’s “How can you Mend a Broken Heart.” His energetic performance style was honed up and down the eastern seaboard and never fails to leave audiences wanting more. Our female lead vocalist, Shelia Walker, shows her versatility and flexibility as she sings oldies, Latin, R&B and all with the same flair … going from Aretha to Britney to Sade to Gloria Estefan without missing a beat. … And the horns!!! They are what give the C.Barnes Project its Big Band sound. Whether complementing each other in unison or hitting those “Memphis-like” harmonies, this trio (Charles Barnes-trombone, Albert Anderson-saxophones, and Gordon Wade-trumpet and party/vocal grooves) ROCKS! Now, we’ve highlighted the horn section, but watch out for that rhythm section as well! Between the five rhythm section players, this band incorporates about 90 years of solid experience! Headed by bass player Kenneth Jackson, these guys have exactly what it takes to get the job done. The keyboard player Wayne Greenidge seems to know every song written in R&B and beyond. Guitarist Vernon Brooks has never met a chord or a song that hasn’t rocked; nor has he met any that he couldn’t own … ” And the team-up of percussionist (Arvel “Butch” Howerton) and the drummer (Charles Barry Wellman) is the most exciting since the Escovedo family showed up on the scene. Did we mention that The C.Barnes Project served as Gene “The Duke of Earl” Chandler ’s back-up band. According to Gene, “They are a great bunch of quality musicians who know how to rock down the party, and they are very easy to work with … ” The band gets glowing recommendations from everyone with whom (and for whom) they’ve worked; and the list includes Percy Sledge, Gloria Brown, and Chick Willis.