"'Thousands of One' is a journey. It is a social commentary, yes, a funkdefied dance party that will move your body til it cant no mo, as well; an inquiry to the soul, calling out for roots, love and culture. Music with a mission!"

Thousands of One fuses 70’s-era soul/funk with a unique approach to Hiphop, gospel, electronica, afrobeat, add to this a few lessons from the school of roots reggae. Lead vocalist Jhakeem Haltom can turn a phrase whether singing falsetto a la Marvin Gaye or spitting verse like KRS-One. He has been easily compared to Stevie Wonder, Steely Dan’s Donald Fagen, Talib Kweli and none other than Bob Marley. Heavy drum and bass buoy socially conscious lyrics, while the saxophone performances of Mark Weinand evoke pristine soundscapes. This “heavy” rhythm section of Joel Blizzard on drums and Brent Eva on Bass provides for a work-it-‘til-you-drop dance party every time. The newest member of Thousands of One is Safak Ozkan, born and raised in Turkey, spent his youth playing in a rebel rock band, as well as playing the Oud (a traditional middle eastern stringed instrument), Safak has brought an incredible vibe to the crew as they venture into new fields of sound.

The vocals of Jhakeem Haltom have left audiences captivated. His ability to transition smoothly between searing conscious Hiphop verse, soulful melodic choruses, preaching the gospel, embarking on spontaneous operatic themes and at times that of a tonal instrument devoid of words, yet sounding something like a cross between an Indian flute and a kora, is a journey unto itself. The instrumentation uses an intensely dynamic balance of both tasteful scarcity and busyness, driven by the incredibly adept bass and drum section who convey with ferocious devotion, the deepest and heaviest rhythms possible, to demand that people dance. Every song is peppered with catchy hooks hanging around every corner that linger on, long after the last wave of echo has died out of the guitar amp for the night. The players are seasoned listeners and very attentive to the audience, providing dynamic shifts and emotional emphasis that embrace while giving room to move. Mark Wienand, on tenor, soprano, baritone sax and flute, stands out as one of those rare horn players that can carry the energy of a three-part section and solo with a voice that is equal to the singer. Never ceasing to reinterpret an arrangement or an established riff in order to reach the audience, while maintaining loyalty to the voicing of the song work, THOUSANDS OF ONE are charismatic and engaging performers, capable of playing anywhere from your living room to an arena.

The collective assembled around a weekly jam known as Steppers Lounge, held weekly for one year in the fertile music scene of Trumansburg, New York. In a miraculous movement that is unparalleled in stories of young bands, within a year of naming the band, Thousands of One was able to build itself a massive following in and around Ithaca. Coupling ridiculous dance parties with social movements concerning the eradication of racism, sustainability and reestablishing connection to the source, they have proven that music is a powerful vehicle for change when driven right.

THOUSANDS OF ONE is a musical vehicle: one of the many catalysts through which we may all arrive in a state of realized culture, a place where families can meet one another and find support there, where people may uplift their heartbeat and their spirits after dancing all night, a culture through which economic and moral support for social programs and projects can be derived.

---