5th and York has emerged as one of the Premier Smooth Jazz & Classic R&B bands to come out of the Southeast. With influences ranging from the Yellow Jackets and Fourplay, to the great funk bands of the 70s and 80s, 5th and York looks to offer its audience a valuable experience they won’t soon forget.
The band has opened for national recording artists such as Earth Wind and Fire, Chicago, Anthony Hamilton and Gerald Levert. When asked what makes this band different from other bands, Saxophonist D. Friday replied “We understand what workings professionals want to hear because we are ourselves working professionals.” Their love for music has forged a musical experience with a high IQ and tons of energy that can be enjoyed by the smooth jazz listener as well as those who enjoy classic R&B. With a set list that covers the music of artist Grover Washington Jr, Kirt Whalem, Stevie Wonder and Norman Brown 5th and York promises to offer every audience member something they will enjoy. The members of 5th and York are George Mason on Keyboards, Derwin Friday on Saxophone, Dewarren Tate on Bass, Tracie Littlejohn on Drums and Derrick Friday on Lead guitar. Individually these musicians have traveled the country to share their talents with music lovers everywhere and now they come together to form the distinctive sound of 5th and York.
References: “Wonderful band and a Jazz Café Favorite.” Tammy Greene of The Jazz Café
“Extremely talented group of musicians their sound is like no other”. C.C. Mitchell- V 101.9
“You guys bring the house down every time, you’ll definitely be a regular at my club” Ken Newman –GM Brown Street Jazz Club, Greenville SC
“One of the best unsigned bands I have ever heard” Ronnie Dunlap-Proprietor The House of Jazz, Charlotte NC
Sample Set List
Always There – Ronnie Laws
Just the Two of Us – Grover Washington Jr.
Just Friends – Music Soul child
I’ve Been Searching – Glen Jones
Is it the way – Jill Scott
Me myself and I – Beyonce
Before I let go – Franky Beverly
What You Wont Do For Love – Bobby Coldwell
All I Do – Stevie Wonder
Sweetest Taboo – Sade
Ascension – Maxwell Grover
Worked and Underpaid – Kirt Whalem
After the Rain – Bony James
We Got the Groove – Gerald Albright
Groove on – Eric Darius
So What – Miles Davis
People Make the World Go Around – Standard
Anniversary –Tony Toni Tone
The Look of love- Chris Botti
Doc’s Groove – Marcus Johnson
Maputo –David Sanborn
For The Love of You-Isley Brothers
Yearning- EWF
Rock With You- Michael Jackson
And Many More…
