Claude McKnight III

Claude V. McKnight, III is a Jazz, R&B, and Gospel Music Singer, as well as the founding member of the award-winning a cappella performing group Take 6.

Claude was born on October 2, 1962 in Brooklyn, NY to Claude Jr. and Elaine. He was the first of four boys (the others being Fred, Mike, and Brian). He lived and grew up primarily in Buffalo, NY and Orlando, FL. He received his earliest musical influences in Buffalo, mostly from his grandfather, Fred Willis Sr., who was the choir director at his church. His earliest musical memories are from going to rehearsal with his mom every Friday night. He was able to learn parts and harmonize and see how his grandfather was able to lead a group of people.

He decided in the fourth grade that he would learn to play the trombone, although he found it cumbersome. Playing the trombone, however, enabled him to start training his ear for what he would do later. He played trombone throughout high school, and after his sophomore year, his family moved to Orlando, Florida, where he continued to play and sing in the chorus. At that time, one of his goals was to play in the Tonight Show band with Doc Severinson. Claude also played basketball in school, and upon graduation had to make the choice of going to school to play ball, or to pursue music. He chose to go to Oakwood College in Huntsville, AL (where his parents also attended). Oakwood was not a school known for either its instrumental program or its athletics.

One of the first things he did during his freshman year was to put together a freshman quartet, singing mostly barbershop style harmonies. The legendary story goes that Mark Kibble came into a bathroom where they were rehearsing and added a fifth part to what they were doing, and subsequently joined the group. From there, Mervyn Warren joined the group, making it a sextet. They knew they had something special from the very beginning. Over the years, people came and went from the group, but from 1985 the group has had primarily the same lineup, apart from Joey Kibble replacing Mervyn Warren in 1991.

In addition to starting Take 6, he has also been involved in producing, writing, and doing voice-over work.  In the summer of 2011, he went on tour with his younger brother Brian in a “full McKnight family” concert.

Claude is the older brother of R&B singer, Brian McKnight.  Take 6 has 10 Grammys, 1 Dove Awards, and even a Soul Train Music Award.

Musical Influences: The Singers Unlimited, The Hi-Los, Earth, Wind and Fire, Stevie Wonder, The Yellowjackets, Brian McKnight, The Doobie Brothers, Steely Dan

Clinics:

The Take 6 Story – Q&A with Claude McKnight Founder of Take 6

Claude will be at the Mile High Vocal Jam to inspire young singers in the art of A Cappella music.  He will go into detail regarding how Take 6 started in a small College, Oakwood College in Huntsville, AL, to the Grammy stage, and to an international touring career.  The question and answer session will be a relaxed and entertaining look into the Take 6 life on the road.  The Take 6 touring engineer, Tony Huerta, will also be on hand to assist Claude and give the behind the scenes view of what makes Take 6 the founders of modern a cappella.

A Cappella Style

After traveling the world and hearing thousands of other artists perform, Claude has a unique perspective on what makes an artist good or GREAT!  He will focus on style to bring your group to the next level.  Anyone can sing the notes and stay on rhythm, but the ultimate level of performance is the style in which you bring to the audience.  Don’t miss this class taught by the Founder of Take 6 and multi-Grammy winner Claude McKnight.