Legendary Keyboardist, Composer, and a Pioneer in the Evolution of Funk, George “Bernie” Worrell, Jr., Better Known as Bernie Worrell in His Final Band Collaboration

Seattle, WA, October 28, 2016 --(PR.com)-- Inspired by Bernie Worrell, as well as Preston Singletary’s passion and love for music and desire to bring Native American culture to the forefront through music and spoken word, Khu.éex’, a Native fusion band was formed in late 2013 according to band's founder Preston Singeltary. The band’s formation is a direct result of Bernie Worrell suggesting to Preston Singletary that "they should get together sometime and work on some music," after Worrell heard the music from Preston Singletary’s Little Big Band at Singletary’s private 50th birthday party. Khu.éex’ is a perpetuation of the Native funk band Little Big Band and is a direct result of Bernie Worrell and Singletary clearly seeing the potential at the onset for an inspiring collaboration after a few days of performing together, according to Singletary. Khu.éex’, pronounced (koo-eek-hh) is an experimental fusion of Native culture and concept. The band improvises non-traditional Native music and incorporates rock, funk and jazz styles. Storytelling and spoken word is a large part of the band’s music. The band’s beginning, came shortly after Preston Singletary, founder of Little Big Band met Bernie Worrell for the first time, after having admired him and his work for nearly 30 years.

In 2013, Preston Singletary had paid into a kickstarter campaign to help fund a tour bus for Bernie Worrell. Singletary states, "the level at which I contributed would be the first 'dream come true' for me."

He relayed the fact that Bernie Worrell and The Bernie Worrell orchestra performed at Singletary’s 50th birthday party. As recalled by Singletary, he had mentioned to Worrell’s wife and manager, Judie that he also had a “Native Funk Band” called Little Big Band. Singletary stated, “Judie suggested that we schedule additional shows for Worrell to publicize, and that Little Big Band should open for Bernie and the Bernie Worrell Orchestra." Singletary continued, “One key moment during the birthday party night was when I sang him a traditional Native clan song as a welcome to him and his orchestra. As soon as I finished the song, Bernie started to improvise on the melody that I was singing, and right before our eyes, he morphed it into a spontaneous composition.”

It is confirmed that the band has recorded enough to release several more albums, all in which states Singletary, “Bernie Worrell was a collaborator, arranged on the fly, played multiple keyboard tracks on each composition and has solos on many of the tracks,” along with other band members featured with solos as well, lead by Worrell’s inspiring presence and Singletary’s desire to bring funk, jazz and a bit of rock to Native music. All involved agree learning from their fellow band member, Bernie Worrell and the inspiration his presence bestowed, will stay with them for years to come. Preston Singletary stated in a recent interview, that he “hopes that the public will get behind and truly support this unique music, as it includes Worrell’s final recorded work," and he wants this to even further continue Bernie Worrell's legacy.

The debut album of Khu.éex’, includes a double LP released on July 12, 2016 and is entitled, “The Wilderness Within.” The second album release is planned for February of 2017, a triple LP entitled, “They Forgot They Survived.” Following this, there are at least two, to three double LP’s to release, all of them include Bernie Worrell’s final recordings, as there are many hours of recorded music yet to be released. According to Preston Singletary, their debut album, “The Wilderness Within” references the raw power we felt interpreting some of the traditional Native Tlinglit clan songs with excellent improvisational musicians represented throughout. Band members include, of course, the one and only Bernie Worrell - Keyboards, Groove coordinator and spiritual leader in many regards and in his life for those who knew and will always love him; Preston Singletary-Tlingit glass artist and conceptual founder of Khu.éex’, as well as bassist and composer; Captain Raab- Guitarist composer and Funk strategist; Skerik- Saxophones, horn arrangements; Stanton Moore aka “Thunderpocket”; Drums, percussion and grooves; Steve Nistor- Drums/percussion, recording superstar; Davee C- Drums/percussion and groove quarterback; Gene Tagaban- Vocals, flute, spoken word, beat poetry, performance art; Clarissa Rizal- Vocals, Spoken word, Traditional leader; Nahaan- Vocals, Spoken word, Poetry, Freestyle in Tlingit and English; and Randall Dunn- Engineer, Producer and crucial, according to Preston Singletary for "shaping their sound"; Tim Kennedy, on keyboards for future recordings after the multiple releases yet to release featuring Bernie Worrell; as well as Stanton Moore, who recorded with Khu.éex’.

When Preston Singletary was asked to expand upon his experience in working with Bernie Morrell he stated, “I feel so honored to have worked with Bernie. He was generous, and humble. I want to honor the spirit of what he wanted to share with the world, his gift of creating music. Also, most don’t know, Bernie Worrell was in part of Cherokee descent.”

News story provided by Producer, Director, Actress, Publicist and Animal Advocate, Lisa Pellegrene, who is also the Director of the forthcoming music / dance production, “Peace, Love, Unity Dance Troupe Web / TV Series. She is also co-founder, along with her dog Pittie (who inspired the formation of) Pittie's Angels, an organization dedicated to speaking up against unjust breed discrimination and advocating for love and compassion for all animals. The organization perpetuates through example that Pit Bulls are truly the "original nanny dog," loving and faithful to those who know and love them. Media wishing to contact Khu.eex for additional interview opportunities, please reach out to their Publicist Lisa Pellegrene at lisa@lisapellegrene.com or Preston Singletary, founder of Khu.eex through their website, www.khueex.com, via email at prestonsingletary@gmail.com.