Nine time Grammy Award winning vocal ensemble Take 6 performs in an all-voice, no instrument "a capella" format. The six-man group has built a style and catalog of songs that draw from gospel, jazz, doo-wop, R&B, pop, '60s soul and hip-hop. Their complex jazz harmonies, original compositions and vocal pyrotechnics represent some of the best a cappella performances ever recorded and have earned Take 6 worldwide recognition as the quintessential a capella vocal group of their time.

Education played an integral part in the growth and development of this unique vocal ensemble. The original members of Take 6 met in 1980 at Oakwood College in Huntsville, Alabama. While at Oakwood the group performed under several names: Gentlemen's Estate Quartet, Sounds of Distinction, Alliance--and took on several manifestations in regard to the number of members belonging to the group. It was not until 1987 that the group grew to 6 members. That very same same year Take 6 was signed to Warner Brothers.

Claude V. McKnight III, the eldest of four boys, is a Buffalo New York native and the founder of Take 6. His musical talents were nurtured at a young age by his grandfather, who was choir director at his church. Claude vividly remembers attending Friday night choir rehearsals with his mother where he learned parts and harmonies, and attentively watched his grandfather direct. Claude began playing the trombone in fourth grade and continued playing throughout high school. He also sang in his high school chorus. When not working and performing with Take 6 Claude divides his time between writing and producing new material and doing voice-over work.

David Thomas was born in Brooklyn, New York but moved to Huntsville, Alabama when his father accepted a job at Oakwood College. David attended Oakwood Academy for grades 1-12 and then went on to the University of Alabama where he studied chemical engineering. An accomplished musician and songwriter, David has produced records for a bevy of artists including the Backstreet Boys. His musical interests and knowledge spans many genres.

Cedric Carl Dent is a Detroit, Michigan native whose musical education began at an early age. He started studying piano at the age of 6 and began instruction in music theory at 14. Cedric was a student of music in all of its forms and applications and boasts an impressive collegiate resume having obtained several advanced degrees. A graduate of Interlochen Arts Academy, Cedric also holds a B.M. in Vocal Music Education from the University of Michigan, an M.M. in Music Theory and Arranging from the University of Alabama, and a Ph.D. in Music Theory from the University of Maryland. Cedric has presented and lectured at a number of prestigious universities including the University of California, Irvine as part of the 2000-2001 Chancellor's Distinguished Fellows Series. He also held the Roy Acuff Chair of Excellence in Creative Arts at Austin Peay State University in spring of 1999. That same year Cedric hosted "Music to My Ears," a music education series for children, ages 10-13, for PBS. An accomplished composer, Cedric's string arrangements can be heard accompanying numerous gospel music artists including Yolanda Adams. In addition to the completion of his doctorial dissertation, The Harmonic Development of the Black Religious Quartet Singing Tradition, Cedric aspires to further his research of black gospel music and publish a textbook on jazz/pop vocal arranging.

A Buffalo, New York native Joey Kibble moved to Nashville, Tennessee prior to entering the first grade. Joey ventured out of the Alabama and Tennessee areas briefly to attend Pine Forge Academy in Pennsylvania for the latter two years of his high school education. He then returned South to attend Oakwood College. Joey joined Take 6 in 1997 and is a devout Christian whose interests include songwriting, writing books and physical fitness.

Mark Winston Kibble, elder brother of Joey Kibble, was also a childhood friend of Take 6 founder Claude McKnight. Like Claude, Mark found his earliest musical influences in the church where his father served as pastor. Mark began working diligently to develop his musical talent while attending high school at Oakwood Academy. During the fall of 1980 he was reunited with his childhood friend at Oakwood College and the rest is Take 6 history. Mark has always been athletic and involved in physical fitness. Bodybuilding remains an integral part of his fitness regimen. Mark has experience working in hard labor and construction and focused his academic studies on the electrical trade while in college. His mechanical prowess serves as a nice compliment to his musical talents. Mark has built his own recording studio that he owns with his brother Joey. Take 6 records some of their projects in Mark's studio and he and Joey frequently collaborate there. Mark has also produced and performed with the likes of Donnie McClurkin, CeCe Winans and has teamed with David Thomas to arrange and coach artists like the Backstreet Boys.

Alvin Chea provides the resonate bass backbone of Take 6's signature harmonies. A pioneer of the bass-vocal "walking" style and was inspired and mentored by the late great Melvin Franklin of the Temptations. "Melvin told me to never be scared to talk to the cats in this business," said Alvin. "And while you're at it, share a word or two with the young brothers also." Alvin resides in West Hills, California where he is an "A" list session singer in the Los Angeles area.