Take 6
The most acclaimed vocal group in the world brings their intoxicating blend of gospel, jazz, R&B, and pop to SFJAZZ for a four-night celebration of over four decades of sweet harmonies and inspiring messages. Take 6 has earned 10 Grammy Awards and international recognition as the quintessential a cappella group, heralded by Quincy Jones as the "baddest vocal cats on the planet."
Six virtuosic voices unite in crystal-clear harmony against a backdrop of syncopated rhythms, innovative arrangements, and funky grooves. The sextet's sophisticated vocal textures create the illusion of full instrumentation — trombones, trumpets, and percussion emerge entirely from their voices, with occasional beatboxing adding rhythmic foundation. Their arrangements transform classics from The Beatles ("Got to Get You Into My Life") and Eric Clapton ("Change the World") alongside jazz standards like "The Windmills of Your Mind" and gospel favorites such as "Wade in the Water."
Expect an evening of joyful audience interaction. The group encourages clapping, swaying, and call-and-response participation, creating what one reviewer called "a terrific show" with their "obvious appreciation and devotion to fans." Between songs, members share personal stories and anecdotes about their chosen pieces, making audiences feel like "part of the Take 6 experience" rather than outside observers.
Featuring founding members Claude McKnight and Mark Kibble alongside Joey Kibble, Dave Thomas, Alvin Chea, and Khristian Dentley, the group performs material spanning their entire catalog, including selections from their #1 Billboard Jazz chart album Iconic. Their collaborations with legends like Ray Charles, Ella Fitzgerald, Jacob Collier, Whitney Houston, and Stevie Wonder inform arrangements that cross musical genres while remaining true to their gospel foundation.
The performances showcase Take 6's trademark ability to create "luminous extended harmonies that light up a song with a combination of jazz stratosphere and gospel earth," as PopMatters describes their sound. Whether delivering the soaring spirituality of their original "Spread Love" or the delicate beauty of Stevie Wonder's "Overjoyed," these masters of vocal harmony demonstrate why they remain the pre-eminent a cappella group in the world.