User:Eptone/sandbox/Sylvester "Earl" Powell

= Sylvester "Earl" Powell = Sylvester Powell, (born February 23, 1972) also known as Earl Powell is a Grammy-recognized, Billboard-charting songwriter/composer, Gold certification honoree, and a native of Chicago's west-side, now continuing to make his mark in Los Angeles, CA. He is also a multi-instrumentalist, songwriter, record producer, composer and music instructor. He is also the founder of Eptone Music Productions.

Early Life
Earl's interest in music began in his elementary school years. His brother Amherst brought a trumpet home when Earl was in the 2nd or 3rd grade, Earl took it, started playing with it, and so the journey began. He joined Intermediate Band as soon as he could, which was in the 5th grade at Sumner Elementary School, under the leadership of Mr. Savage. He recalls that Mr. Savage had a table full of instruments to choose from. Because of his familiarity with the trumpet, Earl chose the trumpet and there began his formalized training. After Intermediate Band, Earl went on to join Concert Band to conclude his elementary school band experience.

Earl attended Manley High School, where he went in swinging, under the leadership of Mr. Wisniewski, affectionately known as 'Wiz'. He started off playing 3rd trumpet as a Freshman. At the end of his sophomore year until he graduated, he played 1stchair. Junior & Senior years, he was unanimously voted President of the Jazz Band, receiving much prestige and recognition, including Musician of the Year for both years.

Also during high school, under the suggestion of Mr. Wisniewski, Earl auditioned and subsequently performed with Chicago's All City Jazz Band. This was a high honor, as it was comprised of the cream of the crop players from the entire city.

Finally, Mr. Wisniewski was the one who rallied behind Earl being recognized in the 1988 - 1989 Edition of Who's Who In Music, which is an esteemed international honor.

Earl fondly reflects of his experience with Mr. Wisniewski, comparing him to the band instructor in the movie Whiplash. Wiz would (literally) throw something at you if or when you didn't get your part right. So if you didn't respect the discipline initially, you would by the time Wiz was done with you.

After high school, Earl continued his music education at the highly respected VanderCook College of Music for 2 years.

Career
Earl's music experience dates back to the 80’s, where he'd received honors as Musician Of The Year and recognition in Who’s Who In Music; excelling on to receive Grammy acknowledgment as a writer/producer of bonus track Stand Up by Jennifer Hudson from the Grammy Award Winning self-titled album Jennifer Hudson, [ TargetUS, iTunes Japan and UK Album Editions]; certified Gold by RIAA on November 7, 2008.

Powell relocated to Los Angeles, California in 2011, and has managed to remain very active having worked on projects to include production of the title track Woman To Woman by (Keyshia Cole featuring Ashanti), which appears on Woman to Woman, Keyshia Cole’s fifth studio album, released in 2012. The song is also featured ironically on fifth studio album release from Ashanti, titled Braveheart slated to hit the market in 2013.

Earl has worked and collaborated with many noteworthy artists to include LaTocha Scott (Xscape/TV One R&B Divas (TV series), Maurice White (Earth, Wind & Fire), Lee “The Maestro” England (Michael Jordan endorsee, Making His Band - Diddy), Cherish, Alfonzo Hunter, Public Announcement and Floyd Taylor; as well as served a period as head producer at Un-D-Nyable Entertainment, baseball Hall of Famer Frank Thomas’ record label, where he'd worked to nurture the careers of Dejah, Entourage and Strong; also teamed with Tyrone Wrice (pka) Hurt-M-Bad (Tupac Shakur / Hail Mary) where he engineered recording sessions and produced songs for at that time, up-and-coming rapper Chamillionaire.

Eptone Music Productions
In 2005, Powell's music production company, Eptone Music Productions, was formed, under which singer, songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, producer Byron Scott Dorris (pka) Scottie, (a one stop shop when it comes to musical artistry), became featured on the Twista single Sweating, in addition to the (3) songs Powell produced for Syleena Johnson; then in 2011 Eptone secured a publishing deal between Scottie and Warner/Chappell Music.

Eptone Music Productions, LLC. / Roksta Music
Eptone Productions was formed and Roksta Music (an indie record label) was established, where he specializes in communicating his artistic endeavors through R&B, Soul, Pop, Blues, Hip-Hop, and Gospel cultural enrichment. The collective duty through these entities is to help clients connect with their target consumers, by providing music with a distinctive sound and vibrant rhythms, whether through song placements on albums, soundtracks, for advertisements, movie scoring or production in its rarest form.

Powell’s journey gave him the pleasure of joining forces with his partner, Tony M. Scott -- a union destined to be borne; with the "Ep" in Eptone adjoined by Tony's name, simply verifies the accord and intensified their mutual mission. In 2013, Eptone Productions, was freshly named Eptone Music Productions, LLC., and the home base re-located to Los Angeles, California.

Music Production Coursework
Powell furthered his music education at VanderCook College of Music (Chicago, IL). Additionally, he introduced into the school’s curriculum and taught Music Production coursework at Columbia College (Chicago, IL) as well as Triton College (River Grove, IL), from which many of his former students have gone on to establish solid careers in the music business.

Beat Creators NFP
Beyond the institutionalized classroom, Powell (Beat Creators, Founder/Music Instructor) has given back to the community by way of a Nonprofit Organization after school music educational program conceived to keep music in schools. Powell’s quest is to help offset budget cuts that negatively impact arts curricula in public schools, by teaching music production to students utilizing computer technology.

Honorable Mentions

 * Two-time recipient of Musician of the Year Award
 * Recognized in Who’s Who In Music
 * Grammy Award  recognition for music production of the song titled Stand Up a bonus track from Jennifer Hudson's award winning self-titled special edition debut album, certified Gold by the RIAA  in the US and UK.

Songs

 * Ashanti Woman To Woman featuring Keyshia Cole (Braveheart - 2013) Producer
 * Keyshia Cole Woman To Woman featuring Ashanti ( Woman To Woman - 2012) Producer
 * Syleena Johnson Angry Girl (Chapter V: Underrated - 2011) Producer
 * Syleena Johnson Champ (Chapter V: Underrated - 2011) ProducerChapter V: Underrated - 2011) Producer
 * Syleena Johnson Like Thorns (Chapter V: Underrated - 2011) ProducerChapter V: Underrated - 2011) Producer
 * Kareem Rush Hold You Down: Promises (Rehab & R&B - 2010) Producer
 * Floyd Taylor All Of You All Of Me (All Of Me - 2010) Producer
 * Barack Obama Campaign song Change (Barack Obama presidential campaign, 2008) - Producer
 * Jennifer Hudson Stand Up (Jennifer Hudson [ Target US, iTunes Japan and UK Versions] - 2008) Producer
 * Slique Call Your Friend (Rhythm & Ghetto Soul - 2008) Producer
 * Slique Keep It Real (Rhythm & Ghetto Soul - 2008) Producer
 * Slique When I See You (Rhythm & Ghetto Soul - 2008) Producer
 * Slique Your Body (Rhythm & Ghetto Soul - 2008) Producer
 * Slique Your Secret Place (Rhythm & Ghetto Soul - 2008) Producer
 * Floyd Taylor What If He Knew (You Still Got It - 2007) Producer
 * Floyd Taylor Woman (You Still Got It - 2007) Producer
 * Floyd Taylor You Still Got It (You Still Got It - 2007) Producer
 * Floyd Taylor If You Catch Me Sleepin (You Still Got It - 2007) Producer
 * Public Announcement (Chicago Soul: The Truth in R&B Collection album - 2004) Producer – [credited as Lil’ Earl]
 * Strong All I Need (Strong - 1999) Producer
 * Strong Frontin (Strong - 1999) Producer
 * Strong How Would You Feel (Strong - 1999) Producer
 * Strong I Can’t Hide (Strong - 1999) Producer
 * Strong I Got What You Need (Strong - 1999) Producer
 * Strong I Know (Strong - 1999) Producer
 * Strong Lucky Star (Strong - 1999) Producer
 * Strong Mi Amiga (Strong - 1999) Producer
 * Strong Ready Or Not (Strong - 1999) Producer
 * Strong See You Again (Strong - 1999) Producer
 * Strong Somethin (Strong - 1999) Producer
 * Strong Why Would She Call (Strong - 1999) Producer
 * Dejah Changes (Dejah - 1998) Producer
 * Dejah Gotta Be Real (Dejah - 1998) Producer
 * Dejah Krazy (Dejah - 1998) Producer
 * Dejah Say It Ain’t So (Dejah - 1998) Producer
 * Dejah Foolin Around (Dejah - 1998) Producer
 * Entourage Baby I’m Lonely (Fall Backs Of A Playa - 1998) Producer
 * Entourage Come Back Home (Fall Backs Of A Playa - 1998) Producer
 * Entourage Do U Wanna (Fall Backs Of A Playa - 1998) Producer
 * Entourage Don’t Stop This Feeling (Fall Backs Of A Playa - 1998) Producer
 * Entourage Here With Me (Fall Backs Of A Playa - 1998) Producer
 * Entourage Making Love (Fall Backs Of A Playa - 1998) Producer
 * Entourage When (Fall Backs Of A Playa - 1998) Producer
 * Entourage Why Did You (Fall Backs Of A Playa - 1998) Producer
 * Alfonzo Hunter Slow Motion (Blacka Da Berry - 1996) Producer, Engineer
 * Alfonzo Hunter Would You Be Mine (Blacka Da Berry - 1996) Producer, Engineer
 * LaTocha Scott Sounds Of Love - Producer
 * Public Announcement Slow Dance - Producer
 * Kenny Jackson 2:00 A.M. - Producer
 * Kenny Jackson Ain’t Got Nothing - Producer
 * Floyd Taylor I Don’t Want To Wake Up - Producer
 * Alfonso Hunter Rest In Peace - Producer
 * Kenny Jackson Rosita - Producer

Albums

 * Slique (Rhythm & Ghetto Soul - 2008) Producer
 * Strong (Mi Amiga [CD5 / Cassette Single] - 1999) Producer
 * Strong (Strong - 1999) Producer, Engineer, Vocal Arrangement, Narrator, Trumpet
 * Johnny P. (Next - 1998) Programming, Associate Producer
 * Entourage (Fall Backs of a Playa - 1998) Producer, Vocal Arrangement, Drum Programming, Engineer, Keyboard Programming
 * Entourage (Page Me Remix - 1998) Producer, Engineer, Remixing, Drum Programming, Keyboard Programming
 * Dejah (Dejah - 1998) Vocal Arrangement, Engineer, Producer, Keyboard Programming
 * Kenny Jackson (Kenny Jackson) Producer

TV/Film Credits

 * Nothing like the Holidays (Debra Messing, John Leguizamo) – Composer (http://www.imdb.com/name/nm3109125/ )
 * The Truth (II) Hill Harper (CSI New York) directorial debut – Composer (http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1785636/ )
 * Of Boys And Men (Angela Bassett, Robert Townsend) – Composer (http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1023342/?ref_=fn_al_tt_1 )
 * (Mis)Leading Man (Best Short Film in Hollywood) – Composer (http://www.imdb.com/name/nm3109125/ )
 * Chicago International Film Festival Black Perspectives 2008 Tribute to Sidney Poitier – Musical Director (http://www.chicagofilmfestival.com/history/decades_of_tribute/ )
 * Good Intentions (Kevin Carroll, Ihuoma Ofordire) – Composer (http://www.imdb.com/name/nm3109125/)