816 Productions presents Blackstone Recordings artist
DJ MARK GRANT

with live performance by
RUSSOUL & DAJAE

Showcasing the current new releases:
"Guessing Again" featuring Russoul
"Satisfaction" featuring Dajae

Doors open 9pm
$10 Cover

Mark Grant:

What makes a legend: longevity, fame, respect or a combination of the three? Label owner, songwriter, producer and DJ, Mark Grant has been making legendary moves for 23 years now. He is a world traveled DJ with a non-stop tour schedule secured by a fan base that stretches from his hometown Chicago, to as far as Istanbul. Hes produced a number of songs and remixes that have garnered him the respect of his peers and music media. Put it all together and you have an internationally known, well-respected talent who has shown incredible resilience in an industry of one-hit wonders. Its true, Mark Grant has the stuff of legend, but with no signs of stopping, dont call him one, just yet.

In 2005 alone, Mark Grant produced three chart-topping songs featuring Chicago Idol winner, vocalist Russoul for his label imprint, Blackstone Recordings. Louie Vega and Marques Wyatt licensed the first single; Girl With U for mixed CDs on Defected and OM, respectively. There 4 Me appeared on Roy Davis Jr.s mixed compilation, Get Large for Large Records. Those two songs, along with You R The 1, were all best sellers in a sluggish vinyl market for Syntax Distribution, as well as their impressive performance in mp3 formats on Tracksource.com and Clickgroove.com. All of which has helped Grant newly cement a spot on iTunes, where Blackstone music will soon be available. Within one short year, Grant has established Blackstone as a formidable vocal house label and a-cant-miss hit source for DJs.

Label owner Cajmere sees the writing on the wall. Most every release on his Cajual and Relief imprints of the last two years has contained a Mark Grant remix. Thats over 15 remixes that Grant has created for artists such as Dajae, Green Velvet and Cajmere himself. Grants remixes for Cajual are bought, played and charted with great regularity by globetrotting DJs, giving further proof to Grants ability to make extraordinary music. In truth, Cajmere always knew this. In Cajuals hey day of the mid-to-late 90s, Grant was considered the go-to guy for remixes and was the only producer in their stable to mix a compilation for the label. When A Taste of Cajual dropped in 1997, it received numerous critical accolades including honors from Rolling Stone critic Greg Kot as one of the years 15 best.

Grants success with mix compilations continued with a three-turntable masterpiece for OM records, Sound Design Volume 2. The 2001 release was capped off with a 20-city tour that made Mark Grant a house-hold name. A tour de force with tracks from Masters at Work, Truby Trio, Inland Knights and more, SD Vol. 2, established that its never Memorex with Grant. On tour, he re-created his live recording, playing every venue on three turntables where available.

For a man who needs no introduction, Grant still feels he has much to accomplish. In the near future, Grants Blackstone label will release two new singles, Shame featuring female vocalist Swaylo, and another project with Russoul, Guessin Again. These records will be the first pressed by the new distribution arm of Cajual Records, a newly inked deal for Grant. There are also plans for a Mark Grant artist album to debut later this year comprised of new takes on some of Grants best sellers, as well as future releases. Furthermore, Grant has also been tapped to mix a new compilation for Chicago label Large in the next year that will undoubtedly lead to a supporting tour for Grant. Not to mention the inevitable remix requests that Grant will field this year. When 2006 is over, then lets discuss the words legend and Mark Grant in the same sentence.

Russoul:

Russoul has opened for artists Kanye West, New Edition, Eryka Badu, Chaka Khan, Cameo, Frankie Beverly and Maze, and Sam Salter. He also has performed for major events in the city of Chicago. Russoul was declared the Chicago Idol winner by celebrity judges: Kanye West, Common, No ID, Selena Johnson, Tiffany Green and contest sponsor, Elroy Smith. Grammy Award winner Kanye West, produced the song, Second Chance on Russoul.

Attending church, practicing piano, and singing created the foundation for Russoul's talent. He attended Chicago Public Schools, participated in school choirs, and he loved performing in school plays. After watching a Stevie Wonder concert on television, Russoul began to gravitate towards singing and playing the piano.

At the age of ten, Russoul attended a concert given by The Soul Children of Chicago, under the leadership of Walter Whitman, and an indelible impression was made upon him. After auditioning and becoming a member of the Soul Children, he continued to grow musically and spiritually. His passion and drive for singing was enhanced as he watched other soloists perform. The Soul Children traveled extensively. A new precedence was set when the Soul Children journeyed to California to accompany Gladys Knight on the Motown 30th Anniversary Show. This experience enabled him to realize that he wanted to be versatile, and perform in various venues.

Upon graduating from Whitney Young High School, he was encouraged to major in business at the University of Illinois. He later transferred to Clark Atlanta University, and majored in music. His unique voice and style of singing was known around the university campus. He earned a B. A. in music and he graduated with honors. In addition to being the voice teacher, song writer and producer for young Maestro Harrell, Young Simba in Disney's Chicago production of the Lion King, he has taught music in the Chicago Public Schools, and he has piano and voice students.

Dajae:

Dajae is the stage name of Karen Gordon, a female R&B and dance music singer born in Chicago, Illinois. She sang in various soul bands for over a decade prior to joining house producer Cajmere. The duo released several hit singles, including "Brighter Days", "Time", "U Got Me Up" and "Is It All over My Face." The album Higher Power followed in 1994. In 1996 her hit "Day By Day" hit #1 on the Hot Dance Music/Club Play chart.

She has also collaborated on club hits with Barbara Tucker, Ultra Naté, Moné and Junior Sanchez.