The Ascenxion Project Homepage

The Ascenxion Project started as an investigation into the world of musical excellence. Some of us wondered one day about what it meant to REALLY be an excellent musician. We found that it included excellent musical skill but it also meant a whole lot more.

The artists below are people who have shown they have what it takes to be excellent musicians BUT they have pushed themselves further to be excellent artists. Remember, being excellent means more than having your cute little mug on the cover of some magazine.

How do you become an Ascenxion Project artist? To be honest, it's not all that easy. First, you must be a Christian musician who has shown exemplary standing in the area of music you perform in. Second, you must be invited by the Ascenxion Project to be a part its team. Sometimes this means stepping up to play in an Ascenxion Band performance. Sometimes this means taking a role in leading other aspiring musicians to help unlock their potential excellence.

CURRENT MEMBERS
As the nature of the Ascenxion Project means that the members are always changing, here is the current lineup:
	Shake Anderson (bass, vocals, keyboard) Not only is Shake quite vicious on bass but we love him because he's from down the street in Louisville, KY. Shake has spent some time slappin' with some amazing folks including Stevie Wonder, Ray Charles, The Harlem Boys Choir The Impressions(Curtis Mayfield), Bruce Hornsby and the Range and Bonnie Raitt.

	J.D. Blair (drums) If you're looking for the groove then you've met your match with J.D. Blair. Blair has an eccletic array of drumming experience through many years of travelling the planet. Blair has toured as drummer for many greats including Shania Twain, Wynona Judd, Victor Wooten and Take 6. He's also made many television appearances with the artists he's toured with including Jay Leno, Oprah Winfrey, the Super Bowl and the Today Show.

	Darrell Tibbs (percussion) Tibbs, a native of Huntsville, Alabama, has played in the Royal Albert Hall in England, Carnegie Hall in New York City, and has appeared on The Today Show Concert Series, The Tonight Show, The Rosie O’Donnell Show, Diva’s Live 2000 VH1- Save The Music series, Alive and More Encore! and PBS while touring with Donna Summer for 10 years.

	Joel Goodwin (keyboards) Goodwin easily fits the bill for the term “diverse musician” as he began his career in gospel and jazz but quickly branched out into everything from hip-hop to pop to Death Metal. A walking musical encyclopedia and collector, he has no trouble playing for artists such as Richard Smallwood, Walter Hawkins and Russ Taff. As a producer and songwriter, Goodwin helped introduce award winning gospel and soul artists Adrianne Archie and Carlis Phillips (Kleintel) to the world of music.

	Mark "Lupe" Hamilton (guitars) Hamilton has the uncanny ability to adapt his talents to virtually any form of music; from Afro beat bands to Arabic ensembles to gospel choirs. He’s performed across the country from neighborhood bars to the Kennedy Center and CBGBs He's shared the stage with the likes of Kush Griffith, Maceo Parker and Victor Wooten among others.

	Ben Bush aka "Black" (background vocals) “Black” made a name for himself when he wrote Ginuwine's number one hit So Anxious. He has also worked with the late Aaliyah, Missy Elliot, Timbaland, Al Green, Toni Braxton, Dr. Dre, Playa, Kanye West and Gerald Levert. “Black” hails from Kentucky and is heavily influenced by the solid harmonies and strong performance skills of the gospel quartet and black church.

	Thomas Cain (piano/keyboards) As a publisher Cain has had songs recorded by Kenny Rogers, Ronnie Milsap, The Dazz Band, Kevin Welch, Dion, The Mighty Clouds of Joy, Albertina Walker, Johnny Rodriguez and Donna McElroy, among others. As a performer, Cain has opened concerts for George Benson, Bill Withers, Ramsey Lewis, Melba Moore and Dave Brubeck. He also was seen with Johnny Mathis on the PBS special Johnny Mathis: Wonderful, Wonderful.

	Static (vocals) Static did background vocals and arrangements on Tumbling Down, Wasted Away and Don't Come Around here no mo. Dr. Dre, Timbaland and Kanye West are just a few of music's renowned artists who call on Static's services. Static has also worked with Aaliyah, Jay-Z, Nas, DMX and Ginuwine. Artists like Brandy, Toni Braxton and Sunshine Anderson are currently recording some of his songs.


ALUMNI
The following folks have taken their time to do some jam out worship with us in the past.

	Shake Anderson (bass, vocals, keyboard) Not only is Shake quite vicious on bass but we love him because he's from down the street in Louisville, KY. Shake has spent some time slappin' with some amazing folks including Stevie Wonder, Ray Charles, The Harlem Boys Choir The Impressions(Curtis Mayfield), Bruce Hornsby and the Range and Bonnie Raitt.

	J.D. Blair (drums) If you're looking for the groove then you've met your match with J.D. Blair. Blair has an eccletic array of drumming experience through many years of travelling the planet. Blair has toured as drummer for many greats including Shania Twain, Wynona Judd, Victor Wooten and Take 6. He's also made many television appearances with the artists he's toured with including Jay Leno, Oprah Winfrey, the Super Bowl and the Today Show.

	Barry Green (trombone) Green is a well respected studio musician recording on every range of albums including Michal McDonald, John Michael Montgomery, Kenny Rogers, Bela Fleck, Vince Gill and on and on and on. Barry has played with everybody and you will be quite surprised at the stout sound Green brings.

	Phil Keaggy (guitar) Countless things can be said about the universally acclaimed guitar style of Keaggy. Recognized as the most influential guitarist in Christian music, Keaggy's jaw-dropping artistry puts him in a league all his own. He has a resume that is simply stunning and he's played with everyone. If you haven't seen him live you simply haven't been listening to Christian music.

	Shane Porter (trumpet) Porter has a trumpet career that has revealed excellence of the highest level. A clincian, a jazz expert and versatile performer, Porter has also played with some of the greats on stage in his career. His has played with Stevie Wonder, Kenny Rogers, The Temptations, The O' Jays and most recently American Idol winner Ruben Studdard. Full time Shane is a trumpet and jazz instructor at Alabama State University.

	Chester Thompson (drums) Thompson is best known for his role as drummer in the Grammy award winning band Genesis and extended touring with Phil Collins. He's also played with many other greats including Frank Zappa and Weather Report. His live playing with the band is an amazing mixture of his own style and Collins' own, being equally comfortable with acoustic and electronic drums.

	Regi Wooten (guitar) Regi, a legend in his own right alongside his brother Victor, takes to the guitar just as Victor does on bass. If you're a guitar enthusiast then you're in for a real treat when Regi busts out. Even Victor says,"He's the best guitarist and one of the best bass players I know."

OTHER NOTABLES Charles Ross (keyboards) John Hinchey (trumpets)