WENTY MORRIS
Fans everywhere are recognizing the strength and stamina of Wenty Morris. The globetrotting New York native is joining a growing number of African American alternatives to hip-hop. Wenty has been pleasing audiences even before he placed his song "Closer To Heaven"  in the hit motion picture Clueless  starring Alicia Silverstone.

He and his then-band The Chocolate Hippies (from whose 1995 debut "Concrete Flower"  the Clueless track was taken) had already opened for Dionne Farris at the 1994 New York New Music Seminar the year before. The band would go on to tour extensively, eventually releasing their sophomore effort, the CD "Rites Of Passage", in 1996.

By 1998 Wenty would leave the band to go solo, forming the backup band Brindle Creme. He released another CD called "Kismet" and continued to tour intensely. That's just the way he likes it - hitting stages with a guitar or with a band (or both), Wenty enjoys playing steady hooks for a steadily increasing fan base.

Wenty is quickly building a name for himself in his adopted Los Angeles home, playing around town and selling out clubs like The Mint and Luna Park every week. Music Connection  was quick to notice his furious, intense shows and wrote: "His songs are well written and contain the most important elements needed for hits." The music industry trade publication recognized his influences - John Lennon, Jimi Hendrix and Prince among them - but also went on to note that Morris will "stand a strong chance of creating a unique identity that will endear him to fans of soulful rock&roll".

Soulful rock&roll is what Wenty Morris and his new 3-song demo are all about. Songs here include "If it's to be", "Soul Mate" and a remake of his power ballad   "Maybe One Day", taken from Wenty's "Kismet" CD. All of them are produced by Mikal Reid , well known for his work with Ben Harper, Wang Chung and Patty Smith among many others. The polished demo is being used primarily to attract the attention of labels and publishers in LA and around the world. So far, so good - after signing a nonexclusive development deal with Atonal Records he has already grabbed the attention of several labels. No more info will be disclosed at this time, but suffice to say that one of those labels is a  major one (which is not to say that the rest of them are unimportant, OK?). Wenty has traveled extensively in Europe in 1998 and 1999, where his music was warmly and instantly accepted. He was honored with an invitation to perform on MCM TV (France's version of MTV and just about as popular throughout Europe via satellite). He played on a show that was recorded and transmitted in 49 countries. Among the long list of clubs where Wenty  is still more than welcome to play in are Le Reservoir in Paris, France, The Fine Line in Minneapolis, the Saint in Asbury Park, The Call in Rhode Island, Le Bar Bat in New York City, as well as the aforementioned Luna Park and The Mint on Wenty's Los Angeles home turf.

Though he enjoys being home, Wenty can't wait to get back on the road. It's something he merely enjoys. "The best part of touring is meeting people everyday and playing my songs for them," says Wenty. "There's no really a downside to it. It's good to just play for the sheer joy of it."