Swank Society Personalities

Sean Alvarez is rapidly becoming one of Chicago’s finest DJ’s; ranking among the top of many fan’s lists. The seed was planted in the mid to late 80’s hearing legends like Ron Hardy, Lil Louis, Farley Jackmaster Funk, and DJ Rush. His love and respect for the music and the culture are the driving forces behind his ambition. He has played at several famous venues both in Chicago and abroad, alongside some of the most recognized names in House music. Showing a strong commitment never to compromise his style and integrity he remains true to his roots by playing timeless sounds that range from Deep House to African and Latin influenced House to Original House Classics and Disco. Sean believes that the DJ serves as a channel and has a sacred responsibility of providing people with good music. His goal as a DJ has always been to entertain as well as educate his listeners. When Sean plays he develops a bond with the crowd where they feed off of each other. He is often so overcome by the music and the vibe that the crowd can often feel his energy and enthusiasm coming through the speakers. Although he is very selective about the music he chooses to play, he prides himself on his good ear for music and knowledge of how to provide the crowd with music that is good for their soul.” After listening to him play it is likely you will agree

Sezy Indigo
Originally from Providence, Rhode Island. Sezy has been addicted to vinyl ever since she discovered her father's jazz collection at age 7. Extra stylish in everything she does, Sezy spins an incredible set off deep house, future jazz and hip hop, usually with a sprinkling of classics and R&B to round out the sound. Currently residing in Philadelphia, Sezy has graced the stage along side of people such as King Britt, J-Live, Jneiro Jarel, Count Bass D, John Tejada & Tony Nwachukwu (formerly of Attica Blues).

In October 2004, Sezy was 1 of 7 applicants from the USA to be chosen for the Red Bull Music Academy in Rome, Italy. After the amazing worldwide adventure, she returned to the states to join Jneiro Jarel. They stared the label, “Label Who?.” They released the first LP in December 2004.
Sezy is currently spinning spot dates through out Philly and the US. She is truly a pleasure

Ishnock Baptiste Rock

Sound Agriculturist/ Photographer/ Literary Artist

Out of the womb, in 1972, a child came forth. This child was endowed with artistic styles and flavors from the nebulae, and as he grew, it was evident that his purpose to be was to beat sounds from earth to the cosmos. This child goes by the name of Ishnock Baptiste Rock

In his adolescent years, after being raised of off love and musiq, his sound-intelligence grew from listening to the likes of Afrika Bambatta, Roy Ayers, Stevie Wonder, Jungle Bros, and many other Artists. His first use of that intelligence was through break dancinng and rhyming, where he not only formed a hip hop dance group with the well known DJ Terry Hunter, but created a hip-hop movement with a couple of high school friends and performed at the historical underground spot Lower Links in Cosmos(Chicago).

As the Earth turned, he focused his attention on djing and sound production. Not really into spinning at large music venues, he spun universal sounds at house parties and store fronts. He made heads turn when he held down a weekly residence at The Silver Room, and ever since then he has been universally planted in sound.

Ishnock is not only a man of musiq, but he is also an aspiring photographer and poet, and has performed his poetry on many stages, the Legendary Five Spot in Brooklyn being one of them.

Now living on the planet of Brooklyn, Ishnock seeks to make new discoveries in sound. He is currently working with Matthew Stevens- an up and coming producer- on a
compilation album, and he is in the process of hosting a radio show on an internet-based radio station that is being created by Christian Armand, a well known DJ in Cosmos.

DJ Gold "D"
Welcome to my show Golden Movements I will present to you all of the good sounds from Jazz, Rare Grooves to Garage to Deep House. This show is like no other that will embrace your good ear and love you through music. I'm DJ Gold "D" and I play "The best selection of the golden collection". 13 years strong, I'm a Producer now with a new album release for Summer of 2006 titled "Internal Universe". My inspiration: Roy Ayers, Carlos Santana, Gino Vinelli, Lonnie Linston Smith, George Duke, Donald Byrd and Quincy Jones just to name a few. I DJ, Disco, Rare Grooves, Funk, Jazz, & Deep House.

Duane Powell:
Duane's love for music began at birth. He is a distant
relative of Marvin Gaye, and friends of the family consisted of
The Emotions & The Staple Singers. All of his uncles were
The 90's came around he was working in
famous clubs such as The Reactor and The Powerhouse,
while also being a consultant for the scene's up & coming
DJ's including DJ Rush. The mid 90's came and the
import acid jazz movement was in full swing. That is
when he started his career as a DJ. Spinning at
places like the Elbo Room, Danny's, then onto USG (the
club ran by Ron Trent & Anthony Nicholson), The Buddah
Lounge and recently Sonotheque and the Hothouse. In
1998 Duane became the Acid Jazz, House, NuJazz and
Drum & Bass buyer at Cargo Distribution. In 1998 which
is now Groove Distribution. In 1999, he became part of
the Dr.Wax family where his true passion was realized,
Not to say his passion was to become a salesman, but
more importantly a friend, mentor, and consultant to
the music buying public, and make them clients instead
of customers.. In the process he brought to Chicago a
whole new love for Independent music introducing
aritsts such as Ndambi, Jill Scott, Ledisi, and Julie
Dexter just to name a few. Year 2000 Duane became
host of a weekly event called "Sound Rotation" at the
Buddah Lounge with Anthony Nicholson, making it the
1st spot that Indie & Import artists were played and
featured. Since then he has organized and has been
hired as a creative consultant for numerous promoters
& marketing companies.

Madrid
The post-modernist selector fuses brazilica, jazz funk, and eclectro-punk hop, dub, tech house, and cosmic grooves.
Skillfully combining disparate elements and manipulating them into
harmonious composition is essential to Madrid's aesthetic. He has shared with audiences all over the world. No limit or boundaries to his sets.
Since the beginning of his musical career, Madrid has been on the
Look out for hard-to-find, unusual tunes. Gaining early recognition for
founding Ultra Urban Aesthetics, which represented and distributed DJ
mixes of NYC's top hip-hop and reggae DJs such as Tony Touch, Doo Wop,
Juice, and others. His devotion to bringing previously obscure hip-hop
mixes, featuring Busta Rhymes, Q-Tip, KRS One, and Guru
came to the attention of Illinois Entertainer, whom spotlighted his
skill in a feature article. In 1998, he moved on to organizing
under-ground dance events spot lighting local DJs. These events brought together many creative individuals from Chicago's thriving art. community and offered Madrid the opportunity to begin DJing for receptive audiences on his own. In 1999, his first residency at the
Gaijin Hotel's trendy fashion forward restaurant lounge gave way to
regular spots at lounge hotspots such as, Le Passage, Sushi Samba
Rio, The W hotel, Sonotheque, and J bar at the James hotel.

The rest, as they say, is history. With a list of successful gigs as
Ranging from 312, an eclectic art gallery with DJ
Cam, the Art Institute of Chicago, the Museum of Contemporary Art, the
Field Museum, the Museum of Science and Industry, Sotheby's Auction
House, on a moving el train for the Conjugate Projekt, and even
created the sound-track for a PBS documentary on Chicago’s Mayor Harold Washington. He has Dj’d across north, and south America, and Europe alongside such notables as Derrick Carter, Juan Atkins, Jazzanova, King Britt, Ron Trent, Osunlade, Gotan project, Green Velvet, and afro beat ensemble Antibalas.
Now, Madrid spins regularly at Nacional 27, Rodan, Landmark, and daily at the Virgin Megastore located on Chicago's Magnificent Mile. Current projects include production work with vocalist Sadie Woods

Crucial is The best way to describe Marlene is simple “A real fan”. She began listening to soul music as a child, but it wasn’t until her early college years when she discovered her fetish for soul music. A Me'Shell NdegeOcello concert at the Park West in Chicago circa 1996 is where it began. At this point Marlene was convinced that you have to attend the concert to get the true essence of an artist. Marlene goes beyond the call of duty to check a live shows to support the artist she has come to appreciate. Marlene is not hung up on the pop aspect of soul, with contemporary themes of materialism and sexism, Her passion, energy & feeling of expression triggered the notion to capture the moment. This catapulted into a website of concert footage. Marlene has taken to the more modest and often up & coming or underground artist. She has also developed and continues to build upon the concert photo website as well as neo soul mixtapes. She joins the Swank Family in welcoming all of the audio internet heads to the mix of soulful bit’s and pieces of artist and how they have touched her life.

John Marks, Executive Director of Marketing
John's love for music began as a child, growing up listening to the old classics from Marvin Gaye and Stevie Wonder. With him, that love grew into a passion for something that enters your soul and make you loose sight of reality. Rhythmic American Poetry over break-beats, incredible. Growing up in the south suburbs of Chicago John gets in with the local high school dj's spinning at Screaming Wheels, The Rink and the local house parties. In 1991 John teams up with then upcoming producer Andy C and business partner Edwin Muldrow. They form the company MMC Entertainment Inc releasing one of Chicago's most respected hip-hop classics " You Know the Time" by the immortal Steady Serv. Running in a crew of Chicago's rap heavy-hitters, Gravity, Judgmental, Discover, All Natural, Mr. Greenweedz, Steady Serv and so many others, his passion grew. Now 20 years down the line he's still at it, working in management with legendary Blues and Soul singer Otis Clay. July 2006 he, along with, Christian Armand and various lovers of music, present to you Swank Society Radio. A vibration of music that enters the soul, expands your thoughts and relaxes the inner child. Prepare for your journey and set yourself free, because the catalogue is vintage.

Lawrence Lyles is a music lover from birth, Lawrence Elliott has been immersed in music since the 1960’s… From listening to his grandmother’s 78’s & 45’s… to playing his father’s and uncles’ LP’s… to buying his own collection of wax, cassettes and cd’s (and even a few 8 tracks back in the day.) Music… all kinds of music… has been a constant companion. A graduate from Peoria’s Bradley University… with a double major in radio and broadcast production and broadcast journalism… he knows his way around a radio/TV studio. And he’s spun all types of music in all kinds of settings. Having deejayed high school parties with stepper’s cuts and slow jams… to college parties with disco and house… to a radio show with funk, fusion, jazz and everything in between… this broadcast veteran is now focusing his expertise on his latest musical passion, JAZZ… for us here at Swank Society radio.

Christian Armand has been a music connoisseur since the days of Breaking and vintage Chicago House parties of the 80's. His fascination and approach to sound is what sets him apart from the average DJ. Since 1988 Christian has impressed music enthusiasts from old school basement parties to the posh & swank clubs of Chicago. Well into 2006, his sound has been inspired by many genres of music; House, Disco, Soul, Hip-hop, Jazz, Classic-Rock, Electronic, New-Age, World Music, Roots, and Afro-Beat, just to name a few. He massages the soul thru various sounds, tones, and mixtures, creating extremely therapeutic sessions of listening pleasure. Whether lounge or dance, he keeps the mood and dictates the groove with seamless transitions of soulful melodies and uplifting vibrations. He has blessed the listeners @ well-known Chicago clubs as Slick's Lounge (R.I.P), Funky Buddha, Lava Lounge, Sushi Samba (residency), Sonotheque, and etc. He now holds a monthly residency @ The Hot House (Chicago). His goal is to expose the masses to creative, uplifting and inspirational music, without any boundaries.

"I embrace the moment, and fill that space in time with what I consider, "sound therapy". I enjoy the vibe of both the dance floor and the lounge. I believe the energy controls the way we fellowship and release. Many people wouldn't understand the spirit of it and the power it carries." – Christian

Born and raised on Chicago’s South side, Kalaam was first bit by the ‘good rhythms bug’ from his parent’s collection of jazz LPs, where he was introduced to the likes of Miles Davis, Donald Byrd, Oscar Peterson, Gene Ammons, etc. Over the years, his affinity for music continued to peak, stimulated by the turn-tableists from the Hot Mix 5 on WBMX, as well as the breakin’ and hip hop movements that exploded in the late 80s and early 90s. Growing up in the midst of these musical pioneering decades has lead to a life long passion of diggin the crates that still continues today.

With a degree in chemistry, Kalaam is a chemical mixologist by day, sound mixologist by night. His collection incorporates an extensive range of musical genres, ranging from deep house and disco, to soulful hip hop and rare grooves.

Also a poet at heart, Kalaam has blessed the mic at venues such as the Funky Budda Lounge in Chicago, among others. Now, he aspires to set his poetry in motion by taking his aptitude for producing fluid sounds made of rare grooves and old classics to a new level. “Music is My Sanctuary” is his motto, and his goal is to keep a tight grip on your ears by inducing seductive and funky rhythms played for Swank Society radio.