About Aniba Hotep & The Sol Collective

Aniba Hotep (translated as Messenger of Peace) is a rare vocalist whose sound has been described as "thunderous honey", jazz and R&B to the taste, gospel and folk going down. A southern girl with the musical ancestry of would-be bluesmen and country preachers, Aniba has an uncanny ability to not only excel at many genres, but serve as a griot through her conversational method of songwriting. She began as a local celebrity in her hometown at age eight, cutting her teeth in talent shows and composing her own music in academic honors programs, leading her to the famed Apollo theater at the age of twelve. Aniba stepped away from the spotlight in 1995 to pursue her education and figure out where her sound fit in the mid-90's music industry. By 2001 her love or writing and the rediscovery of the artists Aniba Hotep was born and bred on (Mahalia Jackson, Otis Redding, Sam Cooke, and Shirley Murdock) called her to a new arena of music that finally felt like home. Together with the inspired sounds of the Sol Collective, Miss Hotep is geared for her life's mission; to interpret and tell the story of a people as only she can.

The Sol Collective:

Imagine closing your eyes and taking a sip from an infusion of everything that makes soul music beautiful. A medley of textures and tones that stimulate and heal all the frayed nerves in your spirit that are in dire need of a remedy. This spiritual overhaul can only be accomplished by an established clarity of what is essential to the soul.

The Sol Collective is a gifted crew of artists comprised of many things, but namely, 1) talent, 2) an unshakable love for music, and 3) divine intervention.

Aniba Hotep and the Sol Collective is a gifted band comprised of everything that makes soul music beautiful. Aniba Hotep (vocals) is an accomplished vocalist/songwriter whose southern gospel roots provide the quiet yet thunderous backdrop to the stark musical images of Louis Wells (keyboards), Will Baggett (bass), Aum Mu Ra El (lead guitar) Benjamin Washington (clarinet/flute/saxophone), Al Elliot (alto saxophone) Will Porter (soprano saxophone) Donnell Dagley (trombone), and Michael "Q" Mitchell (drums). Respectively, these artists have performed at the Apollo Theater, studied under Donald "Buster" Woods (one of the top organ players in Chicago), played with the Chicago Sinfionetta, acted as band leaders for the Chicago Public School system for over ten years, performed alongside Jennifer Hudson, Janet Jackson, Lalah Hathaway, Bilal, Sy Smith, Julie Dexter, Yazahrah, the late James Brown, and at the inauguration of President Barack Obama. Together with the complimentary vocal stylings of Neri Ma'at and Sahura Seshmu (background vocals), they have amazed audiences with their performances at The House of Blues, Club Dream, Wine Styles, Soul Vegetarian Restaurant , South Shore Cultural Center, Chicago State University, The Checkerboard Lounge, The Subterranean, Real Men Love (sponsored by Real Men Cook) Ai Sushi Restaurant and Lounge, The Jacob Carruthers Center (with famed author and lecturer Ashra Kwesi) and the Harold Washington Cultural Center where they opened for platinum recording artist Carl Thomas. Their music has graced The Excalibur, The Mekhasken House, WVON’S Pre-Kwanzaa Event, won the Thursday Night Open Mic at Jokes and Notes (hosted by WGCI’S Tony Scofield), and even political arenas such as The Roast and Toast of Emil Jones, President of the Illinois Senate, and “One Day of Rain”, a historical unveiling of reknown artist Abiola Akintolas tribute sculpture to President Barack Obama. They have capped off their rising success with an Album Release Party hosted by actress/vocalist Cynda Williams of “Mo Betta Blues” fame, and graced the stage alongside The Legendary Drifters, Gerald Alston from The Manhattans, and recently received billing alongside legendary platinum selling band Mint Condtion at the House of Blues (sponsored by Live Nation). Aniba Hotep & the Sol Collective have partnered with 220 Communications and are in the works of doing some exciting things to promote their debut album “Sol of a Goddess”. It could be best described as a medley of textures and tones that stimulate and heal all of the frayed nerves in your spirit that are in dire need of a healing- an accomplishment that can only be established by a clarity of what is essential for solar energy to illuminate the way.

Benjamin Washington AKA "Ben Jammin" (trumpet / all things wind): Benjamin Washington is a self-proclaimed recycled soul who uses the gifts and wisdom he's picked up throughout the ages to grace us with his particular affinity with not just the trumpet, but all wind instruments. He has performed with jazz and blues groups (including a big band called Lee Roland) throughout the Chicagoland area in addition to being a teacher/director of bands of King College Prep High School. In response to what inspires him to do music, he had this to say: "Music allows you to utilize one of the purest attributes of our likeness and connection to the creator. Manifesting thought put to sound inspires and amazes me to do more."

Louis Wells (keyboardist/composer): Louis Wells is the keyboardist of the Sol Collective and a gifted composer who has worked the keys since the age of seven. He honed his skills at the Carl Schurtz High School for music, and later at Northeastern Illinois University for music theory and at the Dorlyn Academy under Donald "Buster" Woods (the top organ player in Chicago). His ability to hear pitch and fine tune melodies make him integral to the sounds of real SOL.

Will Baggett (Bass): Will Baggett, (known in some circles as one of the best bass players in Chicago), is a most accomplished musician who has studied his craft amongst the experts. He maneuvers through electric/acoustic/upright bass, and has performed with The All City Youth Orchestra, The Chicago Sinfonietta, The Northeastern Illinois Univ. Jazz band, and the Ravinia Jazz Mentors Program. His works speak to his seemingly effortless talent, and he is an irreplaceable member of The Sol Collective.

Michael "Q" Mitchell, (drums): Michael Mitchell (“Q”) has performed as a drummer for over twenty years. He has performed with groups such as Magical Force, Count Down, 35th Street Hitmen Jazz Ensemble, and numerous gospel groups in the Chicagoland area. Michael “Que” has also performed on a national level with the Madison Scouts Drum Corps, as well as written auxiliary percussion music for the Glassman Drum and Bugle Corps. “Que” has also won national competitions: 1st place in the Drum Corps Midwest Drum off Competitions, 1st place in the Yamaha Drum off Competition, and runner up in the Guitar Center Midwest Drum off Competition and 5th Place winner in the Drum corps national drum off competition. Michael “Que” is a teacher at Dunbar Vocational Career Academy and has taught for over fourteen years.

Neri Ma'at (background vocals): Neri Ma'at has been preparing for her role in the Sol Collective her entire life. As a child, she studied the clarinet at the Merit School of Music and was an avid fan of studying the background vocals of her favorite artists (a compilation of Stevie Wonder, Luther Vandross, and the 50's-60's soul music of artists such as The Dells and The Flamingos.) Her soft soprano sound gives a smoothness to the Sol Collective's edge.

The Sol Collective is a viable force in soul music with a sound that gives thanks to the deities of melody.