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Donnell
"D-Floyd" Floyd
Vocals & Saxophone
His born on date is probably 1973, when he started playing sax
in the fourth grade. Since we don't
have much time we should probably go to 1978.
While attending Duke Ellington School of Arts he joined the Chance
Band; his first GoGo experience. While attending Ellington, Donnell
performed at the Kennedy Center with Lena Horne, the Lisner
Auditorium with Dizzy Gillespie and was a member of the National Honors Band
conducted by the famed William Ravelli. In 1983 he became a member of
Rare Essence (RE). While with RE Donnell performed on records with
legendary rappers Doug E. Fresh and Redman. He also performed live on stage with George
Clinton, Rakim, Big Daddy Kane, Scarface and Chuck D just to name a
few. Donnell produced as well as acted as lead vocal on over 90% of
Rare Essence records from 1990 to 2000.
A few of his favorites include GoGo classics “Lock It” and “Work the
Walls”. Speaking of favorites you can usually find Donnell at the movies with
his daughter Destiny or talking to his sons Donnell, Derek, and
Aldonte'. In 2001, Donnell, Derek, BoJack and Dave set out to start a
new group that is now known as Familiar Faces, that would reflect their new
concepts – “When all is said and done I
want more done then said: The Blueprint.. “
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Derek
"DP" Paige
Vocals & Trumpet
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Mark
"Godfava" Lawson
Keyboards
Born and raised in Southeast
Washington D.C., Godfava is one
of the founding members of the very popular group Rare Essence. Not only does
Godfava play the keyboards, but he is also a very accomplished writer
and producer. He has also been responsible for dance co ordinations, stage
management, audio/video tech effects, and wardrobe and costume designs.
Mark has been performing, writing, producing, and sharing his talents in the Washington,
D.C. metropolitan area for more than 25
years. He has not only worked with such local bands as Rare Essence,
Junkyard Band, Little Benny & the Masters, Ayre Rayde, Proper Utensils,
Chuck Brown, 911, And Experience Unlimited (E.U.). But he has also
worked and performed with several national acts such as Stacy Lattisaw,
Ghetto boys, Salt & Pepper, and Heavy D. to name a few.
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Lorenzo
Johnson
Keyboards
There is no doubt that Lorenzo Johnson is a multi-talented
musician. This native of Alexandria, VA
developed a love of music at a very early age. His energy and passion led him
to begin writing lyrics and composing; organizing vocal groups and bands;
directing, managing and producing. It was evident that he had a natural
talent and creativity and was well on his way to making a name for himself
and leaving a mark in music.
Through the years, Lorenzo has continued to learn and master his craft
through hard work and dedication. He studied at the Omega Studios School of
Applied Recording Arts and Sciences. In addition, he attended the University
of the District of Columbia and Northern
Virginia Community
College.
Lorenzo’s drive has earned him an impressive list of accomplishments. He has
recorded with Jazz of Dru Hill, Salt N’ Pepper, Tony Terry, U.S. Naval
Academy Gospel Choir and Black Entertainment Television (BET). He has performed
live with world-renowned artists including CeCe Peniston, Regina Belle, Biz
Markie, Glenn Jones, Twinkie Clark, Norman Hutchins and Cee Cee Michaela to
name a few. He has done musical directing for Beverly Crawford and Tony Terry
and has been the studio session engineer for DMX, Kut Klose, Mya and many
others.
Lorenzo continues to record and perform with artists both nationally and
internationally while also performing with Familiar Faces.
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Samuel
"Smoke" Dews
Congas, Timbalas, Roto-Toms
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Jammin'
Jeff
Jeffrey "Jammin Jeff" Warren first made his mark in music by playing with
various Go-Go bands throughout Washington,
DC. He is best known for his
time with the former NE Groovers Band in the Go-Go venue. Being lead to form
his own group, The Band, in which he and the group of individuals that
make-up The Band has given him freedom to combine Go-Go with other various
styles of music including Gospel, Jazz/Jazz Fusion, Hip-Hop, R&B, and
Pop. Jeff currently plays with The Band as well as the Go-Go Band Familiar
Faces.
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Damila
Adams
Vocals
Born 11/20/1976, Damila Ayanna Adams has been singing since the
age of two. While born in Washington DC, she began singing in church choirs in Pennsylvania as early
as five years old. Coming from an extremely musical family, shortly after
relocating back to the metropolitan area, she began participating in the DC
Youth Ensemble and singing in her church home choir in Washington DC. While
attending Bowie State Univeristy, Damila joined and recorded a CD with the
Nation of Holiness directed by Sam Kendrick, a then up and coming new age
gospel group modeled after progressive gospel. After completing college, she
joined the Exquisite Band from 2000-2001. The "What Band" was her
first go-go experience from 2001-2002. Shortly therefter, she joined the
"4-Sho Band", "Publicity" and "Damixx Band".
While with 4-Sho, she recorded a go-go rendition of "Until You Come Back
to Me" by Aretha Franklin. Damila has been writing songs since the age
of 15 and more recently was given an opportunnity to write and sing on the
soon to be released collaborative album "Posse at Work" produced by
Stomp Dogg. Her favorite artist include her mother Sheila Adams (vocalist), father;
Robert Adams (percusonist), Chaka Khan, Prince, Patti Austin, Luther
Vandross, Anita Baker, Syleena Johnson, Jill Scott and Eryka Badu. Current
interest and goals include; being accepted into a Law Program at Catholic University and finally completing
in-home renovations!! (lol). Damila is currently a member of the Grown &
Sexy GoGo group Familiar Faces.
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Marquis
"Quisy" Melvin
Vocals
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Sean
Geason
Bass Guitar
- Sean Geason has been playing Lead and Bass guitar for over 15
years. His first playing experience was with his high school band playing Bass
guitar on the sidelines with the marching band. From high school, he moved on
to Hampton University. There he played Lead guitar with the Hampton
University Jazz band. During his tenure there, Sean was fortunate to perform
with such greats as The Count Basie Orchestra, Lionel Ritchie, Gladys Knight
and others. After two years at Hampton, Sean transferred to Bowie State
University. At Bowie, he also performed with their Jazz band. It was during
this period that Sean's music began to take a different direction. In 1993,
Sean accepted the Bass guitar position at Ebenezer AME Church in Fort
Washington, MD. Though he didn't have a gospel music background, this
endeavor proved to be rewarding for him. During his residence at Ebenezer,
Sean performed with gospel artists such as Yolanda Adams, Tramaine Hawkins,
Dorothy Norwood, Shirley Ceaser, Allen & Allen, Albertina Walker, Min.
Byron Cage, Richard Smallwood, Rev. Timothy Wright, Rev. Daryl Coley, Rev.
Donald Vails and many others. Though spending the majority of his time
playing gospel, Sean continued to play jazz as well. In 1996, Sean joined a
contemporary jazz band named Key Element. This unit consisted of Vinton Jones
on drums, Elliott Fields Jr. on saxophone, and Keith Brannon on keys. During
their 18-month tenure, they recorded one single, "Funky Sumertime",
which stayed on charts for 8 weeks straight. About 5 months later, Sean
started his own jazz group simply named "The Sean Geason Project".
Since that time, Sean has been blessed to share the stage with many artists
including Will Downing, Maysa, Jeffrey Osborne, Jean Carne, Michael
Henderson, Nancy Wilson, Glenn Jones, Regina Belle, Chante Moore, Kenny
Lattimore, Ledesi, Lalah Hathaway, Little Anthony and the Imperials, Vicki
Winans, BeBe Winans, Spur of the Moment and many others. The Sean Geason
Project continues to perform 6 to 8 times a month. They are available for
weddings, receptions, parties, and other private engagements. Sean has also
played for local Washington based GoGo groups Suttle Thoughts and currently
the hottest Grown & Sexy band in the city, Familiar Faces. In addition,
Sean is the owner of SGP Limousines. Be it music or transportation, The Sean
Geason Project will satisfy
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Michael
"Hardstep" Taylor
Trombone
Mike “Harstep” Taylor
– began playing Trombone in DC Public Schools. While attending H.D. Woodson
Sr. High, he befriended former Rare Essence bassist, Mike “Funky Ned” Neal
who persuaded him to try the local GoGo circuit. An outside audition landed
Mike a spot with Experience “E.U.” Unlimited a day after the audition.
Mike performed with E.U. 11 years, as well as the original GoGo All Stars,
Lil Benny & The Masters, The Legends, Johhny Gill, Fred Wesley, Kurtis
Blow, Heavy F, Salt & Pepa, Keith Sweat, Levert, Madonna and a host of
other local national acts. Given the name GoGo Mike and Hardstep because of
his energetic stage performance and stepping ability, Mike attributes his
ability to what he calls the “R.E.3”; former Rare Essence Horn players, “Lil
Benny, DC, and Familiar Faces leader, Donnell Floyd. “All those cats
indluenced me in one way or another.” Mike who mirrors his style of playing
after Horny Horn legend, Fred Wesley, desire is to help Familiar Faces reach
it’s fullest potential and just give great performances night after night.
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Wendell
Bacon
Lead Guitar
WENDELL BACON (aka) WENDELL SANTANA began playing approximately
30 years ago. Listening to the great artists, such as Jimi Hendrix, Carlos
Santana, and George Benson, inspired him.
Putting together a complex style of playing, Wendell began playing
with the D.C. Youth Orchestra when he
was 11 years old. Later he helped put together a group called “Reality” and
then went on to co-found a group by the name of “Suttle Thoughts.” This group played a combination style of
GO-GO, Rap, R&B, Jazz and Gospel.
Their wide range of musical style made them a hot ticket in the Washington, D.C.
area. Wendell has had the opportunity to share the stage with such artists
as, Tony Terry, P. Diddy, Black Rob, Genuwine, Little Moe, Tank, Pamela
Williams, Marcus Johnson, Sugar Bear, James Funk, Little Benny, GoGo Mickey,
The Rapper, and Big G. Currently, he plays with the one and only “Familiar
Faces.”
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Eric
"Bojack" Butler
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THE PLAYERS