James collis composer biography

Formed in , Baltimore, Maryland, U.S.A.

Fertile Ground comprise of:

James 'The Light' Collins (composer / pianist / trumpet / arranger)

Navasha Daya (lead vocals)

Ekendra Das (percussion)

Craig Alston (tenor saxophone / baritone)

Fred Dunn (trumpet / flugelhorn)

and

Marcus Asante (drums)

James Collins formed Fertile Ground in Baltimore in the spring of , based around Navasha Daya's warm vocals and drummer Marcus Asante's drum grooves.

Fertile Ground created their local fame by performing in the local Baltimore area clubs.

The group has since grown into a sextet that includes African percussion and a horn section.

Fertile Ground are influenced by both Gil Scott-Heron, the music of Marvin Gaye and the early work of Jon Lucien.

'Field Songs', the debut album by the group, was a compilation of jazz and R & B and was released on the groups own Blackout label (named after the groups self owned Blackout Studio's).

Collins said of the groups debut set:

'Th