DAZZ BAND

In 2026, The Dazz Band proudly celebrates 50 Years of Dazz: The Legacy Lives Loud! The story began in 1976, when nine gifted musicians rehearsed relentlessly inside a Cleveland warehouse driven by discipline and belief. “It was like a nine-to-five job, five days a week,” recalled founder Bobby Harris. That commitment paid off, leading the group, then known as Kinsman Dazz, to sign their first recording contract with 20th Century Records that same year. Led by saxophonist Bobby Harris, the group released their first single, Might as Well Forget About Loving You followed by their self-titled debut album, Kinsman Dazz, in 1977. This marked the first ot two Kinsman Dazz albums produced by Philip Bailey and Ralph Johnson of Earth, Wind and Fire. The project captivated listeners with a musically rich sound, defined by tight rhythms, jazzy chord progressions, expansive horn sections, sophisticated arrangements, and smooth vocal harmonies. 

Their growing success attracted major label attention, and in the early 1980s, the group signed with Motown Records and changed their name to The Dazz Band. Produced by Reggie Andrews and Bobby Harris over the course of seven albums on the Motown label, they made history as the first group from Cleveland, Ohio, to win a Grammy Award for Best Performance by an R& B Group or Duo for their smash hit Let It Whip in 1982. Harris credits Reggie Andrews, co-writer of their smash hit Let It Whip, for bringing musical stability to the group. Renowned for their infectious blend of R& B, funk, and soulful ballads, The Dazz Band scored more than 20 hits on the Billboard R & B and Pop charts while Harris served as producer or co-Producer on all 13 Dazz Band albums. Harris also penned hits such as Joystick, Heartbeat, Party Right Here, Catching Up on Love, Let the Music Play, Don’t Gamble with my Love, When you Needed Roses, Knock Knock, and more. 

During the 1980’s, The Dazz Band toured alongside funk and R& B legends such as Rick James, Luther Vandross, The Gap Band, Cameo, Kool & the Gang, and many others. Their innovative electro-funk sound garnered Gold and Platinum record success, while their music reached national audiences through iconic television platforms, including Soul Train, Solid Gold, and American Bandstand. Under Bobby Harris’s leadership, The Dazz Band signed with additional labels and performed continuously for more than five decades, maintaining a powerful presence on stage and beyond. Their music is featured in major motion pictures, commercials, and video games today. 

The current Dazz Band lineup features a group of seasoned musicians whose resumes reflect decades of excellence. Guitarist Marlon "The Magician” McClain, a native of Portland, Oregon, joined The Dazz Band in 1984 after launching his professional career as guitarist and cofounder of Portland’s nationally known group Pleasure, while later recording with Toni Braxton, Jeff Lorber, George Clinton, Charlie Wilson, En Vogue, Kenny G, and more! Keyboardist and Vocalist Keith “Chop Chop” Harrison, hailing from Dayton, Ohio, joined the band in 1983 and went on to write some of the band's most recognizable songs, including Let It All Blow, their biggest UK single. Prior to joining The Dazz Band, Keith was a member of the funk band Faze-O, where he penned the hit song Riding High released in 1977, which later became one of the most sampled songs in rap music history. Award-winning drummer Raymond Calhoun, a Washington DC native, joined the band in the 1990’s following more than three decades with one of funk music’s most influential groups, The Gap Band. Raymond wrote The Gap Band’s legendary hit Outstanding one of the most sampled songs in hip hop history. 

In 2025, The Dazz Band proudly introduced two standout vocalists: SNCR (pronounced Sincere), hailing from Norfolk, Virginia, and Maurice Smith, a three-time Grammy winner from Mississippi. SNCR’s rich, resonant tone flows effortlessly from sultry whispers to soaring high notes, bringing depth and emotion to every performance. Maurice's powerful timbre and impressive range allow him to glide through intricate melodies with ease while maintaining clarity and warmth. Whether capturing hearts on soulful ballads or energizing crowds with dynamic, upbeat tracks, their vocal presence reflects the same level of excellence that defined the band’s golden era. 

The Dazz Band went viral for the third time on TikTok, bringing renewed attention to their Grammy Award-winning hit Let It Whip and introducing their timeless sound to a new generation of fans. The band continues to attract over 5 million monthly listeners across Spotify and Apple Music, underscoring their lasting popularity. Over the last 50 years, The Dazz Band has earned numerous awards for their success and recognition from the United States military for entertaining troops abroad. Their influence on music history is further recognized by the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture in Washington, DC, honoring The Dazz Band for their remarkable and enduring impact on music.