Soulful, passionate, stirring...these are the words most often used to describe Kirk’s music. Forged from his Memphis, (TN) gospel roots and his 1980‘s initiation into the thriving Houston, TX nightclub scene, Kirk’s big, rich tenor sound is unmistakably his.

With seven Grammy® Awards, scores of international music awards and popular accolades worldwide. MAI is grateful and excited that Kirk has consented to headline our 2nd  annual gala concert .

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George Duke was named "R&B Keyboardist Of The Year" by Keyboard Magazine for the second consecutive year. Other honors include Grammy nominations for his production of "We Are The World" by the Children Of The World; "Sweet Baby" by the Clarke/Duke project; "Let's Hear It For The Boy" by Deniece Williams; "Stay With Me Tonight" and "On The Wings Of Love" by Jeffrey Osborne; and "Fumilayo" by Dianne Reeves. Tutu, by Miles Davis with selections produced by George Duke, won a Grammy in 1986. Both Miles Davis Amandla (selections produced by Duke) and Al Jarreau's Heart's Horizon (produced entirely by Duke) received Grammy nominations.

Easily, he is one of the national treasures and a bridge between all forms of jazz an R&B music. His performances electrify the audience with both his technical ability and his heartfelt musical passages. We are elated that George has consented to be our headliner for the Musical Arts Institute 2nd Annual Gala Concert.

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With the release of his previous CD, ‘Just Feelin It.’ Michael Manson joined the ranks of today’s premiere jazz artists. His first single "Coming Right At Ya" reached the top 10 on the R&B Smooth Jazz. Bass-master Michael Manson moved from sideman to center-stage on his solo debut, ‘The Bottom Line.’

His passion and precision are displayed with both unrelenting power and laid-back grace on the album that, he says, "reflects the deepest expression of all I have felt making music for the last twenty years." "I’m happy to be joining the line up for this year’s gala. We will perform and have a great time with the purpose of helping our community foster a sense of excellence through music. Looking forward to it."