Eight Cylinder Bigband

Think Big. That’s what organist, pianist, and keyboardist Matthias Bublath had in mind when he founded his Eight Cylinder Big Band a few years ago. His vision for the band’s sound: maximum tonal richness, rhythmic and stylistic diversity, combining new approaches with tried-and-true elements, and creating the perfect musical setting for his Hammond B3. Since its founding, his large ensemble—which takes every turn with daring flair—has been thrilling audiences with high-energy pieces penned by the bandleader himself, featuring a sleek mix of jazz, soul, funk, fusion, blues, Latin, and Afro-Caribbean styles.

This time, North Carolina-born soul and gospel singer Donielle Graves—also known for her performances with the Harlem Gospel Choir—will be performing with the Eight Cylinders. This “Mrs. Diva Vocal,” with her stunning voice, sings from the depths of her soul, infusing her songs with all her life experience and thereby creating incredible intensity and passion. Music is her fulfillment, singing her passion, and she wants the whole world to share in it.

Matthias Bublath, a native of Munich, has been one of the cornerstones of the Munich jazz scene for many years. After studying at the Bruckner Private University in Linz, Berklee College of Music in Boston, and the Manhattan School of Music in New York, he returned to his hometown, where he has since inspired his colleagues with his enthusiasm, curiosity, and versatility. Since returning to the banks of the Isar, he has become the perfect accompanist for stars such as Sarah Connor, Claudia Korreck, and Max Merseny, and has launched numerous projects of his own that showcase his versatility.

Donniele Graves from North Carolina is a singer through and through—she was born for one purpose and one purpose alone: to sing.

Her talent was nurtured by her mother, a lyric soprano, and her father, a classical musician and composer. It was her destiny to find her path in music. Since she was two years old, she has impressed her audiences, and many have fallen in love with her voice. As a teenager, she also played drums, saxophone, piano, and bass, but singing became her passion.

Donniele has worked with numerous musical and gospel stars such as Bishop Donnie Graves, The Clark Sisters, Dr. Mattie Moss Clark, Walter Hawkins, Tremaine Hawkins, Shirley Caesar, Shannon Powell, and Nikki Harris, to name just a few.

In the Washington, D.C., music scene, she was a familiar face under her stage name “Mrs. Diva.” She also had the good fortune to share the stage with the late Chuck Brown and to participate in recordings with the band “Trouble Funk.”

Donniele is an energetic vocal coach, choir director, and workshop leader. Thanks to this gift, she has traveled extensively throughout the United States and beyond. Internationally, she has toured with groups such as “The Original USA Gospel Singers,” “Dwight Robson & the Golden Voices of Gospel,” and “The Voices of Inspiration.”

“Music is my religion.” – D. Graves

Lineup:

Donniele Graves (vocals)

Ulrich Wangenheim (sax)

Florian Riedl (sax)

Tom Förster (sax)

Moritz Stahl (sax)

Janine Schrader (sax)

Nemanja Jovanovic (trumpet)

Felix Ecke (trumpet)

Reinhard Greiner (trumpet)

Andreas Unterrainer (trumpet)

Jürgen Neudert (trombone)

Hans-Heiner Bettinger (tb)

Marie Kuhar (tb)

Freddy Andrej (trombone)

Maxi Nachtmann (guitar)

Matthias Bublath (organ, keys, comp)

Patrick Scales (bass)

Christian Lettner (dr)