Quiet Fire was first conceived in 1971 in Hampton, Virginia at Hampton Institute by Philippe Fields (sax), Maurice Unthank (piano) and Oscar Jai-Tee (congas and percussion) who were first a talent show band on campus and became very popular and started doing club dates in the area. Though they played many arrangements of cover tunes, their original material became the most requested. Soon Quiet Fire was opening act for such groups and musicians as Roy Ayers, Ramsey Lewis, Angela Bofile, Peabo Bryson, Lou Donaldson,Stanley Turrintine,Freddie Hubbard and Dexter Gordon just to name a few.
During this time Philippe was also a music educator,teaching at Norfolk State University,(director of Jazz Studies),and taught classes in Jazz Theory, Melody and Improvisation, Progressive Harmony, Jazz History and Composition,and Arranging/Songwriting. Fields was also Director, Compser-Arranger and Leader of the four performance groups at Norfolk State University. Fields was Instructor of Saxophone and Director, Composer Arranger of the Vocal Jazz Ensemble at Hampton University.
VMSoul is seeking information on the following groups and individuals who were a part of the area's history. If you have pictures or info on these (and other)groups, please Contact Us.
Deltones
Soul Dream Team
Mellow Tones
Anglos
The Grooms
Rocking Cabanas --Bugs Winfield
Norman Sellers
Mackey Boy Robinson---The Barkays
The Relatives
Family Affair
Trussel
Newport News resident, Hannon "Decky" Lane, was a member of the Petersburg based group, Trussel. The group was signed to Elektra Records which released the album, "Love Injection,". produced by Fred Wesley.
