Mervyn Warren facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Mervyn Warren
Background information
Birth name	Mervyn Edwin Warren
Born	(1964-02-29) February 29, 1964 (age 61) Huntsville, Alabama, U.S.
Genres	Jazz R&B pop gospel contemporary Christian
Years active	1973-present
Labels	Walt Disney Varèse Sarabande
Associated acts	Take 6 Quincy Jones Boyz II Men The Manhattan Transfer

Mervyn Edwin Warren (born February 29, 1964) is a talented American musician. He is a film composer, record producer, conductor, and arranger. He also writes lyrics and songs. Mervyn Warren plays piano and sings.

He has won five Grammy Awards and been nominated ten times. Warren has created music and songs for many movies and TV shows. He has also arranged music for famous producers like Quincy Jones and David Foster. He worked a lot on Jones' albums like Back on the Block.

Mervyn Warren has produced music for many jazz, pop, R&B, and gospel artists. He often arranges, plays, and sings on these recordings. He also writes or helps write the songs. Warren is well-known for being a first member of the a cappella group Take 6. He also composed music for the movie The Wedding Planner (2001). He produced and arranged songs for the hit film Sister Act 2 (1993). He also worked on the soundtrack for the 1996 Whitney Houston movie The Preacher's Wife. This soundtrack became the best-selling gospel album ever.

Mervyn Warren's Early Life and Learning

Mervyn Warren was born on a leap day in Huntsville, Alabama. His father, Mervyn A. Warren, was a university leader and professor. His mother, Barbara J. Warren, was a professor who taught about early childhood education.

His mother taught him to read and do math when he was just three years old. This helped him finish first and second grade in one year. When he started third grade, other kids teased him. They thought he had "skipped" a grade. During this time, he spent a lot of time playing the piano. He had started learning piano from his mother at age five.

He took piano lessons from age six to ten but then lost interest. He liked making up his own music more than memorizing songs. His parents were Seventh-day Adventists. Because of this, he was not allowed to listen to pop music or rhythm and blues. At age twelve, he got in trouble for having the album Gratitude by Earth, Wind & Fire. Instead, he listened to easy-listening, Christian, classical, and choir music. He also enjoyed the Mantovani Orchestra and the Swingle Singers.

He grew up near Oakwood University and saw many music groups perform there. At fifteen, he joined a summer program at Alabama A&M University. This program was for high school students who were good at math and science. In 1981, he was the top student (valedictorian) at Oakwood Adventist Academy. A few months later, he started at Oakwood University. He earned a music degree in 1985. Two years later, he got a master's degree in arranging from the University of Alabama. He studied with Steve Sample Sr.

Mervyn Warren's First Steps in Music

At age five, Mervyn Warren started playing the piano by ear. His mother taught him a few songs. For many years, he spent hours at the piano. He learned to play different styles and created new versions of songs. By age seven, he was playing piano for singers at school and church. He became a popular piano player in his community. He continued to do this often through college.

When he was 10, Warren became the regular accompanist for a group of five girls from his class. They performed often at school and community events. Soon after, Warren began writing new arrangements for the group.

At 12, a classmate asked if he had ever thought about writing his own song. Warren had always arranged other songs. But this idea made him start writing original songs and lyrics. He taught these to the vocal group, and they began to perform them publicly.

Warren naturally loved jazz and complex music. This was clear in his songs and arrangements. Some people in the Oakwood community were more traditional. They did not like his modern musical ideas. This led to some disagreements between Warren and authority figures. At 13, Warren made his group bigger. It became a nine-voice group with both girls and boys. This group, called The Symbolic Sounds, sang only his arrangements and songs. They stayed popular in the school until 1981.

Warren's first professional recording was for a new version of "The Lord's Prayer". Warren co-wrote the music with his friend Eric Todd. A gospel choir from Oakwood University, Blessed Peace, recorded it. Warren created the vocal arrangement, played keyboards, and helped with the production. The studio owner, Doug Jansen Smith, noticed Warren's talent. Soon, Warren often worked at the studio. He contributed arrangements, played keyboards, and sang on radio and TV commercials. He also worked on pop, rock, country, and Christian recordings.

Many of these sessions included Warren's friend Mark Kibble. Kibble was also a good arranger, pianist, and singer. He later became a member of Take 6. From age 13, Warren and Kibble performed concerts together. They sang solos and duets, taking turns playing the piano.

Forming Alliance and Take 6

In 1980, while still in high school, Warren and Kibble joined an existing male a cappella group at Oakwood University. This group became a sextet (six singers) and was known as Alliance. Alliance became famous for its unique and complex vocal arrangements. They mostly sang well-known negro spirituals and some newer songs. Mark Kibble created most of Alliance's amazing arrangements. Later, Warren also contributed a few. Alliance was very popular. They performed at Oakwood University and in many cities across the United States.

In 1983, Alliance recorded an album called Something Within. It was for Legacy Records, a label started by Henry Mosley, a professor at Oakwood University. Mosley also managed the group. Later, a copy of Something Within was given to Jim Ed Norman at Warner Bros. Records in Nashville, Tennessee. Norman loved the music but did not know who the singers were. In 1987, Norman finally found out who the group was. He quickly signed Alliance to a recording contract. They found out another rock band was already using the name "Alliance." So, the vocal group was renamed Take 6. They released the album Take 6 and became famous worldwide.

In 1981, Warren joined The Aeolians, a well-known touring choir at Oakwood University. Professor Alma Blackmon directed the choir. Warren stayed in The Aeolians for all four years of college. He later became the stage director, assistant conductor, and alternate piano player for the group. With The Aeolians, Warren traveled a lot. He toured throughout the United States, Bermuda, The Bahamas, The Virgin Islands, England, Scotland, and Wales.

Alma Blackmon, Mervyn Warren, &
The Aeolians in 2002

In 1985, Warren wrote an upbeat choir song called "I Ain't Got Long To Be Here." It was in the style of a negro spiritual. Blackmon let Warren teach the song to The Aeolians. It became a regular part of their performances. When they sang it, Blackmon would introduce Warren, and he would conduct the piece. "I Ain't Got Long To Be Here" is believed to be the first song written by a student that The Aeolians ever performed.

Blackmon was very important to Warren's musical growth. He studied music theory, piano, and choir conducting with her. Warren lived across the street from Blackmon's home.

A Special Blend: Another Early Group

Many members of The Aeolians also sang in other groups at Oakwood University. But because The Aeolians practiced and toured so much, their conductor, Alma Blackmon, made a rule. No members could be in groups larger than a quartet (four singers). This was to make sure enough students were always available for Aeolian performances. Because of this rule, Warren's nine-voice group, The Symbolic Sounds, was not allowed.

In 1981, Warren ended The Symbolic Sounds. He then formed a new group called A Special Blend. It had two women and two men. Warren played piano for them, sometimes with a full band. He created new and interesting vocal arrangements for A Special Blend. Their songs included new versions of popular tunes and original songs by Warren. The main members were Joya Foster, Lori Bryan, Mark Kibble, and Claude V. McKnight, III.

Like Alliance, A Special Blend became popular for its unique style. They mixed vocal jazz with Christian lyrics. A Special Blend performed concerts across the United States, mostly on weekends during the school year. Warren, Kibble, and McKnight were members of both A Special Blend and Alliance. Both groups had a vocal jazz style that worked well together. They often performed concerts side-by-side.

Sometimes, other singers like Andraetta Huff, Sheryl Bihm, and Michelle Mayne joined A Special Blend for a short time.

Neither A Special Blend nor Alliance fully followed Blackmon's "Rule of Four." However, she made an exception for A Special Blend. This was because they were technically a quartet, and Warren played piano with them. Alliance, though, clearly broke the rule. But Warren, Mark Kibble, and Claude V. McKnight, III, kept performing with Alliance secretly. Kibble and McKnight also sang with The Aeolians, but they stopped after one year. Warren stayed with The Aeolians for all four years of his college studies.

In 1982, A Special Blend won first place at the Alabama State Fair's talent competition.

In 1983, A Special Blend recorded some songs at Sound Cell Studio. This was a demo to help them get a recording contract. Like Alliance, A Special Blend got the attention of Henry Mosley, who became their manager.

In 1984, A Special Blend recorded an album called Nowhere But Up. Warren produced this album. It was recorded in Nashville, Tennessee, for Mosley's Legacy Records. To attend recording sessions, Warren and the group traveled 100 miles many times. They often left for Nashville after classes, recorded for a few hours, and returned after midnight. They would just make it back for morning classes.

Oakwood University had a long history of vocal groups. But Nowhere But Up was the first student album to feature a full band. It also included an orchestration with strings, a big band, horns, synthesizers, and special percussion. Warren arranged all of this, even though he had no formal training in writing for orchestras.

When it came out, Nowhere But Up caused a stir at Oakwood University. A few very traditional teachers did not like the album's jazzy style. But overall, students, teachers, and fans loved the project. Only a few thousand copies of Nowhere But Up were made. Today, it is considered a collector's item. There have been talks about re-releasing the album on the iTunes Store for its 30th anniversary.

A Special Blend often joined Warren at Sound Cell Studio. They would sing for commercials or provide background vocals for other artists. These recordings included country, pop, easy listening, and Christian music. The group also sang background vocals on stage for artist Bob Bailey at Oakwood University.

In 1985, A Special Blend performed in California. They sang at gospel-music legend Walter Hawkins' Love Center in Oakland. Other legends like Walter's brother, Edwin Hawkins, and Danniebelle Hall were there. Warren greatly admired Danniebelle Hall. A Special Blend even sang a unique version of her New Orleans jazz-style song, "Theme On The Thirty-Seventh." Hall loved their performance. After the group sang, Walter Hawkins joked that they hadn't performed any of his songs. Hall replied, "Well, if you'd write something decent, they would."

In 1986, Warren went to Toronto, Canada, to see the Manhattan Transfer in concert. Afterward, he waited backstage and gave them copies of Nowhere But Up. Over the years, A Special Blend had often been compared to the Manhattan Transfer. Months later, Warren was finishing his master's degree. He got a surprise call from Janis Siegel of the Manhattan Transfer. She asked if he had heard from the Recording Academy. Siegel explained that the Manhattan Transfer members had submitted Nowhere But Up for a Grammy Award nomination. The album was a small, independent release. It had not reached enough members of the Recording Academy to get a Grammy nomination. However, Warren and A Special Blend were very thankful for the Transfer's kind act. Years later, Warren would write several arrangements for the Manhattan Transfer.

Mervyn Warren and Take 6

In 1980, Warren joined the a cappella sextet Alliance. In 1987, they signed with Warner Bros. Records. They moved to Nashville, Tennessee, and changed their name to Take 6. By 1988, they were famous worldwide. Warren produced or co-produced most of their first two albums: Take 6 and So Much 2 Say. He also arranged and co-wrote many of the songs. With the group, he won his first of four Grammy Awards.

Warren's time with Take 6 was very busy. They had many appearances, performances, recordings, and travels. Take 6 performed many concerts and tours. These shows were usually sold out in the United States and other countries. In 1988, Take 6 toured about 12 U.S. cities, opening for singer Andy Williams. In 1989, Take 6 toured 40 U.S. cities, opening for jazz legend Al Jarreau. Later, Take 6 became the main act for their own concerts and tours. They performed across the United States, the UK, Europe, and Japan. Sometimes, Take 6 shared the stage with other popular Christian artists like The Winans and BeBe & CeCe Winans.

Take 6's popularity also led to working with famous artists. Through Take 6, Warren first met Quincy Jones. This started a musical friendship that lasted for many years. Take 6 performed on several songs for Jones' album Back on the Block. Warren sang on "Setembro (Brazilian Wedding Song)" and wrote the lyrics for "The Verb To Be (Introduction to Wee B. Dooinit)." In the years that followed, Warren arranged and produced many songs for Quincy Jones' projects.

In 1989, Take 6 recorded the song "Don't Shoot Me" for the Spike Lee film Do the Right Thing. Warren produced the recording. He co-wrote "Don't Shoot Me" with Spike Lee and group members Claude V. McKnight, III and David Thomas.

That same year, Take 6 sang background vocals on the Don Henley album, The End of the Innocence. This was a favor requested by Jim Ed Norman, who was president of Warner Bros. Records. Norman and Henley were old friends. Norman had produced many recordings for Henley's band The Eagles.

Other notable collaborations for Take 6 included recordings with Johnny Mathis, Stephanie Mills, Melba Moore, Joe Sample, and k.d. lang.

During Warren's time with the group, Take 6 made music videos for three songs: "Spread Love," "I L-O-V-E U," and "Ridin' The Rails." The last one was with k.d. lang for the 1990 film Dick Tracy. Take 6 also recorded theme music for the TV show Murphy Brown. They also did music for Oprah Winfrey's TV miniseries The Women of Brewster Place. They even made commercials for Burger King and Mitsubishi.

During this period, Take 6 also performed live on many TV shows. These included the 31st Grammy Awards, Good Morning America, The Today Show, The Arsenio Hall Show, The Tonight Show, and Saturday Night Live. Take 6 also sang The National Anthem at the 1988 World Series.

In 1991, Warren left Take 6. He wanted to focus on being a full-time record producer, songwriter, arranger, and film composer.

Mervyn Warren's Music Career in Nashville

While recording and touring with Take 6, Warren also produced, wrote songs, and arranged music for other musicians. Producer Greg Nelson became a mentor to him. In 1991, after leaving Take 6, Warren stayed in Nashville. He worked with artists like Yolanda Adams, James Ingram, Sandi Patty, and Bebe & Cece Winans. In 1990, he produced two songs on the Donna McElroy album Bigger World. The arrangement for "Come Sunday" was a team effort with Cedric Dent from Take 6. Warren and Dent received a Grammy Award nomination for this arrangement.

Interpreting Handel's Messiah

In 1991, Warren was asked to arrange and produce a new version of Messiah. This famous piece was written by George Frideric Handel in 1741. Warren's job was to add African-American music styles to it. He arranged and produced seven of the sixteen songs for Handel's Messiah: A Soulful Celebration. This album included styles like spirituals, blues, ragtime, swing, jazz fusion, R&B, gospel, and hip-hop. The album won a Grammy Award for Best Contemporary Soul Gospel Album. It also won a Dove Award for Contemporary Gospel Album of the Year. The Handel House museum in London, England, has officially recognized Handel's Messiah: A Soulful Celebration.

Mervyn Warren's Film and Music Career in Los Angeles

In 1993, Warren was hired to compose music for the film Sister Act 2: Back in the Habit. He planned to go back to Nashville, but he kept getting job offers in Los Angeles. So, he decided to stay. He has composed and conducted orchestral music for movies and TV. He has also written, produced, and arranged songs for Ron Fair, David Foster, and Quincy Jones. He also performs and records as a musician. He worked with Jeff Marx on "You Have More Friends Than You Know." This song was for the It Gets Better organization. The song appeared on the TV show Glee on April 18, 2013.

Mervyn Warren's Awards and Honors

Grammy Awards and Nominations

Soul Train Award

NAACP Image Award Nominations

Dove Awards and Nominations (10)

Stellar Awards