Elevation Theory

Nick Carter and Jordan Knight, veterans of superstar boy bands The Backstreet Boys and New Kids on the Block, are teaming up to record an album and tour together, they said in an announcement this morning on “Good Morning America.”

“Me and Nick have combined our talents, our super powers, and now we are a new duo, called ‘Nick & Knight,’” Knight explained today. “We recorded a whole new album and are going on tour Sept. 15.”
Their album, “Nick & Knight,” will be released on Sept. 2 – and the two will perform live on “GMA” on that day. Their national tour begins Sept. 15.

“We’re almost pretty much done with the album,” Carter added. “It’s a bunch of our pop, rock, R&B and urban. It’s all mixed together to create ‘Nick & Knight.’”

The Backstreet Boys and New Kids on the Block have sold about 160 million albums combined around the world. After their time with their respective bands, Carter and Knight pursued successful solo careers.
“One More Time,” a song from the upcoming album - Good Morning America

Nick Carter and Jordan Knight appeared on Wendy Williams Show on October 7th to perform “Switch” off their new album. - Wendy Williams

If you're a fourth- through 12th-grader living in the greater Boston area, Berklee City Music® can give you the tools and support you need to reach your fullest potential through theory/musicianship classes, ensembles, one-on-one instruction and mentoring, and performance opportunities. You’ll have access to expert faculty and a comprehensive curriculum in popular and contemporary music.

You’ll not only emerge as a better student and musician, but also as a more confident and well-rounded individual ready to shape your world. - Berklee College Of Music

One of the more unfortunate parts of today’s modern music is that real R&B and Soul bands have become a thing of the past. Looking to revive the full band sound is emerging group Elevation Theory.

This 9 piece band of young musicians all united while attending Berklee College of Music in Boston, and have been building a strong reputation as a backing band for acts like K. Michelle, Jordan Knight and now Sebastian Mikael.

But, only being a band is not their final goal, and they are quickly making that known with the release of their first original music project, the Her Favorite Mixtape. The 8-track set is an emotionally charged modern R&B project, that successfully draws inspiration from Adult Contemporary R&B, with all songs written and produced by Elevation Theory.

“This mixtape gave us the opportunity to not only showcase our talent as the artist but our ability to highlight our songwriting, original records, & production ability,” says group leader Kirjuan Freeman. “We’re more than just a band that’s the story we’ve been trying to reach across to the masses. Letting people know we have incredible talent & music.” - This Is RnB

As proud Berklee College of Music Alumni , Elevation Theory has utilized many of the skills they acquired during their education to develop, grow, manage and monetize their musical career and passion. After completing their education, the immediate task at hand was adapting the skills they acquired in school to the current musical climate and industry in order to become successful working musicians. In a short period time, as active members in the musical community, they have learned adaptability, flexibility, and professionalism are the key factors to success in the music industry.

Elevation Theory (ET) is a unique full 9-piece band founded on passion for music. They continually strive for perfection and pride themselves on having an impeccable level of professionalism. This is a band modeled after true musicians from the 60’s, 70’s, 80′s appealing to connoisseurs of music from various genres.

ET has gone on to work with some of the most prominent names in pop music. To date, they have backed artists such as Jordan Knight, touring his most recent solo album Live & Unfinished. The success of this tour demanded two additional legs through North America. Currently, ET is working with other successful musicians such as K. Michelle of VH1′s Love & Hip Hop New York promoting her debut album Rebellious Soul. Last but not least, they are working with up and coming Epic Records rising star Sebastian Mikael.

They’ve learned in order to grow their brand to its full potential, they have to focus on the technicality of sounds, execution, and marketing strategies that will allow growth in visibility and awareness; Allowing ET to become a revenue generating entity. In the years since the formation of Elevation Theory, they have acquired a roster of talented personnel extending into all avenues of music creation and development; ranging from Artists to Songwriters and Producers.

While touring, the focus of ET is to be presented as a single entity, to increase brand recognition. This innovative group has peaked the interest of many local journalists, spawning many interviews, in both print and television. Currently, ET is working on their debut documentary film and television series to showcase the talent of each member. The goal is to demonstrate how each cog works in this dynamic group, as well as showing the process of creating an influential and lasting musical empire. - You Know I Got Soul

Having a big band at one time was par for the course in the world of R&B. Earth, Wind & Fire, Kool & The Gang and Mint Condition all clocked in with 7 or more members. Carrying on that tradition is the Boston based 9 piece band Elevation Theory. Forming as students at the prestigious Berklee College Of Music, they have made a name for themselves as the backing band for New Kids On The Block’s Jordan Knight, hitmaking R&B diva K.Michelle and newcomer Sebastian Mikael. Now with Amandi Music as their lead singer, the band is focusing efforts on their own career. In addition to being master musicians they’re holding down all production and songwriting duties in-house. Expect to hear a lot from these guys over the next few months. Hit the jump and hear their debut project. - Killerboom Box

When was the last time you heard a R&B band? It’s okay I’ll wait……….. Its been a while correct? Well I present to you Elevation Theory. This 9 member group have been building quite the reputation being the backing band for artists like; Sebastian Mikael, K. Michelle and Jordan Kinght. Her Favorite Mixtape is their first original project, the 8 track mixtape was written and produced by Elevation Theory and it really has the traditional R&B vibe to it, reminiscent of a Joe song from years gone by. - Speaker Society

It's a bit grittier than the Berklee Performance Center and a whole lot smaller. But the stage at Wally's Café carries some serious prestige. Since its founding in 1947, the Mass. Ave. venue, located just a few blocks from Berklee, has been host to plenty of jazz heavyweights, including Miles Davis, Sarah Vaughan, Charlie Parker, the Marsalis brothers, and Nikki Glaspie. Known as a training ground for young musicians, Wally's roster is chock-full of Berklee talent.

One such group, Elevation Theory, holds a coveted Wednesday night spot, one it was graced with after making its mark at the club. "Playing at Wally's is so historic," says drummer Kirjuan "Free" Freeman, the urban fusion band's leader and a third-semester music/business management major. "It was our very first engagement."

Frank F. Poindexter Jr., president of Wally's, credits Elevation Theory's hard work, diligence, and talent for its swift trajectory. "Elevation Theory's evolution at Wally's comes from playing together in front of a live audience, which is a form of practicing. Their musicianship has increased because of the two-hour sets at Wally's that force musicians to gain endurance with their instruments," he says.

Elevation Theory is just one example of Berklee students who have made a name for themselves at the club. "Berklee students are one of the pillars of Wally's. They bring talent, hard work, dedication, humility to learn their craft, and their love of music," says Poindexter.

On a recent Wednesday night, the crowd went wild for Elevation Theory, grooving and clapping to each solo. Building on the pedigree of Wally's, Elevation Theory has secured other gigs around town, from Ryles to Scullers to the Beehive. "Wally's is our first platform. It created Elevation Theory," says Freeman. "It gave me everything I needed to know about live performing: how to direct the band, how to get feedback, how to promote, how to effectively touch our fans."

Playing out on the Boston scene is invaluable, Freeman says. "Nothing is more refreshing than to know that you have gained enough respect on campus, and you're coming together off campus to gain a consumer's perspective."

To be sure, all of this wouldn't be possible without Berklee's preparation, from ear training to harmony to sight reading to lighting skills. "Berklee gives you so many hooks to your plan," says Freeman. "I can arrange, score, and replicate everything in the classroom to the live experience. . . Berklee gives you the proper ingredients to make what you do sound better." - Lesley Mahoney