The UH Student Program Board shook up its band lineup with R&B grooves Wednesday, resulting in the fall semester’s best turnout for the organization’s UC Satellite Concert Series.
The SPB brings free events to campus, such as comedy shows, movie screenings and concerts, which highlight national and local talent. After a procession of rock-oriented acts, the organization decided to head into a different direction by presenting an R&B group – communications junior Lee-Lonn Walker and his band 10 Minutes.
‘We wanted (to) bring diversity to our program,’ SPB member Melinda Rushing said. ‘Our goal is to reach different demographics, so we were excited to add Lee-Lonn and his band to the lineup so that (the lineup) wouldn’t be solely centered on one genre of music.’
The members of 10 Minutes chose the group’s name because of the spontaneity with which they come up with show ideas.
‘Every show, we do it within 10 minutes,’ Walker said with a laugh.
In addition to original pieces, including an interactive skit during which Walker imitated a pastor of a gospel church, the band covered popular hip-hop and R&B songs such as 50 Cent’s ’21 Questions’ and Lil Wayne’s ‘Shooter.’
For Walker, who recently won an NAACP-sponsored UH talent show, music is a passion.
‘I definitely want to pursue music after graduation,’ Walker said. ‘Music is an expression of life, love and the soul.’
If the crowd’s reaction was any indication (many in the audience emphatically sang along), Walker might get to see his dream fulfilled.
‘We make good music,’ fellow band member and singer Monae Carter said.
