Vel Omarr on His CD Cover The Late Sam Cooke

SAM COOKE - ALIVE AND WELL

Los Angeles, CA (BlackNews.com) - Sam Cooke is arguably the most influential vocalist of our time. Although he has been gone for 40 years, his songs, his spirit and his voice live on and are still with us today. Vel Omarr is the voice and soul of Sam Cooke. The Father of Soul Music is alive and well and living in the music of Vel Omarr!

Omarr was born on a small farm in the Mississippi Delta. While living in the south with his grandparents, he attended church every Sunday and remembers traveling to neighboring towns to hear a "Big Preacher" or enjoy a shouting, spirit-filled "Gospel Fest".

At the age of eight, Omarr moved to Chicago to be with his mother. The first song he heard on the radio as the train pulled into the station was "You Send Me," sung by Sam Cooke. "The song eased my longing to be back home in Mississippi," Omarr remembers.

Omarr began singing at the age of 14, and upon graduating from high school, was sure he wanted to make show business his life. In the early 1970s, Omarr boarded a plane bound for Los Angeles to concentrate his efforts on his career.

Omarr credits Sam Cooke with being his singing inspiration from childhood. Mastering Cooke's vocal techniques and stage presence have made him a much sought-after vocalist throughout the United States -- opening for such legendary greats as James Brown, Little Richard, Brenton Wood, Brenda Holloway, Al Wilson, The Platters, The Olympics, The Penguins and many others.

With his premier album release, "Rhythms and the Blues," Omarr uses his life experiences to deliver a passionate blend of music. With soul-stirring ballads like "If I Should Get to Heaven" and rhythmic jazz tunes like "Feels Like Love, Omarr's album has been met with critical acclaim.

Here are some comments from those who have experienced Vel Omarr. "When Vel sang 'A Change Is Going To Come', he sent chills down my spine." -- Agnes Hoskins (Sister of Sam Cooke).

"That's some sweet sweet music you got! Makes me wantto dance!" -- Billy Ray Cyrus .

"Vel your voice is wonderful! You have a Sam Cooke/Bobby Womack vibe going. I am so glad that you created your web page! It will show everyone just how wonderful you sound! Keep up the good work!" -- Kimberly Lewis

"His song, 'You're All That', features a loping bass line tightened by a sustained synth-string fill and guess what? Sam Cooke influenced vocals. 'That's Alright With Me' is a romantic and manly ballad in the old-school, slow-dance/piano triplet sense. -- Reviewer: Barney Quick, Indie-Music.com

To book Vel Omarr, call 323-342-0696 or e-mail velomarr@yahoo.com To order CDs, call or visit www.VelOmarrSings.com