Biography
There are multiple artists with this name:
1) A Christian jazz band.
2) A 60s/early 70s Christian psychedelic band.
1)
Koinonia was a fusion jazz band that produced four albums between 1982 and 1990. The band's name comes from the Greek word koinonia (κοινωνία), which means community through sharing.
band history
The band was formed in 1980 by Abraham Laboriel, a classically trained electric bass guitarist, and drummer Bill Maxwell with Dean Parks (guitar), Alex Acuña (percussion and drums), John Phillips (woodwinds), Hadley Hockensmith (guitar), and Harlan Rogers (keyboards). The band emerged from the instrumental group Sonlight, which had performed as the backing band for Andraé Crouch under the name "The Disciples" and had released their own album in 1972.
Koinonia made their debut at the Baked Potato in Los Angeles in 1980. The debut album was released in 1982 under the title More Than a Feelin'. The band then performed in Scandinavia, where their live album Celebration was recorded.
In 1981, John Phillips left the band and was replaced by saxophone and flute virtuoso Justo Almario. Dean Parks also left the band because the band played live a lot and in different countries and he didn't like to travel. In 1986 the album Frontline was released. Chester Thompson joined as a replacement for Alex Acuña during the 1987 European tour, but did not become an official band member. Finally, in 1988, Lou Pardini joined the band (keyboards and vocals). With him came the last self-titled studio album. Koinonia disbanded in 1991. After the split, Alex Acuña and Justo Almario formed the Latin group Tulu.
Music genre
The band members were all successful studio musicians who had a very good reputation in the music scene and worked with many well-known artists (e.g. Lionel Richie, Quincy Jones, Chaka Khan etc.).
The first two albums contained almost exclusively instrumental tracks. In the two later ones, singing was also integrated. Stylistically, Koinonia integrated elements of jazz funk, a jazz subgenre with powerful back beats, groove and rhythm guitar. Other notable artists of a similar vein during this period included The Crusaders, Weather Report, Herbie Hancock, Alphonse Mouzon, Chick Corea, Lee Ritenour, Azymuth, Eumir Deodato, Jeff Lorber, and Seawind.
discography
albums
1982: More than a Feelin' (Breaker Record)
1984: Celebration (live album, Breaker Records)
1986: Frontline (Sparrow Records)
1989: Koinonia (Royal Music)
compilations
1989: Compact Favorites (Sparrow Records)
1992: Pilgrim's Progression - Best of Koinonia (Maxus Records)
2010: All the Best (4 CD and 2 DVD compilation, MEP Records)
The band consisted of several Los Angeles based R&B session musicians:
Alex Acuña (formerly of Weather Report) (percussion)
Abraham Laboriel (bass)
Justo Almario (sax, flute, and wind controller)
John Phillips (woodwinds)
Lou Pardini (keyboards and vocals)
Hadley Hockensmith (guitar)
Dean Parks (guitar)
Harlan Rogers (keyboards)
Bill Maxwell (drums)
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