“Since the 70s, Earth, Wind & Fire has made generations dance to its irresistible rhythms. This is the current lineup of the band, always with a powerful horn section, around Al McKay, the original guitarist of EWF. McKay was co-author of September, the anthem of Earth, Wind & Fire, and one of the responsibles of its distinctive sound with his guitar. The first EWF ended in 1983. A few years later, in 1990, McKay decided to form a band to recover the spirit of the original. First calling it LA Allstars, later called Al McKay Allstars, attracting many influential funk and R&B musicians. And now Earth, Wind & Fire Experience almost a reincarnation of the historic band and its sound.” Jazzaldia dotcom

“Al McKay (born February 2, 1948, in New Orleans, Louisiana) is an American guitarist, songwriter, producer, and former member of the American funk band Earth, Wind & Fire, and a recipient of five Grammy Awards. Al now leads his own group which started life as Al McKay’s L.A. All Stars, with former EWF members Johnny Graham, Fred White (younger brother of EWF founders Maurice White and Verdine White), Rahmlee Michael Davis and Michael Harris of the former Phenix Horns, and Andrew Woolfolk. The group released an album entitled Al Dente through import.” FB page

“Throughout most the 1970s and 1980s, McKay was hired for numerous studio sessions from different artists and produced/composed for various projects, including The Temptations (Truly for You – 1984 / Motown), A Taste of Honey (Ladies of the Eighties – 1982 / Capitol), Finis Henderson (Finis – 1982 / Motown), among many others. His instructional video for Star Licks Productions appeared on VHS in the mid-80s. With a re-designed video sleeve, it was re-issued on VHS during the ’90s.” FB page

“He now performs with his band, The Al McKay Allstars, performing a show called The Earth, Wind & Fire Experience, and tours along the major jazz festivals in the world with this 13-piece ensemble. There is also a live DVD from this project, which was filmed in Eastern Europe.” FB page

“Built around legendary Earth Wind & Fire guitarist, Al McKay, and a group of top Los Angeles studio and road musicians is the aptly named “Al McKay Allstars.” They are all about the music.” band website

“Performing hit after hit of the super group’s material, in the original keys with the original feel, the Al McKay Allstars offer a stunning demonstration of a living, vital performance – with every component of the band upholding the high standard of excellence that established the original EWF sound.” band website

“From Al McKay’s guitar, the rhythm section locks down the grooves McKay did so much to create in the first place. The horn section, under the leadership of original EWF trumpeter and Phenix Horn member Michael Harris, and featuring the talents of former Tower Of Power and Doobie Brother members, deliver performances that any band leader would be proud of. The vocal section anchored by the incredible vocal talents of Tim Owens – plausibly surpasses the powerful vocal ensemble of most groups.” band website

“In a day and age when many top pop groups perform with carefully prepared click tracks and prerecorded vocals and padding, it is refreshing to find that the legacy of this historic American music is alive and well with McKay’s stunning new group.” band website

“So the Al McKay Allstars may be the only group capable of rendering this music with the original feel and with no smoke and mirrors. And for fans of EWF and American funk music in general — the band is a phenomenon absolutely not to be missed.” band website

“In late 1983, Earth, Wind & Fire went on an extended “hiatus.” Although there were noises made subsequently from time to time, the group that had defined its unique sound was gone.” band website

“Then in 1990, the former EWF guitarist, Al McKay decided to put a band together from the remains of the original group, initially for some special performances in Japan. Calling themselves the “LA Allstars,” the group assembled former members of EWF into a model of the original rhythm section driven group, organized around the all important guitar work of McKay.” band website

“Over the years the LA Allstars, and later the Al McKay Allstars, have featured a who’s who of the most influential musicians in R&B and funk. These have included many of the original members of the late 70’s/early 80’s vintage EWF. Drawing from this reservoir of great musicians, the Al McKay Allstars have demonstrated the highest regard and commitment to retaining the excellence of the original EWF sound.” band website

Rahmlee Michael Davis – trumpet (Earth, Wind & Fire, The Phenix Horns)
Larry Dunn – keyboards (Earth, Wind & Fire)
Johnny Graham – guitar (Earth, Wind & Fire)
Michael Harris – trumpet (Earth, Wind & Fire, The Phenix Horns)
Ralph Johnson – percussion (Earth, Wind & Fire)
Al McKay – guitar (Earth, Wind & Fire)
Louis Satterfield – trombone (Earth, Wind & Fire, The Phenix Horns)
Beloyd Taylor – vocals (Earth, Wind & Fire)
Verdine White – bass (Earth, Wind & Fire)
Freddy White – drums (Earth, Wind & Fire)
Andrew Woolfolk – saxophone (Earth, Wind & Fire)

Other Allstars members have included:
Freddy Fluellen – bass (Paul Jackson Jr., The Emotions)
Hussain Jiffry – bass (Sergio Mendes)
Rob McDonald – bass
Byron Miller – bass (George Duke)
Bobby Watson – bass (Rufus)
Johnny Friday – drums
Aaron Haggerty – drums
Lance Lee – drums
John Paris – drums (Earth, Wind & Fire)
Michael Shapiro – drums (Sergio Mendes/Black Eyed Peas)
Taka – drums
Zorro – drums
Ndugu Chancler – percussion (Santana)
Fausto Cuevas – percussion (Britney Spears)
Joey DeLeon – percussion
Richie Garcia – percussion
Ben Dowling – piano, keyboards
Cat Grey – piano, keyboards
Freddie Ravel – piano, keyboards
Jane Child – keyboards
Tony Coleman – keyboards (The Emotions, BeBe & CeCe Winans)
Dean Gant – keyboards
Bryan Loren – keyboards (Michael Jackson)
Paco – keyboards
Bruce Conte – guitar (Tower Of Power)
Mark Harden – guitar
Steve Baxter – trombone (Jazz Crusaders)
Isaac Smith – trombone (Mariah Carey, Snoop Dogg)
Wendell Kelly – trombone (Quincy Jones)
Alphonse – trombone
Bill Churchville – trumpet (Tower Of Power)
Michael Hunter – trumpet
Harry Kim – trumpet
Federico Medina – trumpet
Enzo Villaparedes – trumpet
Robert Incelli – saxophone
Scott Mayo – saxophone
Eddie M – saxophone (Prince)
Andre Delano – saxophone (Maxwell)
Ed Wynne – saxophone (Doobie Brothers)
Durrell Coleman – vocals
Julie Delgado – vocals
Brenda Lee Eager – vocals
DeVere Duckett – vocals (Stevie Wonder, Barry White)
Terrence Forthsythe – vocals
Adam Jackson – vocals
Tim Owens – vocals (KC and JoJo)
Jeff Ramsey – vocals
Claude Woods – vocals
Ali Ollie Woodson – vocals (The Temptations)

Al McKay – leader and guitar
Tim Owens – vocals
DeVere Duckett – vocals
Claude Woods – vocals
Freddie Flewelen – bass guitar
Ben Dowling – keyboards
Dean Gant – keyboards
Aaron Haggerty – drums
David Leach – percussion
Ed Wynne – saxophone
Luis Gonzales – trumpet
Omar Peralta – trumpet
Justin Kirk – trombone