ABOUT ME
Since the age of 3, El'Barak has been a professional singer and entertainer. He has been captivating the attention of audiences ever since. He received his only formal training in West Philadelphia High School's concert choir under the firm direction of Miss Velma Simmons. She helped El develop his technical skill as a vocalist, while not compromising what she recognized as his natural "gifts".
When his contemporaries were experiencing great success traveling the world with the headliners of the time, El opted out of hitting the road, and got a corporate
"9 to 5" with AT&T, and later, Independence Blue Cross, in order for him to be present and to fully support his then small children. With this commitment, he sadly figured that his dream of writing and producing music and traveling the world as an entertainer was over.
Still needing to feed his musical appetite, he became a notable force on the Philadelphia event scene as a band leader and front man for various cover bands and orchestras. His talents were mostly confined to private events such as weddings, bar/bat mitzvahs, corporate and political galas; being held at many of the major Hotels, Banquet Halls, Country Clubs and Convention Centers in the tri-state area.
In August of 2008, El's undying desire to be his "own man" and to be in control of his own destiny, lead him to found Ascension Entertainment Group LLC. He ventured out with his own 11 piece party band he named CARNIVÁLE, and continued his tradition of excellence in entertainment in the event industry .
During many of his "dream deferred" years, El' Barak continued to write and produce his own music, and did studio work with LL Cool J, Jazzy Jeff, and Chubby Checker. He has shared the stage with RnB icons Norman Connors, Jean Carne, Cameo, Tito Jackson, James Ingram, Ray Goodman & Brown, Bootsy Collins, as well as local Philly Jazz greats like Dexter Wansel, Sam Reed, Tony Williams, Jamaaladeen Tacuma, Warren Orrie and The Arpeggio Jazz Ensemble and Sax Queen, Fostina Dixon. El continues to stay busy into the new decade as he mesmerized an international audience, performing a tribute to the one and only Marvin Gaye while on the Time/Life 2020 SOUL TRAIN CRUISE to the caribbean.
And now, the conditions are perfect for us to experience El'Barak's truth as the Indie Artist, author and editor of his own musical commentary; being a "first hand" witness to love and loss, joy and pain, devotion and deceit, struggle and victory, trial and redemption, the power of a promise, and a dream fulfilled. Joining forces with
his carefully formed, and Celestially Didactic unit,"SOULAR RETURN", El'Barak
comes to the forefront, releasing his first single "IT"S OK", speaking to the heart, soul, and mind... in his own words... with his own voice... using his own sound... and in his own time... NOW.