Chavar Dontae plays Frankie's Friday

Listen Up Toledo  |  12/20/2011 7:00 am

Chavar Dontae's self-coined "indie-soul-rock-n-roll" sound is like a breath of fresh air. To be exact, it's a gutsy breath of the Midwest air he grew up on, polished with the sea breeze of the west coast where he moved after college to hone his chops.* Drawing on a range of influences, from radio-ready R&B, neo-soul, and pop, to hipster rock and underground electro influences, Dontae crafts a sound both all his own and catchy and familiar. Having studied music and guitar performance at Bowling Green State University, Dontae attended master classes with the likes of Yo Yo Ma and Ray Brown, all the while, pursuing music with a wanderlust and professionalism that has carried him from coast to coast, and attracted positive critical responses to both his live shows and recorded works.

Despite moving back to Toledo a few years ago, Chavar Dontae keeps hometown shows few and far between. So, it's kind of a holiday treat that he debuts his latest work, from the album indiesoulrocknroll: about a girl from westland, this Friday at Frankie's. The EP tracks the trials and tribulations of our hero in the tale battles all to stay positive through a break up, creating perky dance jams and introspective ballads along the way.

Get a little dose of rock-n-soul for the holidays, it's good for you.
Chavar Dontae plays Frankie's Inner City, 308 Main St. on Friday, December 23. 9 p.m. $5 21+, $7 under 21. www.frankiesinnercity.com

*Yes, I'm aware LA is famous for its air pollution, I'm talking about the idea of fresh air by the ocean - just go with it.