Founder of Sophisticado Recordings Chicago and co-owner of Bridgeport Record Store Chicago, DJ / Producer Vick Lavender has been a global music aficionado for over 30 years and continues to elevate the genre of deep & soulful house music by creating unique landscapes and rhythms representing world music, jazz fusion, R&B, and various other musical styles.
His mastery of these unique sounds gives his music the ability to call to ancestral spirit and permeate the soul of its listener.
In the mid-'90s, Vick was a part of Glenn Underground's Strictly Jaz Unit along with Boo Williams. Creating his very first release on Defender Records, Medone's Thought, marked the beginning of a sound that would grow and morph into what Vick is known for today. After parting ways with Strictly Jaz Unit, Vick and Jerry McCalister formed the live deep house band Mr. A.L.I (African Latin Influences), recording standout tracks such as Missing You, Midnight Interlude, and Cast Your Spell, featuring Carla Prather, which was later released on the legendary West End Records.Vick later founded Sophisticado Records and, after releasing tracks digitally on Traxsource and Beatport, connected with NYC legend Joaquin "Joe" Claussell. Joe Claussell then began releasing Sophisticado Recordings on vinyl, with standout tracks like 1.4.4.5, G.I.R.L., and Deep Excape’s After The Rain, all distributed by Sacred Rhythm Music, introducing Vick’s unique sound to a whole new audience. His music has been championed by industry heavyweights such as Joe Claussell, Louie Vega, Ron Trent, and Kai Alce. Vick has released music on labels including Sophisticado Recordings, Sacred Rhythm Music, West End Records, Mister Bear Records, and Cataleya Music.
His DJ presence has taken him across the globe, earning him a loyal following in South Africa, Toronto, the UK, Tbilisi, Italy, and NYC.
