ATLANTA—For more than four decades, Take 6 has captivated audiences worldwide with its distinctive blend of gospel, jazz, R&B, and pop. On October 2, the multiple Grammy Award-winning vocal group returns to the Rialto Center for the Arts as part of the venue’s 30th Season.
Ahead of the performance, Rialto Executive Director Amy Reid sat down with founding member Claude McKnight to discuss the group’s enduring sound, what keeps its members inspired, and what Atlanta audiences can expect this fall.
According to McKnight, part of Take 6’s longevity comes from something remarkably simple: after all these years, the members still enjoy making music together. That connection carries onto the stage. “When you’re in harmony in spirit, you can be in harmony in the group,” he said.
Creatively, the group remains committed to authenticity rather than chasing musical trends. McKnight said Take 6 continues to learn from other artists while building on the individual personalities and strengths that have shaped its unmistakable sound.
Take 6 first appeared at the Rialto in 2024.
That evolution will be on display at the Rialto. McKnight says the October concert will feature music spanning Take 6’s catalog, including longtime favorite “Spread Love,” alongside at least two songs from the group’s forthcoming project, Rhapsody, which he described as a collection of jazz-focused material. The evening also happens to fall on McKnight’s birthday, with family planning to join him in Atlanta for the occasion.
For McKnight, however, the heart of the evening is connection. He hopes audiences leave having experienced something they could only get by being in the room together.
“Live performance is everything,” he said.
Watch the full interview below to hear more about Take 6’s music, creative journey, and upcoming performance.
Take 6 performs Friday, October 2, at the Rialto Center for the Arts, with discounted tickets available to Georgia State faculty and staff and $5 tickets available for Georgia State students the week of the show.
Visit Rialto.GSU.edu/take6/ for tickets and more information.