By Ben Gonzalez

As the band members filed into WMUC Radio one by one, their entrances were met with smiles, jokes and snarky comments.

Dissatisfied with the University of Maryland School of Music program, senior computer science and math major Kweku Kwegyir-Aggrey decided last year that he would form his own band. He said he wanted to create a platform for black musicianship.

The band, 10issues, has evolved since then, with many members leaving and many new members joining.

As for how many there are now, the band’s guitarist, junior computer science major Christopher Decarolis, said he “would would have to count.”

“We’re all just trying to share a passion for music and [trying to] just play some tunes,” Decarolis said.

Kwegyir-Aggrey said the band’s name was originally supposed to be named Biggest Issues, but one member thought 10issues would be funnier because it sounded like “tennis shoes.” The name stuck.

Alumnus Ricardo Akyena plays the saxophone for 10issues. Kwegyir-Aggrey met him through a jazz club on campus and invited him to join the band from the start.

“It was awesome starting out. We had a lot of people come and vibe with us, jam with us,” Akyena said. “Some people fell off. This core group, we’ve been pretty consistent for the past several months.”

Keith Davenport Jr., a senior environmental science major, plays trumpet for 10issues. He joined the band about a month after it formed. He said in terms of genre, their music is pretty mixed.

“We do some originals, and we do some non-originals,” Davenport said. “But most of the time, we do R&B, soul and neo-soul, and then we put our own little jazz twist on it.”

Although there are no set plans for the future of 10issues, Davenport said he is not letting that put a damper on his enthusiasm for the band.

“This band is my pride and joy,” Davenport Jr. said. “I put everything I’ve got into this band.”

Singer and senior communications major Azha Jeffries said the band members all have strong chemistry.

“We’re all friends. They all annoy me, but I love them with all my heart,” Jeffries said. “We all pretty much love each other. It’s a good to place to be in.”

Alexander Asifo, a senior journalism major, raps for the group. He said they are on the road to finding their identity, transitioning into performing more original pieces.

“The main goal is to not sell ourselves short,” Asifo said. “The sky is the limit.”