CORNELL VAUGHN is one of the original members of The NGOMA Group. Cornell, whose parents migrated from the south, is a native born Chicagoan.  Cornell has been involved with music starting with Motown, ChiTown (local popular acts), and the Philly sound since age twelve. Cornell grew up with his parents and eleven other siblings in Henry Horner Projects.  There he and his friends formed and competed against many singing and dance groups in hopes of performing on the then local television shows "Soul Train" and "Big Bill Hill" or breaking into music. He attributes his love of jazz to "the coolest person that ever lived in Henry Horner Projects, John Pettiford.  He was my neighbor and a lot of us as preteens hung out in his music room listening to jazz and admiring his enormous collection of vinyl while he slyly lectured us on jazz history."  Cornell began his vocal studies with Madam Maria D'Albert at Sherwood Music School, where he discovered the classics. Since then, Cornell has appeared as a soloist in numerous recitals, local musicals, and local opera work shops.  He has also performed the baritone solos in the Messiah and the Seven Last Words of Christ in many churches and formal settings.  Cornell is presently studying with Elizabeth Knox and says he always learn something new from the other members of NGOMA.  Cornell has been inspired by the vocal talents of Ella Fitzgerald, Joe Williams, Sarah Vaughn, Sarah Brightman, Kathleen Battle, Jessye Norman, Patti LaBelle, Luther Vandross, Pat Benatar, and "a young man who had the riches tenor in the Projects but I don't think I ever knew his real name.  But we all called him 'The Mad Doctor'".