The Gemstones tragically lost their founder and powerhouse lead singer less than a month before last year’s Homegrown. The death of Diona Johnson, aka AfroGeode, forced the soul, funk and jazz-blending band to split the singing among keyboard player Courtney Ellian, guitarist Josh Nickila and bassist Manny Eisele. Anchored by sure-fire drummer Ian Hopp, the band can do it all — big dance grooves, smooth and smoky ballads or forward-thinking experimentation.