The latest smooth jazz vocalist to hit the scene is Maxine Hardcastle. Yes, she is the daughter of British smooth jazz composer Paul Hardcastle. Maxine sings and has co-writing credits on three song on Hardcastle 4. They are
It's more than the passionate vocals of Marsha Ambrosius (the Songstress) of Floetry. As group, the dynamic duo's incredible success is deeply rooted in their ability to appeal to all ages, races and genres of music lovers. With six Grammy nods, six Soul Train awards, a NAACP nomination for Outstanding New Artist, a standing ovation at BET's Walk of Fame: Tribute to Smokey Robinson, impressionable performances at the Essence Music Festival & Def Poetry Jam (HBO) and endless live shows, the ladies of Floetry prove themselves to be true pioneers in their field.
Brooklyn based jazz-singer José James took a pretty direct route to getting Gilles Peterson’s attention. He flew over to London, went out clubbing and slipped the hugely influential DJ and prescient A&R man a copy of his demos! Intrigued by the hip young singer’s attitude, Gilles took a listen, and blown away by his stunning vocal version of Trane’s classic tune Equinox, immediately signed him to his thriving young indy label Brownswood.
Newcomer Noel Gourdin (Gor-Deen) is prepped to make a major impact on the music world with his powerful debut disc After My Time via Epic Records. Influenced by classic soul as well as the contemporary sounds of R&B and hip-hop, Noel
She is best known for her work with London-based avant garde jazz band Panacea. She has also worked as backing vocalist director for Eska Mtungwazi and as a backing vocalist for Bembe Segue. In fact, it was Bembe who introduced Deborah to Silhouette Brown producers Dego and Kaidi Thatham. It is said Deborah's blend of jazz and soul is reminiscent of Patrice Rushen.
Raphael Saadiq (born Charlie Ray Wiggins on May 14, 1966 in Oakland, California) is an acclaimed American music artist. He is a singer, songwriter and record producer associated with the neo-soul music movement. Saadiq made a name for himself as the lead vocalist in the rhythm and blues and dance trio Tony! Toni! Toné!. He went by his birth name during the beginning of Tony! Toni! Toné!, where he was joined by his brother Dwayne Wiggins, and his cousin Timothy Christian. He adopted the name of Raphael Saadiq in the mid-1990s.
Adriana Evans is truly a one of a kind artist, the likes of which have not been seen since Natalie Cole and Chaka Khan. She is the daughter of jazz recording artist Mary Stallings, who sang with Count Basie, Dizzie Gillespie and Cal Tjader. Adriana was raised in the Haight Ashbury and Mission District of San Francisco. Exposed early in life to the sounds of jazz, and blues by her mother and also the explosive sounds of Afro Cuban music from her father's culture , she was destined to be a musical sponge. Her love for soul, rock and hip hop added more to her rich musical tapestry.
Andwele Gardner (born February 14, 1978 in Detroit, Michigan), better known simply as Dwele, is an American R&B and soul singer-songwriter and producer known for his work with Slum Village, J Dilla and Kanye West. After self-releasing the demo tape Rize in 2000, he released his debut studio album Subject in 2003 through Virgin Records, his second album Some Kinda followed in 2005 and his third studio album Sketches of a Man was released in 2008. His fourth studio album W.W.W. (W.ants. W.orld. W.omen) was released in 2010.
Erykah Badu (born Erica Abi Wright on February 26, 1971 in Dallas, Texas) is an American R&B/hip hop artist whose work crosses over into jazz. She is best known for her singles "You Got Me" her collaboration with The Roots, as well as her own songs "Tyrone", "Love Of My Life", "On & On", "Bag Lady", "The Healer", "Honey" and "Soldier". Her lyrics are highly personal urban philosophy which throw emotional challenges in the face of the listener. She weaves unusual musical influences together creating a rich texture of sound.