Formed in Baltimore in 1992, American R&B group Dru Hill rose to fame with hits like Tell Me and In My Bed from their 1996 debut. Known for soulful harmonies, they released Enter the Dru in 1998. Member Sisqó also achieved multi-platinum solo success with Thong Song.
Chris Botti is a Grammy-winning jazz trumpeter and composer born in Portland, Oregon. Known for his romantic sound blending jazz and pop, he gained early acclaim touring with Paul Simon and Sting. Botti has released multiple chart-topping albums, including Impressions and When I Fall in Love.
Born in New York, saxophonist and flautist Najee is a prominent crossover jazz and R&B artist. Known for his Grammy-nominated 1986 debut Najee's Theme, he has released numerous chart-topping albums and collaborated with Prince, Chaka Khan, and Stevie Wonder.
Philadelphia native Bilal is a progressive R&B singer and songwriter known for his versatile voice and defying neo-soul categorization. He debuted with 1st Born Second and earned Grammy recognition for works with Kendrick Lamar and Robert Glasper.
Harlem-born R&B singer and producer Keith Sweat pioneered the new jack swing movement. He launched his career with his 1987 triple-platinum debut album, Make It Last Forever, featuring the hit I Want Her. Known for iconic slow jams like Twisted and Nobody, he also formed the supergroup LSG.
Grammy-winning R&B singer and songwriter Avery*Sunshine, born Denise White in Chester, Pennsylvania, studied piano at Spelman College. Known for her chart-topping hit Call My Name, she has earned multiple awards, four top 20 Billboard hits, and international acclaim.
Will Downing is an R&B artist known for his distinctive baritone voice and a career spanning over 30 years and 21 albums. Dubbed The Prince of Sophisticated Soul, his hits include A Million Ways and the duet Nothing Has Ever Felt Like This with Rachelle Ferrell.
Harlem-born producer Teddy Riley pioneered New Jack Swing and co-founded the groups Guy and Blackstreet. He produced numerous platinum hits and chart-toppers like Joe's Stutter and Blackstreet's No Diggity, and collaborated with Michael Jackson and Mary J. Blige.
Grammy-winning bassist and singer Esperanza Spalding is known for her cross-pollinated contemporary jazz approach. Born in Portland, Oregon, she became Berklee College of Music's youngest faculty member at age 20. She has released acclaimed albums like Esperanza and Radio Music Society.
Frank McComb, born in Cleveland, Ohio, is a soul and jazz vocalist, keyboardist, and producer. Renowned for his authentic artistry and powerful vocals, often compared to Donny Hathaway, he has collaborated with Prince, Chaka Khan, and Branford Marsalis. His album "Straight From The Vault" won a SoulTracks Readers Choice Award. He received an Indie Soul Award for "We Were Made For Us" and was honored with an Indie Lifetime Achievement Award in 2026.
Brownstone, signed to Michael Jackson’s MJJ Epic in 1993, is best known for “If You Love Me” (Nicci Gilbert-Daniels), sampled by Tory Lanez, Future & Metro Boomin.
Merriweather Post Pavilion
