Formed in Buffalo, New York, in 1974 by Jay Beckenstein and Jeremy Wall, Spyro Gyra is a commercially successful pop-jazz fusion group. Blending R&B, pop, Caribbean music, and jazz, they are known for hits like Morning Dance and multiple Grammy-nominated albums.
Babyface is a 13-time Grammy-winning artist, songwriter, and producer who co-founded LaFace Records. He has released multi-platinum albums like Tender Lover and written or produced numerous hits for major artists, contributing to over 800 million records sold.
Chicago-born R&B singer, songwriter, and producer Lalah Hathaway is a five-time Grammy winner who shares the record for most Best Traditional R&B Performance wins. She has released seven solo albums and collaborated with Pharrell Williams, Kendrick Lamar, and Dr. Dre.
Born in Kent, Joss Stone is a British singer known for her powerful voice and vintage soul sound. Her debut album "The Soul Sessions" sold over five million copies, earning her acclaim and Grammy noms with "Mind, Body & Soul." She won a Grammy for "Family Affair" with John Legend and Van Hunt. Collaborations with Dave Stewart, Raphael Saadiq, and Betty Wright enriched her style. Her U.K. chart-topping albums include "Mind, Body & Soul" and "The Soul Sessions, Vol. 2." Stone also won The Masked Singer U.K. in 2021.
GRAMMY-winning trumpeter Keyon Harrold, hailed by Wynton Marsalis as the future of the trumpet, was born and raised in Ferguson, Missouri. His cinematic music blends jazz, classical, rock, blues, and hip hop, featuring collaborations with artists like Robert Glasper and Gary Clark, Jr.
Grammy-winning jazz, soul, and gospel vocalist Gregory Porter was born in Los Angeles and raised in Bakersfield, California. Known for his warm baritone, he released his Grammy-nominated debut album Water in 2010. He achieved major success with his 2013 Blue Note debut Liquid Spirit, which won a Grammy Award.
Grammy-nominated adult contemporary R&B duo Kindred the Family Soul consists of Philadelphia husband and wife Fatin Dantzler and Aja Graydon. Rooted in traditional soul and gospel, the duo released their debut album, Surrender to Love, in 2003 on Hidden Beach Recordings. Their notable releases include In This Life Together and The Arrival.
Grammy-winning house music DJ and producer Louie Vega is a leader in global dance music, known for blending house, salsa, jazz, and soul. As part of Masters At Work with Kenny Dope Gonzalez, he has shaped the genre and collaborated with numerous notable artists.
Formed by high school classmates Kev Marcus and Wil Baptiste, the Fort Lauderdale duo Black Violin merges classical strings with modern beats. They won Showtime at the Apollo in 2005 and earned Grammy nominations for Take the Stairs and The Message.
Born in Dayton, Ohio, disco singer CeCe Peniston was crowned Miss Black Arizona in 1989 and signed with A&M in the early 1990s. Her gold debut album, Finally, featured the hits Finally and We Got a Love Thang. She followed with Thought Ya Knew and I'm Movin' On, remaining a favorite in dance clubs worldwide.
Born in Detroit, the Jones Girls added Midwest flavor to Philly soul. Known for late '70s and early '80s hits like "You Gonna Make Me Love Somebody Else," they worked with Gamble and Huff. Their tight harmonies likened them to the Pointer Sisters and Emotions. Collaborated with icons like Diana Ross and Aretha Franklin.
Born in Detroit, El DeBarge is the falsetto voice of ’80s R&B group DeBarge, known for hits “All This Love,” “Rhythm of the Night” and solo “Who’s Johnny?” (Short Circuit).
Lori Williams, jazz/R&B vocalist praised by Dianne Reeves & Terri Lyne Carrington; known for soulful, creamy “five S’s” style; song: “Too Late (It’s My Time)”; lauded by Biden.
Washington, D.C.-born alto saxophonist, vocalist, and composer Braxton Cook blends contemporary/post-bop jazz with soul, funk, rap, and gospel. Albums include Somewhere in Between and No Doubt; a Nettwerk artist who’s worked with Christian Scott aTunde Adjua and Mac Miller.
Merriweather Post Pavilion
