Born in Los Angeles, contemporary jazz saxophonist and multi-instrumentalist Gerald Albright is known for chart-topping solo albums and extensive session work with top R&B and hip-hop artists. He earned Grammy nominations for New Beginnings and Summer Horns.
Grammy-winning bassist, composer, and producer Marcus Miller is known for his contemporary jazz, funk, and R&B. Emerging as a prolific session musician, he gained acclaim playing with Miles Davis in the 1980s. Miller has released numerous acclaimed solo albums and composed film scores.
Formed in Oakland by producers Denzil Foster and Thomas McElroy, Grammy-nominated R&B vocal group En Vogue debuted in 1990 with Born to Sing. Known for hits like Hold On and My Lovin, the multi-platinum quartet earned widespread acclaim for blending diverse musical styles.
Formed in the 1980s at Alabama's Oakwood College, the a cappella group Take 6 blends gospel, doo wop, and jazz. Their 1988 platinum debut won Grammy and Dove awards, sparking collaborations with Quincy Jones, Stevie Wonder, and George Benson across a celebrated career.
Grammy-winning composer, pianist, and producer Bob James is a co-creator of smooth jazz, blending bop, pop, classical, and R&B. Best known for his 1978 hit album Touchdown featuring Angela, the theme for the TV show Taxi, he also co-founded the jazz supergroup Fourplay.
Formed in 1987 in Indianapolis, contemporary R&B vocal group After 7 is best known for hits like the Grammy-nominated Can't Stop, Ready or Not, and Heat of the Moment. Collaborating closely with Babyface and L.A. Reid, the platinum-selling group landed four straight Top Ten R&B albums.
Born Antonio Hardy in Brooklyn, hip-hop artist Big Daddy Kane joined the Juice Crew and released his acclaimed debut album, Long Live the Kane, in 1988. Known for his rapid rhyming and smooth persona, he scored hits like Smooth Operator and collaborated with Barry White.
Four-time GRAMMY-nominated R&B singer-songwriter Eric Benét is known for his signature falsetto and hits like Spend My Life With You featuring Tamia and Sometimes I Cry. Spanning over three decades, his career includes leading JBR Creative Group as President and co-founder.
Bronx native Samara Joy won the 2019 Sarah Vaughan International Jazz Vocal Competition in college. She released her debut album in 2021, followed by Linger Awhile and Portrait, earning Grammy and NAACP Image Awards for her acclaimed vocal jazz work.
Minnesota-born vocalist José James blends jazz, soul, hip-hop, and R&B. A finalist in the 2004 Thelonious Monk competition, he debuted with The Dreamer in 2008. His releases include the chart-topping No Beginning No End and tribute albums to Billie Holiday and Bill Withers. He later founded the Rainbow Blonde label.
Formed in 1973 by Donald Byrd at Howard University, the jazz-funk band the Blackbyrds achieved crossover success with hits like Walking in Rhythm and Happy Music. They earned three consecutive gold albums in the 1970s, including City Life, and a Grammy nomination for Unfinished Business.
Atlanta R&B/pop trio TLC (Tionne “T-Boz” Watkins, Lisa “Left Eye” Lopes, Rozonda “Chilli” Thomas) became one of the biggest-selling female groups ever, winning Grammys for CrazySexyCool and FanMail with hits “Waterfalls” and “No Scrubs.”
Formed 1976 in White Plains, NY, Atlantic Starr are smooth R&B/pop masters of harmonies and ballads; hits “Secret Lovers” and #1 “Always” made them 80s icons.
Merriweather Post Pavilion
