JAZZ IN THE GARDENS ARTIST PROFILES (MARCH 14

ARTIST PROFILES

soon. The Gap Band founder and solo icon underscores his declaration of hit records with his latest album, In It to Win It, which includes a 2019 Grammy nomination for Best Traditional R&B Performance for the track “Made For Love,” his enchanting duet with Lalah Hathaway. In 2018 Charlie was also nominated for three 2018 NAACP Image Awards, Outstanding Male Artist, Outstanding Duo, Group or Collaboration and Outstanding Album.

Iconic Grammy-Award winning singer, songwriter, actress, and philanthropist is afigureofinspiration,transformation, and empowerment making Mary J. Bligeoneofthedefiningvoicesofthe contemporary music era. With a track record of eight multi-platinum albums, nine Grammy Awards (plus, a staggering 32 nominations), a 2012 Golden Globe nomination,andfiveAmericanMusic Awards, MJB is a global superstar. In the ensuing years, the singer and songwriter has attracted an intensely loyal fan base responsible for propelling worldwide sales of more than 50 million albums.

Some people might say that after notching ten No. 1 singles, 13 Grammy Award nominations, a New York Times best-selling memoir and ongoing soldout, coast-to-coast arena tours, Charlie Wilson has proven his point….and he isn’t planning to slow down anytime

A savvy pop-rapper with crossover appeal, Nellyfirstdebutedin2000with “Country Grammar (Hot...),” yet he was no one-hit wonder, consistently returning to the pop charts with smash hits like “Hot in Herre,” “Grillz,” and “Dilemma.” His universality was partly rooted in his hometown St. Louis, Missouri -- which set him apart from all of the prevailing rap styles of his time. He wasn’t from the East or West Coast, nor was he from the South. Nelly’s locale certainly informed his rapping style, which was both country and urban at the same time, as well as his dialect, which combined a Southern drawl with Midwestern twang. Nelly became a rapper capable of crossing practically all boundaries, from the Dirty South to MTV’s Total Request Live and everythinginbetween. Hisfirsthit, “Country Grammar (Hot...),” became a nationwide summer anthem in 2000, and many more smash hits followed during the remainder of the decade. Known for her raspy soprano voice and intensely expressive performance style, Keyshia Cole is one of most successful R&B singer/songwriters to emerge in the 2000s. She worked her way up the industry ladder diligently yet quickly, making her major-label debut in 2004 at age 21. Born and raised on the tough streets of Oakland, Cole aspired from an early age to make music her life, so much so that she started working the angles while still a preteen, including recording with fellow Bay Area resident MC Hammer. Her singing aspirations begantotakeflightduringtheearly 2000s, when she appeared on Messy Marv’s “Nubian Queen” remix and the Me & Mrs. Jones soundtrack. These gigs led to a career highlighted by several Grammy nominations, platinum RIAAcertificationsandthereleaseof her latest album titled, “Keyshia Cole 11:11 Reset”.

Stokley is a two-time Grammynominated vocalist, songwriter, producer, and multi-instrumentalist who is one of music’s best-kept secrets. He has worked with some of the biggest names in music including Prince, Whitney Houston, Janet Jackson and more. He’s known best as the lead singer and drummer for legendary R&B group Mint Condition. In 2017, Stokley embarked on a new solo journey with the release of his debut album Introducing Stokley which produced two #1 singles “Organic” and “Levels.” He now continues that journey in a new partnership with the legendary Jimmy Jam & Terry Lewis’ Perspective Records. Stokley’s new single “She” is off his sophomore album due out this spring. The single just climbed to #3 on the Billboard R&B chart.

With a diverse gospel and jazz discography that extends back 25 years, saxophonist Mark Allen Felton no doubt earned his nickname “Panther” from having prowled on stages with everyone from Al Jarreau, Ray Parker, Jr. and Patti Labelle to Gerald Albright. On his latest single “A Place for You,” he lays back a bit, exploring a more sly and sultry approach to pouncing on the heart. The track is a slow burn seduction that starts coolly, then builds towards a powerful horn textured crescendo before returning to sensual simmer mode.

Crafted and performed in classic Smooth Jazz ballad style, “A Place for You” is the lead single from Felton’s upcoming album whose title, SOUL REAL, lets us know we’re in for more soulful and emotional authenticity. n