Category: Artist Bios

Artist Bios Post Category

  • THE DIF’RENCE – 4 II C

    THE DIF’RENCE – 4 II C

    Some artists perform songs. THE DIF’RENCE creates experiences!

    Hailing from Newport News, Virginia, THE DIF’RENCE—also known as 4 II C—is an exceptional R&B/Soul vocal duo featuring Jerry Hairston and Joe Shivers. Known for breathtaking harmonies, heartfelt songwriting, and an unmistakable old-school sound infused with contemporary soul, the duo continues to captivate audiences with performances that are both timeless and unforgettable.

    With more than 40 years of combined professional experience, THE DIF’RENCE has built a reputation as one of the Mid-Atlantic’s premier live vocal acts. Their ability to blend classic soul, smooth R&B, Motown, funk, and pop into a polished, high-energy performance has earned them invitations to some of the region’s most prestigious stages, including the legendary Apollo Theater in New York City, the Virginia Beach Funk Fest, and the Hampton Jazz Festival After Party.

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  • Sinsuke Fujieda

    Sinsuke Fujieda

    Saxophonist / Flutist / Composer / Producer

    Originally from Mito, Ibaraki, and currently based in Tokyo, Japan, Sinsuke Fujieda is a saxophonist, flutist, composer, and music producer. He performs on tenor and soprano saxophones and flute, and also occasionally plays overtone-based instruments such as bamboo clarinet, overtone flute, and khoomei.

    He is the founder and owner of the independent label SoFa Records, through which he releases and produces his own work with full artistic and creative control. His work connects composition, improvisation, sound, and lived experience.

    As the leader of SINSUKE FUJIEDA GROUP, his music has reached jazz, spiritual jazz, and vinyl listeners around the world. His vinyl releases through France’s Superfly Records have received international attention. The first pressing of Fukushima sold out worldwide.

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  • Breeanna Maree

    Breeanna Maree

    Poet – Artist – Writer – Lyricist

    Breeanna Maree is an artist from Palmdale, California with a particular love for ry and spoken word. Drawn to poetry for its emotional expression using the beauty of words, Breeanna began sharing her voice with her community, being featured as a recurrent artist at local open mics and the Antelope Valley Fair. She has also lent her voice to events hosted by a nonprofit organization in her local community which granted her performances at Cold Crush in Palmdale, art shows, and led her to inspire voices at a local women’s shelters.

    Her print work includes a book of poems exploring love’s dichotomies published in August of 2022 and a poem featured in Colorism Essays and Poems Volume 2. She has also been published on a variety of poetry blog websites. Breeanna’s poetic contributions to the world of art continue to blossom as she prepares for the release of her debut spoken word poetry album Sincerely, Breeanna Maree set for release on November 11th, 2023.
    By sharing her voice, she hopes to inspire those seeking the expression but struggling to find the words and anyone else who opens their hearts to the poetic empathy and striking imagery her poetic stories are sure to provide. 

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  • Ronnie Laws

    Ronnie Laws

    Interview On Soul Discovery Show

    Saxophonist, Composer, Producer, and Musical Visionary, stands as one of the most dynamic and influential figures in modern music. With a career spanning more than five decades, Ronnie Laws has redefined the sound of contemporary jazz, funk, and soul, creating melodies that became the blueprint for much of today’s popular music.

    Born and raised in Houston, Texas, Ronnie Laws grew up in a deeply musical household guided by his mother, Miola Laws who was a choir director and organist whose love of gospel, harmony, and spiritual expression shaped the creative foundation for her children. From that nurturing environment came one of music’s most talented families including Hubert Laws, Eloise Laws, and Debra Laws. Each of whom has made significant contributions to jazz, R&B, and popular music.

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  • Eloise Laws

    Eloise Laws

    Interview On Soul Discovery Show

    Born into one of Houston’s most musically gifted families, Eloise Laws built a versatile career that has spanned soul, jazz, pop, and Broadway. The fourth of eight children of Miola Luverta Donahue and Hubert Laws, Sr., Eloise Laverne Laws grew up surrounded by music. Her siblings include renowned flutist Hubert Laws, saxophonist Ronnie Laws, and vocalist Debra Laws, all of whom would go on to notable careers of their own.

    Laws studied music at Texas Southern University, and her professional journey took a major step forward in 1965 when she won a national talent contest sponsored by CBS. The prize fellowship brought her to New York, where she studied music, dance, and acting while appearing on several CBS television programs, and even a recording contract offer from legendary executive Clive Davis.

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  • Chuck Overton

    Chuck Overton

    Chuck Overton’s remarkable 50-year career in the music and recording industry showcases his deep-rooted passion and talent, beginning at the age of five in Mexico, Missouri, in 1948. His early musical journey included studying the saxophone under the guidance of John Larry Johnson, a former saxophonist with the Lawrence band, in Vandalia, Missouri. Additionally, Dr. Levine from New York provided saxophone lessons at Overton’s home, further honing his skills.

    By the age of 12, Overton was already performing with concert and jazz bands, recording an album, and playing with local bands. However, tragedy struck when his mother passed away, prompting a move to St. Louis, Missouri, where he lived with his aunt and attended Charles Sumner High School, continuing his musical endeavors within the local bands. A year later, he relocated to Rock Island, Illinois, to live with his father and completed his high school education at Rock Island Senior High School.

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  • MicCulture Robbie Love

    MicCulture Robbie Love

    Interview On Soul Discovery Show

    Robbie Love’s musical journey began the day she was born. Growing up in a rock & roll household, Robbie is no stranger to the music industry. It wasn’t unusual for her and her brothers to go shoot billiards at the home of front man Dennis Edwards of the Temptations or to spend weekends over Uncle Charles Wright of the Watts 103 Street Rhythm band’s house, or even get a knock on the door from Mr. Willie Hutch. Robbie’s first photo shoot was at the tender age of 4 months by Mr. Lamont Mc Lemore, one of the founding members of the acclaimed musical group The Fifth Dimensions. 

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  • Evette Busby

    Evette Busby

    Evette has been singing since she could talk, but professionally for a little over 20 years. She started singing in her church choir at Hopewell Missionary Baptist church in Houston Texas. It is there where her 1st band leader discovered her in church and convinced her to join his band. Since then she has become “Houston’s Best Kept Secret”. 

    She has become a permanent fixture in and outside of Houston. Performing in clubs, weddings, festivals and corporate events. Audiences not only love her for being talented but for her friendly and approachable disposition. She has performed with many of the local bands in Houston, she is now one of the voices of “Orion the Band”.

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  • Kim Tibbs

    Kim Tibbs

    What some may call “Luck” others call DESTINY…​ 

    Since birth, Kim Tibbs has been honing her craft…Crediting her late father, Pastor Robert L. Tibbs for her musical ability, Kim has over thirty years of musical experience as an accomplished Arranger, B-3 Organist, Keyboardist, Lyricist, Pianist, Producer, and Songwriter. Kimberly is currently an Endorsed Hammond Artist with Hammond Organ Company USA, a Roland Artist with Roland Corporation US, a Peavey Artist with Peavey Amplifiers USA, and a Slick Audio Recording Artist; as well as a Staff Writer for the Songs of Love Foundation; Kimberly is also a Council Member of the Board of Advisers in the College of Arts located at J.C. Calhoun Community College. Kimberly holds a Bachelors of Arts and Science in Business Administration, Double Masters Degrees in Organizational Leadership and Masters of Business in Public Administration as well as currently working on a Doctorate of Business Administration in Leadership. Kim is also a Fashion Designer. Her fashion specializes in one of a kind bold, eclectic, and unique hand-crafted pieces ranging from women’s fashions to household goods.​ 

    As an Artist, Kim Tibbs has gained international acclaim with her forthcoming release, “…Kim.” Her first single, “I Need You For Your Love,” entered the Official U.K. Soul Charts at Number #24, November 6, 2016 and in two weeks, it skyrocketed to Number #1 separately along with the second single, “Soul!” staying there for Four Consecutive weeks; before ending the yearly chart at a respective Number #2 for both singles. The single, “I Need You For Your Love,” landed at Number #4 on the year end Official U.K. Soul Chart Top 100 Songs for 2016. The third, fourth and fifth Singles released called, “Drifting,” “For!” and “Move!” respectfully have been successful granting her movement the ability to now be traced in 36 countries and steadily growing to a wider audience daily, with “Drifting” and “For” both debuting on the Official U.K. Soul Charts at Number #9, getting to the Number #4 position on April 23, 2017. 

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  • Teri Tobin

    Teri Tobin

    There are layers to award-winning, soul singer/songwriter Teri Tobin.  Each layer reveals a lusher depth, a more meaningful experience, an expressive passion and an abiding generosity, in Tobin’s music and womanhood.  All of who Tobin is and what she’s lived through comes through her testimonial verses and agile instrument. 

    In its unvarnished truth and efforts to touch the experiences of her listeners, it may be the most mature work to-date by a talent who brought you the critically acclaimed Love Infinity (Sōl 2 Kēp Entertainment) and So Good To Me (Sōl 2 Kēp Entertainment) in just the last four years.  As with her previous soulful offerings, the prospect of love happening just around the corner and healing messages of self-love and acceptance thread this empowering and elevating work of intimate honesty.Born in Mesa, Arizona and raised in Southern California, Tobin has been cooing in key since coming out of the womb. As with many of the soul greats she admires, from Donny Hathaway to Marvin Gaye, Tobin’s training and early performances began standing flatfoot in front of the pews and belting past the church steeple.  A comfortable alto with lilting soprano notes, the young Tobin experienced her first studio session as a child with R&B legend Jeffery Osborne. A teenage Tobin was later recruited in high school to be a part of an R&B and hip-hop soul act, Simpli R.A.W., who despite getting signed, fell prey to unscrupulous industry practices. 

    Undaunted, after graduating from high school and a brief ATL move, Tobin had been promised a solo deal that never materialized, before finally landing at Howard University during a particularly charmed period in Washington, DC. Training in classical voice at the famed historically black college, Tobin was present for a storied time that boasted such artists as Shai, Sy Smith, and Eric Roberson as program peers and performing partners.  A member of HU’s famed Chorale, Tobin shared stages with Patti Labelle and Luther Vandross, and was part of history when the Chorale performed with icons like Diana Ross at President Clinton’s Inaugural Gala on the National Mall. Further getting her feet wet by gigging at landmark spots like Takoma Station and Old Glory,

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  • The Chestnut Brothers

    The Chestnut Brothers

    The Chestnut Brothers (Al and Ty) are a very talented singing, songwriting, production team born in Columbia, South Carolina and raised in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. They have entertained audiences in major U.S. cities, throughout the United Kingdom, Europe and Middle East. In addition to major label affiliation with Paramount, Mercury and MCA Records, they have been privileged to perform and record with a vast array of artists such as Luther Vandross, Grover Washington, Jr., Najee, The Oak Ridge Boys, Harry Connick, Jr., James Ingram, Harold Melvin & The Blue Notes, The Trammps, Billy Paul, Nile Rogers, Phil Perry, B.B. King, L.L. Cool J, Cheap Trick and Pete Seeger to name a few.

    This talented twosome has used their God-given singing, songwriting and production gifts to uplift the masses and since becoming actively involved with the international peace movement, they have attained a passion for social change. This can be heard in several of their original songs. Especially their theme, “Stop the Violence.” As a result, they’ve been anointed globally as Goodwill Ambassadors, Musical Messengers and Princes Of Peace. Many of their popular songs are also, loved by audiences for their romantic appeal and with a repertoire that covers a host of musical genres from Bach to Rock, their electrifying stage show has mesmerized audiences around the world.

    Included among some of their most notable performances are: Hard Rock Café grand opening, Presidential Summit, Inaugural Marian Anderson Humanitarian Award Gala (honoring Harry Belafonte) and Benefit Concert for National Union Of The Homeless, all in Philadelphia; 1996 Olympic Games festivities and the Heritage Festival, Atlanta; Lincoln Theater, Washington, D.C.; Birdland Theater, New York; Total Experience, Los Angeles; High Desert Music Festival, Adelanto, CA; Gasparilla Music Festival, Tampa; Konover Hotel, Miami; Resorts Hotel & Casino, Atlantic City; Jazz Café, London; Barnaby Joe’s & Diplomat Hotel, Bahrain; Parliament Jazz Club, Cyprus; Club Mojo and Q Jazz Bar, Istanbul.

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  • LAMONT DOZIER, JR.

    LAMONT DOZIER, JR.

    “Why Can’t We Be Lovers”/”I’m Gonna Take My Time”

    When it comes to enduring musical legacies, it’s always inspiring when the melodic, grooving evergreen apples drop so close to the tree. The son and namesake of legendary singer, songwriter and record producer Lamont Dozier – one third of the famed Holland-Dozier-Holland songwriting and production team – Lamont Dozier, Jr. grew up a child of Motown, steeped in and influenced by gospel, jazz and old-school R&B and immersing in the magic and creative mentorship of the likes of Stevie Wonder, Smokey Robinson and Diana Ross.

    More than simply living up to the promise of his unique lineage, he has forged a unique path towards his musical destiny. Since his first live performance at the age of 15, the Detroit born and raised, Las Vegas based Lamont has developed an extraordinary, multi-faceted career as a bandleader, club headliner and creative force behind the scenes, clocking studio time and sharing stages with everyone from The Temptations and Aretha Franklin to contemporary urban jazz greats Dave Koz, Rick Braun, Gregg Karukas and Greg Manning, and working on show productions featuring Jennifer Hudson and Jay Leno.
    Over the past handful of years, he contributed backing vocals to three hit albums by Koz (including Summer Horns II: From A to Z) and dynamic leads on keyboardist David Garfield’s arrangement of “What You Won’t Do for Love” (from the 2018 collection Jammin’ Outside the Box). These projects and others paved the way for Lamont’s emergence now as a recording artist in his own right. With an eye towards releasing his debut EP Introducing Lamont Dozier, Jr. later in 2020, he is dropping his first two highly anticipated singles which showcase the full range of his artistry as a singer, songwriter and producer.

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