My Kind Of Music IV...Maxwell

After reading my previous articles in this series, (see links below), you thought that I only like the old stuff. Oh no, I'm not stuck in the 60's or 70's, although I really loved their music. I love some of the new performers and their music. Take a listen.

Maxwell, an American R&B musician, born Gerald Maxwell Rivera, in New York, on May 23, 1973. He's said to have played an important role in the development of the soul sub-genre, neo soul. That silky, soothing, soulful voice crosses multiple music genres, such as, R&B, neo soul, quiet storm, funk, and jazz. For more Info check out his website, Maxwell. This is one young man that I can listen to for hours, and I do.

Nora Jones, an American singer, songwriter, pianist, guitarist, keyboardist and actress, was born in Brooklyn, New York, USA, in 1979. Her music genres seems to cross a wide spectrum, including, blue eyed soul, pop, jazz, blues, country and many more. Ms Jones began her solo career in 2002 with a critically acclaimed album entitled, Come Away With Me, it sold over a whopping 20 million copies. For this album she received 5 Grammy Awards. Take a look at her website, Nora Jones.

Jennifer Hudson, an American Idol reject, Ha.  Ms. Hudson was born Jennifer Kate Hudson in 1981, in Chicago Illinois, USA.  As stated she was introduced to the public via American Idol, in 2004, however Simon Cowell said something to the effect that he didn't think she was commercially viable , my words not his. At any rate, in 2006 he was provided with seasoning, because he had to eat his words, when she went on to win critical acclaim for her performance in the movie Dreamgirls. As a matter of fact she won, An Academy Award as Supporting Actress for the movie.  She not only won that one, she also won, a Golden Globe Award, a BAFTA Award, a Screen Actors Guild Award, and an NAACP Award.  In addition she won a Grammy for her self title album, "Jennifer Hudson."

The Black Eyed Peas are called an American Hip Pop group. The composition of the group is rapper and multi-instrumentalist wil.i.am, and two other male rappers apl.de.ap and Taboo, in addition to one female singer-rapper Fergie. The group was formed in Los Angeles, California, in 1965.

"In 2009, the group became one of only 11 artists to have ever simultaneously held the #1 and #2 spots on the Billboards Top 100, with their singles "Boom Boom Pow," and "I Gotta Feeling", with the next single "Meet Me Half Way" achieving similar success, from the album The E.N.D,  Combined, these three singles also topped the chart for an unprecedented 30 consecutive weeks in 2009."

To be sure, I'm not a fan of rap, but I saw this group perform on Oprah and checked them out, since then I've enjoyed seeing them perform. To get a better grasp of who they are check them out on their website, Black Eyed Peas.

Alicia Keys born Alicia Augello Cook, on January 25, 1981, in New York City. Her music genres are R&B, Soul, and Pop. Ms. Keys occupation is said to be, singer-song writer, multi-instrumentalist, composer, arranger, record producer, actress, music video director, author and poet. Is that possible? To answer my own question, yes it is, she's doing it.

Keys became, the best-selling new artist and best-selling R&B artist of 2001. Her debut album, "Songs In A Minor," received five Grammy Awards in 2002, which included, Best New Artist, and Song Of The Year, for Fallin. Her success didn't end there. In 2005 she again won four more Grammy Awards. There's so much more about this talented performer that it's hard to list it here, so why not go over to Wikipedia under Alicia Keys, and read it for yourself. Also she has an official website that's very interesting, go over and take a look.