PHIL PERRY

Born and raised in East St. Louis, Phil Perry spent a large part of his career as one of the most sought-after backing vocalists in the music business. His bright, multi-octave range has played a supporting role on dozens of albums by such acts as Anita Baker, Boz Scaggs, Rod Stewart, Peabo Bryson and George Duke

Soul music fans first discovered Phil as lead singer of the Montclairs, who’s “Begging’s Hard to Do” was a moderate hit in 1972. After a brief stint as part of the singing duo Perry and Sanlin, he went solo in 1991 with “The Heart of a Man,” an album most notable for his remake of Aretha Franklin’s “Call Me.” His follow-up, 1994’s “Pure Pleasure,” is among his best and included fantastic remakes of “After the Love is Gone,” “If Only You Knew” and a 7-minute cover of the Spinners’ “Love Don’t Love Nobody” that was sheer magic.

In the ‘90s, Phil received increased coverage on Smooth Jazz radio through his guest work on albums by Lee Ritenour, the Rippingtons, and others, which inspired Windham Hill subsidiary Private Music to sign him. His Private Music debut, "One Heart One Love," hit the top five. On his follow-up, "My Book of Love," Phil began to take a more active role in songwriting and production, putting his personal imprint beyond the vocals.

Phil's last three solo albums, released on Shanachie Records, feature a breathtaking collection of beloved R&B/Pop hits produced by Chris ‘Big Dog’ Davis. "Classic Love Songs" (2006) and "A Mighty Love" (2007) were highly successful comeback albums, resulting in Perry winning the 2007 Soul Tracks Readers Choice Award for “Male Vocalist of the Year.” His 2008 release, "Ready For Love" is another lush production rich with Perry originals. The album hit the Billboard Adult Contemporary music chart at #4 in the first week of its release.

KIM WATERS 

Kim Waters has been heralded as “simply one of the planet’s best saxophonists” by JazzTimes Magazine and touted as a “romantic pied piper” by The Washington Post. The Maryland native picked up his first instrument, the violin when he was just 8 years old and later, at age 13 he found his calling on the alto and soprano saxophones. Soon after, he began playing in a band with his brothers, James (who he still performs with) and Eric, and his old friend, pianist Cyrus Chestnut. Over the years, Kim has been called on to perform with or open shows for top artists including Al Green, Isaac Hayes, Phyllis Hyman, Teddy Riley and Guy, and Gerald Albright to name a few.

Garnering praise from critics and fans alike, Kim is one of the top five best-selling jazz instrumentalists. His winning combination of sensitivity and brawn, intellect and emotion, coupled with his technique and soulfulness have helped him to score over thirteen #1 hits and over 20 Top 10 hits. Never one to rest on his laurels, the prolific saxophonist is constantly creating. For this talented multi-instrumentalist, music is simply a way of life.

In 2011, Kim released his 17th album, "This Heart of Mine" which artfully showcases why he has long held the throne as the King of Smooth Urban Jazz. Kim is a one-man band and plays virtually every instrument heard on the album from the saxophones to keyboards, guitar, drums, bass and vocals.

PETER WHITE

Growing up in the sleepy little English town of Letchworth Garden City in the 1960s, Peter White got interested in music while listening to the Beatles on the radio. When he was around 8, his parents bought him an acoustic guitar and he taught himself to play while simultaneously taking lessons on the recorder, piano and later, clarinet. One day in 1967 he heard Jimi Hendrix’s “Purple Haze.” Having never heard such sounds coming out of his acoustic, he decided the electric guitar was to be the most important thing in his life. Eventually he got that electric guitar and furiously studied the works of Hendrix, Clapton and Page, but his dreams were put on hold when the guitar was burned in a fire (accidentally) set by his brother Danny. He found solace in his old acoustic guitar, having no idea that this incident, however tragic at the time, would prove to be a turning point in his life. He started to develop a love for the acoustic instrument, a feeling that continues to this day.

For over two decades, White has maintained a reputation as one of the most versatile and prolific acoustic guitarists on the contemporary jazz landscape. He has kept smooth jazz fans worldwide enthralled by his spirited melodies, soulful grooves and inviting, instantly recognizable acoustic guitar tone. He’s always enjoyed finding unique ways to bring his modern sensibilities to cherished pop classics — and thanks to the smooth jazz format’s affinity for instrumental cover songs, two of the amazing thirteen #1 Radio & Records airplay hits he’s had through the years, “The Closer I Get To You” and “Walk On By” (from 1994’s “Reflections”), have become enduring staples of the format.

With over a dozen albums and numerous musical collaborations such as Jazz Attack (featuring White, Rick Braun and Gerald Albright) and his A Peter White Christmas annual shows (with Mindi Abair and Rick Braun, with Kirk Whalum stepping in for Rick in 2011), White is still going strong. In March 2012, he released “Here We Go,” co-produced with longtime collaborator DC (who has worked with George Benson, Al Jarreau, Bob James and Jeffrey Osborne) and features guest spots from Andrew Neu, Nate Phillips, Phillipe Saisse, David Sanborn, and Kirk Whalum. Jazzmonthly.com notes, “There’s so much to love on Peter White’s latest album, which is a must for fans.”

EUGE GROOVE

Euge Groove has achieved a string of #1 hits and a devoted following through his music which blurs musical boundaries and transcends age and race with his soulful and robust saxophone and a flair for R&B melodies and funk heavy grooves.

The University of Miami School of Music grad cites David Sanborn as his inspiration to pursue playing pop music. Launching his professional career in Miami in the mid 80s, Euge played in salsa bands, top 40 club bands and did the occasional high profile session date like Expose's “Seasons Change,” a #1 Billboard Adult Contemporary hit. Shortly after his 1987 move to LA, he wrote a track for Richard Elliot's “The Power of Suggestion” album, and Elliot recommended Euge to take over his spot in Tower of Power. Euge toured with TOP for four years, including a year backing Huey Lewis & The News. His resume grew from there to include recording, touring or performing stints with Tina Turner, The Eurythmics, The Gap Band, Elton John, Bonnie Raitt, Aaron Neville and Richard Marx.

“Vinyl,” his first single from his self-titled Warner Bros. debut, set a record by spending 27 weeks on the R&R charts, and ranked #24 for the year. His next release, “Play Date” garnered two more #1 radio hits, “Slam Dunk” and “Rewind.” His 2004 Narada debut, “Living Large” spent 68 weeks on the Billboard charts, debuting at #4 and was #25 overall for the year. The single "Livin' Large" was 2004’s #5 most played song on the R&R singles chart and "XXL" spent 36 weeks on the radio chart. “Just Feels Right” followed in 2005 and the first single "Get Em Goin'," was #1 for two months. 2007’s “Born to Groove” also featured several chart-topping singles. Euge Groove's Shanachie debut in 2009 included the #1 smash hit title track and the top five single “All For You.” With his latest release, 2011’s “S7ven Large”, Euge Groove has continued to captivate his old fans and gain new ones along the way.