Jazmine Sullivan, Deborah Cox, Ryan Leslie, Jon B, Case

jazmine_sullivanSunday August 9 3:00 PM

Central Park SummerStage
New York, NY

Philadelphia native Jazmine Sullivan delivered a breath of fresh air to the R&B scene with her 2008 debut album Fearless. From an early age, Sullivan has had the opportunity to perform at the ever popular It’s Showtime at the Apollo and even sang alongside Stevie Wonder at the age of thirteen. Drawing heavy influence from voices of R&B greats like Lauren Hill and Erykah Badu, Sullivan’s unique sound can move even a first-time listener. The success of the singer/songwriter’s chart topping singles like “Need You Bad” and “Bust Your Windows” earned her several Grammy nominations including Best New Artist and Best Female R&B Vocal Performance. Writing all of her own music, Sullivan’s songs resonate with a range of sounds from ‘50s doo-wop to reggae-inspired rhythms and gospel-rooted influences, delivering a versatile, yet seamless sound.

Platinum-selling recording artist Deborah Cox returns with her first new studio album in six years, “The Promise.” Cox is a JUNO Award winner and Grammy nominee and has achieved international success having released five CDs and garnering the smash hits, “We Can’t Be Friends” and “Nobody’s Supposed To Be Here,” which holds the record for being the longest running #1 R& B single for 14 consecutive weeks.

Though his talent defies categorization, Ryan Leslie, a Harvard graduate, is a performer at heart and a prolific musician with his own infectious brand of R&B pop. Ryan was born with music in his blood. “Once, we caught him dancing to the rhythm of a whirring Coke machine,” said his father Clement Leslie, a trumpet player who passed his musical talent to his son. Ryan has an album, Ryan Leslie, due out in August.

Multi-platinum R&B musician Jon B came to fame in 1995 with his debut release Bonafide. The album highlighted his dulcet tenor, earning him both critical and commercial success including a Grammy-nomination for the song “Someone To Love” featuring Babyface. After marriage and a newborn baby the soulful crooner returned in 2008 with his fifth studio album Helpless Romantic.
A native New Yorker, R&B heartthrob Case came to acclaim in 1996 when he released his self-titled debut. He has worked with A-list producers Jimmy Jam, Terry Lewis, and Tim & Bob and has appeared on the soundtracks to “Rush Hour,” “Nutty Professor II: The Klumps,” and “The Best Man.” In March 2009 he released, The Rose Experiment, his first album in over seven years.

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