Jon B. and Live Band October 23, 2010

Born in Rhode Island, Jonathan Buck was raised primarily in Pasadena, Calif. During his childhood, he spent many afternoons in the record store owned by his grandparents. “I literally listened to records all day long,” he attests. “I had a very large collection, and I didn’t even understand the cultural impact of the music I was listening to; I just knew I liked certain records, everything by The Bee Gees, Earth, Wind & Fire, Diana Ross … I didn’t know anything about genre or style; I just knew good music.”

Good music quickly became an addiction - and a life path...That very summer he wrote, produced and recorded 40 incredible songs and began making his rounds to all major record labels. Within a few months, he’d met Kenny “Babyface” Edmonds and his wife, Tracy Edmonds, who were interested in signing Jon to their label imprint, Edmonds Record Group (formerly Yab Yum).

“At first, I was simply trying to secure a deal as a songwriter and producer,” Jon informs. “But Kenny was adamant about me releasing my own record.”... The relationship between Jon and Edmonds Record Group immediately bore fruit. His debut album, 1995’s platinum-certified “Bonafide”, was particularly notable for the song “Someone To Love,” a duet with Babyface. The single was a 5 hit on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Airplay charts.

Stronger Everyday was Jon’s first album that went “outside of the box” when it comes to classic Jon B albums, with more dance tracks and collaborations, which included: ODB (AKA Dirt McGirt R.I.P.), Scarface, Babyface, Tupac, Beenieman and Tank. And though some might argue that Jon has vintage soul singers like Marvin Gaye and Donny Hathaway on his mind whenever he steps into the studio, he has long been a fixture on the hip-hop scene, having worked with Tupac and Nas, among many others. “Everytime,” was produced by one of hip-hop’s hottest names, Just Blaze (Jay-Z, DMX, Fabolous).

Official Website: http://www.yoshis.com/sanfrancisco/jazzclub/artist/show/1187