Our outstanding 2012 Line-up included:

I Am SuCh

Colorado’s Own SuCh joins the line-up. Her debut album, “Stretch Marks”, is as eclectic and diverse as her upbringing and is filled with instantly unforgettable melodies that soar, woven in her clear and soulful voice. A natural-born storyteller, she tugs at the heart strings of her audiences with every word and note, while simultaneously packing enough energy to power a small city. There is no denying her passion for music on and off the stage. She’s a constant visual and audible reminder that big things come in small packages and that dreams do in fact come true.”

Natalie “The Floacist” Stewart

Natalie “The Floacist” Stewart – The strikingly beautiful, slam-champion poet and singer took the music world by storm in 2002 when she graced the R&B; scene with her brainchild Floetry. The Gold-selling duo’s unique elixir of sensual soul and poetic justice garnered seven Grammy nominations and created such smash hits as “Floetic,” “Say Yes” and “Getting Late.” Floetry followed with two more best selling albums over the next few years. Floetic Soul is a continuation and further exploration of ‘The Floacist’s’ genius musical mind.

Julie Dexter
Official Site

Meet Julie Dexter, a world renowned, award winning, British vocalist considered by many to be one of the most influential female vocalists of our generation. She has shared the spotlight with a host of cutting edge artists, including Mint Condition, Jill Scott, Bilal, Omar, Loose Ends, Rachelle Ferrell, Ledisi, Eric Roberson and Raheem DeVaughn to name a few.

Born and raised in Birmingham, England, this classically trained artist composes and arranges
her own music. Influenced by legends such as Nancy Wilson, Abbey Lincoln, and Bob Marley, as
well as popular icons Omar and Sade, Julie takes classic soul to the heart of Artistry.

Algebra

Ironically there are no textbooks or classroom instructions that could help one
balance the equations of Kedar Massenburg’s newest protégé, ALGEBRA. The
Atlanta native insists that one can only discover her sonically. As an R&B; solo
artist with such a simple solution, when mainstream success seems to be more
about the right hair, nails and make -up, Algebra is the perfect curriculum for
breathing life back in to a genre overwrought by factory made clones.

Anthony David

Anthony David is a Grammy-nominated singer/songwriter out of Atlanta and is President Obama’s favorite new artist.

Often described as the heir-apparent to his early influence Bill Withers, Anthony David is elbowing a space for intelligent lyrics and a grown man’s voice in a scene that’s in a race to be young. A student of Wither’s lyricism; the masculine rhythms of Beres Hammond and Frankie Beverly; the storytelling of Slick Rick and Jay-Z; and the blues of Lightning Hopkins, Howling Wolf, and T-Bone Walker, David is ushering back the kind of masculine soul that men can identify with and that ladies can nestle up to.

Jeffrey Osborne
Official Site

Jeffrey Osborne began his professional singing career in 1969 with a popular funk and soul group called Love Men Ltd. The band moved to Los Angeles in 1970 and changed its name to L.T.D. Osborne was originally brought on as the drummer and eventually became the lead vocalist. After more than ten years with the band, he decided to pursue a solo career, which produced such Top 40 hits as “Don’t You Get So Mad,” “Stay With Me Tonight,” and “Love Power,” which he performed with Dionne Warwick.

Osborne’s solo career has brought him five gold and platinum albums, including Stay With Me Tonight and Only Human. He also recorded an album of duets with popular singer James Ingram, and scored an international hit with “On the Wings of Love” in 1982.

Allen Stone

From backwoods barbecues and community gatherings; Allen Stone emerges to share personal melodies, telling his tales of life after just 24 years. Getting his start singing at his father’s church in small-town America; it wasn’t until later when introduced to the greats of soul music (Marvin Gaye, Aretha Franklin) and then to the confessional lyrical fashion of the 60’s-70’s singer/songwriters, did music begin to ignite intense passion, eventually carrying this boy to the musical home. Stone has recently appeared on late night series, Jimmy Kimmel Live and Conan.

Kindred

Kindred The Family Soul are somewhat of an anomaly in a business that seems to foster fly-by-night trends, single-minded artists, one hit wonders and where narcissism is a way of being. The down to earth, spiritual, young married duo and parents of six, who are not afraid to flaunt their love and commitment for one another, has managed to steadily build a devoted following with their unique mix of soulful R&B; and hip hop minded grooves, conscious lyrics and refreshingly honest songwriting. The hit-making duo has played a vital role in the soul music renaissance over the past decade. The Philadelphia based duo’s magnetic chemistry, dynamic showmanship and insightful songwriting often bring about comparisons to such iconic duos as Ashford and Simpson, Marvin Gaye and Tammi Terrell and Robert Flack and Donny Hathaway.

DJ Newlife

Born and bred in Chicago’s Logan Square neighborhood, NewLife was surrounded by music since birth. As the son of a musician/vocalist and an artist, he has always been described as someone who never fell into the modes of traditional thought. This carries over into his diverse brand of music and the styles of beats that just seem to choose themselves while he’s on the decks. Being introduced to Hip Hop culture by a childhood friend who migrated from the Bronx in the early 80s heavily influenced his musical feel. Always giving the crowd what they want and at the same time giving them what they need keeps people coming back…

You can experience his diverse talent at the most anticipated monthly event in Chicago – FEx 1st Saturdays at Subterranean located in the Wicker Park area in Chicago where The Voodoo Killer DJ NewLife is a showcase of AFROBEAT – BHANGRA – KUDURO – BAILE FUNK – BRAZILIAN – DUBSTEP – REGGAE – LATIN – & other worldly rhythms infused with chest pounding bass, dirty synth and hypnotic drums.

MC Zulu

Sugarfoot’s Ohio Players

Sugarfoot’s OHIO PLAYERS is a team of master musicians surrounding the exuberant and soulful “Sugarfoot”, the Original Player and signature Voice of the OHIO PLAYERS. With virtuoso bassist and four-time Grammy winner, Trae Pierce, now returning as Musical Director, Sugarfoot’s OHIO PLAYERS perform all the #1 “OP” hits everyone expects from an OHIO PLAYERS legacy concert.

The OHIO PLAYERS changed R&B; forever, establishing smash hits including “Skin Tight”, “Fire”, “I Want To Be Free”, “Sweet Sticky Thing” and “Love Rollercoaster”, just to name a few.

Gloria Neal

CBS4’s Gloria Neal is an award winning on-air talent whose versatility has made her a much sought after personality. Gloria has also been a regular panelist and host on various local and national television shows.

As an active member of the community, Gloria is also host of the Gloria Neal Show on AM 760. She is a member of the Colorado Women’s Chamber of Commerce, The Women’s Foundation, The Association for Women in Communications, The Mile High United Way, The Colorado Association of Black Journalists, as well as the National Association of Black Journalists. In her spare time Gloria develops ideas, writes for her stand up comedy routine and enjoys reading, exercising, and spending time with family and friends.

Frances Jaye

Neo Soul Cafe is programmed by Frances Jaye, an eclectic, music loving deejay and a self-professed music connoisseur who really knows how to deliver the “IT” to her audience. Her ability to give music lovers “the music that gets your head right” has garnered her the status as a local celebrity in Dallas, Texas and throughout the country. In 2002, a change did come for the forward-thinking, Frances Jaye. Her passion to “give the adult listening audience a format of music that they really wanted to hear” led her to create a multimedia movement called Neo Soul Cafe.