Music Artist Profile - B. Michael L.
There are those people who walk into your life and after they've entered your world life is never the same again. B. Michael L. is one of those people. "B" (das what I call him) is a very talented singer/songwriter/vocal arranger. I've known him for several years and he has become a friend. He is also one of those rare people who support your efforts and believe in you even when you don't believe in yourself.
Long before I became a visual artist I was a singer/songwriter/producer. I did my thing and made my money, but this is NOT about me. This is about sharing with you the power of positive energy. After years of writing and being behind the scenes I decided I was interested in performing my own material. Early on I didn't have a lot of faith in my own talent as a performer until B. stepped in as a collaborator, friend, backing vocalist and partner in crime. He encouraged me to do what I felt was correct and get out and share it with the world. I eventually did just that and have never been the same person since.
I've since decided music would take a back seat to visual art (because it is my passion and gift), but the lessons learned in music have made me fearlessly creative and taught me to never again doubt my ability to do anything I want to do.
I wanted to publicly thank B for the support and now share with you a post about his art.
Thanks B, for being an inspiration and a friend.
Bio
B Michael L is a trained vocalist who graduated from Howard University's School of Fine Arts. During his time there, B Michael L popularized a fusion sound of blending jazz, hip hop and pop music from various time periods. Vocally influenced by funk and R&B masters of the 70s, B Michael L became a premier vocalist for the Jazz Vocal Workshop under the guidance of the late Webster Lewis, Grady Tate and Kehembe Eichelberger, three world-reknowned jazz virtuosos.
Now out on his own, B Michael L has blessed many successful independent acts with his lyric writing, vocals and harmonies. A fine solo performer, B Michael L has stepped from under his mentors to perform his own material in live.
A driven promoter, B Michael L has organized and promoted showcases for other artists as well as for himself. Here in New York, in DC, in Miami and other locations, B Michael L has performed and promoted for many events and venues, some locally televised and others private and upscale. He is the founder of B Michael L Promotions, a marketing and promotion group which will breathe new life into the musical underground landscape by presenting sophisticated, original and cutting edge live acts. He is also heavily involved in the grooming of other artists, linking them with needed resources to help assist their own careers. Due to his hard work determination and the support of a faithful following, B Michael L's success continues to grow.
Like most Leo's B. Michael L. is creative, driven and has varied interests. He has modeled for Graffiti On Wear - an online clothing company owned by local designer Tyre Washington, written and co-produced tracks for indie artists from New York to Washington DC, performed live, produced showcases and of course written and co-produced his own material. Who knows where his creativity will take him, but I am sure it be a melodic and soulful place.
B Michael L partial discography :
Underdawg Champion (music collection, CD, digi-downloads)
-DJ
-Girl Like U
-What U Need (feat. Ricky Day)
-No Matter
-My Home
-Out of the Blue (soul version)
executive produced by B Michael L
Lullabye Mood 2 (current upcoming releases)
-Strange Place For Rain
-Wide Open Eyes
-Catch Me
-All Over You
+ more
executive produced by Cedric Munch
session recordings
-Outta the Blue (dance version; produced by Montal Fish)
-Find Somebody To Love (produced by Colleen Max Fisher)
-Don't You Understand (produced by Dwayne Bastiany)
-live at Downtime with Ricky Day (produced by Ricky Day)
-Morena's Blues
-Sugar
-The Need to Smile
-Song For My Father (produced by HUJE - Howard University Jazz Ensemble, CD now on sale)
Check B out on myspace and listen to What You Need one of the joints I produced for him a few years ago.