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R&B - Rhythm and Blues
Rhythm and blues also known as R&B is a popular music genre combining jazz, gospel and blues influences, first performed by African American artists. Although the acronym "R&B" originates from its association with traditional rhythm and blues music, the term R&B is today most often used to define a style of African American music.

Teddy Pendergrass Theodore DeReese Pendergrass, Sr. born March 26, 1950 in Philadelphia, PA affectionately known as 'Teddy P', "TP", or "Teddy Bear" is a classic soul/R&B vocalist. Pendergrass' career began when he was a drummer for The Cadillacs but his fame came later as lead vocalist with Harold Melvin & the Blue Notes. His first solo album was self titled Teddy Pendergrass (1977) Teddy’s hit singles include "The More I Get the More I Want", "Close The Door, "I Don't Love You Anymore", "Turn Off The Lights", and more which lead him to become the first African-American singer to sell five platinum albums in a row. www.teddypendergrass.com

Chaka Khan Chaka Khan born Yvette Marie Stevens in Great Lakes, Illinois on March 23, 1953. She is a multiple Grammy Award recipient known for hit songs such as "I'm Every Woman", "I Feel For You" and "Through the Fire". Khan was first featured as a member of the band Rufus before beginning her solo career. Produced by Stevie Wonder, Rufus was among the most successful funk groups of the decade. The group earned half a dozen gold or platinum albums before Khan went solo in 1978. Though regarded as an R&B vocalist, she has performed numerous musical genres including jazz, hip hop, pop and blues standards. www.chakakhan.com

George Clinton George Clinton born July 22, 1941 in Kannapolis, North Carolina and grew up in Plainfield, New Jersy. He is the principal architect of P-Funk and founder of Parliament and the Funkadelic. For a period in the 1960s Clinton was a staff songwriter for Motown. He has been called one of the most important innovators of funk music next to James Brown and Sly Stone. www.georgeclinton.com/site

Patti Labelle, Nona Hendryx, and Sarah Dash, R&B's most original and formidable trio are reuniting via Verve Records to deliver their first full-length studio album in more than 33 years. The new recording on Verve Records and tour set for a fall 2008 is being produced by funk rocker Lenny Kravitz and Gamble & Huff.
 

Morris Day, Jerome Benton, Jellybean Johnson, Jimmy Jam, Terry Lewis, Monte Moir and Jesse Johnson the original members of The Time will reunite for a summer residency at the Flamingo Las Vegas. The group will perform 15 shows at the venue from June 24 through Aug. 2, ticket are available via Harrahs.com
 

Tina Turner launch date for her North America tour starts Oct. 1 in Kansas City, MO. The tour is expected to feature a major production to complement hits spanning Turner's four-decade career. The updated North American itinerary includes 28 shows across the U.S. and into Canada through mid-December. More dates are being added to keep up with fan demand.
 

Diana Ross' 38-year-old second album "Everything is Everything" is finally getting a CD upgrade, complete with bonus tracks and alternate versions of several tracks. The remake contains a previously unreleased cover of the Beatles' "Something," and remixes of "Come Together" and "I'm Still Waiting." Ross will be on tour in North America throughout the summer.

BMA R&B PICKS

Usher Love in this Club Mariah Carey Touch My Body Keyshia Cole I Remember Jaheim Never Raheem DeVaughn Woman Mary J Blige Just Fine Erykah Badu Honey Angie Stone Sometimes Keith Sweat Suga Suga