Raw Blues & Soul Vocals

Q: Tell us about a project you worked on you are especially proud of and why. What was your role?

A: One project I’m especially proud of is a traditional folk/field song where I served as lead vocalist, songwriter, vocal arranger, and creative director. I shaped the song from the ground up—writing the melody and lyrics, arranging and singing the background vocals, and directing the sonic environment using natural sound elements like wind, fire crackle, and insects to support the story. What made it meaningful was the restraint required. The goal wasn’t to modernize the song, but to honor its roots while making it emotionally present. My role was to protect the song’s spirit and guide every choice toward that end. Hearing it land with listeners exactly as intended was deeply satisfying.

Q: What are you working on at the moment?

A: I’m currently working on my next album, a world soul and blues project, while continuing to collaborate with artists and producers as a vocalist, songwriter, and vocal arranger. I’m also developing projects through my label and production company, supporting both my own work and select collaborations.

Q: Is there anyone on SoundBetter you know and would recommend to your clients?

A: I don’t have specific recommendations at the moment, but I’ve had positive experiences collaborating with a wide range of professionals on the platform.

Q: Analog or digital and why?

A: Digital for workflow and consistency, analog for feel and inspiration. I’m not attached to one over the other—I care about what best serves the song. Digital lets me work efficiently and deliver clean, reliable results, while analog reminds me to prioritize emotion and performance over perfection.

Q: What's your 'promise' to your clients?

A: My promise is to treat every song with care, honesty, and professionalism. I’ll show up prepared, communicate clearly, and deliver vocals that serve the song’s intent—not my ego—so clients can trust the process and the result.

Q: What do you like most about your job?

A: I love helping a song become itself. Every project has a moment where the right vocal choice makes everything click, and being part of that transformation—where a song turns from an idea into something felt—is what keeps me inspired.

Q: What questions do customers most commonly ask you? What's your answer?

A: The most common question I get is, “How much direction do you need?” My answer is that I can work either way. If a client has a clear vision and references, I’ll execute it precisely. If they want collaboration, I can help shape melodies, vocal parts, and emotional direction. What matters most is clarity upfront so the process stays efficient and the song lands the way it should.

Q: What's the biggest misconception about what you do?

A: The biggest misconception is that what I do is just “singing.” A strong vocal performance involves interpretation, structure, emotional judgment, and restraint. I’m not just delivering notes—I’m helping shape how a song lands, how it’s felt, and how it connects with a listener.

Q: What questions do you ask prospective clients?

A: I usually ask about the song’s vision and emotional intent first—what the track needs to feel like. I also ask for references, the role the vocal should play in the mix, timeline expectations, and how final decisions will be made. Those answers help me deliver something that fits the project and keeps the process smooth for everyone.

Q: What advice do you have for a customer looking to hire a provider like you?

A: Be clear about your vision, references, and expectations, but also leave room for interpretation. The best results come when there’s trust and open communication. Hire someone whose taste and experience align with your music, not just someone who can technically execute. That alignment is what turns a good performance into the right one.

Q: If you were on a desert island and could take just 5 pieces of gear, what would they be?

A: If there’s no electricity, I’d start with a solar generator. Then a laptop with a DAW and basic virtual instruments, a great microphone, a small audio interface, and reliable headphones. That gives me power, sound sources, and the ability to capture ideas anywhere.

Q: What was your career path? How long have you been doing this?

A: I started classical vocal training at age 9, joined my first band—a punk rock band—at 12, and began studying jazz at 14. I signed my first record deal at 15, a second at 17, and by 18 I was performing almost nightly. At 19 and 20, I worked as a staff writer and vocal coach within a production team environment, developing material for Pop, Hip Hop, Soul, and R&B artists. During that same period, I also began touring with Blues and Soul legends, which grounded my work in feel, discipline, and musical lineage. I released my first independent album at 25 and began touring with a reggae rock band that same year. I signed another deal at 30, followed by award wins, Billboard and Roots Music Chart placements, and a subsequent album that brought similar recognition. Since then, I’ve toured and headlined clubs, theaters, and festivals on five continents, performing in nearly 60 countries. I’ve been working professionally for over 25 years. I’m currently working on my next album—a world soul and blues project—and I run my own label and production company, supporting both my work and select collaborative projects.

Q: How would you describe your style?

A: I’d describe my style as punk in spirit—not in genre. I don’t let categories limit how I sing or create. I work across styles, but my sound stays consistent because it’s rooted in feel, soul, and truth rather than rules. The freedom is the point.

Q: Which artist would you like to work with and why?

A: I’d love to work with Raphael Saadiq because of his deep respect for soul lineage paired with modern restraint. His work balances groove, space, and emotional honesty in a way that lets vocals breathe. That song-first discipline and timeless feel align closely with how I approach singing and vocal arrangement.

Q: Can you share one music production tip?

A: Record for emotion first, not perfection. Capture a performance that feels true, then clean it up if needed. You can fix small technical issues, but you can’t manufacture conviction after the fact.

Q: What type of music do you usually work on?

A: I primarily work in Blues and Soul, with a strong presence across R&B, Neo-Soul, Rock, Gospel, Reggae, and Pop. Regardless of genre, the common thread is music that needs feel, depth, and an emotionally grounded vocal.

Q: What's your strongest skill?

A: My strongest skill is emotional interpretation. I know how to read a song, find its center, and deliver a vocal that feels honest, controlled, and intentional—whether that means power, restraint, or subtlety. I focus on making the listener believe the song.

Q: What do you bring to a song?

A: I bring emotional clarity, musical intelligence, and restraint. My focus is always on serving the song—finding the right tone, phrasing, and dynamics so the vocal feels honest and intentional. Beyond singing, I bring an understanding of melody, harmony, and structure that helps a song land with impact without being overworked.

Q: What's your typical work process?

A: My process starts with understanding the client’s vision, references, and any specific direction for the song. Once I receive the track or demo, I record lead vocals and any agreed-upon harmonies or background parts in my studio, focusing on tone, feel, and emotional accuracy. I deliver clean, organized, studio-ready vocal files, and I include one revision to make sure everything sits right. Communication is clear and efficient throughout the process, and my goal is always to serve the song while making the collaboration smooth and reliable for everyone involved.

Q: Tell us about your studio setup.

A: I work from a fully equipped professional recording studio designed specifically for vocal capture. The space is acoustically treated for clean, controlled recordings, with high-end condenser microphones, quality preamps, and accurate monitoring. I record and deliver sessions in Pro Tools, providing clean, studio-ready WAV files suitable for professional mixing and release. My setup allows me to work efficiently, maintain consistent sound quality, and deliver vocals that integrate seamlessly into a client’s production.

Q: What other musicians or music production professionals inspire you?

A: I’m inspired by artists who combine emotional truth, vocal authority, and individuality. Vocalists like Steven Tyler for fearless rock expression; D'Angelo for groove and restraint; and Phyllis Hyman and Rachelle Ferrell for technical mastery paired with emotional depth. I’m also deeply influenced by Etta James and Tina Turner for their power, grit, and command, as well as artists like Erykah Badu, Lianne La Havas, and Jill Scott, who embody authenticity, musical intelligence, and soul-forward storytelling. What connects all of them is a commitment to serving the song with honesty rather than excess—something I bring to every project.

Q: Describe the most common type of work you do for your clients.

A: Most of my work involves recording lead vocals and background vocals for artists and producers who want performances with feel, control, and musical intention. I’m often brought in not just to sing, but to shape vocal parts—creating harmonies, arranging backgrounds, refining melodies, and helping the song land emotionally. Clients typically send a track or rough demo, and I deliver clean, studio-ready vocals that fit their vision while elevating the record. I work efficiently, communicate clearly, and focus on serving the song rather than overpowering it.