Contact Donell Jones

Full Name:	Donell Jones
Famous As:	R&B tenor singer
Date of Birth:	May 22, 1973
Place of Birth:	Chicago, Illinois, USA
Nationality:	American
Claim to Fame:	Single U Know What's Up (1999)

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Donell Jones
Birth name	Donell Jones
Born	May 22, 1973 (1973-05-22) (age 36)
Origin	Chicago, Illinois, United States
Genres	R&B, pop
Occupations	singer-songwriter, producer
Years active	1995 – present
Labels	LaFace/Jive/BMG

Donell Jones (born May 22, 1973, Chicago, Illinois) is an American R&B singer, songwriter and record producer.

He is most notable for the hits "U Know What's Up", "Where I Wanna Be" and his cover of Stevie Wonder's "Knocks Me Off My Feet".

Contents 1 Biography 2 Music Career 3 Voice 4 Discography 4.1 Albums 4.2 Singles 5 External links

Biography

You were first introduced to Donell Jones through his creative talents with a pen. Responsible for label mate Usher's top ten single "Think Of You" amongst other songs written and/or produced for artists such as Madonna, Brownstone, Silk and Jade, Donell expressed his exceptional talent and love for music behind the scenes. In 1996 LaFace Records and Untouchables Entertainment introduced you to the soulful flavor of Donell Jones- the artist.

Not your typical singer, Donell talks in a quiet voice, and his music is reflection of the craftsmanship of musicians of yesteryear who caressed lush ballads and sensuous mid-tempo songs like they were rare, precious stones. A self -taught musician, Donell chooses to play everything himself on the tracks he produces. He is influenced to the likes of Stevie Wonder ("His songs are like poetry") The Isley Brothers ("The mellowness of their music combined with their groove is something that never dies") and Teddy Pendergrass because of his ability to "make you feel what he's singing". Donell carries the same respect for the art form as his predecessor by setting the stage for his funkladen production to serve as the pathway for lyrics of love and respect to walk hand in hand in the hood.

Donell wrote nearly all of the tracks on his debut album, My Heart, and produced seven songs. His first single "In the Hood," sure to be heard in neighborhoods everywhere, has a laid back groove with smooth lyrics that croon" This is for my playas in the hood, up to no good, let's kick it like we really should, it's just an ordinary day." An exceptional remake of Stevie Wonder's "Knocks Me Off My Feet" makes you feel the emotion and soul filled sounds of Donell's vocal talent. "No Interruptions," speaks about privacy between lovers, and the most abrasive track on the album. "I was just having fun with the song," admits Donell. "I'm more into love and stuff, but this song was written because I wanted to see If I had it in me to do that type of song. Donell chose to saturate his album with tender, moving lyrics. "I think that as musicians we should talk more about things that occur at their age level," says Donell.

Inspired by his father (also a musicians) while growing up. Donell starting singing at the age of eight, penned his first song at the age of 12, and took refuge in an art form that wound up steering him away from the negativity of Chicago's neighborhoods. "When I was home," starts the reserved Donell, "I was influenced by a lot of peer pressure and being with the wrong people. It was rough; a lot of gang violence. ..."My music," continues Donell, "got me away."

Donell was discovered at the Black Radio Exclusive (BRE) Conference in Washington, D.C. by Edward "Eddie F" Ferrell, President of Untouchables Entertainment, VP, of A&R at Motown Records and former member of the multi-platinum rap group Heavy D and the Boyz. Donell and the members of the group he was in at the time, approached "Eddie F" and asked him to listen to them sing. "We had a showcase, but no one came, so we around asking people if we could sing for them," says Donell. "We asked Eddie and he said 'Yeah". We did and he said, "I like you guys, give me your number and I want to do something with you". A month later "Eddie F" sent plane tickets for the the group and offered them a deal on Untouchables/LaFace Records. Two months later after recording "I Can Make You Feel Good" for a compilation album, the group broke up, and Donell became a solo artist.

These days Donell Jones is happy with his role as a father, yet has his sights set on changing the current face of R&B music the same way he has contributed to the scope of music for years, by staying true to his craft. Under the umbrella of his own label Candyman Records, Jones is looking to restore the love in music, in an otherwise loveless musical landscape worldwide. Currently in the studio for a 2010 album and set to release a compilation of unheard songs titled “The Lose Files” in November 2009. Donell Jones doesn’t plan on following the ever changing climate of the music industry; he just plans to keep doing what feels good and creating timeless music in the process.

Music Career

In 1996, Donell Jones signed with LaFace Records and released his debut album, My Heart, which included the hit cover of Stevie Wonder's 1976 ballad "Knocks Me Off My Feet".

It wasn't until 1999, however, that Jones began to establish himself as a true R&B hit maker with his second album, Where I Wanna Be. The album yielded number-one hits such as "U Know What's Up", which featured TLC member Lisa "Left-Eye" Lopes on the title track. Other hits included "Shorty Got Her Eyes on Me" and "This Luv". The album went on to sell over one million copies.

In 2000, Jones recorded the song "I'll Go" for the Love and Basketball soundtrack.

Jones released his third album in 2002, the gold-selling Life Goes On album. It featured the hits, "You Know That I Love You" (#16 R&b) and "Put Me Down" featuring Styles P..

Four years later in 2006 Jones released his fourth album, Journey of a Gemini which included the Tim & Bob produced song "I'm Gonna Be". It had moderate success reaching #40 on Urban AC. "Spend The Night" also received notable airplay.

A new Donell Jones album is expected for a late 2009, early 2010 release.

Voice

Voice

• Spinto Tenor

Highest note

• E#5 in "Special Girl"

Highest Full Voice Note

• C5 in "Wish You Were Here"

Lowest note

• B2 in "Comeback"^{citation needed}

Discography

Albums

• 1996: My Heart #180 US
• 1999: Where I Wanna Be #35 US
• 2002: Life Goes On #3 US
• 2006: Journey of a Gemini #15 US, #112 UK
• 2007: The Best Of Donell Jones
• 2009: The Lost Files Available 11/24/2009
• 2010: Untitled TBA

Singles

Year	Title	Chart Positions		Album
		U.S.	U.S. R&B
1996	"In The Hood"	79	21	My Heart
	"Knocks Me Off My Feet"	49	14
	"You Should Know"	-	-
1999	"U Know What's Up" (featuring Lisa Lopes)	7	1	Where I Wanna Be
	"Shorty (Got Her Eyes On Me)"	-	80
2000	"This Luv"	-	48
	"Where I Wanna Be"	29	2
	"Do What I Gotta Do"	-	102	Shaft Soundtrack
2002	"You Know That I Love You"	54	16	Life Goes On
	"Put Me Down" (featuring Styles P)	98	49
	"Where You Are (Is Where I Wanna Be) Part 2"	-	-
2003	"Do U Wanna"	-	-
2006	"Better Start Talking" (featuring Jermaine Dupri)	-	72	Journey of a Gemini
	"I'm Gonna Be" (featuring Clipse)	-	41
	"Special Girl"	-	-
2007	"Ooh Na Na"	-	63
	"Spend The Night"	-	74

External links

• Donell Jones audio interview
• Donell Jones Music Videos
• Donell Jones Interview 11/19/09