Songwriter, producer, vocalist, and instrumentalist Jon B. brings a distinctive focus on smooth melodies to contemporary R&B. Proficient on keyboards, guitar, bass, and drums, he wrote and produced songs for such rap music legends as Toni Braxton, After 7, and Color Me Badd. Born in Rhode Island and raised in California, Jon B. was the son of a professor of music and a concert pianist. Influenced by music found in his grandparents' record store, he began combining '70s soul with '90s hip-hop on his 1995 debut album, Bonafide. It sold more than one million copies and went gold. His second album, 1997's Cool Relax, continued the emphasis on classic hip-hop soul. He continued entertaining audiences, with several concert tours throughout the world. Aside from personal performances, he writes for popular artists including Toni Braxton and the rap group Az Yet. In the new millennium, Jon B. returned to form for a third record. Pleasures U Like was issued in spring 2001.