Artists

Jamiroquai

Although some choose to pass off Jamiroquai as a Stevie Wonder-clone, the band has amassed a steady stream of hits in its native U.K. and has experienced chart success in just about every other area of the world with an irresistible blend of house rhythms and '70s-era soul/funk. The band has gone though several lineup changes during their career, but through it all their leader has remained singer/songwriter Jason Kay (aka J.K.)

Weather Report

Weather Report started out as a jazz equivalent of what the rock world in 1970 was calling a "supergroup." But unlike most of the rock supergroups, this one not only kept going for a good 15 years, it more than lived up to its billing, practically defining the state of the jazz-rock art throughout almost all of its run.

Nighthawks

Taking their name from a famous painting by Edward Hopper, the atmospheric jazz duo Nighthawks is comprised of bassist Dal Martino and trumpeter Reiner Winterschladen. The duo's previous credentials are quite impressive — Martino has worked with the likes of Wolf Maahn and Jaki Liebezeit, while Winterschladen has been a member of the NDR Big Band since 1995, in addition to playing with the European Jazz Ensemble, the Manfred Schoof Big Band, and Rausch.

Macy Gray

Macy Gray parlayed an utterly unique voice and an outlandish sense of style into R&B stardom at the turn of the millennium, appealing to audiences of all colors in search of a fresh alternative to mainstream soul. Gray was actually born Natalie McIntyre in Canton, Ohio, and grew up a shy, awkward youngster who was frequently teased about her odd-sounding voice.