PJ Morton

born on 29/3/1981

PJ Morton

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.

PJ Morton (born as Paul Morton, Jr.; March 29, 1981) is an American R&B musician, singer-songwriter and record producer. Since 2012, he has been one of the keyboardists, alongside Jesse Carmichael, for the pop rock band Maroon 5. Morton originally joined the band as a touring member in 2010 and became an official member in 2012 after Carmichael went on indefinite hiatus (he returned to the lineup in 2014).

On March 27, 2012, Morton released his debut solo EP, Following My First Mind, through the record label Young Money. Adam Levine and James Valentine was featured on the lead single, "Heavy"; other musicians on the EP include Lil Wayne, Jazmine Sullivan and Chantae Cann. On May 14, 2013, Morton released his first major-label debut album, New Orleans. In 2016, he released his mixtape Bounce & Soul Vol. 1 in March and the Sticking to My Guns EP in July. On April 14, 2017, Morton released his first self-released studio album Gumbo which received widespread acclaim from critics and earned Morton two Grammy nominations for Best R&B Album and Best R&B Song at the 60th Annual Grammy Awards.[1]

Personal life

Morton was born in New Orleans, Louisiana. His father is Canadian-born American gospel singer and Founder of the Full Gospel Baptist Fellowship, Bishop Paul S. Morton. His mother is Dr. Debra Brown Morton, pastor of Greater St. Stephen Full Gospel Baptist Church. He is married to Kortni Morton.[2]

Morton graduated St. Augustine High School and majored in marketing at Morehouse College, graduating in 2003.[3]

Career

Maroon 5

In 2010, Morton's friend and Maroon 5's musical director Adam Blackstone asked him to audition for a position in the band as keyboardist and backing vocalist. Morton was the first to audition and left an indelible mark on the group.[4] Since then, he has played with Maroon 5 in concerts and other live performances. From 2012 to 2014 Morton filled-in for the band's keyboardist, Jesse Carmichael, who was on an indefinite hiatus from performing with the group, as stated on their official website in March 2012.[5] In 2012, he joined the band as a full-time member, contributing his vocal and keyboard parts on Maroon 5's fourth studio album, Overexposed, and continuing to do so during the process of recording the band's 2014 album, V.

Signing to Young Money and New Orleans

Morton's solo work won the attention of Mack Maine, who signed him to his production company, Soothe Your Soul, and Young Money Entertainment in 2011.[6] The Following My First Mind EP was released on March 27, 2012.

On May 14, 2013, Morton released his debut studio album on YMCMB, entitled New Orleans. The lead single, "Only One", featuring Stevie Wonder, was nominated for a Grammy Award in 2014. On March 25, 2016, Morton released his mixtape, Bounce & Soul Vol. 1, to SoundCloud. The mixtape features collaborations from other hip hop artists such as Mack Maine, Mannie Fresh, Juvenile, Dee-1, and 5th Ward Weebie. On July 1, he released the Sticking to My Guns EP, featuring the single of the same name.[7]

Other work

After winning Grammy Awards for his songwriting and production on India.Arie's Interested, Morton won Dove and Stellar Awards in 2008.

Morton was also noticed by AR Rahman, composer for Slumdog Millionaire, who asked Morton to contribute "Sajna" to the soundtrack and movie for the Vince Vaughn comedy Couples Retreat. Morton has also produced and written for musicians such as Jermaine Dupri, LL Cool J, Jagged Edge, Monica, India.Arie, gospel musicians Fred Hammond, Men of Standard, and Heather Headley. In 2009, he published a book entitled Why Can't I Sing About Love?[8]

Discography

As a solo artist

Studio albums
  • Emotions (2005)
  • Walk Alone (2010)
  • New Orleans (2013)
  • Gumbo (2017)
Mixtapes
  • Bounce & Soul Volume 1 (2016)
Live albums
  • Live from LA (2008)
  • Live Show Killer (2015)
EPs
  • Following My First Mind (2012)
  • Sticking to My Guns (2016)

With the PJ Morton Band

  • Perfect Song (2007)

With Maroon 5

  • Overexposed (2012)
  • V (2014)

Awards and nominations

Grammy Awards
Year Nominee/work Award Result
2014 "Only One (featuring Stevie Wonder)" Best R&B Song Nominated
2017 "Gumbo" Best R&B Album Pending
"First Began" Best R&B Song Pending

References

  1. ^ https://www.grammy.com/grammys/awards/60th-annual-grammy-awards
  2. ^ "USA GRAMMY ARWARDS 2014". naver.com. 
  3. ^ "Printing – Discovery: PJ Morton – Interview Magazine". interviewmagazine.com. 
  4. ^ "PJ Morton Talks Transition From Writing Gospel Music to Singing with Young Money Records". UGospel.Com. May 8, 2012. Retrieved 2012-05-09. 
  5. ^ "Band Announcement – Jesse Carmichael". maroon5.com. March 9, 2012. Retrieved 2014-06-16. 
  6. ^ "Maroon 5's PJ Morton Talks Young Money Deal". AllHipHop.Com. March 26, 2012. Retrieved 2012-05-08. 
  7. ^ [1]
  8. ^ "Why Can't I Sing About Love?". WhyCan'tISingAboutLove.Com. Retrieved 2012-04-17. 

External links

  • Official website
This page was last modified 29.11.2017 19:53:41

This article uses material from the article PJ Morton from the free encyclopedia Wikipedia and it is licensed under the GNU Free Documentation License.