Contemporary R&B musician as a singer, songwriter, producer and multi-instrumentalist who signed with Arista Records as a solo artist in 1983. His instrumental song "The Mood" earned a Grammy nomination, and his second album Send Me Your Love garnered two Grammy nominations as well.
When he was 15 years old, he was recruited by the funk band B. T. Express to be their keyboard player and vocalist. He left them in 1978 and would perform with Stephanie Mills as her keyboardist.
He worked with then newcomer Whitney Houston on the hit single "You Give Good Love" and "Where Are You" as a producer. He helped launch the career of Kenny G.
He was born Michael Jones in Harlem, NY. He was put in foster care when he was four months old after his mother was incarcerated.
He is highly regarded as a pioneer of urban music like Stevie Wonder.