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Van Hunt
  Van Hunt  
Biography
Van Hunt

Born March 8th, 1977, this R&B crooner’s music is a mixture of blues, funk and rock with a slightly freakier, almost punk element (on his latest album). One day he heard music; maybe something like “When Doves Cry”, which he really loved and it opened his eyes up to music. Crediting his diverse taste in songs to his mother who supported his early musical interests. A talented singer, songwriter, composer, producer and musician, Van was raised in Dayton, Ohio, USA and is currently based in Atlanta and has learnt to play the drums, saxophone, guitar and keyboards. The voice followed, a smooth talker rumoured to have a good sense of humour. Van’s father played a major part in encouraging his musical career. Artists whom he admires are the likes of Muddy Waters, Thelonious Monk, James Brown, Prince, Duke Ellington and Ray Charles. Van moved From Ohio to Texas, from there to Atlanta in his early twenties (mid-nineties) to attend Morehouse College and began writing and producing for Dionne Farris and Raphael Saadiq, working with producer Dallas Austin.

Biography

His first single was called “Hopeless” which was a soundtrack to the movie “Love Jones”. Manager Randy Jackson (American Idol) was the one to encourage him to go forth as an artist in his own right and took him to Capitol Records in 2003 - the “Van Hunt” album followed. In 2006, Van released “ On the Jungle Floor”, a 14 track album which is the follow-up to his self-titled debut of 2004, which was Grammy nominated. “Van Hunt”, mainly produced, written, arranged and performed by him, also saw guest appearances from others, including Lenny Castro – percussionist (Eric Clapton & the Rolling Stones) and Nolan Smith – trumpeter (Marvin Gaye & the Gap Band). The New York Times described the album as ‘the perfect soundtrack for any seduction’. Van played and arranged virtually the entire album “On the Jungle Floor”, with a little help in the studio from co-producer Bill Bottrell who has worked with such stars as Michael Jackson, Sheryl Crow and Madonna. An Artist who has opened for the likes of Anthony Hamilton and played with De La Soul, Outkast, Coldplay, Kanye West, Seal, Wyclef Jean and whom has sold out gigs at the Jazz café. With a biography already under his belt and describing his music as ‘classical American music, based on the blues’, from his experiences past and to follow, I’m sure this artist will be making soulful music for many years to come.

 

Tracey Cope [Just Soul]

Discography
Van Hunt (2004) [Capitol]

  1. Dust
  2. Seconds of Pleasure
  3. Hello, Goodbye
  4. Down Here in Hell (With You)
  5. What Can I Say
  6. Anything (To Get Your Attention)
  7. Highlights
  8. Precious
  9. Her December
  10. Hold My Hand
  11. Who Will Love Me in Winter
  12. Out of the Sky
Van Hunt
Van Hunt
Discography
On The Jungle Floor (2006) [Capitol]

  1. Intro
  2. If I Take You Home (Upon...)
  3. Hot Stage Lights
  4. Daredevil, baby
  5. What Can I Say
  6. Ride, Ride, Ride
  7. Being A Girl
  8. Suspicion (She Knows Me Too Well)
  9. Mean Sleep
  10. Priest Or Police
  11. Character
  12. Interlude
  13. No Sense Of Crime
  14. At The End Of A Slow Dance
  15. The Thrill Of This Love
  16. Hole In My Heart
  17. The Night Is Young
On The Jungle Floor
On The Jungle Floor
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