John Paris | |
|---|---|
 Paris drumming with Earth, Wind, & Fire in 2010 | |
| Background information | |
| Born | Trenton, New Jersey, U.S. |
| Occupation(s) | Musician, arranger, producer, singer, and songwriter |
| Instrument | Multi-instrumentalist |
| Years active | 1987– current |
| Member of | Earth, Wind & Fire |
John Paris is an American musician, best known as the drummer for Earth, Wind & Fire. Paris has also worked with artists such as Sheila E, Stephanie Mills, Patti LaBelle, Wayman Tisdale, Mica Paris and Kelly Clarkson. [1] [2]
John Paris was born in Trenton, New Jersey, into a musically inclined family. His mother was a musician and jazz singer, and his father was a big band leader and singer. Paris began playing drums at a young age. During his early teens, he relocated to San Francisco and later to Oakland, California, where he became involved in the local music scene.
Paris firstly toured with Sheila E. and later performed on Stephanie Mills' 1987 album If I Were Your Woman. He then played the drums on Patti LaBelle's 1991 album Burnin',1992 album Live and Philip Bailey's 1994 self titled album. Paris also appeared on Bruce Hornsby's 1995 LP Hot House, Wayman Tisdale's 1995 album Power Forward and the Dazz Band's 1997 LP Double Exposure. What's more, he played on Wayman Tisdale's 1998 album Decisions, Mica Paris' 1998 album Black Angel and Kelly Clarkson's 2017 album Meaning of Life. [3] [1]
In 2001, John Paris joined Earth, Wind & Fire as their drummer. Paris has since performed on the band's 2003 studio album The Promise, 2005's Illumination, 2013's Now, Then & Forever and 2014's Holiday. [4] [5] John Paris is also a member of the American music duo Back 2 Basics, which he formed with saxophonist Eddie Mininfield. [6]
Earth, Wind & Fire is an American music band formed in 1969. Their music spans the multiple genres, including jazz, R&B, soul, funk, disco, pop, Latin and Afro-pop. They are among the best-selling bands of all time, with sales of over 90 million records worldwide.
The Dazz Band is an American R&B/funk band most popular in the early 1980s. Emerging from Cleveland, Ohio, the group's biggest hit songs include "Let It Whip" (1982), "Joystick" (1983), and "Let It All Blow" (1984). The name of the band is a portmanteau of the description "danceable jazz".
Gregory Arthur Phillinganes is an American keyboardist, vocalist, and arranger. A session musician, Phillinganes has contributed to numerous albums over a broad array of artists and genres. He has toured with artists including Stevie Wonder, Eric Clapton, David Gilmour and Toto, was musical director for Michael Jackson, and has released two solo studio albums.
Philip James Bailey is an American singer, songwriter and percussionist, best known as an early member and one of the two lead singers of the band Earth, Wind & Fire. Noted for his four-octave vocal range and distinctive falsetto register, Bailey was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and the Vocal Group Hall of Fame as a member of Earth, Wind & Fire. Bailey was also inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame for his work with the band.
Sonny Emory is an American singer, songwriter, drummer and percussionist. Emory is a former member of the band Earth, Wind & Fire. He has also worked with artists such as Bruce Hornsby, Steely Dan, Eric Clapton, Bette Midler and Lee Ritenour.
James Everett "Rhett" Lawrence is an American record producer and songwriter. He first became known for producing the 1990 single "Vision of Love" by Mariah Carey, which received a Grammy Award and peaked on the Billboard Hot 100. His productions have since resulted in sales of 350 million album-equivalent units worldwide.
Neil Stubenhaus is an American bass guitarist.
Illumination is the nineteenth studio album by American band Earth, Wind & Fire, released in September 2005 on Sanctuary. The album rose to No. 8 on the Billboard Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart and No. 32 on the Billboard 200 chart. Illumination was also Grammy nominated within the category of Best R&B Album. It is the final Earth, Wind & Fire album to feature their founder and co-lead vocalist Maurice White.
The ESSENCE Festival of Culture is the largest African-American culture and music event in the US. The annual music festival started in 1995 in New Orleans, Louisiana to celebrate the 25th anniversary of Essence magazine. The festival features artists simultaneously performing on a main stage as well as four standing-room only stages.
Daniel de los Reyes is an American percussionist who is a former member of Earth, Wind & Fire and Chicago. He is currently a member of the Zac Brown Band. He is the oldest member of the band.
Burnin' is a studio album by American singer-songwriter Patti LaBelle. It was released by MCA Records on October 1, 1991, in the United States to mixed reviews. The album features several collaborations, including duets with Gladys Knight and Michael Bolton, and a reunion track with Nona Hendryx and Sarah Dash from Labelle. It yielded three Billboard R&B chart hits: "Feels Like Another One", "Somebody Loves You Baby " and "When You've Been Blessed ".
Philip Bailey is the seventh studio album by American R&B and soul singer Philip Bailey, issued in March 1994 by Zoo Entertainment.
"You Can't Hide Love" is a single by soul group Creative Source released in 1973 on Sussex Records. The song reached No. 48 on the Billboard Hot R&B Singles chart.
"Pure Gold" is a song by the band Earth, Wind & Fire, released as a single in 2005 by Sanctuary Records. The song reached No. 23 on the Billboard Adult Contemporary chart and No. 15 on the Billboard Adult R&B Songs chart.
The Hampton Jazz Festival is a major musical event started in 1968, and features many of the world's major jazz artists. It is held during the last full weekend in June each year, with the primary venue being Hampton, Virginia's Hampton Coliseum. Festival organizers describe it as "the best available jazz, R&B and blues artists that are on tour during the time of the festival... packaged at a reasonable price." In 2024 it was re-branded as the Hampton Jazz & Music Festival, with an emphasis on a broader range of musical acts.
Robert Brookins was an American singer, songwriter, producer and musician. A member of the band Earth, Wind & Fire he also worked with artists such as George Duke, Stephanie Mills, Stanley Clarke and The Whispers.
Paul Johnson is a British gospel and soul singer who released two albums and a series of singles from 1987 through 1990 on CBS Records. He was formerly a member of Paradise before going solo, and later recorded with Mica Paris.
"For the Love of You" is a song recorded by the American band Earth, Wind & Fire (EWF) featuring MC Hammer for EWF's 1990 studio album Heritage. It was released as a single in May 1990 by Columbia Records, peaking at No. 19 on the Billboard Hot R&B Singles chart and No. 12 on the Cashbox Top R&B Singles chart.
"My Promise" is a song by the band Earth, Wind & Fire, released as a single in 2013 by Sony Music/Legacy. The song reached No. 28 on the Billboard Adult R&B Songs chart and No. 30 on the Billboard Adult Contemporary Songs chart.
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