E. J. DECKER
Genres: Vocal Jazz, RnB • United States

A solid, big-voiced jazz baritone (à la Johnny Hartman or Billy Eckstine) who has spent years in rock bands, in musical theater and on the folk circuit, E. J. Decker landed in NYC's jazz scene in the early '90s with a distinctive style once described as "biker Gershwin." Critic Scott Yanow notes Decker "has a strong voice touched by that of Billy Eckstine, although he has his own sound." Raised in a musical household, E. J.'s mother was a pianist and his dad a Big Band-era baritone who worked with many N.Y.-area bands of the day, including a brief stint with Tommy Dorsey's Orchestra, and was E. J.'s first vocal coach. Drawn to his dad's big band discs, as well as his older brothers' rock and R&B records and later their jazz albums, E. J. was profoundly influenced by the many live performances—by such jazz greats as the (original) Dave Brubeck read more...