Question:  Beverley Knight MBE is an English recording artist heavily influenced by an American singer, songwriter, and what?

full_context: Document 1: Gladys Knight: Gladys Maria Knight (born May 28, 1944), known as the "Empress of Soul", is an American singer–songwriter and actress. A seven-time Grammy Award-winner, Knight is best known for the hits she recorded during the 1960s and 1970s, for both the Motown and Buddah Records labels, with her group Gladys Knight & the Pips, which included her brother Merald "Bubba" Knight and her cousins Edward Patten and William Guest.
Document 2: Mutual Feeling: "Mutual Feeling" is the fifth single released by the British R&B recording artist Beverley Knight from her debut album "The B-Funk" (1995). The track, which peaked at #124 on the UK Singles Chart when it was released in 1996, did not have a promotional video made to accompany it and remains Knight's second lowest charting single to date in the UK, after "After You".
Document 3: Sammy Fain: Sammy Fain, (born Samuel E. Feinberg) (June 17, 1902 – December 6, 1989) was an American composer of popular music. In the 1920s and early 1930s, he contributed numerous songs that form part of The Great American Songbook, and Broadway theatre, he was also a popular musician and vocalist
Document 4: You Send Me: "You Send Me" is a song by American singer Sam Cooke, released on September 7, 1957 by Keen Records. Produced by Bumps Blackwell and arranged and conducted by René Hall, the song was the A-side to "Summertime". The song, Cooke's debut single, was a massive commercial success, becoming a number one hit on both "Billboard"'s Rhythm & Blues Records chart and the "Billboard" Hot 100.
Document 5: Beverley Knight: Beverley Knight MBE (born Beverley Anne Smith on 22 March 1973) is an English recording artist, radio presenter and musical theatre actress who released her debut album, "The B-Funk", in 1995. Heavily influenced by American soul music icons such as Sam Cooke and Aretha Franklin, Knight has released eight studio albums to date. Widely labelled as one of Britain's greatest soul singers, Knight is best known for her hit singles "Greatest Day", "Get Up!", "Shoulda Woulda Coulda" and "Come as You Are".
Document 6: Allen Klein: Allen Klein (December 18, 1931 July 4, 2009) was an American businessman, music publisher, writers' representative, filmmaker and record label executive, most noted for his tough persona and aggressive, innovative negotiation tactics, many of which established higher industry standards for compensating recording artists. He founded ABKCO Music & Records Incorporated. Klein revolutionized the income potential of recording artists, who previously had been routinely victimized by onerous record company contracts. He first scored massive monetary and contractual windfalls for Buddy Knox and Jimmy Bowen, one-hit rockabillies of the late 1950s, then parlayed his early successes into a position managing Sam Cooke, and eventually managed the Beatles and the Rolling Stones simultaneously, along with many other artists, becoming one of the most powerful individuals in the music industry during his era.
Document 7: Soul Survivor (Beverley Knight song): "Soul Survivor" is the third single release from British singer-songwriter Beverley Knight's sixth studio album, "100%". The song is a duet with soul singer Chaka Khan. The song received a full digital download single release on 8 March 2010. There are two versions of the song, the album version and the radio edit, which halves verse one of the song.
Document 8: Sam Walton: Samuel Moore Walton (March 29, 1918 – April 5, 1992) was an American businessman and entrepreneur best known for founding the retailers Walmart and Sam's Club.
Document 9: Flavour of the Old School: '"Flavour of the Old School"' is a song by British R&B recording artist Beverley Knight, released as her debut single from her debut "The B-Funk" (1995). The track, which peaked at number fifty on the UK Singles Chart when it was released in March 1995, was accompanied by a low budget music video that saw Knight in the recording studio singing directly into the camera. It was re-released however in October 1995, supported by a new video and strong support from urban radio. The song went on to become Knight's first top 40 single, peaking at number thirty-three in the official UK Singles Chart. The song later reappeared on the b-side of Knight's 1999 single "Made it Back". The video is frequently shown in rotation on MTV Base.
Document 10: Colin Meloy Sings Sam Cooke: Colin Meloy Sings Sam Cooke is a tour-only EP by Colin Meloy, lead singer of The Decemberists. It is the third in a series of EPs featuring covers of influential artists, which includes works of Morrissey ("Colin Meloy Sings Morrissey") and Shirley Collins ("Colin Meloy Sings Shirley Collins"). The album was released to accompany his 2008 solo tour, and features five covers of songs previously performed by the American gospel, R&B, soul, and pop singer Sam Cooke. Four songs were written or co-written by Cooke; one, "Summertime," is a pop standard that Cooke had performed in 1957. The artwork of the album was designed by Carson Ellis, who has done much of the artwork for The Decemberists, and all of Colin Meloy's solo work. The EP also includes vocals from Laura Gibson.
Document 11: Sam Cooke: Samuel Dale "Sam" Cook (January 22, 1931 – December 11, 1964), was an American singer, songwriter, and entrepreneur.
Document 12: Who I Am (Beverley Knight album): Who I Am is the third studio album by British recording artist and songwriter Beverley Knight on 29 March 2002 by Parlophone/EMI Records. It entered the UK albums chart at #7 and remains her highest charting album to date. It went on to be certified Gold by the BPI.
Document 13: Sam Cooke (model): Sam Cooke (born 19 November 1985) is an English glamour model and Page 3 girl from Manchester. Cooke has appeared in numerous British "lads' mags", including "FHM", "FRONT", "Maxim", "Loaded", "Zoo" and "Nuts" in the UK, as well as on several covers around the world.
Document 14: The B-Funk: The B-Funk is the debut studio album by the British R&B and soul recording artist and songwriter Beverley Knight, released on 26 November 1995 by Dome Records.
Document 15: Voice – The Best of Beverley Knight: Voice – The Best of Beverley Knight is the first greatest hits album by British R&B recording artist and songwriter Beverley Knight, released in the United Kingdom on 20 March 2006 by Parlophone. The collection includes twelve UK Top 40 singles, including the newly recorded track and single "Piece of My Heart". The album also includes a second new track co-written with and produced by Chris Braide entitled "Who's Gonna Save Your Soul" and two live tracks.
ground_truth: entrepreneur