Events

[R&B] Since the Grammys seem to often be an artistic kiss of death, perhaps it’s a backward compliment that celebrated R&B crooner Brian McKnight has been nominated 16 times and never once won. A Buffalo native on the cusp of turning 50, McKnight was inspired by his brother’s success with the pop-gospel group, Take 6, and proceeded to shop his demos until he scored a deal with Mercury at the age of 19. A subsequent deal with Motown in 1997 brought him into the limelight with string of platinum albums. In the last dozen-or-so years, he’s moved his career into the realm of hosting TV and radio shows, while releasing music sporadically. Known for his ‘quiet storm/smooth jazz’ approach, he parodied the state of modern R&B for its low quality and over-the-top sexuality with an x-rated tune posted to YouTube called “If You’re Ready to Learn” in 2012, but many failed to get the joke. That didn’t stop the NAACP from nominating him and his 2017 album, Genesis, for a pair of awards last year. More of a musician than he’s often given credit for being, McKnight plays nine instruments and has sold a total of 25 million records – not too shabby for a Buffalo dude. He’ll come croon his most celebrated slow jams on Saturday, February 16 at the Seneca Niagara Casino Events Center.