To some people, mainstream R&B as we know it might as well be called Rhythm & Bullshit. Radio & major label consolidation has pushed to the forefront a devolved version of a genre that spawned Marvin, Aretha & Stevie. The genre as we know it has acquiesced to a familiar hit formula and given up it’s power to touch the soul of a person through honesty, positivity & creativity. On the fringes of mainstream R&B exists one man named “V” driven to change this through his music.

Born Valvin Roane II, V was nicknamed at an early age by his father. Raised in South Jersey, V’s parents were dedicated members of their local church’s gospel choir. While attending Drexel University, V began singing in the school gospel choir and frequently sang the national anthem at Drexel home games. It was at Drexel that V met renowned producer, James Poyser (Common/Badu/Randy Watson Experience) who would eventually play keyboards for V when he started to perform locally. After some time V found his way to singing back-up vocals on Christopher Williams’ first album under the direction of producer Nick Martinelli at the famous Sigma Sound Studios. His undeniable talent, led him to soon after release his first single, “It’s Raining” through Up & Up Productions. The song received significant airplay on Philadelphia radio station Power 99 and reached #1 on its “9 at 9” countdown. It was this experience that lead V to A Touch of Jazz, where his talents were further developed with the assistance of Grammy Award winning producer Jazzy Jeff and the special album you now hold in your hands was created.