PJ Morton

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PJ Morton
File:PJ MORTON.jpg
Morton at a photoshoot in 2010
Background information
Birth name Paul Morton, Jr.
Born (1981-03-29) March 29, 1981 (age 43)
New Orleans, Louisiana, US
Genres
Occupation(s) Singer, musician, record producer
Instruments Vocals, keyboards, synthesizers, piano, organ
Years active 2001–present
Labels Young Money, Cash Money, Republic, Morton Recordings, A&M/Octone, Interscope
Associated acts Lil Wayne, Maroon 5, Stevie Wonder
Website http://www.pjmortononline.com

PJ Morton (born as Paul Morton, Jr.; March 29, 1981) is an American R&B singer, musician, record producer and one of the keyboardists in the pop rock band Maroon 5. On March 27, 2012, Morton released his first solo recording, the free EP Following My First Mind, on Lil Wayne's Young Money label. Adam Levine was featured on the lead single, "Heavy"; other musicians on the EP include Lil Wayne, Jazmine Sullivan and Chantae Cann. On May 14, 2013, Morton released his first major-label debut album, New Orleans.

Personal life

Morton was born in New Orleans, Louisiana. His father is Canadian-born American gospel singer Paul S. Morton. His mother is Debra Brown Morton. His wife is Kortni Morton.[1]

Morton majored in Marketing at Morehouse College and graduated in 2003.[2]

Career

Maroon 5

In 2010, Morton's friend and Maroon 5's musical director Adam Blackstone asked him to audition for a keyboardist/backing vocalist spot in the band. Morton was the first to audition and left an indelible mark on the group.[3] Since then, he has played with Maroon 5 in concerts and other live performances. From 2012 to 2014 Morton filled-in for the band's keyboardist, Jesse Carmichael, who was taking a temporary break from performing with the band, as stated on their official website in March 2012.[4] In 2012, he joined the band as a permanent member, contributing his vocals and keyboard parts to Maroon 5's fourth studio album – Overexposed – and continuing to do so during the process of recording the band's 2014 fifth album, V.

Signing with Young Money and New Orleans

Morton's solo work won the attention of Mack Maine, who signed him to his production company, Soothe Your Soul, and Young Money Entertainment in 2011.[5] The Following My First Mind EP was released on March 27, 2012.

On May 14, 2013, Morton released his first YMCMB album, entitled New Orleans. The lead single, "Only One" (featuring Stevie Wonder), was nominated for a Grammy Award in 2014.

Other work

After winning Grammy Awards for his songwriting and production of India.Arie's Interested, Morton won Dove and Stellar Awards in 2008. His collaboration with gospel crooner DeWayne Woods resulted in a huge career high.[vague] The testimony Morton articulated in "Let Go, Let God" catapulted[vague] up the charts for a record seventy weeks and won numerous[vague] awards and accolades,[citation needed] most importantly bringing PJ's early influences full circle.[vague]

Morton was also noticed by AR Rahman (composer for Slumdog Millionaire), who asked Morton to contribute "Sajna" to the soundtrack and movie for the Vince Vaughn comedy Couples Retreat. Morton has also produced and written for musicians such as Jermaine Dupri, LL Cool J, Jagged Edge, Monica, India.Arie, gospel musicians Fred Hammond, Men of Standard, and Heather Headley. In 2009, he published a book entitled Why Can't I Sing About Love?. In it, he ruminates on the idea that church music and secular music about love can come from the same place[vague] if God and love are the same.[6]

Discography

As a solo artist

Studio albums
Live albums
  • Live from LA (2008)
  • "Live Show Killer" (2015)
EPs
  • Following My First Mind (2012)
Singles

With the PJ Morton Band

  • Perfect Song (2007)

With Maroon 5

References

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External links

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