Julie McKnight is an American soul and house vocalist, born in 1972 in Pottstown, Pennsylvania. She grows up in a musical family: her mother, Saundra Brooks, performs at the Apollo Theatre in New York City, and her maternal grandfather, Norris Turney, is a multi-reed player in Duke Ellington’s Orchestra. Her father, Victor Sr., is a Seventh-Day Adventist minister who welcomes people of different faiths and backgrounds into the family home after the family moves to Los Angeles in the 1980s.

Background and influences

McKnight’s early musical influences come from her mother’s side of the family, as well as from the circle of artists the family meets after settling in Los Angeles. Those contacts include Nancy Wilson, Little Richard, Nina Simone and Clifton Davis.

Career

McKnight comes to prominence in the late 1990s and builds a career as a guest vocalist and live performer. She collaborates with Earth, Wind & Fire, The Emotions and her former husband Brian McKnight. She also tours with her brother, Victor Brooks Jr., who records a Brazilian world music project called Samba Soul, and performs with Ze Ricardo and his band in Brazil.

Recognition and recordings

Her track Finally wins Song of the Year at the 2001 MTV2 Dancestar Music Awards. She also receives Best Vocalist and Best Live PA nominations at the 2005 Dance Music Awards. The tracks associated with her include Rock Steady, Finally, Diamond Life, Home, Want, Tear It Up and I Want You (For Myself).

Performance

McKnight appears at major clubs, festivals and venues in New York, San Francisco and Ibiza. She is also working on her first solo project and provides lead vocals on the Jay Omega-produced single Complicated.