b. 1976, Lexington, Kentucky, U.S.A.

Singer and songwriter, Donnie was born in Lexington, Kentucky and raised in Atlanta, Georgia, U.S.A.

His roots hail from the same camp as soul singer India Arie.  
 
Rooted in gospel, Donnie was raised in a Hebrew Pentecostal church, where he regularly attended services until his early 20's.

Donnie's cousin is the late Marvin Gaye.

At the age of eight, his family moved from Kentucky and relocated to Altanta where his parents, both ministers, now practice at different chapels.

It was the local Bishop Embry in Atlanta who first encouraged Donnie to get involved with the local choir.

By the time he reached 14 years of age, he was already directing music, personally.

At 18, Donnie started to expand his knowledge and love for music with the inspiration of artists such as Donny Hathaway, Stevie Wonder, Aretha Franklin, Ella Fitzgerald, Sarah Vaughn and Bessie Smith.

His first album release has been eagerly anticipated by fans in the U.K. and U.S. alike.

Initial single releases indicate a talent beyond his years, with the tune 'Do You Know' being released on a Jazz FM compilation in London in 2001.

Entitled 'The Colored Section', the main album was released in the autumn of 2002 and contained 'Cloud 9', 'You Got A Friend' and the excellent 'Rocketship'.

Donnie performed for shows at the London Jazz Cafe during the summer of 2002.

In 2007, he released the album 'The Daily News' for the U.K. imprint Dome Records.

The album dealt with several contentious issues highlighted by the songs '9-11', 'Atlanta Child Murders' and 'Suicide'.

the colored section

above: Donnie and Adam Kurzawa (Director of Music Marketing at Giant Step Records)

Albums:

The Colored Section (Giant Step Records 2002)

The Daily News (Dome Records 2007)

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