If there is one R&B artist for whom the neo-soul categorisation seemed limiting, it is Philadelphia native Bilal. His voice, classically trained and capable of singing opera in seven languages, makes him one of the most dynamic artists of our time.

His individuality led him into the Soulquarians, a rotating collective of collaborators who included Common, Jay Dee (aka J Dilla), the Roots’ Ahmir Thompson, D’Angelo, Erykah Badu, Mos Def, Q-Tip, and Raphael Saadiq within its ranks.

His exemplary neo-soul release featuring collaborations with Mike City, Robert Glasper, and many of the Soulquarians reached the Top Ten of Billboard’s R&B albums chart. Bilal has featured on songs by Beyoncé, Musiq, Clipse, Sa-Ra, Jay-Z, and several others, as well as a Grammy nomination in the Best Urban/Alternative Performance category, making his long-awaited return to Jazz Cafe an unmissable performance.