R&B / Soul: Spring 2025

Monarch R&B/Soul Recommendations

JON B.
Waiting On You

Jon B.’s Waiting on You marks a graceful return to the essence of smooth R&B. Known for his signature blend of sultry vocals and soulful instrumentation, Jon B. delivers an album that feels both nostalgic and fresh. Each track is laced with emotional depth, showcasing his timeless ability to speak to matters of the heart. From heartfelt ballads to mid-tempo grooves, the production remains crisp and understated, allowing his vocals to take center stage. Waiting on You is a reminder of why Jon B. has maintained relevance across decades: He doesn’t chase trends; he creates atmosphere. The album speaks to lovers and dreamers alike, offering a sanctuary of sound. It’s a confident, mature work that proves Jon B. is still very much in his prime.

COCO JONES
Why Not More

Coco Jones’s Why Not More reaffirms her position as one of R&B’s most compelling new voices. With lush production, heartfelt lyrics, and powerful vocal delivery, the album is a confident step forward from her previous work. Tracks like “Here We Go (Uh Oh)” and “Taste” showcase her vocal versatility, while deeper cuts reveal a raw emotional depth. What makes Why Not More remarkable is its balance. Jones leans into classic R&B roots while embracing modern flair. She’s not just reviving the genre; she’s reimagining it. The title itself poses a challenge: Why aren’t we asking more from our music, our artists, and ourselves? With this album, Coco Jones proves we should—and that she’s ready to give it.

LEDISI
The Crown

With The Crown, Ledisi delivers a soul-stirring affirmation of self-worth, power, and purpose. Each track is a masterclass in vocal prowess, seamlessly blending R&B, gospel, and jazz influences into a regal sonic experience. Her lyrics empower and uplift, calling listeners to embrace their inner royalty with resilience and pride. From anthemic declarations of self-love to introspective ballads, the album stands as both a personal manifesto and a collective call to rise. Ledisi’s artistry has never felt more intentional or radiant. The Crown is not just an album; it’s a movement. It demands to be heard, felt, and worn like a jewel. A triumphant statement from a queen in her prime.

MELANIE FIONA
Say Yes

Melanie Fiona’s album, Say Yes, is a soulful declaration of vulnerability, strength, and emotional honesty. Her powerhouse vocals glide effortlessly over lush instrumentation, blending R&B, soul, and subtle reggae influences into a cohesive, heartfelt experience. Each track feels intentional and is layered with themes of love, growth, and self-discovery. Fiona’s songwriting shines as she explores the complexities of relationships, not with bitterness but with grace and maturity. Standout tracks like “Say Yes” and “I Choose You” showcase her vocal range and emotional depth. What truly sets this album apart is its authenticity. Fiona sings from a place of lived experience, making each lyric resonate deeply. Say Yes is not just an album; it’s a beautifully crafted journey through the highs and lows of love, delivered with elegance and soul.

SUMMER WALKER
Heart Of A Woman (Quiet Storm)

Summer Walker’s The Heart of a Woman (Quiet Storm) is a raw, sultry exploration of feminine emotion, power, and vulnerability. With her signature blend of R&B, neo-soul, and trap-inspired beats, Walker delivers a sonic diary that’s both intimate and unapologetic. The album dives deep into love, heartbreak, desire, and healing, capturing the emotional contradictions women often navigate. Her vocals—smoky, soft, yet commanding—float effortlessly over minimalist production, allowing the lyrics to take center stage. Tracks like “Heart of a Woman” showcase her emotional range, revealing both strength and sensitivity. Walker doesn’t shy away from pain or passion; instead, she embraces them, turning each experience into soulful storytelling. Heart of a Woman is more than music. It’s a mood, a confession, and an anthem for modern femininity.

SEPTEMBER GRAY
Proprietor of September Gray Fine Art Gallery

BIO 

Gray’s life’s work is a reflection of her enduring passion for the arts. Following a noteworthy career in the performing arts, Gray launched a successful fine art consultancy practice wherein she was celebrated for her ability to assist corporate and private collectors with articulating and executing single acquisition and long–term collecting strategies. Gray’s career in the arts and decade as an art consultant inform her role as gallerist. An avid collector, Gray has a talent for “speaking the language” of both artist and collector and a knack for connecting the gallery’s clients to works by artists whose vision and methodologies resonate with their individual tastes, complement their existing collections and honor their overall investment strategy and appetite for risk. Gray holds a B.A. in Art History from DePaul University. A committed art education advocate, Gray serves on a number of non-profit boards and is co-founder of The Gray Foundation, an organization committed to building a world of enriched life options for youth through the promotion of art and education. Gray shares art news and collection strategies in her electronic quarterly journal, The Gray Book.

https://septembergrayart.com/

JUSTIN SULIVAN, CFP
Senior Vice President Market Leader

BIO 

Justin oversees a team of professionals striving to achieve the highest level of client satisfaction. His top priority is that the team not only meets, but also exceeds the client’s expectations. Through Justin’s leadership and commitment, he helps ensure that the client benefits form a full complement of investment, trust, financial planning and private banking services to help them achieve their financial goals.

XAVIER DANIELS

BIO  

Paintings are influenced by his experiences with brotherhood at both Morehouse and as a firefighter. In creating his art, he is actively thinking about the perception of black men and attempting to be a catalyst for a different view on the black male experience. According to Daniels, the conversations happening in popular culture about black males leave them invisible in discussions about themselves. The portraits of black men Daniels creates are large in an effort to symbolically assert black male presence into those conversations. His work has been shown around the world through Almine Rech and Richard Beavers Gallery. Xavier lives and works in Atlanta, Georgia.

https://xavierdaniels.com/

MARRYAM MOMA

BIO

A Tanzanian-Nigerian visual artist based in Atlanta, GA, is renowned for her prolific exhibition history. Moma’s dedication to her art has earned her prestigious residencies at The Migration Artist Residency, Atlanta, GA, and a blended residency and teaching opportunity at The Swimming HoleFoundation in Upstate NY. The Hambidge Center for the Arts awarded her a Distinguished Artist Fellowship, enriching her narrative-driven solo exhibitions like “ICONoclasts.” This showing intertwines paper cut elements to celebrate and empower revolutionary Black figures. Moma continues to innovate within her practice, expanding her presence through murals, public art installations and exhibitions including an indoor mural for Clark Atlanta universities student innovation lounge sponsored by Dell Technologies and Home depot, ICONoclasts Atlanta building-wide public installation sponsored by Dashboard and If Not Us then Who public digital art mural sponsored by A&E Atlanta. 

https://www.marryammoma.com/

DL WARFIELD

BIO

Atlanta-based artist DL Warfield, a veteran artist who has consistently proven himself a talent of the highest caliber – one who has delivered at the highest levels repeatedly throughout his life and career. Yes, many artists are talented; DL Warfield is prolific.

Warfield’s body of work proves his instinctive knowledge and understanding of pop culture and has given him a permanent place at the cutting edge of the new and next. From St. Louis to New York City, Atlanta and worldwide, his talent, skill and endless creativity have taken him to the top of his field again and again, and he intends to push forward wherever a path to artistic excellence can be forged.

The following is a snapshot of his works and clientele. 

Nike, Sprite, Heineken, Anheuser-Busch, Geffen Records, Sony Entertainment, DreamWorks, Sony Music, OutKast Inc., Universal Records, Boys & Girls Clubs, HBO, Virgin Records, Coca-Cola, Adidas, Vibe Magazine, automotive giant Ford Motor Company. He designed the branding for the City of Atlanta’s Film and Entertainment office and at the same time, His fine art has been featured at national landmarks, including the Time-Life Building in New York City, and the Muhammad Ali Center in Louisville, KY, which he loaned two original pieces for three years.

https://dlwarfield.com/

EDDIE FONTNO

BIO

A native of the Bronx, New York, is most inspired by the brilliance and uniqueness of excellence within the African American culture. The subjects of his work have all possessed a transformative greatness, which paved the way and changed the lives of many, providing a guiding light for the world around them. Fontno takes a subtle approach and focuses on that “light” to capture the detailed nuances through his usage of graphite and oil paint (black and white) that enhances the contrast between light and dark. Fontno’s never-ending quest to find truth and beauty in its most natural form is reflective in the choice of figures in his pieces; paying homage to those who have in some way shaped his view of the world and positively affected his evolution as an artist, father and man. Fontno attended the High School of Art & Design in New York, New York and Howard University in Washington, DC. His work has been displayed in the White House (Madam Vice President Kamala Harris’ private office) and the much-acclaimed October Gallery in Philadelphia, Pa. He has also been commissioned for portraits throughout the Northeast region. 

www.eddiefontno.com

RSVP

We are no longer accepting RSVPs for the Art of Luxury Lifestyle Dinner, but you are welcome to RSVP Here for the Portrait Reveal Event from
9:30PM to 11:30 PM!

ROBERT KOOL BELL| LE KOOL CHAMPAGNE

BIO

For many years, Robert Kool Bell, Leader and Co-founder of Kool & The Gang, sought out Grand Cru Vineyards from owners that have been selling for generations and decided to work with Paul Berthelot a Multi-Vintage producer since 1884. Voila The Celebration Champagne was born! 

https://lekoolchampagne.com

EDDIE FONTNO

BIO

A native of the Bronx, New York, is most inspired by the brilliance and uniqueness of excellence within the African American culture. The subjects of his work have all possessed a transformative greatness, which paved the way and changed the lives of many, providing a guiding light for the world around them. Fontno takes a subtle approach and focuses on that “light” to capture the detailed nuances through his usage of graphite and oil paint (black and white) that enhances the contrast between light and dark. Fontno’s never-ending quest to find truth and beauty in its most natural form is reflective in the choice of figures in his pieces; paying homage to those who have in some way shaped his view of the world and positively affected his evolution as an artist, father and man. Fontno attended the High School of Art & Design in New York, New York and Howard University in Washington, DC. His work has been displayed in the White House (Madam Vice President Kamala Harris’ private office) and the much-acclaimed October Gallery in Philadelphia, Pa. He has also been commissioned for portraits throughout the Northeast region.

Website: www.eddiefontno.com