Will Brock Named September “Best Vocalist Of The Month" With His Song, "Broken"
By Dale Kawashima
Will Brock
Will Brock, a talented, soul/R&B singer & songwriter based in Philadelphia, PA, has won the September SingerUniverse “Best Vocalist Of The Month” Competition, for his performance of his song “Broken”. This song is included on his 10-song CD, Letter From Eye To I, which he released independently in July 2004. Brock will also be releasing a live album this fall, and he is writing songs for his next studio album.
“Broken” is an appealing midtempo tune, which has a classic soul/pop arrangement that is a bit reminiscent of “Drift Away” by Dobie Gray. The song provides a terrific showcase for Brock’s charismatic lead vocals, and also features his solid harmonies in the choruses. In addition, Brock produced this recording, and he played the keyboards, string tracks and did the drum programming.
Brock grew up in a small town, Washington, PA, which is on the south side of Pittsburgh. His first musical influence was his father, who played piano and sang. Impressively, Brock learned to play many instruments - he took piano, guitar, violin and sax lessons. He also began writing songs at an early age.
For college, Brock attended the University Of The Arts in Philadelphia, where he subsequently majored in jazz piano and graduated with a B.A. degree. Brock was very active and productive during his college years. Not only did he develop his songwriting and write songs for the popular jazz group, Pieces Of A Dream, he also played keyboards and toured with the Stylistics and worked with CeCe Peniston and Miles Jaye. It was also during this period that Brock met music pro Donald Robinson (producer of Vanessa Williams hit “Dreamin’”), who has been a mentor to him.
Will Brock
After graduating, Brock started a production company, writing and producing records (house, dance and R&B music) for overseas markets, primarily Europe. Then in early 2004, he began focusing on his own artist career. “I started to write and record songs for my own album, and I released Letter From Eye To I (in July 2004),” said Brock. “It has some soul songs, plus some funk and rock.”
Currently, Brock has been keeping a busy schedule. In addition to performing shows with his own band (featuring guitarists Jef Lee Johnson and Ron Jennings, bassist Charles Baldwin and drummer Tim Hutson), he also tours regularly with prominent jazz artists Gerald Veasley and Marion Meadows. In fact, Brock has just returned from the Guantanamo Bay military base in Cuba, where he and Meadows performed for the U.S. troops. “We had a great time performing for the troops,” he said. “We felt so welcomed and appreciated. They made it clear that they wanted you there.”
Top Five Vocalists Of The Month
"Best Vocalist Of The Month" Winner
Song Title:
"Broken."
By:
Performed and written by Will Brock of Phildelphia, PA.
