Photos by Andy Argyrakis

The legendary Luther Vandross once had a conversation with fellow soul man Peabo Bryson and confided “there are only three R&B crooners: Luther, Peabo and Glenn Jones.” Considering the stature of the superstar it came from, there’s hardly a better compliment any like-minded artist could hope to earn, and even if the latter (and most underrated) of that trio doesn’t come around these parts often enough, he’s never been forgotten.

Glenn Jones is of course no stranger to rubbing shoulders with “The Queen Of Soul” or getting discovered as a gospel artist by her mentor Reverend James Cleveland, making repeated mentions of those church roots in between shout-outs to the steppers and a glimpse of a global itinerary spanning South Africa to Japan (where fans leap the language barrier to shout each and every lyric).

In fact, Jones sold out the chic City Winery to standing room only status, surely bolstered by his recent “Unsung” episode on TV One and the true-to-form “real school R&B” new album “Love By Design” that easily stood up to any of his baby-making music from the 1980s and ‘90s. The Grammy-nominated singer/songwriter/producer got off to the strongest start possible thanks to a mega-ballad from that very era, “We’ve Only Just Begun (The Romance Is Not Over),” which grooved to the smooth beats of a four-piece band and three backing singers.

Throughout 100 soulful minutes, “The Ambassador Of Love” put an inspirational stamp on the standard “A Song For You,” nailed the original chart-topper “Here I Go Again” and introduced everyone to the current single “You & Me” (a Rocky Robbins remake that features the Windy City’s own jazz guitarist Nick Colionne). During “Love By Design,” his niece, longtime collaborator and “Sunday Best” winner Y’anna Crawley subbed for studio duet partner Regina Belle and she also rose to the solo occasion of saluting Aretha Franklin with “Day Dreaming,” “(You Make Me Feel Like) A Natural Woman” and “Rock Steady.”

Jones is of course no stranger to rubbing shoulders with “The Queen Of Soul” or getting discovered as a gospel artist by her mentor Reverend James Cleveland, making repeated mentions of those church roots in between shout-outs to the steppers and a glimpse of a global itinerary spanning South Africa to Japan (where fans leap the language barrier to shout each and every lyric). That was certainly the case at City Winery as well, starting with “Show Me” and kicking up a notch come “I’ve Been Searchin’ (Nobody Like You)” when the vocal connoisseur wooed the women with that buttery delivery, then sent several home with the glow and sweet aroma of red roses he personally distributed on the way to an autograph signing open to everyone.

Click here for more photos of Glenn Jones at City Winery.

For additional information on Glenn Jones, visit GlennJonesMusic.com.

Upcoming concert highlights at City Winery include Marc Broussard (Apr. 16-17); Graham Parker (Apr. 18); Carbon Leaf (Apr. 19); Brad Williams (Apr. 20); Dave Davies (Apr. 21); Maggie Speaks (Apr. 22); Liv Warfield (Apr. 23); Rhonda Ross & Rodney Kendrick (Apr. 24); Eric Roberson (Apr. 25-27); Chicago Philharmonic Sunday Brunch Series (Apr. 28); Kevin Eubanks Quartet (Apr. 28); BiG SUiT – Talking Heads Tribute (Apr. 29) and PJ Morton (Apr. 30). For additional details, visit CityWinery.com/Chicago.

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