With a soulful voice unlike any other, Jamar Rogers electrified the stage at the Rockwood Music Hall last night in New York City. The venue was mysterious and intimate, and when Jamar first took the stage to sing Leonard Cohen’s “Hallelujah”, you knew by the energy in the room that it was going to be an incredible show. And it absolutely was. Jamar premiered new music for the crowd (“Melt”, “Pusher”, “With You”, “Catch This Feeling”), as well as crowd favorites “High” and “Drink of You.” He also performed a cover of Nick Jonas’ song “Jealous” and added his own personal flair to the song.

Jamar captivated the crowd through his stage presence, passionate vocals, and his innate ability to make you feel every single word that he sang. His entire band was flawless, and their vibe just flowed so well together. There was also laughter and jokes about him leaving LA to come back home to New York. He had been back for three months and last night was his official coming home party. He talked about his struggle with addiction and how he didn’t let it overcome his life. He told the audience that they were all beautiful, and that they were worthy and deserving of love. He loved, and was loved in return. It’s rare to go to a show and have the artist be able to connect that emotionally to people’s hearts.

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Before the show, I had the chance to sit down and talk to Jamar and interview him for Popwrapped. I had seen him previously on American Idol (Season 8), but he is best known for being a Season 2 Finalist on NBC’s The Voice. He auditioned with The White Stripe’s “Seven Nation Army” and turned the chair of Coach Cee Lo Green.

He shared with me that he had watched a few episodes of this season’s The Voice, and that he “loves the energy that Gwen and Pharrell bring to the show.” And if those coaches were the coaches way back on his season, which one would he have chosen? “Pharrell. I love Pharrell as much as I love Cee Lo, and I’ve been onto Pharrell ever since N.E.R.D. I saw him in Wisconsin in 2005, so I’m just a fan. He’s got the bonafied credentials to make people a star.”

Since moving back to New York City from Los Angeles, Jamar has been very busy making new music. “I’ve written about twenty songs and have been very inspired”, he says. His next single (which drops in December) is called “Melt”, and he had given his record label so many quality songs that it’s going to be tough to decide which one will be next.

He answered fan questions that many people wanted to know. What makes him happy? “Love. Love in the purest form. And not just romantic love, but just love. When people are being their truest selves and they’re showing love and receiving love, there’s nothing better than that feeling.” His favorite food? Pepperoni pizza. His favorite tv show? “I don’t have one favorite, but I like Man Men, Boardwalk Empire, and The Comeback.” He also many tattoos, and his favorite would be the ones on his knuckles, although be warned, because he says it hurt. A LOT.

Last night’s show at Rockwood Music Hall was all about introducing everyone to Tommy Boy Entertainment’s Jamar Rogers and his music, which he dubs “electrosoul.” He is very excited for the future and to share everything that he’s been working so hard on. Every single person that I talked to after the show concurred that 1) Jamar gives the best hugs in the entire world (and he does), 2) that his voice is absolutely beautiful and 3) that he is a genuinely warm individual with a bright spirit. The sky’s the limit for Jamar Rogers, and last night was just the beginning.

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