Beverley Knight

Beverley Knight MBE is a British recording artist, radio presenter and musical theatre actress who released her debut album, The BFunk, in 1995. Heavily influenced by American soul music icons such as Sam Cooke and Aretha Franklin, Knight has released seven studio albums to date. Widely labelled as one of Britains greatest soul singers, Knight is best known for her hit singles Greatest Day, Get Up, Shoulda Woulda Coulda and Come as You Are.

Knight attended Woodfield Infant and Junior Schools and Highfields School in Wolverhampton. Knight was born to Jamaican parents, and she grew up in a strict Pentecostal household where church attendance was commonplace. It is here where she began her singing career The first time I heard music would have been in church. My mum was often called upon Come on sister Dolores. Lead us in song! Singing was the most natural thing in the world. I thought, doesnt everybodys mum lead the congregation at church in song Knight continued singing in her local church throughout her childhood, and her musical education was continued at home where she was often exposed to gospel music. Due to her parents religious beliefs, secular music was largely frowned upon, but artists such as Sam Cooke and Aretha Franklin played a big part in her childhood.

Source: Wikipedia