‘It’s all fantastic’: R&B singer Jon B. enjoys challenge of touring, recording

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It’s time to rest for Jon B.

After a two-week tour, he’s back home and not resting.

The 44-year-old musician has to pick up with dad and husband duties, meanwhile taking time to record a new album in the studio.

“It’s a lot of work, but it’s all fantastic,” he says. “I’ve been doing this since the end of high school. I started making music the summer after graduating high school, and my dad told me that I better get a record deal. I did, and I’ve been working hard ever since.”

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Jon B., born Jonathan Buck, burst onto the music scene with his 1995 debut, “Bonafide.” The album spawned the hit single “Someone to Love,” which featured Babyface.

In 1997, his profile rose more with the release of his sophomore album, “Cool Relax,” which spawned the hit single “The Don’t Know” featuring Tupac Shakur.

Five albums and many more hits later, Jon B. has kept the momentum going.

“Music will never be an ending thing for me, whether I’m an artist for touring or playing piano or drums for other people,” he says. “When one realm isn’t interesting, I’ll move to another. I still produce with all live instruments. That’s a challenge for me, and I enjoy that.”

Before his rise as a solo artist, Jon B. was a songwriter and penned tracks for the likes of After 7, Toni Braxton, Michael Jackson, Color Me Badd and the Spice Girls.

Yet he always wanted to be a solo artist.

“I basically wanted to make that happen for myself,” he says. “I heard R&B growing up; right from the jump, it was something I wanted to do. People like Quincy Jones, Rod Temperton and Teena Marie. I grew up idolizing them and wanted to do my own thing just like them. R&B music, to me, wasn’t just for African-Americans. It is music for humans. It was a matter of listening to my heart.”

In November, Jon B. performed at the Soul Train Awards, doing a medley of his hits. He was joined onstage with fellow R&B singer Donell Jones. The performance went viral, reminding audiences of each of their talents.

It was also the first awards show that Jon B. performed at.

“I was shocked that they called me, and I realized it was such a huge opportunity,” he says “I was kind of nervous leading up to the performance. Here I am a grown man now, still living my dreams by making music. It’s very special, and Donell and I hit it off at the show.”

As he finishes his next album, the single “Understand” will come out in April, along with a music video.

“I’ve been waiting a little bit with this album,” he says. “There are so many records sitting in my computer that have aged very well. It’s all about timing in this industry.”

Ladies Night Out TourWith Ginuwine, Jon B., SurfaceWHEN: 8 p.m. Sunday, March 3WHERE: Kiva Auditorium, 401 Second NWHOW MUCH: $30-$120, plus fees at ticketmaster.com