Gabriel Tajeu

With heartfelt lyrics and a smooth R&B sound, Gabriel Tajeu’s CD “Finding My Way” will be a timeless playlist for all music lovers. His tunes are perfect for lounging by the pool or driving down the interstate. There is no way to resist the desire to hum along.
“Finding My Way is Pop, R&B style – the lyrics are real, honest, and exciting,” said Gabriel, as we chatted at his CD release party. “There were no corners cut creating this album – all live instruments and incredible musicians.”
When and how did you become interested in music?
“I grew up around music – grew up taking piano lessons, which later transitioned into playing the clarinet and saxophone. I did not sing in high school, but I went to a small art college and they had an a capella choir there. So, I told my friends I’d give it a shot. I tried out, and they told me I could sing. I started to believe them after a little while. I began to play guitar soon after that.” - Real Media

Tokyo, Japan: June 14, 2013, Today SWEET SOUL RECORDS, parent company LIFESOUND, Inc., officially announced that an agreement has been reached with 4E Entertainment for nationwide distribution of the debut album “Finding My Way,” by the talented singer-songwriter Gabriel Tajeu.

Gabriel was raised listening to all types of music from Stevie Wonder and Marvin Gaye, to Bing Crosby and Frank Sinatra, and then in his teenage years he began listening to R&B legends, everyone from Luther Vandross to Brian McKnight. It is R&B that has had the largest influence on his music. From the way he sings, the phrasing, and the types of chord progressions and structure that he hears are all influenced heavily by the genre. Gabriel says, “It is the music that I found late in my college years and recently that has had the most profound impact on my current musical ventures.”

“Musicians like Ben Harper, Ryan Adams, Van Hunt, Joni Mitchell, Amos Lee, and Elvis Costello have begun to creep into my consciousness. The way they write music is completely different than the R&B artists I grew up listening to… their lyrical sensibility, rock and roll affect, and sometimes unpredictable song structure is something that I am trying to incorporate into my music and aspire to as a songwriter,” continued Gabriel who describes his new music as “R&B, Folk, Rock.”

While Gabriel was recording his debut album, a collection of folk, rock and R&B tunes called “Finding My Way,” at the same time he was working on a doctorate in public health at the University of Alabama at Birmingham.

Clearly, he’s an expert at multi-tasking, devoting himself to two demanding projects at the same time. When he’s not immersed in academia, he produces original songs and performs them at area nightclubs (such as Rogue Tavern and Bottletree) and festivals. He also fronts the cover band Bonus Round, playing at weddings, corporate events and local venues such as Marty’s and Ona’s Music Room, both hugely popular Birmingham venues.

Ask him about the origins of “Finding My Way,” and Gabriel references philosopher Cornel West, who has said, “I’m a bluesman moving through a blues-soaked America, a blues-soaked world, a planet where catastrophe and celebration — joy and pain sit side by side.” - SSR News

- Gabriel Tajeu's brain must be firing on all cylinders. How else could he balance the demands of music and school, songwriting and scholarship?

Tajeu, 31, has been recording his debut album, a collection of folk, rock and R&B tunes called "Finding My Way." At the same time, he's been working on a doctorate in public health at the University of Alabama at Birmingham.

Which career path will he take? "The jury's still out," Tajeu says, laughing.

Clearly, he's an expert at multi-tasking, devoting himself to two demanding projects at the same time. When he's not immersed in academia, Tajeu produces original songs and performs them at area nightclubs. (He'll open for the Wailers on March 28, for example, at Avondale Brewing Co.)
- The Birmingham News