Biography
Elijah Bland is not your average man, and certainly not your average artist. The multi-talented actor, singer, songwriter, producer and musician embodies a presence and style matched by few in his generation. His musical sensibility reflects a range of inspiration, from the sensual musicality of Prince, to the funky twang of Bill Withers, to the spiritual soul of Al Green, to the bold essence of Isaac Hayes.
Born and raised in Hackensack, New Jersey, USA, Bland is a self-taught musician who has been tuning his uncanny ear for music since he started playing piano at the tender age of five. As a standout student-athlete, he generally kept his artistic abilities under the radar and earned a full scholarship to play NCAA Division II college basketball. While excelling on the court and earning a bachelor's degree in Computer Science and Music, Elijah also spent countless hours honing his craft as a songwriter and producer. Writing songs for local artists led him to discover a voice of his own, which would soon spark a promising career as an independent recording artist and full-time entertainer.
The independent release of his full-length album, Soulcentric, garnered immediate international acclaim with the singles "Talk To Me", which debuted on the nationally-syndicated Michael Baisden Show, and "Necessary", nominated for Best R&B Song in the 9th Annual Independent Music Awards. Perhaps the most powerful selection from the Soulcentric catalogue, however, is the uplifting anthem "Wash The Mirror (Love Yourself)", which encourages women to develop a positive relationship with their own self-image. Following the success of Soulcentric, Bland's sultry single, "For The Record", garnered national attention with a year-long tour, including live performances in over 30 major U.S. markets.
"Bland owns the stage with his signature blend of soulfulness, playfulness, sexiness and sheer moments of star power as he goes for the high notes and allows his vocal prowess to shine." -Sapodillic.com
Elijah Bland has captured the attention of music lovers around the world, with features on international media platforms including The Quiet Storm with Lenny Green, The Michael Baisden Show and Arise Entertainment 360. His music is in rotation on commercial and satellite R&B/Soul radio stations, including Music Choice and Sirius XM. The charismatic performer has headlined concerts across the globe, including Berlin (Germany), the renowned Capital Jazz SuperCruise, as well as New York's 54 Below, B.B. King Blues Club and SOB's, DC's historic Howard Theatre, and the New Jersey Performing Arts Center (NJPAC), to name a few. He has been blessed to share the stage with some of the world's most beloved Jazz and R&B/Soul artists including the late, great George Duke, Stanley Clarke, Gerald Albright, Lenny Williams, Lalah Hathaway, Bilal, Yolanda Adams and more.
Beyond his musical endeavors, Bland has also proven himself as a gifted actor in film, television, theatre and voiceovers. He has appeared in television shows such as The Following (FOX) and Blue Bloods (CBS), national ad campaigns for MasterCard and Porsche, as well as a number of independent film and theatre projects.
In his quest for artistic excellence across all platforms, Elijah aims to deliver a consistent message of passion, purpose, faith, and love. It is through this mission that he continues to uplift and inspire current and future generations, building his brand and making Elijah Bland a name we will never forget.
