Donnell Spencer Jr. is a session musician, drummer and award-winning composer. He has worked with or toured with Patti Austin, Anita Baker, El De Barge, Chaka Khan, and Jody Watley. He has been associated musically with mainstream films Running Scared and Without You I'm Nothing. As a composer, his work had created hits such as "Oops, Oh No!" by Cerrone & La Toya Jackson, "Say You Really Want Me" by Kim Wilde, "Take Your Time" by "Pebbles, "Temporary Lovers" by The Controllers, "Turned Away" by Chuckii Booker, "Until the End of Time" by Freddie Jackson and more.
Background Originally from Philadelphia, Spencer is a drummer, producer, singer, songwriter. He is also a photographer who has had his work published.Indie Cognito, Sep 15, 2020 - Page 17 Donnell Spencer Jr.
Two of his compositions have won him the John Lennon Songwriter's award.World Beat, 13th February 2014 - Donnell Spencer Jr.Sound Cloud - Donnell Spencer Jr., Show moreSpotify - Donnell Spencer Jr., AboutSubmit Hub - Donnell Spencer Jr. His song, "Turned Away", co-written with musician/songwriter/producer Chuckii Booker, was a no. 1 solo hit for Booker on the Billboard R&B chart.World Beat, 13th February 2014 - Donnell Spencer Jr.MusicVF.com - Songs written by Donnell Spencer, Top Songs / Chart Singles Discography
Spencer's status as an award-winning musician and chart-topping songwriter has been noted by Blues Blast Magazine.Blues Blast Magazine, October 15, 2018 - Brigitte Purdy – Still I Rise | Album Review - Steve Gabe He has composed at least nine national chart hits.MusicVF.com - Songs written by Donnell Spencer, Top Songs / Chart Singles Discography
In addition to Patti Austin, Anita Baker, El De Barge, Chaka Khan, and Jody Watley, he has been associated in either a performing or recording capacity with Jonathan Butler, Brian Culbertson, Kenny G, Boney James, Ray Parker Jr. and Stevie Wonder.World Beat, 13th February 2014 - Donnell Spencer Jr. He has also played with John Legend and Teddy Pendergrass.Jazz 91.9 WCLK, May 13, 2022 - Donnell Spencer: Over U By David C. LintonSmooth Jazz News, December 2018 -January 2019 - Page 18 Drums, Salute to Sidemen, Donnell Spencer Jr.
He has recorded as a solo artist with the singles, "True Love" in 2019 and "Come On" in 2020.Jazz 91.9 WCLK, May 13, 2022 - Donnell Spencer: Over U By David C. Linton He played on Johnny Adams' final album, Man Of My Word which was released in 1998.CMJ New Music Report, October 5, 1998 | Issue 590 | Vol. 53, No. 3 - Page 34 JOHNNY ADAMSAmazon.ca - Man Of My Word, CD (Backcover)
Via his work as a photographer, he has made contributions to Style & Society magazine,Style & Society, July 5, 2021 - Mokuzai is the Most Innovative Pop Up Sushi Restaurant in Hollywood The Scoop LA.The Scoop LA, APRIL 20, 2023 - NAMM 2023- A Meaningful Experience and The Press & Sun-Bulletin and pressconnects.com. etc.pressconnects., Oct. 30, 2018 - Gallery: Celebrities meet Binghamton designer at Emmy Awards booth
Earlier in his musical career, he was in an ensemble called MYX with Michael and Danny Sembello.The Void 3:33 December 15, 2020 - THE VOID WITH CHRISTINA, The Void 3:33 Podcast: Prolific Singer, Drummer & Songwriter Donnell Spencer Jr. by Christina, Donnell Spencer Jr. on how playing in a group produced by Stevie Wonder led him to his songwriting career:
Session musician, composer, producer With Nick Mundy and Cerrone, he co-wrote the song, "Oops, Oh No!" which was a hit for Cerrone and La Toya Jackson in 1986.RnBSoulMusic.com - Cerrone & LaToya Jackson, Oops, Oh NoMusicVF.com - Cerrone & LaToya Jackson Top Songs, Oops, Oh No
Work with the Sembello brothers With Danny Sembello and Dick Rudolph, he wrote the song, "Say You Really Want Me" which was a 1987 hit for Kim Wilde. It got to no. 46 in the Billboard pop chart and no. 44 in the R&B chart. It also got to no. 29 in the UK.MusicVF.com - Songs written by Donnell Spencer
Spencer and Danny Sembello wrote the song, "Take Your Time" for singer Pebbles.Session Days - 1987 Pebbles – Pebbles It was released on CA 53362 and a hit prediction in the July 2, 1988 issue of Billboard. It got to no. 3 on the US R&B chart.Billboard, July 2, 1988 - SINGLE REVIEWS, POP PICKSMusicVF.com - Take Your Time By: Pebbles
He would work with Both Michael and Danny on the Controllers' 1989 album.Session Days - 1989 The Controllers – Just In Time
Work with Sam Sims Working with Sam Sims, Spencer co-composed three songs which were all hits on the R&B chart from 1989 to 2006.MusicVF.com - Songs written by Sam Sims, Top Songs / Chart Singles Discography The Controllers Also in 1989, another composition of his, "Temporary Lovers" by The Controllers was a hit. It made it to no. 43 on the US R&B chart.MusicVF.com - Temporary Lovers by The Controllers With Sam Sims, he co-wrote "Just in Time" for The Controllers. He also produced the single which was released on Capitol l B-44414. Reviewed by Billboard, it was said to be a seductive R&B ballad ripe for quiet storm programming.Billboard, July 15, 1995 - Page 65 Single Reviews, BLACK, RECOMMENDED They also wrote "We’re Back". He co-produced their album with Sims for D.S. Coda Productions. He also sang backing vocals, playing drums and keyboards.Session Days - 1989 The Controllers – Just In TimeR&R Radio & Records, Issue no. 779 March 10, 1989 - Page 65 THE CONTROLLERS, Temporary Lovers The Sembello's also played on the album.Session Days - 1989 The Controllers – Just In Time Gerald Albright Spencer and Sims both played on the song "Growing With Each Other" which was on Gerald Albright's Dream Come True album that was released in 1990.Session Days - 1990 Gerald Albright – Dream Come True, 10 Growing With Each Other Freddie Jackson Spencer and Sims composed "Second Time for Love" (1991) and "Until the End of Time" (2006) for Freddie Jackson. Both were hits on the R&B chart making no. 81 and no. 44 respectively.MusicVF.com - Songs written by Sam Sims, Top Songs / Chart Singles Discography Other work with Sims He mastered Sims' 2022 album, All of Me and played on the song from the album, "Q Reficio" which was recorded earlier.Sam Sims Bass - Credits All of MeSpotify - Album All Of Me
Other artists He co-wrote the song, "Turned Away" for Chuckii Booker which was a hit in 1989.Music VF.com - Turned Away By: Chuckii Booker
He worked on Rick Braun's 1998 album, Full Stride. He co-wrote the song "Nightfall" and played drums and keyboard on that track.University of Iowa Libraries - Full stride / Rick Braun., Details
Backing On February 3, 2016, Spencer and bassist Sam Sims were part of Jody Watley's backing band and played at The Roxy in February.The Urban Music Scene, February 4, 2016 - Jody Watley Reloads Shalamar and Keeps on Steppin’ in Her Jerome C. Rousseau Shoes
Spencer played drums on Brigitte Purdy song "Blues Angel" which is the single from her Still I Rise album that was released in 2018.Blues Blast Magazine, October 15, 2018 - Brigitte Purdy – Still I Rise | Album Review - Steve Gabe
In late 2019, he was the drummer in Judith Hill's band.Soul Bag, 3.12.2019 - Judith Hill, New Morning, Paris
As of 2023, Spencer has been part of Ayline Artin's backing band.Easy Reader & Peninsula Magazine, March 23, 2032 - Music review – Ayline Artin ‘Heaven in Hell’ - GARRICK RAWLINGS
Solo career In 1997, Spencer appeared in an episode of The Young and the Restless.Filmreporter.de - Donnell Spencer Jr.
In 2022, Spencer released the single, "Over U".Jazz 91.9 WCLK, May 13, 2022 - Donnell Spencer: Over U By David C. Linton
Further reading Submit Hub - Donnell Spencer Jr. MusicVF.com - Songs written by Donnell Spencer, Top Songs / Chart Singles Discography Smooth Jazz News, December 2018 – January 2019 – Page 18 Drums, Salute to Sidemen, Donnell Spencer Jr. Listen Notes, 12 de noviembre de 2020 – 093 - Donnell Spencer Jr. Void 3:33, December 15, 2020 - THE VOID WITH CHRISTINA, The Void 3:33 Podcast: Prolific Singer, Drummer & Songwriter Donnell Spencer Jr. Jazz 91.9 WCLK, May 13, 2022 – Donnell Spencer: Over U By David C. Linton
See also :Category:Songs written by Donnell Spencer, Jr.
References
External links Imdb - Donnell Spencer Jr. AllMusic - Donnell Spencer Credits Discogs - Donnell Spencer RadioPublic, The Void 333 With Christina, November 12, 2020 - 093 - Donnell Spencer Jr. RSS.com. Jun 12 2022 - Unsung Musicians Behind The Headline Legends by Toni Redd, S01 E08 - Donnell Spencer Jr. (Interview)