John Stevens

Born in 1987 and raised in East Amherst, NY, fiery-haired vocalist John Stevens first entered the spotlight as a contestant on American Idol. Exposure to his grandparents’ record collection sparked an early passion for jazz, big band, and swing, leading him to connect deeply with the music of Dean Martin, Duke Ellington, and, above all, Frank Sinatra. His precise recreation of Sinatra’s vocal phrasing and vintage stage presence carried him deep into the third season’s competition. Following the standard post-finale Idol tour, Stevens secured a deal with Maverick Records. The resulting album, Red—a set of covers and standards—appeared in June 2006.