The Jazz Soul of Little Stevie by Stevie Wonder

The Jazz Soul of Little Stevie

by Stevie Wonder

Released: September 12, 1962

Jazz, funk, soul

musicOnOff editorial

Why This Album Matters

This album matters because its strongest editorial story is: Debut Album.

01

The Album

"The Jazz Soul of Little Stevie" is the debut studio album by Stevie Wonder, released in September 1962 on the Tamla Motown label. Notably, it is one of two Wonder studio albums where he does not sing (the other being "Eivets Rednow"), instead showcasing his talents as a composer and instrumentalist. The album includes the original studio version of "Fingertips," which later became Wonder's first hit single in a live version.

02

Inside the Recording

The material on "The Jazz Soul of Little Stevie Wonder" was written and produced by Wonder's mentors Clarence Paul and Henry Cosby, with Wonder co-writing two of the compositions.

Stories and details

Interesting Facts

On the album, Wonder contributes percussion, keyboard, and…

On the album, Wonder contributes percussion, keyboard, and harmonica.

This early album highlights Wonder's prodigious musical abilities…

This early album highlights Wonder's prodigious musical abilities at just 12 years old, exploring jazz and soul influences in his compositions and performances.

It serves as a testament to Wonder's early…

It serves as a testament to Wonder's early talent and the foundation of his future success as a singer, songwriter, and multi-instrumentalist in the music industry.

Start listening here

Essential Tracks

01

Fingertips

The album includes the original studio version of "Fingertips," which later became Wonder's first hit single in a live version.

Full background

The Complete Album Story

"The Jazz Soul of Little Stevie" is the debut studio album by Stevie Wonder, released in September 1962 on the Tamla Motown label. Notably, it is one of two Wonder studio albums where he does not sing (the other being "Eivets Rednow"), instead showcasing his talents as a composer and instrumentalist. On the album, Wonder contributes percussion, keyboard, and harmonica.

The material on "The Jazz Soul of Little Stevie Wonder" was written and produced by Wonder's mentors Clarence Paul and Henry Cosby, with Wonder co-writing two of the compositions. The album includes the original studio version of "Fingertips," which later became Wonder's first hit single in a live version.

This early album highlights Wonder's prodigious musical abilities at just 12 years old, exploring jazz and soul influences in his compositions and performances. It serves as a testament to Wonder's early talent and the foundation of his future success as a singer, songwriter, and multi-instrumentalist in the music industry.

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