Josie Aiello

Singer/songwriter Josie Aiello began singing as a child, convincing her parents to allow her to perform at the Chicago restaurant that they owned. By her teens, Aiello had branched out, singing at school functions and local festivals and events. She continued to pursue an education, graduating with honors from the Academy of Performing Arts High School and attending DePaul University. However, a restaurant patron who had caught her act and happened to be a jingle producer and writer recognized her talent and she began doing commercial work. Eventually relocating to Los Angeles, she managed to get session work, which led to opportunities penning songs for movies such as That Thing You Do, Dinosaur, and South Park. An Aiello demo found its way to Warner Bros. and producer Quincy Jones. An a cappella audition for Jones resulted in a record deal and the release of her debut, Unkunvenshunal Girl, in September 2000. Jones' Qwest label was shut down soon after the album's release and Aiello's take on contemporary dance-pop failed to make inroads, despite high-profile touring slots with 98° and Hootie & the Blowfish. Aiello continued to work on music for television and movies, as well as commercials, and released an R&B-influenced adult contempoary album, Where I Am, in 2006. She resumed collaborative work and recorded with the likes of R. Kelly, Cheryl Cole, Jennifer Lopez, and Ciara — usually as a background vocalist — through 2012.