Evolution of

Club Nouveau is an R&B-pop band that was formed by record producer/performer Jay King in 1986 in Sacramento, California, subsequent to the breakup of the Timex Social Club. Other members of Club Nouveau included original members Denzil Foster, Thomas McElroy, Samuelle Prater, and Valerie Watson. Additional members include James L. Richard II, Kevin Irving, David Agent, Walter Phillips, and Mario Corbino. The band’s name (French for “New Club”) was changed from its original incarnation, Jet Set, to exploit the breakup of the Timex Social Club. The group was signed by Warner Bros. Records, on which Club Nouveau released its first three albums.

From its debut album, Life, Love, and Pain, which was released in 1986, the group scored four consecutive hits: “Jealousy” (essentially an answer song responding to Timex Social Club’s hit “Rumors”), “Situation #9,” a cover of Bill Withers’s “Lean on Me,” and “Why You Treat Me So Bad.” The latter was interpolated by the Luniz on that group’s hit single “I Got Five on It” and subsequently by Puff Daddy on “Satisfy You.” The latter two both made it to #2 on the Billboard R&B chart the next year, with “Lean on Me” becoming a big Billboard Hot 100 hit. “Jealousy” also made an appearance on the soundtrack of the film Modern Girls.

Foster and McElroy soon left to form their own production team and focus on working with other acts. Prater, who had performed the lead vocals on “Lean on Me”, eventually left as well to pursue a solo career. The replacements were David Agent and Kevin Irving.

The group’s next albums—beginning with 1988 Listen to the Message—were laced with an evolving social consciousness, though the later albums were not as successful commercially as the group’s debut. Notable recordings include a dancehall-influenced version of the gospel classic “Oh, Happy Day” from the 1992 album A New Beginning, “Let It Go” from the 1995 Everything Is Black album, “You Ain’t No Friend Of Mine” from the 1989 Under A Nouveau Groove album and “What Kind Of Love” from the 1998 Collection Volume I album.

Club Nouveau issued a greatest hits project in fall of 2014 which included versions of “Rumors” & “Thinking About You” that have never been released before…. The band also recorded a song for the Who’s That Girl soundtrack called “Step by Step. Club Nouveau was nominated for two Grammy’s (song of the year – lean on me & best new act) Club Nouveau’s version of “Lean on Me” won a Grammy award, nominated for two American music awards, nominated and won a Bammy award, nominated and won a BRE Drummer award, Nominated and won two Narm awards, nominated and won a Bay Area Star award. Lean On Me was Club Nouveau’s Biggest Hit going #1 on the U.S Pop Dance charts, #5 in Australia, #22 in Austria, #1 in Canada, #9 in Germany, #5 in Ireland, #4 in Netherlands, #1 in New Zealand, #7 in Switzerland & #3 in the U.K

As of 2022, the current Club Nouveau roster consists of Jay King, Tirza Hubbard, and J Ali and this trio is now in the studio, working on new material, in between their current tour schedule. 

Previous Club Nouveau Albums Released

1. Life, Love & Pain – 1986

2. Listen To The Message 1988

3. Under A Nouveau Groove 1989

4. A New Beginning 1992

5. Everything Is Black 1995 Compilations & Greatest Hits

6. The Collection Volume I 1998

7. The Ballad Collection 2001

8. Greatest Hits (edel) 2002

9. Greatest Hits (thump) 2003

10. Ballads and Love Songs 2005

Singles released

1. Rumors 1986 #1 R&B (Billboard) #8 Pop (Billboard)

2. Jealousy 1986 (video) #8 R&B (Billboard)

3. Situation No.9 1986 (video) # 4 R&B (Billboard)

4. Lean On Me 1987 (video) # 1 Pop (Billboard) # 2 R&B (Billboard)

5. Why You Treat Me So Bad 1987 (video) # 2 R&B (Billboard) # 39 Pop (Billboard)

6. Heavy On My Mind 1987 #42 R&B (Billboard)

7. It’s A Cold Cold World 1988 (video) #34 R&B (Billboard)

8. Envious 1988 (video)

9. Francis 1988 (video)

10. You Ain’t No Friend Of Mine 1989 (video) #12 R&B (Billboard)

11. Oh Happy Day 1992 (video) #45 R&B (Billboard)

12. When Will You Come Back To Me 1992 (video)

13. Let It Go 1995 (video)

14. What Kind Of Love 1998 (video)