Leon Ware was a legend of soul music. He was there, from the streets of Detroit to Motown’s Hitsville USA recording studio with Smokey Robinson, Marvin Gaye, and Stevie Wonder. Ware created the classics “I Wanna Be Where You Are” (Michael Jackson), “Body Heat” (Quincy Jones),”If I Ever Lose This Heaven” (Quincy Jones & Average White Band), “Inside My Love” (Minnie Riperton), and the undeniable soul classic album “I Want You” by Marvin Gaye.

Ware’s long list of credits as a songwriter include other soul legends such as The Isley Brothers, Ike & Tina Turner, Donny Hathaway, The Miracles, The Jackson Five, Isaac Hayes, and Bobby Womack, all recording his songs. Adding to that list, contemporary artists like Maxwell with whom he co-wrote “Sumthin’ Sumthin” and a continuous variety of artists who have sampled his music from hip-hop originators and legends such as Ice Cube, A Tribe Called Quest, Tupac, Jay-Z to other present day soul standard bearers such as John Legend, Mary J Blige, and Jamie Foxx.

Leon Ware, the songwriter and producer, was a phenomenal recording artist in his own right. His music was haunting and lush, his silky voice pursuing and tempting love. Musical and lyrical sensuality was Ware’s trademark.