Sam Smith’s ever-growing fan base now includes the Queen of R&B Mary J. Blige, who lent her vocals to a new duet with Sam of his UK No.1 debut single, “Stay With Me.”
The video for this new version premiered on ABC’s “Good Morning America” on June 2 and feature both artists sharing a stage, delivering a tender live rendering of this gospel-infused song.
Smith is no stranger to R&B and soul, often citing the genre greats as inspiration. “Working with Mary J. Blige is one of the biggest highlights of my career so far. I remember holding her album in my hands in the car when I was a young boy, to meet your idols is a magical thing, but to work with them is truly a dream come true.”
“I’m so honored to have had the chance to work with Sam Smith,” say Mary J. Blige. “Sam’s true soulful voice... is the first of this kind I have heard since Luther Vandross, Freddie Jackson and all the great soulful male voices from the ‘80s. I’m completely blown away by his talent, soul and the sincerity.”
“Stay With Me” is the lead single from Smith’s long-awaited debut, In The Lonely Hour which was released in the UK last week and climbed straight to No. 1, as Smith earned the fastest-selling album in 2014, and knocked Coldplay’s Ghost Stories from the top of the chart.
Smith recently announced he will celebrate the release of In The Lonely Hour with his fans, and perform a special concert at the legendary Apollo Theatre in NYC, upon which he will join the ranks of R&B royalty who have inspired him.
This autumn, Smith will head back to the US for a North American tour that will begin September 15 in Boston and hit major markets in the U.S. and Canada. Dates are currently on sale with several already sold out, including The Greek Theatre in Los Angeles.
SAM SMITH AUTUMN NORTH AMERICAN TOUR
September 15 Boston, Mass. House of Blues
September 16 Washington, D.C. Echostage
September 19 New York, N.Y. Hammerstein Ballroom
September 21 Toronto, ONT Kool Haus
September 22 Chicago, Ill. Riviera Theater
September 24 Vancouver, BC Orpheum Theatre
September 25 Seattle, Wash. Paramount Theater
September 26 Portland, Ore. Crystal Ballroom
September 30 Los Angeles, Ca. The Greek Theatre
October 4 Houston, Texas House of Blues
October 6 Atlanta, Ga. Tabernacle
October 7 Nashville, Tenn. Ryman Auditorium
October 9 Dallas, Texas House of Blues
UK AUTUMN TOUR
23rd October Glasgow O2 ABC
24th October Leeds O2 Academy
25th October Newcastle O2 Academy
27th October Birmingham O2 Academy
28th October Nottingham Rock City
29th October Manchester Albert Hall
3rd November Cambridge Corn Exchange
4th November Bristol Colston Hall
6th November London Eventim Apollo Hammersmith
