Joshua Kadison, born on February 8, 1963, in Los Angeles, California, is an American singer-songwriter and pianist known for his emotionally romantic style of music. Influenced by iconic songwriters like Cole Porter, Rodgers & Hart, and the Gershwin brothers, Kadison began playing piano and writing songs at the age of 12. His early life was marked by the death of his mother, actress Gloria Castillo, which deeply influenced his songwriting, leading to the creation of songs like "Mama's Arms."

Kadison gained fame with his debut album "Painted Desert Serenade," released in 1993, featuring the hit singles "Jessie" and "Beautiful in My Eyes." The album achieved platinum status in the US and Germany and went multi-platinum in Australia and New Zealand. "Jessie" and "Beautiful in My Eyes" were Top 40 hits in the UK, with "Jessie" remaining popular on UK radio.

His second album, "Delilah Blue," released in 1995, was less commercially successful, and after its release, his contract with EMI was voided. Kadison continued to create music independently, releasing albums such as "Saturday Night in Storyville" and "Troubador in a Timequake" through his own label, Storyville Records. He also published a book, "17 Ways to Eat a Mango."

In 2001, Kadison released "Vanishing America" under EMI Germany, an album reflecting his disillusionment with American values. Despite its themes resonating with audiences, the album was not distributed in the United States. Throughout his career, Kadison has maintained a significant following in Germany and remains active in the music industry, albeit sporadically since 2012.