Jared Cotter

Born and raised on Long Island, Cotter grew up in a family of musicians. Cotter's great grandfather, James Reese Europe, was the first African American jazz player to perform at Carnegie Hall.[3] Cotter's father, Robert Cotter, played in the late 1970s with Nile Rodgers and the late Bernard Edwards of the Big Apple Band, later known as Chic.[4][5] Cotter listed as his influence artists such as Stevie Wonder, Marvin Gaye and Brian McKnight.[6]

Cotter's recording career began when he was 15.[4] He performed and released music as JL Cotter, and co-wrote songs such as "Make U Cry", "My Girl", "She Likes It" and the Notorious B.I.G inspired "Somebody's Gotta Go". He has worked with Joshua Thompson, Rob Fusari and Jeremy Skaller, and has also collaborated with other songwriters including Andre Deyo, Teron Beal and worked with producer and songwriter, Quincy Patrick.

Cotter has performed on BET's 106 & Park,[3] and opened for platinum-selling artist Avant. He has also performed at BB King's in Times Square, Village Underground, Soul Café and SOB's.[6] In 2005, he independently released "The Album Before the Album".[7]

Cotter began dating Canadian singer-songwriter Melanie Fiona in 2013.[8] On March 14, 2016, their first child was born.[9] On Valentine's Day 2018, the couple became engaged.[10] Originally they planned to marry on Amalfi Coast, Italy; but the COVID-19 pandemic forced them to postpone their wedding three times. The couple eloped on December 12, 2020 in Los Angeles.[8][11][12]

Cotter appeared on the sixth season of American Idol and reached the semi-final stage of the competition. He sang Stevie Wonder's "Lately" for his audition.[13]