It’s Bryan Keith’s moment to shine on NBC’s The Voice…
During Monday night’s “Top 12” performances, the 23-year-old Latino singer/songwriter and Team Adam member had his “breakout” moment while performing Amy Winehouse’s “Back to Black.”
Hernandez – the son of Latin jazz and salsa singer Ray De La Paz, who was a member of the Grammy-winning band Spanish Harlem Orchestra – received major kudos from the Voice coaches.
“Bryan, I think you just took the lead for Team Adam,” said Blake Shelton. “That was really good, congratulations. Solid!”
Christina Aguilera complimented him on his “cool, modern day raspy [Frank] Sinatra thing,” while his coach called his performance a “moment.”
“You definitely had that kind of break-out thing just happen, that really showed everybody how incredible you are,” said Adam Levine. “This was your day and this was your moment to show to kind of show America what was happening.”
But Hernandez wasn’t the only Team Adam member to impress the judges…
Melanie Martinez, who started her performance seated on the floor before bolting up to end her song with gusto, looked uniquely chic in her black and white striped dress.
The 17-year-old Latina singer performed Young the Giant’s “Cough Syrup” and earned raves from the judges for her uniqueness.
“I’ve never heard you project as much as you did on that one,” said Shelton. “And I enjoyed it ‘cause there’s a quality to your voice that I just found out that, no matter what range you’re singing in, it’s always there.”
Aguilera called it her “most emotional” performance, while Martinez’s coach said she has something that’s all her own.
“There’s only one Melanie in this competition,” said Levine. “You’re spectacular and you’re the only one like you in this competition.”
Meanwhile, Aguilera’s two Latino contestants still left in the competition did not disappoint…
Dez Duron performed a jazz-induced version of Frankie Valli’s “Can’t Take My Eyes Off of You,” a la Lauryn Hill.
“I thought that performance was impeccable; I thought that it was wonderful through and through,” declared Cee Lo Green of the 22-year-old Latino singer. “[Christina’s] absolutely right in saying that you are the total package. You’ve got so much charisma, so much control and you’ve got such natural appeal, sexual appeal.
Levine complimented Duron on finding his voice with a song that was “decisively you,” while his coach asked the audience and America one simple question about her “old soul crooner with a modern twist”:
“How can you guys not love this guy?” asked Aguilera, adding, “When you get on there stage, I really notice there’s a certain… there’s no other way to describe it other than just a true star quality feel that you do have. ” “Old soul crooner voice with a modern twist”
But Duron wasn’t the only Team Xtina member to bring their A-game.
Adriana Louise, shining bright like a star in her gold sequined dress, performance a sassy and raspy rendition of Carrie Underwood’s “Good Girl.”
“You looked beautiful tonight. I thought you sounded as great as ever and just continuing to improve,” said Green, adding, “Regardless of tempo, song or styling, you always seem very committed and convicted to what you’re singing. And I can appreciate that.”
Shelton and Levine both applauded Adriana for adeptly taking on Underwood’s song.
“ I am so happy that you did a country song, and Carrie Underwood song,” said sole country coach Shelton. “And I think you made it your own and I appreciate that.”
Aguilera called Adriana’s performance “so playful and so cute” and talked about how easy she made performing that song looked.
“You don’t get it on the radio how hard that is to execute live, but it’s really hard,” said Aguilera. “Even this, like all those runs in between, to execute that so perfectly is really hard you guys… “The best is yet to come from you. And, if you make it through to the next round, America I won’t disappoint you with Adriana, she is a firecracker!”
