Born Michael Jude Christodal in Massachusetts, singer/songwriter Jude grew up with music. The son of a professional musician, Jude earned a degree in philosophy and by way of Charleston, SC, he found himself in Los Angeles working menial jobs (dishwasher, janitor, delivery boy, postal worker) before eventually catching the ear of Maverick Records with his 1997 acoustic debut 430 N. Harper Ave., originally released on the Fish of Death label. His first album recorded with studio backing, No One's Really Beautiful, was released the following year, garnering positive attention from the music press. He hit the road with such familiar names as Train and Ben Folds Five in support of the album, then returned to the studios, coming up with King of Yesterday which hit stores in September, 2001. ~ Roxanne Blanford & Joslyn Layne, All Music Guide