One of the most successful R&B singers of the last three decades is the Grammy-winning Maxwell. A master of the effortless melody and an unabashed romantic, Maxwell is also pretty derivative.

But before you assume that’s a pejorative, consider this: if Maxwell’s signature lush balladry or easy dancefloor grooves – tunes like “Fistful of Tears,” “Pretty Wings,” “Let’s Not Play This Game,” the bluesy “Lost” – are reminiscent of Teddy Pendergrass, Stevie Wonder, Al Green, Prince and Luther Vandross, well, that’s pretty exalted company.

Maxwell’s on the road in anticipation of his long-awaited “blacksummers’NIGHT” album – which will complete a trilogy that includes “BLACKsummers’night” and “blackSUMMERS’ night” – and performs Friday in the Premier Theater at Foxwoods.

Maxwell, 8 p.m. Friday, Premier Theater, Foxwoods; $40-$80; foxwoods.com.