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Ann Nesby is an American R&B, gospel, and dance music singer and actress. She is the former lead singer of Sounds of Blackness; a songwriter with credits including hits sung by Patti Labelle and Gladys Knight; plus she co-starred in the 2003 musical romantic dramedy The Fighting Temptations with Cuba Gooding Jr. and Beyonce Knowles. Nesby had various appearances on the hit television series American Idol. Nesby has been nominated four times since her departure from the Sounds of Blackness, most recently for her 2007 album This Is Love; plus the lead single "I Apologize" was nominated for a Grammy at the 2008 Grammy Awards. Nesby is set to release a R&B inspired gospel inspirational album during March 31, 2009 under her It's Time Child Records in conjunction with Tyscot Records.
Early lifeBorn in Joliet, Illinois, she gained notoriety as lead vocalist for the Sounds of Blackness. Nesby grew up active in the Macedonia Baptist Church in Rockford, where her father is pastor.
Musical careerNesby had several big dance hits as part of the Sounds of Blackness "Optimistic", "I Believe" and "I'm Going All The Way" (she earned two Grammy Awards with Sounds of Blackness) in the 1990s, but left to pursue a solo career.
A prolific songwriter, as she has written songs for Patti LaBelle (Right Kinda Lover, which was the blockbuster summer radio hit in 1994); Gladys Knight ("Home Alone") Sounds Of Blackness ("I'm Going All The Way", "A Place In My Heart") and others
. Dueted with Sting on the Demolition Man soundtrack. Also dueted with the legendary soul singer Reverend Al Green ("Put It On Paper") which yielded Nesby her first solo Grammy Nomination for Best (Duet) Traditional R&B Vocal Performance in 2003 and Pastor Shirley Caesar on "That Stone," which was Grammy nominated 2005. The inspirational treasure chest of urban grooves entitled ‘Make Me Better.’ garnered Nesby yet another Grammy Nomination Best Contemporary Soul Gospel Performance in 2004. Nesby was nominated in 2007 for her R&B gem "I Apologize".
She earned four consecutive Top 5 hits on the Hot Dance Music/Club Play chart with "Hold On" (#5, 1997), "Love Is What We Need" (#2, 2000), "Lovin' Is Really My Game" (#1, 2000) and "Let Your Will Be Done" (#3, 2002).
Acting career In 2003 she appeared in the film, The Fighting Temptations.
Personal lifeNesby's daughter is the former Mercury Records recording artist Jamecia Bennett, known just as Jamecia with a single entitled "Rodeo Style"; who is the mother of Paris Bennett, a top five contestant on American Idol 's fifth season.
DiscographyAlbums
Other Contributions
Copyright Citations
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