Ledisi

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Biography

Infobox musical artist | name = Ledisi| image = 20111016 Ledisi at the MLK Memorial dedication concert.jpg| caption = The October 16, 2011 Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial dedication concert| image_size =| background = solo_singer| birth_name = Ledisi Anibade Young| origin = New Orleans , Louisiana | instrument = Piano , Vocals | genre = R& B , Soul music|soul , jazz , neo soul , gospel music|gospel | occupation = Ledisi Anibade Young () is an American singer-songwriter and actress. Her first name means "to bring forth" or "to come here" in Yoruba language|Yoruba . at Allmusic.com Ledisi is known for her jazz influenced vocals. In 1995, Ledisi formed the group known as Anibade. After unsuccessfully trying to get the group signed to a major label, she formed LeSun Records with Sundra Manning. Along with her group Anibade, Ledisi released an album entitled Take Time . The album gained major airplay from local radio stations.In 2000, Ledisi released her first album, entitled Soulsinger: The Revival . Ledisi and her group toured in 2001, performing various shows. In 2002, Ledisi released her second album, Feeling Orange but Sometimes Blue . The album won her an award for "Outstanding Jazz Album" at the California Music Awards.

In 2007, Ledisi signed a major record deal with Verve Forecast and released her third album in August of that year, entitled Lost & Found (Ledisi album)|Lost & Found , which sold almost 217,000 copies and earned her two Grammy nominations, including one for Best New Artist.. Pulse Music Proboards. Retrieved: June 18, 2009 In 2008, Ledisi released her Christmas album, '' It's Christmas (Ledisi album)|It's Christmas .

In 2009, Ledisi released her fourth album Turn Me Loose (Ledisi album)|Turn Me Loose , which earned her 2 Grammy nominations.

Early life

Ledisi grew up in a musical family; her mother sang in a Louisiana R& B band and her stepfather, Joseph Pierce,III, (deceased) was a drummer in the New Orleans area. Her biological father is soul singer , although he left the family when she was a baby and did not meet again for nearly three decades. http://www.bvnewswire.com/2009/06/19/ledisi-free-after-finding-father-and-forgiving-him/
Ledisi first began performing publicly at age eight with the New Orleans Symphony Orchestra . She moved to Oakland, California , where she was nominated for a Shellie award in 1990 for her performance in a production of The Wiz and performed in an extended run with the San Francisco cabaret troupe, Beach Blanket Babylon . She studied opera and piano for five years at University of California Berkeley in their Young Musicians Program.

Musical career

1995-1999: Beginnings

In the 1990s, she formed a group called Anibade, alongside Sundra Manning (producer, keyboards, songwriting), Cedrickke Dennis (guitar), Nelson Braxton (bass), Wayne Braxton (sax), and Rob Rhodes (drums), playing a jazz and hip-hop influenced kind of soul. The group won acclaim in the Bay Area , and recorded a demo, "Take Time" which was played on local stations. Ledisi tried to get the group signed to a major label, but had no luck.

2000-2003: Soulsinger: The Revival and Feeling Orange but Sometimes Blue

In January 2000, Ledisi released her first album, Soulsinger: The Revival , independently on her label, LeSun Records. The album spun off four singles, "Soulsinger", "Take Time", "Get Outta My Kitchen", and "Good Lovin'". After the release of Soulsinger: The Revival , Ledisi toured with her group Anibade.

In 2002, Ledisi released her second album, Feeling Orange but Sometimes Blue , which was also released independently. The album featured the singles "Feeling Orange but Sometimes Blue" and "Autumn Leaves". During this time she also recorded commercials for the Sci Fi Channel (United States)|Sci Fi Channel . In 2003, Ledisi won "Outstanding Jazz Album" for Feeling Orange but Sometimes Blue at the California Music Awards.

2006-2008: Lost & Found

During her five year hiatus, Ledisi made appearances on soundtracks. In 2007, she signed with Verve Records|Verve and released "Blues in the Night" which featured on the tribute album, We All Love Ella: Celebrating the First Lady of Song .

In August 2007, Ledisi's third album, Lost & Found (Ledisi album)|Lost & Found , was released. During the time of her hiatus, Ledisi stated that she was unsure of wanting to stay within the music industry. In response, Ledisi wrote the song "Alright" to express her life. "Alright" became the lead single and debuted at #45 on the Billboard (magazine)|Billboard Hot R& B chart. The album's second single, "In The Morning", debuted at #49 on the Billboard Hot R& B chart. Other songs from the album charted but were not released as singles. "Think of You" charted at #71 on the Hot R& B charts, "Joy" charted at #103 on the Hot R& B charts and #29 on the Adult R& B Airplay.Searchable database

In December 2007, the album earned her two Grammy nominations, including one for Grammy Award for Best New Artist|Best New Artist . Grammy.com In 2008, Ledisi continued her tour to promote the album, Lost & Found (Ledisi album)|Lost & Found . By January 2009, the album had sold 216,894 copies.

In September 2008, Ledisi released her Christmas album, '' It's Christmas (Ledisi album)|It's Christmas '', which featured the singles "This Christmas" and "Children Go Where I Send Thee". In December 2008, Ledisi's T.V. special aired on Direct TV|Gospel Channel , entitled "Ledisi Christmas". Ledisi performed a few songs from her It's Christmas (Ledisi album)|Christmas album . "Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas" and "Give Love On Christmas Day" charted on the Hot R& B charts at #113.

In 2008 Ledisi performed the song " The Man I Love (song)|The Man I Love " as blues singer in " Leatherheads " movie.

2009: Turn Me Loose

In 2009, Ledisi's fourth studio album was announced to be titled, Turn Me Loose (Ledisi album)|Turn Me Loose . The album was released on August 18, 2009.. Soultracks. Retrieved: June 19, 2009. Speaking in April 2010 to noted UK R& B writer Pete Lewis - Deputy Editor of the award-winning Blues & Soul - Ledisi explained the album's title reflected its musical diversity: "The title 'Turn Me Loose' is basically me saying 'I don't wanna be boxed in& #33; Let me be myself as a performer and singer, because I do EVERYTHING& #33; Not just one particular style!'." She employed production from seasoned Rhythm and Blues songwriter-producers such as Raphael Saddiq,Jimmy Jam + Terry Lewis, James "Big Jim" Wright & Carvin & Ivan . The first single from this album was 'Goin' Thru Changes'. Watch this approved EPK - http://vids.myspace.com/index.cfm? fuseaction=vids.individual& VideoID=61888932 to get an insight on her album. The second single was chosen to be Higher Than This , produced by Jimmy Jam & Terry Lewis and James "Big Jim" Wright.

On May 13, 2010, Ledisi performed at Charter Oak Cultural Center's http://www.charteroakcenter.org/ 9th Annual Gala, a fundraiser for free after-school youth arts programming in inner-city Hartford. http://www.charteroakcenter.org/index.php/classes/youth-arts-institute/ She performed several songs from Turn Me Loose , and also performed a duet with Anika Noni Rose , a tribute to the late Lena Horne.

2011- Present: Pieces of Me

Ledisi toured with R& B/soul singer Kem (singer)|Kem on his North American INTIMACY Tour. On March 10, 2011, during her opening act in Atlanta, Georgia, Ledisi announced that she had finished recording her fifth studio album on March 9, 2011.

Ledisi's sixth studio album, Pieces of Me (Ledisi album)|Pieces of Me , was released on June 14, 2011. It debuted at number 8 on the Billboard 200 Charts, selling 38,000 in its first week. The album's title track served as the album's lead single.

Ledisi has performed at the White House 3 times at the behest of President and First Lady Obama.

Ledisi is, currently, preparing for her first headlining tour to promote her album, Pieces of Me . The tour begins on October 20, 2011 in Raleigh, NC.

With this album, Ledisi was nominated to 3 Grammy indications (with chances to win) for the Grammy Awards 2012, on the categories Best R& B Album, Best R& B Performance and Best R& B Song, with the album and the lead single "Pieces of Me"

Awards and nominations

BET Awards

*2008, BET J Cool Like Dat Award (Nominated)

BETJ Virtual Awards

*2008, Female Artist of the Year (Nominated)

California Music Awards

*2003, Outstanding Jazz Album, Feeling Orange But Sometimes Blue (Won)

Grammy Awards

*2012, Best R& B Performance, Pieces of Me (Nominated/Current)

*2012, Best R& B Song, Pieces of Me (Nominated/Current)

*2012, Best R& B Album, Pieces of Me (Nominated/Current)

*2010, Best R& B Album, Turn Me Loose (Nominated)

*2010, Best Female R& B Vocal Performance: "Goin' Thru Changes" (Nominated)

*2008, Best New Artist (Nominated)

*2008, Best R& B Album, Lost & Found (Nominated)

Soul Train Awards

*2011, Centric Award (nominated)

*2009, Best R& B/Soul Female Artist (nominated)

Discography

Albums

Year	Album	Peak positions
Year	Album	U.S.	U.S. R& B
2000	Soulsinger: The Revival ^{1st studio album Released: January 1, 2000 Label: LeSun Records}	-	-
2002	Feeling Orange but Sometimes Blue ^{2nd studio album Released: January, 2002 Label: LeSun Records}	-	-
2007	Lost & Found ^{3rd studio album Released: August 27, 2007 Label: Verve Forecast}	78	10
2008	It's Christmas ^{Christmas album Released: September 23, 2008 Label: Verve Forecast}	-	28
2009	Turn Me Loose ^{4th studio album album Released: August 18, 2009 Label: Verve Forecast}	14	1
2011	Pieces of Me ^{5th studio album album Released: June 14, 2011 Label: Verve Forecast}	8	2

With Anibade

Take Time

Ledisi and Anibade Live Recordings Vol. 1

Singles

Year	Title	Chart positions			Album
Year	Title	U.S.	U.S. R& B	Hot Adult R& B	Album
2000	"Soulsinger"	—	—	—	Soulsinger: The Revival
	"Take Time"	—	—	—
	"Get Outta My Kitchen"	—	—	—
	"Good Lovin'"	—	—	—
2002	"Feeling Orange but Sometimes Blue"	—	—	—	Feeling Orange but Sometimes Blue
2002	"Autumn Leaves"	—	—	—	Feeling Orange but Sometimes Blue
2007	"Alright"	—	45	13	Lost & Found
2008	"In The Morning"	—	49	26
	"Think of You"	—	74	—
	"Joy"	—	103	29
	"This Christmas (Could Be the One)"	—	112	—	''It's Christmas
	"Children Go Where I Send Thee"	—	—	—
	"Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas"	—	113	—
	"Give Love on Christmas Day"	—	113	—
2009	"Goin' Thru Changes"	—	43	—	Turn Me Loose
2009	"Higher Than This"	—	63	—	Turn Me Loose
2011	"Pieces of Me"	114	19	7	Pieces of Me
	"Stay Together" (featuring Jaheim )	—	23	—
	"So Into You"	—	—	—

Other appearances

The reference for all tracks listed below can be found . http://www.discogs.com/artist/Ledisi

Year	Song	Artist	Album	Label
2011	Then There Was You	Trombone Shorty	For True	Verve Forecast Records
2008	"The World Keeps Going Around"	Brian Culbertson	Bringing Back The Funk	GRP
2008	"Alright"	Ledisi	Tyler Perry's Meet the Browns	Atlantic
2008	"Waters of March"	Sergio Mendez featuring Ledisi	Encanto	Concord Records
2007	"Blues in the Night"	Ledisi	We All Love Ella: Celebrating the First Lady of Song	Verve Music Group
2007	"Devotion"	Ledisi	Interpretations: Celebrating the Music of Earth, Wind & Fire	Concord Music Group
2007	"To Love Again"	Gordon Chambers featuring Ledisi	Love Stories	Chamber Music
2006	"I Can't Let You Go"	Steve Hartsman Harvey featuring Ledisi	Everyday People Project	Expansion UK
2005	"The Rain" (f/ Oran "Juice" Jones )	Ledisi & various artists	Def Jazz	GRP Records
2005	"My Sensitivity" (f/ Boney James)	Ledisi & various artists	Forever, For Always, For Luther	GRP / Verve
2005	"White Boys"	Ledisi/ Brandi Chavonne Massey/ Shayna Steele	''Hair& nbsp;— Actor's Fund of America Benefit Recording	Ghostlight
2005	"World of Vibrations"	Ledisi	The Craft - Blackalicious	Anti Records
2004	"Thinkin' 'Bout Me"	Boney James featuring Ledisi	Pure	Warner Bros. Records
2004	"Scat World"	Maysa featuring Ledisi	Smooth Sailing	Encoded Music
2004	"So Right"	Ledisi	Soul Satisfaction: A collection of Nu-Soul Gems	Shanachie Records
2004	"The Look of Love"	Robby Young featuring Ledisi	The Look of Love	Artist One-Stop
2004	"Don't Stop"	Maroons by Lateef and the Chief featuring Ledisi	Maroons: Ambush	Quantum Projects
2003	"Different Times"	Raphael Saadiq featuring Ledisi	Live: All Hits at the House of Blues	Pookie Entertainment
2003	I Want'cha Babe"	Ledisi	New Sirens of Song-Sultry Singer	Sugo Music
2003	Whatcha Gonna Do"	Frank McComb	The Truth	Expansion UK
2002	"Better Than Nothing"	Braxton Brothers featuring Ledisi	Both Sides	Peak Records
2001	"Going Back to New Orleans"	Pancho Sanchez featuring Ledisi	Latin Spirits	Concord Records
2001	"I've Got It, & Good Lovin"	Ledisi	Organic Soul	Soul Brother Records
2000	"Negros"	Omar Sosa featuring Ledisi	Bembon	Ota Records
2000	"NST"	David Alvarado featuring Ledisi	Soundscapes: Live from London	Phatt Funk Records
1999	"NST"	Third Eye Blind	Blue	Elektra
1999	"Breaking it Down" (Jay's Naked Music)	Miguel Migs	Nude Dimensions:Naked Music Vol.1-The Petal Pusher Session	Astralwerks
1995	"NST"	Xiame featuring Ledisi	''Canto D'Alma	Valley Media

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1. Eric Benet

Urban/R&B Music Artists