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Ledisi Anibade Young (Template:PronEng) is a Grammy-nominated R&B singer-songwriter from New Orleans. Her first name means "to bring forth" or "to come here" in Yoruba. Ledisi is known for her jazz influenced vocals. She is often compared to Ella Fitzgerald and is known for her scat style of singing.

Early life

Ledisi grew up in a musical family; her mother sang in a Louisiana R&B band, and Ledisi first began performing 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 Tommy Bradford (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 scored airplay on local stations. Ledisi tried to get the group signed to a major label, but had no luck.

2000-2001: Soulsinger: The Revival

In January 2000, Ledisi released her first album, Soulsinger: The Revival, independently on her label, LeSun Records. The album spunned off two singles, Soulsinger and Get Outta My Kitchen. After the release of Soulsinger: The Revival, Ledisi toured with her group Anibade.

2002-2003: Feeling Orange but Sometimes Blue

In 2002, Ledisi released sophomore album, Feeling Orange but Sometimes Blue, which was also released independently. The album featured the singles, Feeling Orange but Sometimes Blue and Autumn Leaves. The album is now a collector's item. During this time she also recorded commercials for the 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 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 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 debut at #45 on the Billboard Hot R&B chart. The album's second single In The Morning debut 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.

In December 2007 she received a Grammy nomination as Best New Artist. Ledisi made an appearance in the film Leatherheads. She appeared on Tyler Perry's Meet the Browns soundtrack. In 2008, Ledisi continued her tour to promote the album, Lost & Found.

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

Awards and nominations

• BET Awards
  • 2008, BET J Cool Like Dat Award (Nominated)

• BETJ Virtual Awards
  • 2008, Female Artist of the Year

• California Music Awards
  • 2003, Outstanding Jazz Album Feeling Orange But Sometimes Blue (Won)

• Grammy Awards
  • 2008, Best New Artist (Nominated)
  • 2008, Best R&B Album: Lost & Found (Nominated)

Discography

Albums

With Anibade

• Take Time
• Ledisi and Anibade Live Recordings Vol. 1

Singles

Other Appearances

The reference for all tracks listed below can be found here.

References

1. ^ Ledisi at Allmusic.com
2. Ledisi - Soul Survivor
3. Ledisi discography singles (allmusic)
4. Artist Chart History - Ledisi
5. Searchable database Ledisi - Joy
6. Grammy.com
7. http://www.christianitytoday.com/music/interviews/2008/ledisi-0708.html
8. Ledisi (Billboard)
9. Ledisi and Anibade - Live Recordings Vol. 1
10. http://www.discogs.com/artist/Ledisi

External links

• Official Website
• Official Messageboard
• Official Myspace

• Living people
• Musicians from Louisiana
• Neo soul singers