In 1987 after relocating to Minneapolis on a suggestion from her sister Marie Bennett, Nesby’s life would forever be changed. Bennett who had been singing with the then regionally renowned group The Sounds of Blackness encouraged her younger sister to join the group. Popular music producers, Jimmy Jam & Terry Lewis were also based in Minneapolis and working with emerging pop icon Janet Jackson. While taking a break from recording, Jam, Lewis, and Jackson witnessed the Sounds of Blackness performing their rendition of “A Night Before Christmas.” Jackson insisted that Jam & Lewis sign the group as their first act on their newly formed label Perspective Records.
Jam & Lewis made Nesby the lead singer of the group, her vocal dexterity and creative songwriting contributions led to several top 10 hit singles - “Optimistic,” “I Believe,” “The Pressure,” to “I’m Going All The Way.” Dominating the charts in the 90s, the Sounds of Blackness became a household name and sound all led by the distinctive vocal power that only Ann Nesby could deliver.
After winning two Grammy awards in 1991 and 1993 with The Sounds of Blackness, Nesby penned the chart topping single “The Right Kinda’ Lover” for industry colleague and friend Patti Labelle and wrote the soul stirring ballad “Home Alone” for Gladys Knight’s ‘Just For You’ album in 1994. Under the auspices of music industry geniuses Jimmy Jam & Terry Lewis, Nesby launched her solo career in 1996 with the critically-acclaimed album ‘I’m Here For You’. Her debut album included the women-empowerment theme "I'm Still Wearing Your Name" and the romantic ode for husband and wife, "This Weekend". ‘I’m Here For You’ spent an impressive 60 weeks on the R&B best-selling lists.
Following the critical acclaim of her debut album Nesby broadened her creative repertoire as an actress, starring in renowned playwright and movie director, Tyler Perry’s first stage play, ‘I Know I’ve Been Changed’ in 1998 through 2000. Returning to her musical passion, Nesby dominated the music charts again in 2000 with "Lovin' Is Really My Game" and "Love Is What We Need" which peaked at #1 and #2 respectively on Billboard's Dance Charts from her dance anthology, ‘The Dance Essentials,’ released in 2001.
With the release of her 2002 full length sophomore album ‘Put It On Paper,’ featuring the legendary soul singer Reverend Al Green on the album's title track. The album’s lead single, “Put It On Paper” yielded Nesby her first solo Grammy Nomination for Best Traditional R&B Vocal Performance in 2003, solidifying her as a force to be reckoned with.
In 2006 Nesby continued to diversify her range as a recording artist with the release of her first traditional Gospel release ‘In The Spirit,’ which showcased the raw power and depth of her soul, as well as her range as an elite vocalist. As a treat to fans in the early 2007 she released the ‘Ann Nesby the Best of Live’ CD/DVD, the musical/video collage showcased Nesby’s diverse repertoire of music encompassing the previous twenty years of her career--from Sounds Of Blackness through her solo recordings. The accompanying DVD video provided fans a glimpse of the new slim and trim Ann Nesby.
Hot on the heels of her critically acclaimed late 2007 album ‘This Is Love,’ which spawned a Grammy nominated single, “I Apologize”, Nesby returned to the studio to craft ‘The Lula Lee Project’ alongside an array of musical geniuses: Gospel music maverick Tonex (John P. Kee, Tarralyn Ramsey, Montell Jordan); Herb Middleton (SWV, Faith Evans, Mary J. Blige); J. Isaac (James Grear & Company, Juelz Santana); Debra Killings (TLC); and others.
‘The Lula Lee Project’ showcases visually and audibly a creative departure from the Ann Nesby many may recognize from her days as the former lead singer of Sounds of Blackness. Critics and fans of Nesby appreciate her seamless ability to transition between Gospel, R&B/Soul, Jazz, Hip-Hop, Dance, and Pop music without compromising her Christian beliefs.
"I always sing from the heart, and I believe that whatever is sung from the heart will reach the heart of the listener,” says Nesby.
Ann Nesby tracks heard on HouseMusic101.com Radio
Ann Nesby - "Hold On"
Ann Nesby - "I Found A Place"
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Ann Nesby - "Love Is What We Need"
Ann Nesby - "Shelter"
Ann Nesby - "Can I Get A Witness"
Ann Nesby - "Lovin' Is Really My Game"