Ann Nesby

From Batman’s Bruce Wayne, Superman’s Clark Kent, to Wonder Woman’s Diana Prince, all represent the dichotomy that lie within us all. This dichotomy within ourselves represent an ability to demonstrate on one hand reserve and “staying in the box,” yet when prompted the alter ego of self emerges going beyond what is normal or expected. This yin-yang concept is personified and demonstrated by Ann Nesby’s eighth solo album aptly entitled, The Lula Lee Project.

So who exactly is “Lula Lee?”

 “My friends and fans may see me as mild mannered as Ann Nesby, ‘Lula Lee’ represents for me the edgier side of who I am musically and personally,” explains Nesby.

Before the introduction of ‘Lula Lee,’ Ann Nesby was the born and raised in Joliet, Illinois by her Christian parents and singing the hymns of Zion in church. Launching her career in the 1980s as a singer with Rueben Lightfoot & Victory Singers out of Chicago; she went on to sing background for Patti Labelle to recording with gospel legend, Rev. James Cleveland and the Gospel Music Workshop of America. After her work with the GMWA, Nesby joined Donald Lawrence’s off Broadway gospel musical production ‘Sing Hallelujah.’

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.

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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.

Making her motion picture debut, Nesby scored the supporting role of Aunt Sally Walker in the 2003 musical comedy The Fighting Temptations opposite Cuba Gooding, Jr. and Beyonce Knowles. That same year she returned musically with the release of her third album, the inspirational treasure chest of urban grooves entitled ‘Make Me Better.’ The album garnered Nesby yet another Grammy Nomination Best Contemporary Soul Gospel Performance in 2004. In 2005 she was nominated once more for a Grammy, Best Gospel Performance for her work on ‘The Fighting Temptations Soundtrack’ for the duet "The Stone "with Gospel legend Shirley Caesar.

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.

“‘The Lula Lee Project’ speaks to the issues affecting the state of the world, our current economic woes, to the struggles of everyday life. This project is a reminder that God is still in control,” explains Nesby who admits that the world has changed dramatically since her 1996 debut.

“It’s my duty to encourage others to rely on God, we don’t have to worry because we have a refuge in Him,” she adds.

The Lula Lee Project marks the third full Gospel/Inspirational album after 2003’s ‘Make Me Better’ and 2006’s ‘In The Spirit.’ ‘The Lula Lee Project’ takes an edgier “out of the box” approach to the Christian inspired genre. The album’s lead single, “I Found a Place,” serves up a smooth head nodding bass line as Nesby soulfully croons about a special and secret place in prayer that we can escape to when the storms of life come.

Other notable tracks include, “Sad But It’s True,” a funk driven track that will become an anthem for both men and women as it showcases Nesby’s  “Lula Lee” persona that bluntly ‘keeps it real,’ addressing the lack of responsibility both men and women sometime demonstrate in their relationships.

“Higher,” reflects the place that all of us have found ourselves in at some point in time when things seem wrong and you pray asking God to bring you out of the circumstance.

Taking a serene approach in rhythm & praise, Nesby’s delivers laid back grooves in “When the Praises Go Up” and “Sow Love” demonstrating the range of her vocal dexterity. ‘The Lula Lee Project’ is a musical montage of situations everyone faces and is consistent in the theme of God’s love and devotion toward us all when we believe.

Nesby by far is a music industry mainstay with a career spanning over 20 years in music, theater, and film. With a bevy of accolades - multiple Grammy and Stellar award nominations; Ann Nesby is one of music’s elite and the singer that American Idol’s Randy Jackson called “one of the best singers in the world!”

Ann Nesby aka “Lula Lee” is the embodiment of what it is to be soulful. Listen and you will be inspired!