Ledisi Experience
First I would like to Congratulate Dedry Jones on the surprise award he received from Universal Music Group on Friday night. It’s great to see Dedry being recognized for his contributions to the music industry but also the contributions to the community providing us with something as special as The Music Experience events which gives you some personal insight into the artist.
The Ledisi Experience was amazing a very up close and personal look at an artist with one of the best voices I have heard in many years. As usual it started with an introduction into Ledisi’s background her upbringing in New Orleans and Oakland. Both her parents were musicians and her mother and stepfather had a group that played different kinds of music with her mother as the lead singer. This is where Ledisi got an early insight on how to give the crowd your all. She spoke of singing being her outlet growing up in Oakland and using it as a way to deal with family drama and the usual childhood drama. Her mother’s influence was evident as she performed shows for her sister and stuffed animals which was fun to hear. Her high school years were the usual teenage struggles but Ledisi used singing to get through them and to also gain friends. The chemistry between Ledisi and Dedry was a great addition to the Q&A session on her background.
As Dedry told the story of how he first heard about her at a music conference you could sense the energy was going to another level. He started by playing songs from her first album “Soul Singer” which she co wrote all the songs they were all very soulful and melodic with a nice bass. The track that I liked was “Take Time” real laid back and chill had me doing the cool shoulder move in my seat.
Ledisi’s second album Feeling Orange but Sometimes Blue a jazz album which included standard jazz songs as well as some newer jazz songs. Dedry played “Straight No Chaser” and I was in heaven thought I was at Blue Note or Village Vanguard her jazz range is crazy I loved it.
In talking about her third album it was like listening to old friends talk she was open and honest about her feelings about the music industry. The third album “Lost and Found” received two Grammy nominations and featured the jam “Alright” which is one of my favorite tracks. The story Ledisi told of her sitting in front row of Grammy’s and texting while camera was on her. The Chicago audience showed her love by signing right along with the song. I agree with Dedry, Ledisi should make a dance album that would be hot as he played the dance version of “Alright” I was ready to hit the dance floor in addition he mentioned adding one live song to her albums. They ran through some tracks from her Christmas album which were very good I am not a big Christmas album fan but these were different you could listen to at any time of year. I was quite impressed that she wrote new Christmas songs for this album. Dedry then played a song from her new album “Turn Me Loose” which was outstanding had that 70’s funk-soul-rock feel. I was very impressed that she discussed finding her lane and doing music she wanted to do and trying different styles on her new album and not caring about what anyone thought but her. On another note I was very happy she answered the last question about who was the best interviewer she had been interviewed by… which of course was no other than the charismatic, funny, and witty Dedry Jones.
The mini performance, which we were all waiting for did not disappoint, she sung from the new album. I was very impressed just her two background singers and a bass guitar player she didn’t need a full band to take us there. She has a sassy stage presence and took us to church on “Higher Than This” showing us she is ready to take the risk and if the listener is ready they will enjoy the ride. She closed out with the audience favorite “Alright” which had the people on their feet singing right along. A great performance
If anyone wasn’t a Ledisi fan before I know they are now after this Experience her upbeat personality, great voice, charisma, and stage presence would win anyone over. Leidisi mentioned becoming a legend she is well on her way with the above mentioned qualities…