Ann Nesby | |
|---|---|
 Nesby in 2019 | |
| Background information | |
| Birth name | Lula Ann Bennett |
| Also known as | Lula Lee |
| Born | July 24, 1955 Chicago, Illinois, U.S. |
| Origin | Joliet, Illinois, U.S. |
| Genres | Gospel, R&B, dance |
| Occupation(s) | Singer, actress |
| Labels | Perspective/A&M, Universal Records, It's Time, Child |
Ann Nesby (born Lula Ann Bennett; July 24, 1955)[1] is an American R&B, gospel and dance music singer and actress. She is the former lead singer of Sounds of Blackness;[2] a songwriter with credits including hits sung by Patti LaBelle and Gladys Knight; and an actress who co-starred in the 2003 romance musical The Fighting Temptations with Cuba Gooding Jr. and Beyoncé Knowles.
Nesby had various appearances on the hit television series American Idol and Queen Sugar. In 2000, she duetted with Al Green on "Put It on Paper". Nesby has been nominated four times since her departure from Sounds of Blackness, most recently for her 2007 album This Is Love; plus the lead single "I Apologize" was nominated for a Grammy at the 2008 Grammy Awards.
Career
Nesby joined Sounds of Blackness in the late 1980s. Sounds of Blackness were awarded two Grammys in 1991 and 1993, and Nesby sang on a number of their tracks including "I Believe," "Optimistic," "I'm Going All the Way," "Soul Holiday," and "The Pressure."
In 1996, Nesby released her debut solo album, I'm Here for You. In the UK, her Witness EP peaked at #42 on the UK Singles Chart in December 1996,[3] and Hold On EP at #75 in 1997.
Tyler Perry cast Nesby in a lead role in his 1998-2000 stage production, I Know I've Been Changed. By 2002, Nesby released her second album, Put It on Paper. The lead single of the same title featured Al Green, leading Nesby to her first solo Grammy nomination in 2003, and the album included Nesby's first #1 song on the dance chart, "Lovin' Is Really My Game", a cover version of the 1977 hit dance tune by Brainstorm.
She appeared in the 2003 film, The Fighting Temptations. Nesby subsequently garnered three additional Grammy nominations between 2004 and 2008.[4]
Her latest album, The Lula Lee Project debuted at #13 on the US Billboard's Top Gospel Album Chart and #57 on the R&B chart. Nesby's latest nominations include Best R&B Performance By a Duo or Group with Vocal for her duet with Calvin Richardson, "Love Has Finally Come at Last" and Best Traditional R&B Vocal Performance for "Sow Love".
Nesby is an honorary member of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc.[5]
Discography
Albums
| Year | Album |
|---|---|
| 1996 | I'm Here for You |
| 2001 | Love Is What We Need: The Essentials |
| 2002 | Put It on Paper |
| 2003 | Make Me Better |
| 2003 | The Fighting Temptations movie soundtrack |
| 2006 | In the Spirit |
| 2007 | This Is Love |
| 2009 | The Lula Lee Project |
| 2014 | Living My Life |
Other contributions
| Year | Song | Artist | Album |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2001 | "Keep Ya Head Up" | Jadakiss | Kiss tha Game Goodbye |
| 2002 | "Praisin His Name" | Jasper Street Co. | - |
| 2004 | "Spread Love" | Kenny Bobien | - |
| 2007 | "Best Friends" | Paris Bennett | Princess P |
| 2007 | "It's So Easy" | DJ Spen & MuthaFunkaz | - |
| Year | Title | Character | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2012 | David E. Talbert's What My Husband Doesn't Know | Elenor | Play |
See also
References
- ↑ "Singer Ann Nesby Sheds More Than 100 Pounds And Says She's Happier". Jet. Johnson Publishing Company. 30 January 2006. Retrieved 7 July 2010.
- ↑ Bush, John. "Biography: Ann Nesby". Allmusic. Retrieved 15 April 2010.
- ↑ Roberts, David (2006). British Hit Singles & Albums (19th ed.). London: Guinness World Records Limited. p. 390. ISBN 1-904994-10-5.
- ↑ "Ann Nesby". GRAMMY.com. 2020-11-23. Retrieved 2020-12-03.
- ↑ Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Incorporated Announces Newest Class of Honorary Members