UB Anniversary ReVisit: Ann Nesby Talks Music + DMX

Over the next year, we’ll be spotlighting features from our e-zines from the last 25 years. T M H Entertainment, T M Hxone and Urban Bridgez.

As the longest running website for R&B online, since 1999 – We’ve been able to conduct some amazing interviews with R&B Royalty, as well Hip Hop Legends.

UB has also been blessed to speak with some of black cultures, biggest icons, in film, television and literature.

Today the multi talented Ann Nesby is celebrating her birthday and UB is celebrating her!

Hers is a voice that will stop you in your tracks. Just the sheer emotional intensity demands your attention. Its hard not to wax lyrical or use superlatives when describing Ann Nesby’s heart-filled, God-given gift.

Ann Nesby is a multi-talented singer, songwriter, actress and producer.

Ann Nesby‘s musical journey which began in Joliet, Illinois: “Both my parents sang: my father had his own quartet while my mother had her own gospel group. They would rehearse with both groups at home and there was always a piano close by so music was always right there in the household. My mother – who was a big fan of Mahalia Jackson’s – used to teach me about performance, vocal inflexions, and how to express what a song was about. She told me as a child that God was going to use me to bless people with my voice…”

By the tender age of three, Ann had begun sharing her special innate vocal talent at Mount Zion Baptist Church. Two years later, she had her first appearance before a large audience, when as the youngest president of the church Sunshine band, she traveled to Chicago to perform at a Baptist convention.

A performance in Chicago on a show with The Edwin Hawkins Singers proved to be turning point and while gospel favorites like Andrae Crouch, The Reverend James Cleveland, and Shirley Caesar were constant musical influences, Ann was also exposed to R&B. “My mother was a big Aretha Franklin fan and I would hear all of her music. I even won a local talent contest with Aretha’s Chain Of Fools,” Ann stated for her biography.

An invitation to participate in the musical “Sing Hallelujah” followed and after a 1986 premiere in Cincinnati, the critically-acclaimed show moved to The Village Gate in New York for a six-month run. In 1987, Ann began working with longtime friend (husband and manager) Tim Lee on her first demo and was looking to start a solo career when a trip to Minneapolis to see her sister Shirley Marie Graham literally changed Ann‘s life.

Graham had been singing with the much-acclaimed Sounds Of Blackness for several years, performing with the group in their annual productions and during the visit, Ann was asked by Sounds founder Gary Hines to participate in “Music For Martin,” a tribute to Dr. Martin Luther King. Moving to Minneapolis in 1988, Ann became a full member of The Sounds Of Blackness. That same year, super-hitmakers Jimmy Jam & Terry Lewis came to see the group perform and in 1991, The Sounds became the first act on Jam & Lewis‘ Perspective Records.

In 1991, to great critical acclaim, “The Evolution Of Gospel” was released, spawning Top 10 R&B; hits with “Optimistic,” “Testify” and “The Pressure,” all of which featured Ann on lead vocals. The set also garnered a 1991 Grammy Award for Best Gospel Album by a Choir.

Ann participated in the 1992 recording of the award-winning Handel’s Messiah (“A Soulful Celebration”) and in between constant touring both in the U.S. and Europe, Ann began nurturing her skills as a songwriter, working with fellow Sounds member, the late great James Wright.

During her remaining years with The Sounds, Ann contributed several songs to the groups recordings including “Soul Holiday,” for the 1992 release, “The Night Before Christmas” and “I’m Going All The Way,” “He Took Away All My Pain,” and “A Place In My Heart” for the 1994 best-selling album “Africa To America: The Journey Of The Drum,” singing lead on all three tunes.

With The Sounds Of Blackness, Ann performed at the Grammys, The NAACP Image Awards, The Soul Train Music Awards, and The Essence Awards, thrilling from concert halls in London to churches in Los Angeles with her powerhouse singing style, touring the U.S. with legendary Luther Vandross and winning rave reviews from critics and fans alike for her show-stopping performances.

Gary Hines showed love to Ann Nesby In Our 2011 Interview

“Our association with Ann, we talked about the Sounds of Blackness starting in the 70’s. Well our association with Ann and her incredible sister Marie and of course her daughter Jamecia who is singing lead on “Fly Again,” with them goes back to the late 60’s. My Church in MN at the time and her Church in IL were sister Church’s. So in the summer’s we would alternate, one summer they would come here and the next we would go there, with their choir and minister.

So people would be like who is Marie’s sister? That sounds so much like Aretha, so that association goes back that far. Fast-Forward to 1989, Ann relocated to the Twin Cities and joined Sounds of Blackness, as they say the rest is history.

Now she’s gone on to a stellar solo career, but we have a saying in the Sounds, once a Sound, always a Sound. She will be the first to tell you that, along with some other artists alumni that your readers may not know about like Alexander O’Neal is a former Sounds member.”

Ann Nesby stated, “The group’s impact was impressive considering we were a gospel group with an inspirational song that crossed over to urban mainstream. It set the pace for inspirational/gospel music to be embraced by urban radio for years to come.”

That door soon opened other doors for The Sounds of Blackness as a top back-up group. The late great Prince not only invited the choir to perform guest vocals on his Batman soundtrack (Scandalous and Bat Dance), but also to share the stage with him for live versions of “The Cross,” and “I Wish U Heaven,” during the hometown stints of his 1989 “Lovesexy” tour.

During its career, Sounds of Blackness have performed or recorded with everyone from Quincy Jones and Elton John to Dolly Partin and Usher. The group’s music has also been featured on several soundtracks, including the one for 2010 Academy Award winner “Precious.”

After the success of the Sounds debut album, Ann Nesby worked alongside international superstar STING on the 1993 title track “Demolition Man” for the blockbuster film starring Sylvester Stallone and Wesley Snipes.

In 1994, Ann also began writing for other artists: Patti LaBelle cut her tune “The Right Kind Of Lover,” and took into the R&B; Top 10, while Gladys Knight recorded “Home Alone” for her 1994 “Just For You” album.

In 1995, she began recording her all-important first solo album for Perspective Records “I’m Here for You.” Released in the summer of 1996, the record ultimately spent an amazing sixty weeks on the R&B best-selling lists.

“I’m Here For You” is composed of 13 songs from a variety of genres and features such noted musicians as guitarist Paul Jackson Jr., saxophonist Gerald Albright, bassist Freddie Washington, and drummer Ricky Lawson.

Producers of the project included Steve “Silk” Hurley, Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis, Jimmy Wright, and Joe Powell. The album utilizes the Perri Sisters for background vocals, as well as her daughter Jamecia.

“I’ll Do Anything For You” was the albums first hit single and two tracks, the emotionally-powerful “I’m Still Wearing Your Name” and “This Weekend” garnered sufficient airplay to be featured on Billboards R&B charts.

The Minneapolis based artist wrote or co-wrote every song on “I’m Here For You” and stated lyrics were a key component in her music. “This album is about relationships: emotional, physical, and spiritual.”

Returning to her other love of theater, Ann Nesby began a production with then emerging playwright Tyler Perry in his first stage play “I Know I’ve Been Changed.” Initially meant to be short run Ann Nesby headlined the stage play alongside the likes of Tyler Perry and Gospel singing sensations Lashun Pace and Latrice Pace from 1998 through 2000.

Ann starred in David E. Talbert’s 2011 stage production “What My Husband Doesn’t Know,” starring Morris Chestnut, Brian White and Destiny’s Child’s Michelle Williams, and Clifton Davis touring nationally.

Ann Nesby returned with her sophomore album, “Put It On Paper,” in 2002, the album’s lead single “Put It On Paper” featuring the Rev. Al Green produced by “Big Herb Middleton” yielded Ann her first solo Grammy Nomination for Best Traditional R&B Vocal Performance in 2003, solidifying her as a force to be reckoned with.

The album featured truth-telling ballads such as “I Cant Get Over You” and “I’m Your Friend,” a duet with producer/keyboardist and artist Big Jim Wright. Ann and the late great Big Jim were friends since their childhood in Rockford, Illinois. Ann is the reason Big Jim moved to Minneapolis.

Making her motion picture debut, Ann Nesby scored the supporting role of Aunt Sally Walker in the 2003 musical comedy “The Fighting Temptations” opposite Cuba Gooding, Jr. and Beyoncé.

“Make Me Better” also came in 2003, earning Ann another Grammy Nomination for Best Contemporary Soul Gospel Performance in 2004. A year later 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.

Suffering a health scare in 2005, congestive heart failure, due to the rigors of extensive touring, poor diet, and weigh issues, Ann Nesby shed over 100 lbs, regaining control of her health and new image.

By 2006 Ann Nesby continued to diversify her range as a recording artist with the release of her first traditional Gospel release “In The Spirit.”

“Ann Nesby the Best of Live” CD/DVD was released in 2007.

“This Is Love,” spawned Ann yet another Grammy nominated single, “I Apologize.”

The critically acclaimed “The Lula Lee Project,” came in 2009, a hybrid blend of funky up-tempo contemporary and soulful Gospel and inspirational songs, aimed at showcasing the edgier side of her artistry. Collaborating with creatively eccentric Gospel artist Tonex, Ann Nesby’s lead single “I Found a Place” positioned the album to peak at #13 on Billboard’s Top Gospel Album Chart and #57 on the Top R&B/ Hip-Hop Album Chart.

In 2018 Ann Nesby, appeared in the Netflix series “Hap & Leonard.” Portraying a mysterious Blind Tillie in a scene with the late greats Michael K. Williams and Lou Gossett Jr.

Last year Ann Nesby starred in the stage play “Tina: The Tina Turner Musical,” playing Anna-Mae Bullock’s Gran Georgeanna in the national tour of the Broadway hit.

In 2002 Aries from UB, spoke to the amazingly talented Ann Nesby via our then e-zine T M H, for the release of her album “Put It on Paper.”

Ann shares why she moved to Atlanta, from Minneapolis and how she ended up recording the album in so many locations.

Ann Nesby also talks about working with Al Green, what she enjoys outside of music and her love for DMX and more!

UrbanBridgez.com: How did you end up in Atlanta? I know you lived here in Minneapolis & your kids still reside here.

Ann Nesby: I was in Atlanta visiting my husbands sister, doing a promotion for a Christmas special for a pay-per-view Christmas show. We stayed through new years & we were out on her deck grilling new years eve with shorts on. That is how I ended up here. After that moment I was like I am here for good. That August we were here signing the papers for our home. I’ve been here four years this past February.

UrbanBridgez.com: How is it that you ended up recording the album in so many locations all over the world?

Ann Nesby: Actually working with the different producers is how it came about. Such a diverse group of producers. I began with Jimmy Jam & Terry Lewis, I wanted the Sounds of Blackness to be apart of it, they are my root. Big Jim also, who was apart of Flyte Tyme/Perspective at the time. I was doing a play entitled “I Know I’ve Been Changed.” When I was recording the title cut with Rev. Al Green we were in Philadelphia. I’m friends with Gamble & Huff & friends with Diana Williams who got us into the studio. While we were out on the road, the Rev. Al Green decided to come to Philadelphia to record the project. That was great history as well, to be able to record that music at Philly International where all that music and rich history came from. To have the legendary Al Green on the song was a blessing.

UrbanBridgez.com: What do you enjoy doing when you’re not singing?
Ann Nesby: Cooking, Family, Church, just doing special things with other people. Networking with young people. Any opportunity to sit and talk. Mentoring as well.

UrbanBridgez.com: My favorite track from the new album is “I Can’t Get Over You”, because of your voice change.
Ann Nesby: Critics love that one as well because of the tone of my voice. I’m telling a story and it’s a different passion when I’m telling it. That’s what I wanted the listeners to get

UrbanBridgez.com: What is your favorite track from the new CD
Ann Nesby: The title track with Al. Al being someone who was able to sing gospel & folk. I’m one of his #1 fans. To work with him and to be thrilled by him and his music was incredible.

UrbanBridgez.com: When do you plan to tour?
Ann Nesby: It won’t be a traditional tour, we’re setting up a play because of my love for the theater. While I’m doing my dates Al will come in & do his vocals. When Al goes out, I’ll come in & do my vocals. I’m also working with Al on a collab for a project. He did a song for me and I did one with him.

UrbanBridgez.com: Do you prefer ballads or dance tracks?
Ann Nesby: I don’t prefer one or the other. I have love for all African American music. Coming from the Sounds (of blackness) I try not to limit what I write & listen to. I write from personal experiences. I try to write from an inspirational point of view.

UrbanBridgez.com: Who do you listen to that your fans would be shocked to know?
Ann Nesby: Because of my diversity & love for music, I don’t think they will be surprised by anyone of them. Well maybe DMX, people think because of the age you can’t feel it. DMX has a good message, I can draw from that. My daddy use to say you can learn from anybody.

UrbanBridgez.com: What would you like to pass along to your fans?
Ann Nesby: My message has always been put God first. Work hard as you can, hold on to your dreams. God has a plan for your life. Don’t get frustrated because if you trust God everything will work out.