Ann Nesby

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; plus she 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. 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.

Ann Nesby
Nesby in 2019
Background information
Birth nameLula Ann Bennett
Also known asLula Lee
Born (1955-07-24) July 24, 1955
Chicago, Illinois, U.S.
OriginJoliet, Illinois, U.S.
GenresGospel, R&B, dance
Occupation(s)Singer, actress
LabelsPerspective/A&M, Universal Records, It's Time, Child
Associated actsSounds of Blackness

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".

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 -
Films
Year Title Character Notes
2012 David E. Talbert's What My Husband Doesn't Know Elenor Play

See also

References
  1. "Singer Ann Nesby Sheds More Than 100 Pounds And Says She's Happier". Jet. 30 January 2006. Retrieved 7 July 2010.
  2. Bush, John. "Biography: Ann Nesby". Allmusic. Retrieved 15 April 2010.
  3. Roberts, David (2006). British Hit Singles & Albums (19th ed.). London: Guinness World Records Limited. p. 390. ISBN 1-904994-10-5.
  4. "Ann Nesby". GRAMMY.com. 2020-11-23. Retrieved 2020-12-03.
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