Dionne Farris

Biography

Dionne Yvette Farris, born December 4, 1969, in New Jersey, began her artistic journey early, singing in elementary school, performing in high school choir and musicals like Annie in Bordentown, New Jersey, and studying tap dance for 10 years at the Irene Parker Dance Studio in Hamilton Township. As a teenager, she competed in talent shows and pageants, winning 'Miss Hemisphere's Adult Talent' in 1987 by singing Whitney Houston's 'Saving All My Love for You.' After high school in 1987, she briefly studied photography in college, joined bands like 2.0 (later Breaking Ground) performing in New York City clubs, and moved to Atlanta where she met producer Jermaine Dupri, wrote songs for groups like TLC, sang backups, and briefly joined the girl group Onyx.

In the early 1990s, Farris gained prominence providing vocals on three tracks, including the hit 'Tennessee,' for the hip hop group Arrested Development's album 3 Years, 5 Months & 2 Days in the Life Of..., though she was never an official member and left in September 1992 after conflicts with leaders Speech and Headliner. She then collaborated with Milton Davis and David Harris on a demo that led to a Columbia Records deal championed by Randy Jackson. Her 1994 debut solo album Wild Seed – Wild Flower, co-produced with Michael Simanga and Jackson, featured the Top 5 Billboard Hot 100 single 'I Know,' earning a 1996 Grammy nomination for Best Female Pop Vocal Performance and a Billboard Music Video Award. Known for her neo-soul style blending pop, R&B, hip hop, and jazz influences, Farris faced label disputes, leaving Columbia after her unreleased second album For Truth If Not Love (later issued in 2007).

Embracing independence, Farris founded Free & Clear Records around 2008 to maintain artistic control and support other artists. Subsequent releases include Signs of Life (2011, her first self-produced album), Dionne Get Your Gunn (2013) with the Russell Gunn Quartet, DionneDionne (2014, a tribute to Dionne Warwick reaching Top 5 iTunes Jazz and Top 20 Billboard Jazz charts) with Charlie Hunter, and features like 'Hopeless' for Love Jones (1997) and vocals on The Royal Krunk Jazz Orkestra's Get It How You Live (2018). Praised by icons like Prince, her legacy endures through innovative genre fusion and resilience in the industry.

Fun Facts

• Won 'Miss Hemisphere's Adult Talent' in 1987 singing Whitney Houston's 'Saving All My Love for You' at a beauty pageant.
• Studied photography in college after high school but pursued music; also danced tap for 10 years starting at age three.
• Founded her own label, Free & Clear Records, around 2008 to avoid traditional industry pitfalls and mentor other artists.
• Received praise from Prince and recorded 'Hopeless' for the 1997 film Love Jones, becoming a modern classic.

Musical Connections

Mentors/Influences

• Randy Jackson - Signed her to Columbia Records after reviewing her demo; co-producer (Wild Seed – Wild Flower (1994)) [early 1990s]
• Jermaine Dupri - Met in Atlanta; early producer connection aiding songwriting and backups (Songs for TLC and others) [late 1980s-early 1990s]

Key Collaborators

• Arrested Development - Provided guest vocals as unofficial extended family member; performed live and on TV ("Tennessee," "Fishin' 4 Religion," "Give a Man a Fish" on 3 Years, 5 Months & 2 Days in the Life Of...)
• Michael Simanga - Co-producer on debut album (Wild Seed – Wild Flower (1994))
• Milton Davis - Collaborated on demo leading to record deal (Demo tape for Columbia) [early 1990s]
• David Harris - Collaborated on demo leading to record deal (Demo tape for Columbia) [early 1990s]
• Russell Gunn Quartet - Featured vocalist (Dionne Get Your Gunn (2013))
• Charlie Hunter - Teamed up for jazz tribute album (DionneDionne (2014))

External Links

• Spotify