Jhelisa

Biography

Jhelisa Anderson, born in Jackson, Mississippi, grew up in a musical family, singing in Baptist churches across the American South as part of the Little David Family with her vocalist mother and gospel radio host father, who played piano and organ. The family toured churches and gospel events, releasing their first record when she was just five years old. At sixteen, she moved to Los Angeles, working briefly at Motown before being fired upon discovery of her singing talent, then relocated to London in the early 1990s, joining Soul Family Sensation for their album 'New Wave' on One Little Indian Records and contributing to The Shamen's 'Boss Drum' and Björk's 'Debut'.[1][2][4][7]

Fun Facts

• Fired from Motown reception job after they discovered she was a singer.[2]
• Jeff Buckley played guitar in her early LA band and wrote 'I love you Jhelisa A' in the sleeve notes of his album 'Grace'.[2]
• Drove Nina Simone to the hospital after the singer twisted her knee.[2]
• Survived Hurricane Katrina during recording of 'A Primitive Guide To Being There' in New Orleans, then relocated to Atlanta.[1]

Musical Connections

Mentors/Influences

• Nina Simone - Held a weekly residency performing her music in New Orleans; drove her to hospital after an injury (Weekly Nina Simone residency during recording of 'A Primitive Guide To Being There') [2004]

Key Collaborators

• Soul Family Sensation - Band member and vocalist ('New Wave' album) [1990]
• The Shamen - Vocalist on hit singles ('Boss Drum' album (double platinum, BPI award)) [1993]
• Björk - Backing vocals ('Debut' album) [1993]
• Jeff Buckley - Guitarist in her early band and recorded on demos (Early demos; referenced in 'Grace' sleeve notes) [early 1980s (LA period)]
• Massive Attack - Vocalist ('Heligoland' album) [2010]
• Bryan Ferry - Recording collaboration (Unspecified recordings) [1990s-2000s]
• Greg Osby - Saxophone feature ('Galactica Rush' album) [1995]
• Everton Nelson - Violinist for string quartet ('Language Electric' album) [1997]

Artists Influenced

• Chaka Khan - Recorded her song ('Death Of A Soul Diva') [post-1990s]

External Links

• Spotify
• MusicBrainz

Tags: #acid-jazz, #downtempo, #neo-soul