Information about Kendra Ross
Kendra Ross is an African-American singer, songwriter, performer, intellectual and social activist from Pittsburgh, PA (though born in Youngstown, OH) who now resides in Brooklyn, NY. She got her start singing in church and performing with the Civic Light Opera Mini Stars of Pittsburgh. After many years of working in Musical Theater, Kendra went on to work as a vocalist with celebrated artists such as Kanye West, Talib Kweli, Omar (British Soul Singer), Faith Evans, Rita Coolidge and many more. She has appeared on NBC’s The Today Show and BET’s 106 and Park and has been featured in O Magazine.
Ross' debut album titled New Voice was released in June 2007. The album was co-produced with longtime collaborator/music director Christian Ver Halen and features appearances by Talib Kweli, Eric Roberson and more. Many touring and session musicians are also featured on the album, including Teodross Avery (Amy Winehouse), Maurice Brown (Wynton Marsalis), Lonnie Plaxico (Cassandra Wilson), Chris Rob (John Legend), Daniel Sadownick (Matisyahu), and Skoota Warner (Santana). The album has been well received in the U.S. and Japan where it was released by P-Vine Records in December 2007. It is said to be pending release in Europe as of January 2008.
In November 2007, Kendra was announced as the Best New Artist of the Year by Soultracks.com.
Hip hop recording artist Talib Kweli wrote in the liner notes of his album Quality (on which she wrote and performed): “Kendra’s talented, beautiful, and one of a kind.”
Ross is also an aspiring cultural anthropologist who cites Zora Neale Hurston and Katherine Dunham has two of her greatest academic influences. She received a Bachelor of Music from New York University and a Master of Arts from Brooklyn College.
As of February 2008, Kendra is continuing to support her debut album on the road throughout the U.S. and abroad in Japan and Europe.
Photo Credit: copyright 2007 Wyatt Gallery
External links
Kanye Omari West
Background information
Birth name Kanye West
Born June 8, 1977
Atlanta, Georgia, United States
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Faith Evans
Background information
Birth name Faith Renée Evans
Born June 10, 1973
Origin Newark, New Jersey, United States
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Rita Coolidge
Background information
Birth name Rita Coolidge
Born May 1, 1945
Origin Lafayette, Tennessee
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Eric Roberson is a Soul artist from Rahway, New Jersey, United States. He is sometimes referred to simply as Erro.
His first single, "The Moon", was released through Warner Bros. records in 1994.
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Amy Winehouse
Amy Winehouse performing in Berlin in 2007
Background information
Birth name Amy Jade Winehouse
Born 14 September 1983
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Wynton Marsalis
Background information
Birth name Wynton Learson Marsalis
Born October 18, 1961
New Orleans, Louisiana, U.S.
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Lonnie Plaxico (b. 4 September 1960) is an American jazz bassist.
Plaxico was born in Chicago, Illinois into a musical family, and started playing the bass at the age of twelve, turning professional at fourteen (playing both
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Cassandra Wilson
Jazz vocalist Cassandra Wilson performing at the "Charlie Parker Jazz Festival" in Tompkins Square Park, New York City on Sunday, August 26, 2007.
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Chris Rob is an American musician, native to Chicago and active in New York City. He has a current release, "The Official Bootleg of Chris Rob" and has performed at well respected clubs, such as Jimmy's Uptown Café in
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John Legend
Background information
Birth name John Stephens
Born December 28, 1978
Origin Springfield, Ohio, United States
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Matisyahu
Matisyahu signing autographs at the May 2006 Sasquatch! Music Festival in George, Washington
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Skoota Warner (born April 4th) is an American musician and was the former drummer from metal band Ra. Warner is currently on tour with Matisyahu.
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Santana is the name or partial name of numerous people, places and companies worldwide. It is derived from the contraction of "Santa Ana" or Saint Anne.
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P-Vine Records
Parent company Space Shower Networks Inc.
Founded December 24, 1975
Founder Yasufumi Higurashi
Akira Kochi
Genre blues, soul, etc.
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Zora Neale Hurston
Born January 15, 1891
Notasulga, Alabama, United States
Died January 28, 1960 (aged 69)
Fort Pierce, Florida, United States
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Katherine Dunham
Katherine Dunham in 1956
Born Katherine Mary Dunham
June 22, 1909
Glen Ellyn, Illinois, United States
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Brooklyn College
Motto: Nil sine magno labore ("Nothing without great effort")
Established: 1930
Type: Public
Endowment: $36.9 million
President: Christoph M.
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