Ledisi Visits Berklee

American jazz and R&B vocalist Ledisi visited Berklee from November 11 to 12 for a performance and to conduct clinics. 

December 1, 2014

American jazz and R&B vocalist Ledisi visited Berklee from November 11 to 12 to perform and to conduct clinics. At the workshops, vocal students sang prepared pieces with the help of a rhythm section. Ledisi offered them feedback on technique and artistry, with consideration for different styles and genres, and suggested different approaches where they seemed to fit.

At voice professor Gabrielle Goodman’s background vocal ensemble, Ledisi listened to students perform, then talked about her experiences as a background singer with Prince, describing how she gained respect for the role of the background singer. Now performing almost exclusively as a lead vocalist, Ledisi discussed what she looks for in her music, her band, and her background singers.

Ledisi was nominated for Grammy Awards for her albums Lost and Found and Turn Me Loose. Her fifth solo album, Pieces of Me, debuted at No. 8 on the Billboard 200 chart upon release and earned her three Grammy Award nominations, including one for Best R&B Album.

Ledisi also works as an actress and has been cast to portray singer Mahlia Jackson in the upcoming Martin Luther King Jr. biopic "Selma."