| Ann Nesby | |
|---|---|
| Birth name | Lula Ann Bennett |
| Also known as | Lula Lee |
| Born | July 24, 1955 |
| Origin | Joliet, Illinois, United States |
| Genres | gospel, R&B, and dance music |
| Occupations | Singer, actress |
| Labels | Perspective/A&M, It's Time Child |
| Associated acts | Sounds of Blackness |
Ann Nesby [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 Beyonce Knowles. Nesby had various appearances on the hit television series American Idol. Nesby has been nominated four times since her departure from the 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.
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Nesby joined Sounds of Blackness in the late 1980s. The 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. Her "Witness Ep peaked at #42 in the UK Singles Chart in December 1996.[3]
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 "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.
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".
Nesby's parents are Reverend Perry Bennett and Shirley Bennett. Nesby is the mother of ten, grandmother of eleven, and great grandmother of one. Nesby has been married to Timothy Lee since 1994. Nesby's granddaughter is former American Idol contestant and recording artist Paris Bennett.
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 |
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 | - |