From Batman's Bruce Wayne, Superman's Clark Kent, to Wonder Woman's Diana Prince, all represent the dichotomy that lie within us all. This dichotomy within ourselves represent an ability to demonstrate on one hand reserve and "staying in the box," yet when prompted the alter ego of self emerges going beyond what is normal or expected. This yin-yang concept is personified and demonstrated by Ann Nesby's eighth solo album aptly entitled, The Lula Lee Project.
So who exactly is "Lula Lee?"
"My friends and fans may see me as mild mannered as Ann Nesby, 'Lula Lee' represents for me the edgier side of who I am musically and personally," explains Nesby.
Before the introduction of 'Lula Lee,' Ann Nesby was the born and raised in Joliet, Illinois by her Christian parents and singing the hymns of Zion in church. Launching her career in the 1980s as a singer with Rueben Lightfoot & Victory Singers out of Chicago ; she went on to sing background for Patti Labelle to recording with gospel legend, Rev. James Cleveland and the Gospel Music Workshop of America. After her work with the GMWA, Nesby joined Donald Lawrence's off Broadway gospel musical production 'Sing Hallelujah.'
In 1987 after relocating to Minneapolis on a suggestion from her sister Marie Bennett, Nesby's life would forever be changed. Bennett who had been singing with the then regionally renowned group The Sounds of Blackness encouraged her younger sister to join the group. Popular music producers, Jimmy Jam & Terry Lewis were also based in Minneapolis and working with emerging pop icon Janet Jackson. While taking a break from recording, Jam, Lewis, and Jackson witnessed the Sounds of Blackness performing their rendition of "A Night Before Christmas." Jackson insisted that Jam & Lewis sign the group as their first act on their newly formed label Perspective Records.
Jam & Lewis made Nesby the lead singer of the group, her vocal dexterity and creative songwriting contributions led to several top 10 hit singles - "Optimistic," "I Believe," "The Pressure," to "I'm Going All The Way." Dominating the charts in the 90s, the Sounds of Blackness became a household name and sound all led by the distinctive vocal power that only Ann Nesby could deliver.
After winning two Grammy awards in 1991 and 1993 with The Sounds of Blackness, Nesby penned the chart topping single "The Right Kinda' Lover" for industry colleague and friend Patti Labelle and wrote the soul stirring ballad "Home Alone" for Gladys Knight's 'Just For You' album in 1994. Under the auspices of music industry geniuses Jimmy Jam & Terry Lewis, Nesby launched her solo career in 1996 with the critically-acclaimed album 'I'm Here For You'. Her debut album included the women-empowerment theme "I'm Still Wearing Your Name" and the romantic ode for husband and wife, "This Weekend". 'I'm Here For You' spent an impressive 60 weeks on the R&B best-selling lists.
Following the critical acclaim of her debut album Nesby broadened her creative repertoire as an actress, starring in renowned playwright and movie director, Tyler Perry's first stage play, 'I Know I've Been Changed' in 1998 through 2000. Returning to her musical passion, Nesby dominated the music charts again in 2000 with "Lovin' Is Really My Game" and "Love Is What We Need" which peaked at #1 and #2 respectively on Billboard's Dance Charts from her dance anthology, 'The Dance Essentials,' released in 2001.
With the release of her 2002 full length sophomore album 'Put It On Paper,' featuring the legendary soul singer Reverend Al Green on the album's title track. The album's lead single, "Put It On Paper" yielded Nesby her first solo Grammy Nomination for Best Traditional R&B Vocal Performance in 2003, solidifying her as a force to be reckoned with.
Making her motion picture debut, Nesby scored the supporting role of Aunt Sally Walker in the 2003 musical comedy The Fighting Temptations opposite Gooding, Jr. and Beyonce Knowles. That same year she returned musically with the release of her third album, the inspirational treasure chest of urban grooves entitled 'Make Me Better.' The album garnered Nesby yet another Grammy Nomination Best Contemporary Soul Gospel Performance in 2004. In 2005 she was nominated once more for a Grammy, Best Gospel Performance for her work on 'The Fighting Temptations Soundtrack' for the duet "The Stone "with Gospel legend Shirley Caesar.
