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New Artist of the Year
Kendra Ross has been selected as the 2007 Soultracks.com Reader's Choice New Artist of the Year.
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Kendra Ross Nominated for New Artist of the Year
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Well, it's that time of year again. We're proud to announce the 2007 Readers' Choice Awards, the big...Well, it's that time of year again. We're proud to announce the 2007 Readers' Choice Awards, the biggest awards in the world dedicated to independent soul music.
New Artist of the Year
April Hill
Yolanda Johnson
Marcell and the Truth
Kendra Ross
Russell Taylor
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Kendra Ross - This Woman's Work
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By John Murph, BETJ.com Staff Writer
Posted July 27, 2007 — Advancing from a hooks singer to a ...By John Murph, BETJ.com Staff Writer
Posted July 27, 2007 — Advancing from a hooks singer to a bona fide solo act can be an arduous journey. Clinging on to any thread of artistic control can make the struggle even harder. But Kendra Ross prevailed as evidenced on her inviting debut disc, New Voice, which features Talib Kweli, Eric Roberson and Tiye Phoenix.
For such an illustrious resume, Ross went the independent route for New Voice. She explained to BETJ.com, her decisions to go indie. She also talked about her other career in the world of academia and about the plight of Black women in the music industry.
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BET J: You’ve been around quite awhile, singing background for people like Talib Kweli, Kanye West and Faith Evans. What took so long to release a solo album?
Kendra Ross: Well, I finally stopped worrying about other people and helping other people’s projects. Not to say that that’s a problem, but eventually I started working on my own career, realizing that all the things I was doing for other people I could do for myself.
BET J: Before you committed to singing, you had a career in the academic field, correct?
Ross: Well, I’m still kind of there. I just finished graduate school last year, and it’s something that I’m still very much interested in. I’ve been working in the music industry, actually, for a long time. I decided to go back to school and hopefully work on a doctorate. I think that’s a good second career for a musician.
BET J: What did you study in graduate school?
Ross: Well it was liberal studies with a bunch of disciplinary things. Ideally, I’d like to do cultural anthropology.
BET J: How do you see that filtering into your music career?
Ross: The reason I chose anthropology is because it’s the study of culture, people and how they live. To me, music is such a big part of that, no matter what culture or what time period in history. I love studying the music of a culture and how it informs how people live. It’s also good for musicians not to depend on other people for your income all the time.
BET J: Let’s talk about your disc. As an artistic statement, what did you want to say?
Ross: The biggest thing I wanted to say is Black women, especially, are multidimensional. We’re not just one way; we’re not just political and cultural, nor are we all about money and cars. We can be holistic and talk about love and politics. Also, we can be both the singer and producer. I think a lot of women in the music business are pigeonholed.
BET J: Was it difficult to hold on to those values throughout your years in the music business?
Ross: Definitely. I think that’s why it took me so long to do an independent album. For a long time, I didn’t think independent was the way for me to go; I was working at the major labels then. I thought going indie was a waste of time. As the industry has changed and the playing field has sort of leveled, I’ve definitely changed my perspective on that.
BET J: Do you think Black women or women, in general, get pigeonholed in the music industry when it comes to producing and playing instruments?
Ross: I think it’s women in general. I specify Black women, because I think it’s a little harder for us. Throughout history, women have just sort of felt like we can only be the beautiful person on the pedestal or a puppet. And that’s not just in music, but especially in music. Things are changing for the better. But I wish things would change for the better in Black music, which I feel is a bit stagnant right now.
BET J: At the risk of going toward stereotypes, is it even harder for women, who look like you, meaning with more conventional good looks, to be taken seriously in the music industry?
Ross: That’s a very good observation. With the exception of someone like Alicia Keys, most of the time, when a pretty woman can actually play music, people don’t really take that side of her seriously, because they can’t get passed the image. It’s sort of sad, because you’d think that physical beauty would be an asset. But I’ve found that a lot of gorgeous woman struggle to be taken serious – period.
www.bet.com/betj/
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Kendra Ross - New Voice
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"Got a new voice inside my head/ and it's saying to me/ don't be afraid of what you're feeling."
..."Got a new voice inside my head/ and it's saying to me/ don't be afraid of what you're feeling."
With these profound statements, Kendra Ross launches into her first track, the aptly titled "New Voice." With the incomparable Skoota Warner on drums and a funky guitar pluck courtesy of Christian Ver Halen, Ross sets the pace to take the listener 12 songs deep on a fantastic voyage with her flawless CD, New Voice. She backdoors that with "I'm So Okay," a track reminiscent of early Atlantic Starr with Ross' Sharon Bryant-esque vocals reiterating to a significant other that in spite of, she can make it on her own. And these are just the first two songs!
"Real Deal" finds Ross grooving along with a funky mix of musicians jamming as if they are in a high school music class while the teacher has stepped away for a moment. The sure club banger "Can I Keep It?" is laced with lyrical blessings from hip-hop wordsmiths Talib Kweli and Tiye Phoenix. And "Send Me Somebody to Love" is perfect for the "Quiet Storm" audience thanks in part to Teodross Avery's saxophone riff.
In a disc full of highlights, other notables include soul maestro Eric Roberson's duet with Ross on "Why Can't I See?" and the old-school jazz number "Man You Love Blues," complete with a thumping stand up bass that's straight from the of era of Billie and Ella.
With live instrumentation and heartfelt lyrics, New Voice is a CD that signals the dawning of a new movement in soul music: the female producer. Ross co-produced this amazing piece of work along with Ver Halen and if this project is any indication of Ross' talents, expect many great albums to come.
By Christopher Whaley
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Kendra Ross: Real Deal
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First things first: Kendra Ross is not related to Diana Ross in any form or fashion. However, one ...First things first: Kendra Ross is not related to Diana Ross in any form or fashion. However, one listen to Kendra’s voice and you will realize that her talents are just as supreme as Motown’s former first lady. Kendra is a very talented singer-songwriter with a smooth voice that takes you back to the days of Sharon Bryant (of Atlantic Starr) and Angela Winbush. Her debut CD, New Voice, is a musical mixture of R&B, soul, straight-ahead jazz, and old-school hip-hop that highlights this young lady’s musical abilities as well as her skills on the production boards. Eric Roberson, Talib Kweli, and Tiye Phoenix drop in to bless the project with their respective talents as well.
In a recent interview with SOBO Magazine, Kendra speaks in depth about her beginnings, her musical inspirations, and the creativity that sparked New Voice. In talking to Kendra, she is a very humble individual who has a sincere appreciation for music as well her collaborators. Ladies and gentlemen, we present to you Ms. Kendra Ross:
What’s happening, Ms. Kendra Ross? How are you doing today?
I am doing well.
Thank you for taking the time to sit down to talk to us here at SOBO Magazine. Your CD, New Voice, is incredible!
Thank you so very much for the compliments. I appreciate that.
So let me start by asking you about finding your gift. When did you discover your talents for music?
As soon as I could open my mouth and talk! I grew up singing in the church so I didn’t have a choice at first. As soon as I could talk, me and my cousins would all sing with our families in the church and as a result, I never stopped.
Where are you from, Kendra?
I was born in Youngstown, Ohio and that’s where I started out in the church. I was raised mostly in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
I don’t know what it is about Ohio, but several of the folks we’ve interviewed here at SOBO represent that state.
Thank you. There are a lot of talented people from Ohio, like John Legend.
Growing up, who were some of your musical influences?
Starting out, it was the Clark Sisters, Commissioned, and the Winans. When I first started listening to R&B music, the person that made the most impact on me was Anita Baker. As I got older and my musical tastes evolved, my favorites were Sarah Vaughn and Donny Hathaway. My father was an admirer of Donny Hathaway and he used to talk about him a lot and when I got older and heard his music, I was blown away.
Did you attend any particular schools or receive any type of training to enhance your talents?
Yes I did. I started out training as a dancer when I was in elementary school and then I went to the School For the Arts. I studied singing, dancing, acting, and I grew up performing professionally like local theatre in Pittsburgh. Then I went to NYU for music business and I also studied voice and theory. I’ve been working in the music industry on both sides like singing and then taking another year and working at a record label. I’ve pretty much been in the music business all my life.
So Kendra, tell us what inspired to create this amazing debut project, New Voice?
I’ve been inspired by musicians around me that just stepped out on their own, like Eric Roberson and Ledisi and people like that. I figured that God didn’t just give me this gift for me to just sit around and wait for somebody to inspire me. Just going to a lot of their shows in the past few years inspired me that I could do this for myself. This album was something that I’ve always wanted to do but I’ve been torn because I had this business mind that I could do it on my own. Then I’ve also worked at the major music label and figured that that route was the better way to do it and the market changed and I figured this was the perfect time to do it. Artists on my level are able to come out and play on the same field as those that are signed to major labels. It was just time… and I kind of got fed up and said "why am I watching Eric Roberson? And why does Eric keep coming up to me and asking when is my album gonna get done?" Some people put some fire under me and told me to get going.
When you started the process of making your album, did you set out to make an independent project or did you consider going the major label route?
This particular time, because I started the album a couple of times. I would start a few songs and told myself that maybe I should just do a demo. This time I knew I was going to do an independent album. I started in January of 2007.
You started the project in January of 2007? When did you finish it?
(Laughs) Up until the day we put it out! I was mastering in the beginning of June. I was still re-singing vocals during a mixing session at five in the morning the day before it was supposed to be mastered.
That’s amazing, Kendra! You know, not to knock anybody, but you have some artists that will make a CD and just literally slap it together and voila… there’s the project. That’s fine, but your CD packaging is so professional and this is the kind of project that I can go to a record store and see on the shelves next to a John Legend or a Mary J. Blige.
Thank you so much and I appreciate that. I waited so long to do this and I know better to not do my project like that. I’m not knocking anyone as well, but some people are at the point where their resources are low and they put the CD out just so folks can know who they are. However, I had done many shows on the New York scene and people already knew who I was. For me to come out like that would kind of be anti-climatic. Because people knew of my work with Talib Kweli and have been to my shows, I had to come out a little better than that, especially being on my own.
You co-produced this project along with Christian Ver Halen. In today’s music scene, a female producer is almost a rarity. Did you find being in the producer’s seat a challenge or was it something you embraced?
It could’ve been a challenge for me if I wasn’t strong enough to say that I don’t care what people think. From my perspective, I’ve always surrounded myself with people, particularly musicians, who say she’s cool and we can kick it but at the same time, she’s a business woman and a musician and we’re not gonna treat her any differently. It wasn’t that challenging for me because I’ve been working with these musicians off and on for years, like doing shows together.
It’s a good thing in today’s soul scene that the female producer is finally getting their just due. Let’s be real, there was a time where you could count the female producers on two hands and have some fingers left over. Now you have Angela Johnson doing her thing, you have Kelli Sae doing her thing, and now we have you on the scene doing your thing.
Those ladies laid the foundation for me. Angela Johnson and Kelli Sae are people I’ve seen on the scene for years and because of them, I said to myself that I could do this.
That’s cool, Kendra. Tell us the story behind “Can I Keep It?” featuring Talib Kweli and Tiye Phoenix.
When me and Christian are in the studio, we will start to write and he will play something on the guitar and we're just playing around. I was making up a fake rap one day and then all of a sudden, that line came to me. (Kendra sings the hook from the song.) I kept singing it over and over again and he was laughing at me and for a long time, I didn’t have a song for that. When I would perform live, I would just let the band solo on that part and then I would sing that hook. I’ve known Kweli for years and I’ve been on all his records and I’ve had something to do with everything he’s put out - either I’ve written on it, sang background, or we’ve recorded in my house. I knew Kweli had to be on something and that was perfect.
Another favorite track that we have here at SOBO is “Why Can’t I See” with a gentleman who has blessed our magazine and that is Mr. Eric Roberson. How did that song come together?
Years and years ago, two of my friends used to always talk about Eric Roberson and this was around the time he had The Esoteric Movement CD out. Over time, I got to know Eric and see him at his shows and I wanted to work with Eric one day. It just so happen that I recorded this song as a solo and the last week when we were mixing the record, I heard it and I hated it! I knew it was missing something and I needed a man on it. I knew right then that it needed to be Eric Roberson. My friend called Eric and two days later, the day we were mixing the record, he came and laid down his vocals and I did my vocals and we mixed it that night.
Eric is such a cool cat.
He is cool. He didn’t have to do that.
According to your bio Kendra, you’ve worked with another SOBO favorite - Omar.
Yes I did. I was in awe of Omar. A friend of mine plays in Omar’s U.S. band and was like… "Omar needs a female vocalist if you are available." I asked him when and where and what did I need to wear? (Laughs) I love Omar and I have been a fan for years. It was such a beautiful experience working with him and it made me feel so good because Omar’s harmonies are so tight! Working with Omar made me step up my game so much because in concert, me and the other background vocalist killed it!
Are you aware that your last name will make people wonder are you related to that other Ross of a Supreme legacy? (Laughs)
Can I tell you that I have already been through that? (Laughs) I gotta admit something: people have come to my shows, because I do the Blue Note a couple times a year, and think that I’m Diana Ross’ daughter! What’s so funny is because Rhonda (Diana’s oldest daughter) is a singer and at one time she used to have locs and I had locs as well. I had a promo picture where my eyes were closed and my head was swayed and I think people looked at that picture and saw the last name and assumed I was Rhonda. One day I was on a rumor website and there was a question that asked what was the name of Diana Ross and Berry Gordy’s daughter and it said Kendra Ross! I’m sure that will haunt me for life and that’s not a bad thing.
Another talented individual that you worked with is Skoota Warner. Is Skoota bad or what?
I will go on record and say that I’ve never worked with a drummer like Skoota before. He takes my music to a whole ’nother level. I’ve loved other drummers that I’ve worked with - don’t get me wrong - but when Skoota is onstage I have to catch myself. That boy is bad and he’s so cool! His energy is so cool. He brings a different otherness to a studio session. He’s so passionate about music and so passionate about music and he’s such a joy to work with.
What can we expect from Kendra Ross in the future?
Well you can expect many, many, many shows. I love being onstage and I’m hoping this album will open more doors and on the cool, it already has. I have more music to give and I want to do a straight-ahead jazz record and a gospel record. I’ve waited so long and it’s on now.
We know you’re gonna go very far because this is a great project, Kendra. Much success in all your endeavors and thank you so much for granting SOBO your time.
Thank you and I really appreciate you both.
http://www.sobo.moonfruit.com/kendraross/4524102649
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Kendra Ross drops debut disc
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Prepare to say you knew her when... because “New Voice,” the first of what should be many albums fro...Prepare to say you knew her when... because “New Voice,” the first of what should be many albums from Pittsburgh-native Kendra Ross, is scheduled for a Sept. 4 release. From the first listen it is apparent that the debut is aptly titled—Ross is a song stylist who interprets lyrics with a thorough understanding of vocal dynamics, range and nuances.
A former participant in the 1989 Western PA Regional Miss Black Teenage Pageant and graduate of Brashear High School, Ross joins fellow NuSoul divas Jill Scott and Angie Stone in the triple threat category as a songwriter, producer and recording artist. The world is about to find out what we’ve here in the ’Burgh have already known for a while—home girl has chops and skills.
The first (and title) track sets the tone for what is to come with ample attitude and fierce, yet effortless vocals. You can tell that she’s been inspired by the likes of Sarah Vaughn and Mary J. Blige—she can be funky yet sophisticated (“Real Deal”), she can work a ballad (“1st Time”), or eclectically fresh and jazzy (“I Got You”). The intro to “You Made The Difference” has a Stevie Wonder-ful vibe and recalls the Motown legacy that she keeps going in “New Voice.”
Being able to attract such luminary contributors as Talib Kweli, Eric Roberson, Lonnie Plaxico and Teodross Avery on her debut is a testimony to her talent. Ross is so good, that the UK press has ascribed “Divine” as a prefix.
Although Ross is at work on her sophomore effort, she plans to make Pittsburgh one of her stops as she promotes “New Voice;” and the New Pittsburgh Courier will provide the date(s) as soon as it becomes available. Her CD is available at Macedonia Baptist Church in the Hill District or online at www.akomamarketplace.com and http://cdbaby.com/cd/kendraross.
http://newpittsburghcourieronline.com/articlelive/articles/38585/1/Kendra-Ross-drops-debut-disc/Page1.html
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Kendra Ross on Dusty Groove
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It's a bold thing to call a debut album "new voice" -- but Kendra Ross more than lives up to that pr...It's a bold thing to call a debut album "new voice" -- but Kendra Ross more than lives up to that promise with this tasty little set -- a fresh, no-nonsense batch of contemporary soul tracks that should certainly put Kendra on the map! Kendra's collaborated with others in the past, and the album features guest work by Eric Roberson, Talib Kweli, and others -- but Ross is the key star here, working with a no-cliche approach to her music, and a style that's more sophisticated than some of her Neo Soul contemporaries -- often with a nice degree of jazz in the mix that reminds us of the promise we first heard in the music of Carmen Lundy. Titles include "Real Deal", "New Voice", "Send Me Somebody To Love", "1st Time", "Has2B", and "Very Well".
www.dustygroove.com
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Kendra Ross - 8 out of 10
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''I didn't realize how thirsty I was until I had something to drink.'' That's how I felt after liste...''I didn't realize how thirsty I was until I had something to drink.'' That's how I felt after listening to Kendra Ross' debut New Voice. Ross is an artist you probably haven't heard of who has done some background work for artists like Talib Kweli & Kanye West. But this soulful debut leans more heavily on Jazz & Traditional R&B than it does on Hip Hop.
The first thing that hints to this album being something different is the production or maybe a better word would be orchestration. Ross co-produced the album with Music Director Christian Ver Halen and enlisted some of today's best session musicians whou have worked with the likes of John Legend, Cassandra Wilson, Matisyahu & Santana. Tracks run the gamut from Jazz to R&B to Neo-Soul.
As a singer & songwriter, Ross is definitely gifted. Although she never ventures into dangerous territories her vocals are smooth & seductive. Her lyrics are insightful & introspective with most songs being of a personal nature. This only helps to make the songs more honest and most listeners will be able to relate. Stand out tracks include ''I'm So Okay'' & ''Why Can't I See'' a duet with Eric Roberson.
Overall this album is a wonderful debut. If you like artists like Jaguar Wright or Jill Scott than you should give this one a shot. It may be a little hard too find, as of this writing outlets like Amazon still do not have the album listed. You can find it on iTunes & CDBaby. Good hunting
hitlist.com Rating:8/10
supersonic
