Vaneese Thomas
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Vaneese Thomas

| INDIE | AFTRA

| INDIE | AFTRA
Band R&B Soul

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Press


"Paul Shaffer Review"

“With righteous interpretations of sophisticated soul classics, Vaneese
Thomas reminds us: she’s the real deal!” - Paul Shaffer


- Segue Records


"Eddie Floyd Review"


“For those of you who have that taste for soul music, you have to get
the new album by Vaneese Thomas. She is soulful, powerful and tasteful.
12 soul flavors all in one bowl, and bon appétit. - Eddie Floyd
- Segue Records


"San Antonio Express-News -"

San Antonio Express-News -
Vaneese Thomas
Soul Sister Vol. 1
(Segue Records)

Step aside, warbling balladeers, overreaching vocal gymnasts and Auto-Tune divas, a real woman with a real, big, natural voice is coming through.

Vaneese Thomas, daughter of soul/R&B icon Rufus Thomas and sister of classic R&B singer Carla Thomas, is too much of a Southern lady to push you out of the way physically. This salute to (mostly) Southern soul queens should do the aural trick.

Known for backing Aretha Franklin, Luther Vandross, Foreigner, the Black Crowes, Celine Dion and many others, Thomas steps out front to pay tribute to singers who influenced, inspired and entertained her.

She covers classics such as Tell Mama (Etta James) and Nutbush City Limits (Tina Turner), more obscure songs including Hypnotized (Linda Jones) and Make Me Yours (Betty Swann), and adds the original It's Killin' Me for good measure. Soul trumps tricks every time.

— Jim Beal Jr. - San Antonio Express-News -


Discography

"Vaneese" Geffen Records.
"When My Back's Against The Wall" Peaceful Waters.
"A Woman's Love" Segue Records.
"Soul Sister Vol. One" Segue Records.

Photos

Bio

Vaneese Thomas was born in Memphis, Tennessee, the daughter of legendary R&B musician Rufus Thomas. Today, Vaneese’s mission is to continue the legacy set by her influential father and carry on the heritage of Memphis music and traditional R&B that touches generations and crosses divides. Vaneese has cultivated her own style by blending all the influences of her background -- R&B, gospel, blues and jazz, and her voice has led her to numerous countries, genres, performers and audiences. Highly regarded by industry insiders, Vaneese’s talents as an accomplished performer, songwriter, producer, and actress, have helped place her as a sought-after solo performer as well as a desired vocalist contributing to other top-name performers.
Vaneese has worked with an array of internationally known performers including Luciano Pavarotti, Sting, Stevie Wonder, Natalie Cole, B.B. King, Eric Clapton, Luther Vandross, Michael Jackson, Chaka Kahn, Joe Cocker, Celine Dion, Annie Lennox, Patti LaBelle and many others.
She has performed in Europe, Asia, and in the U.S. at concerts and festivals, including the Pavarotti & Friends 2002 for Angola concerts in Modena, Italy; the Porretta Soul Festival; the Montreux Jazz Festival in Switzerland; the Michael Jackson & Friends concert with Luther Vandross in Seoul, Korea and Munich, Germany; and with Japanese Jazz Saxophonist Sadao Watanabe; as well as working with the Norwegian musical group, Dance with a Stranger. In September 2006, Vaneese performed at the Narni Soul Festival in Italy and in 2009 at the Umbria and Porretta Festivals. Vaneese has also produced recordings, created vocal arrangements, and has written songs for Patti Austin, Freddie Jackson, Bob James, Larry Coryell and Melba Moore, as well as working with renowned producer Phil Ramone. In 1995, Diana Ross scored a Top Ten hit in the UK with “One Shining Moment,” a song written by Vaneese.
In 1987 Geffen Records released Vaneese, which included the Top Ten R&B hit, "Let's Talk it Over." In 1999, Vaneese's When My Back's Against The Wall, a gospel/crossover record, was released on her own Peaceful Waters Music label. Billboard Magazine hailed the record as, "A small label masterpiece that begs for attention from savvy majors." In 2003, Vaneese released A Woman's Love – an R&B record that included a smooth jazz single accompanied with Vaneese’s silky vocals.
In addition to her concert and studio work, Vaneese also lends her voice to characters, movie soundtracks and television, which credits include Disney’s Hercules as the voice of Clio the Muse, Goddess of History (1997); Anastasia (1997); Mighty Aphrodite (1995); The First Wives Club (1996); Everyone Says I Love You (1996); and the Oscar-nominated Seraglio (2000), among others. From 1990 to 1996, Vaneese appeared as Grace the Bass on the PBS series Shining Time Station. Her other TV appearances include the Late Show with David Letterman, Late Night with Conan O'Brien and NBC's Today.
Vaneese’s songs are available on iTunes and Amazon. For more information on Vaneese Thomas, view www.vaneesethomas.com.