Kendra Ross
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Kendra Ross is an African-American singer, songwriter, performer, intellectual and social activist from Pittsburgh, PA (though born in Youngstown, OH) who now resides in Brooklyn, NY. She got her start singing in church and performing with the Civic Light Opera Mini Stars of Pittsburgh. After many years of working in Musical Theater, Kendra went on to work as a vocalist with celebrated artists such as Kanye West, Talib Kweli, Omar (British Soul Singer), Faith Evans, Rita Coolidge and many more. She has appeared on NBC’s The Today Show and BET’s 106 and Park and has been featured in O Magazine.
Ross' debut album titled New Voice was released in June 2007. The album was co-produced with longtime collaborator/music director Christian Ver Halen and features appearances by Talib Kweli, Eric Roberson and more. Many touring and session musicians are also featured on the album, including Teodross Avery (Amy Winehouse), Maurice Brown (Wynton Marsalis), Lonnie Plaxico (Cassandra Wilson), Chris Rob (John Legend), Daniel Sadownick (Matisyahu), and Skoota Warner (Santana). The album has been well received in the U.S. and Japan where it was released by P-Vine Records in December 2007. It is said to be pending release in Europe as of January 2008.
In November 2007, Kendra was announced as the Best New Artist of the Year by Soultracks.com.
Hip hop recording artist Talib Kweli wrote in the liner notes of his album Quality (on which she wrote and performed): “Kendra’s talented, beautiful, and one of a kind.”
Ross is also an aspiring cultural anthropologist who cites Zora Neale Hurston and Katherine Dunham has two of her greatest academic influences. She received a Bachelor of Music from New York University and a Master of Arts from Brooklyn College.
As of February 2008, Kendra is continuing to support her debut album on the road throughout the U.S. and abroad in Japan and Europe.
Photo Credit: copyright 2007 Wyatt Gallery
