Ledisi Shares 'Pieces of Me'

Verve Forecast recording artist Ledisi will strut her stuff on the Live @ Best Buy stage for a special meet and greet and in-store acoustic performance in Fairless Hills at 7 p.m. today.

Ledisi (pronounced Led-uh-see), born in New Orleans and raised in Oakland, is one of R&B music’s rising talents. Her Grammy-nominated body of work additionally showcases elements of acoustic, jazz and pop. Not one for slacking, she lays it all on the line vocally whether live or in the studio and brings an unquenchable passion to each song’s delivery. This is effectively evidenced by the recent success of her breakout single Pieces of Me which ascended to the No. 7 slot of the Top Ten on Billboard’s Adult R&B Charts.

Produced by the stalwart Chuck Harmony, Pieces of Me is the leadoff single from her album of the very same name. While this is in fact her first top ten hit, it very well may not be her last. The vibrant piano, sincere vocal delivery and melodic chorus bear testament to a well-crafted song omnipresent on Urban Adult Contemporary radio formats across the country. All things considered, it’s a solid introduction into mainstream radio and perhaps the mainstream in general. The album overall is a testimony to the complexity of a woman. Her strengths, her weaknesses, her vulnerabilities, her inner being and ideas about love and commitment are all on display.

Today’s performance marks a return of sorts to the area as Ledisi recorded the album’s dreamy, mid tempo I Gotta Get to You with the Grammy-nominated production tandem Carvin and Ivan (Musiq, Jill Scott, Faith Evans). When asked about the experience of working together on their contribution to the album, Carvin noted, “Ledisi is one of the most talented vocalists I’ve ever seen and heard.” He also made a point to add that she is “humble in spirit.” It can only help right?

Ledisi’s previous albums leading up to this release have received both critical acclaim and the respect of her industry peers. 2007’s Lost and Found garnered two Grammy nominations including one for Best New Artist. The 2009 follow up Turn Me Loose repeated the feat with two more Grammy nods and a No. 1 debut on the Billboard R&B chart to boot. These acknowledgements are proof positive that her creative efforts are paying off! It seems all the “Pieces” are coming together.