N'Dambi is an American soul/jazz singer from Dallas, Texas.[2][3][4]
N'Dambi | |
|---|---|
 N'Dambi at the Vienna Jazz Festival 2010 | |
| Background information | |
| Birth name | Chonita N. Gillespie [Gilbert] |
| Born | 1970 Dallas, Texas, U.S. |
| Genres | |
| Occupation(s) | Musician, singer-songwriter |
| Instrument | Vocals, Piano |
| Labels | Concord Music Group2006–present, Cheeky-I (independent)1998-2019 |
| Website | NDambiOnline.com |
Early life
editN'Dambi is the ninth of eleven children born to a Baptist minister and missionary. Her name, "N'Dambi" means "most beautiful". Her father was a minister and singer in a quartet group. She got her professional start singing with Gaye Arbuckle, a local gospel singer, touring with Arbuckle for two years (from the ages of 18 to 20). Shortly thereafter she sang as background singer and collaborator with Erykah Badu.[5][6][3] In the liner notes for Badu's debut studio album, Baduizm (1997), she thanked N’Dambi for her backing vocals on "Certainly (Flipped It)", calling her by her nickname, "Butterfly".[7]
Career
editLittle Lost Girls Blues
editN'Dambi debut soul album Little Lost Girls Blues was recorded in 1996 in Oak Cliff, a community in Dallas. It was independently released in 1999 and went on to receive critical acclaim throughout the world. It sound scanned over 20,000 units and sold over 70,000 units worldwide. The album was primarily marketed via word of mouth lifestyle marketing, press and college radio.[8][2][9]
Tunin' Up & Co-Siginin'
editThis two disc set contains live recordings from Little Lost Girls Blues and new recordings. The album was recorded in Dallas with a group of local musicians. It featured Ode 2 Nina, was a tribute song to Nina Simone.
A Weird Kind of Wonderful
editThis album was released independently and recorded with a live band in Los Angeles, California. It has a more funk, rock, soul vibe with more influences of Mother's Finest and Tina Turner.
Pink Elephant
editPink Elephant was recorded in Santa Monica, California with producer Leon Sylvers III. N'dambi insisted the record have a modern sheen yet adhere to the sturdy influence of classic R&B and soul artists like Slave, Heatwave, Michael Jackson, Betty Davis, Isaac Hayes, Smokey Robinson, and The Sylvers. On December 2, 2010, Pink Elephant was nominated for a 2011 Grammy Award for Best Engineered Album.[2]
Work with other artists
editN'Dambi has collaborated with artists such as Keite Young, Down To The Bone, Lecrae and The D.O.C. She has also worked with Jessie J, Ariana Grande, Nicholas Payton, DJ Kemit and Snarky Puppy's Family Dinner vol. 1. N'Dambi's performance on that album earned her a SESAC Award for Best Jazz Performance.[2]
Discography
edit| Albums: |
|---|
Little Lost Girls Blues
|
Tunin' Up & Cosignin'
|
A Weird Kind of Wonderful
|
Pink Elephant
|
| Remixes/Singles: |
"Call Me" (Yam Who reworks)
|
"Can't Change Me" (Ron Trent Remix)
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"If We Were Alone" with Keite Young (AaronCarl Mix)
|
References
edit- ^ "N'Dambi, "Pink Elephant"". Billboard.com. October 9, 2009.
- ^ a b c d "N'Dambi: Interview". Soulinterviews.com. May 8, 2010.
- ^ a b Lewis, Pete. "N'Dambi: True Colors". bluesandsoul.com. Blues & Soul.
- ^ "N'Dambi". Grammy.com. The Recording Academy.
- ^ "The Spirit Of N'Dambi". Rnation.com. March 23, 2000.
- ^ "Meet N'Dambi! Badu's Back-Up Singer Makes A Name For Herself". Hellobeautiful.com. March 25, 2010.
- ^ Mitchell, Gail. "'Baduizm' at 20: Erykah Badu Explains the Album's Most Unlikely Dedications, From Steve Harvey to Craig Mack". Billboard. Retrieved December 15, 2021.
- ^ Crain, Zac. "Soul Alone". Dallas Observer.
- ^ Eustache, Joanne (February 2000). Hard Rock: Nas, Eve And Sisqo Take It To The New Millennium. Vibe Magazine. p. 169.
- ^ "N'Dambi : Call Me (Yam Who reworks)". Discogs.com.
- ^ "R2records.co.uk". R2records.co.uk.
- ^ "Keite Young N'Dambi Backspin Musiq Presents Future Soul Sessions Vol 1". Discogs.com.