Syleena Johnson Live in London Soul Gigs News. Date Posted: 06 March 2013
Syleena Johnson Live in London
30-31st March 2013 Jazz Cafe
Syleena is the daughter of blues/soul singer and music producer Sylvester “Syl” Johnson, who recorded with numerous artists in the 1950s and ’60s before starting a solo career in the mid-1960s. She grew up in the suburbs outside of Chicago and developed a love for music and singing at an early age and even participating in the Gospel choir at Thornridge High School in Dolton, Illinois. Her father, did not encourage her singing career, since he’d had his ups and downs in the industry.
Syleena’s life before becoming a known artist had several setbacks including having to have surgery to remove nodules on her vocal chords, which required two years of speech therapy to recover from.
In 1996, Syleena transferred back home to Illinois State University, still focusing on a music major. In 1997, she cut a demo tape which eventually led to her being signed by Jive Records. Syleena used her life experiences in the songs on her debut album, Chapter 1 : Love, Pain & Forgiveness, which was released in May, 2001. Thus far, Syleena has released five albums, all of which deal with very personal themes and real-life situations. All albums have been critically acclaimed though not huge sellers commercially.
After a ground breaking unique release of her fifth album “Chapter V: Underrated. Grammy nominated RNB sensation is set to release her Acoustic Aoul Sessions digital EP on Shanachie Entertainment. The New EP is an online acoustic album release performance of Chapter V Underrated that Syleena presented before an intimate in studio audience and fans worldwide via stageit.com.
More recently Syleena has also added television to her roster as a co star in the TV One hit docu series RNB Divas (airs Monday nights) which also stars Faith Evans, Monifah Nicci Gilbert and Keke Wyatt. Syleena’s passion for health, fitness and nutrition has lead her to develop a fitness DVD called Mommy’s Got Soul.
If that wasn’t enough, Syleena Johnson takes it back to the origins of Soul Music with the “Rebirth of Soul”, a 10 strong compilation of vintage classics from 1956 – 1972. This project reunintes Syleena Johnson and her father, the legendary Syl Johnson who is the master behind the project as executive producer. The Rebirth of Soul will be released in the second half of 2013.
Fans should expect a dynamic performance with songs performed from past, present and future.
The shows take place on the Easter WKD, with an After Party with DJs Rampage on Bank Holiday Sunday 31st March. Best priced ticket as always via the Soulgigs Box Office.
