The conviction of Joplin, the presence of Simone, and the fire of Winehouse, rising artist Andra Day is taking the nation by storm.
Nominated for not one, but two Grammy Awards (Best R&B Performance, Best R&B Album), Day has worked alongside producers like Adrian Gurvitz and Raphael Saadiq and collaborated with artists such as Questlove, James Poyser of The Roots, DJ Jazzy Jeffand, and The Dap-Kings of Sharon Jones & The Dap-Kings. Her booming vocals and soulful style meets smooth sultry jazz in a sweet 13-track debut album Cheers to the Fall. The album is a testament to embracing failure and a rejecting of a life ruled by fear.
Day’s quick rise to fame is a direct product of her unforgettable live performances. After a video of her performing outside a strip mall surfaced on Youtube, Stevie Wonder’s ex wife, fashion designer Kai Millard Morris, connected the two musicians. Shortly after, Spike Lee saw Day perform at Sundance Film Festival and offered to direct the video for the first single from the album, “Forever Mine.” Talent recognizes talent. Her latest single “Rise Up,” resonated with director M. Night Shyamalan, and they quickly collaborated on her newest music video.
In the aftermath of June 12th’s Orlando shooting, Day dedicated her ACL Live taping last weekend to the victims and families affected. The next afternoon, our Studio1A audience members sat mouths agape and teary eyed in awe of Day’s talent and grace. See the performance down below.
-Roxanne Zech
