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{{Short description|American musical group}}
{{About|musical group|the Canadian music awards|Sounds of Blackness Award}}
{{About|musical group|the Canadian music awards|Sounds of Blackness Award}}
{{Infobox musical artist <!-- See Wikipedia:WikiProject Musicians -->
{{Infobox musical artist <!-- See Wikipedia:WikiProject Musicians -->
Line 8: Line 9:
| alias =
| alias =
| origin = [[Minneapolis/St. Paul, Minnesota]], United States
| origin = [[Minneapolis/St. Paul, Minnesota]], United States
| genre = [[Urban contemporary gospel|Gospel]], [[Contemporary R&B|R&B]]
| genre = [[Urban contemporary gospel|Gospel]], [[Contemporary R&B|R&B]], [[Soul music|soul]]
| years_active = 1969–present
| years_active = 1969–present
| label = [[Perspective Records]]<br>[[A&M Records]]<br>Zinc Records<br>Atomic K Records<br>[[Malaco Records|Malaco Music Group]]
| label = [[Perspective Records]]<br>[[A&M Records]]<br>Zinc Records<br>Atomic K Records<br>[[Malaco Records|Malaco Music Group]]
| associated_acts = [[Paris Bennett]], [[Cynthia Johnson]], [[Alexander O'Neal]]
| website = soundsofblackness.org
| website = soundsofblackness.org
| current_members =
| current_members =
| past_members = [[Robert J. Jones]]<ref name=RJJ>{{cite web |title=Robert J. Jones |url=http://www.albany.edu/administration/robert_j_jones.php |archive-url=https://wayback.archive-it.org/all/20130508234829/http://www.albany.edu/administration/robert_j_jones.php |dead-url=yes |archive-date=8 May 2013 |date= |accessdate=14 July 2017 }}</ref><br>[[Ann Nesby]]<br>James "Big Jim" Wright (deceased)
| past_members = [[Robert J. Jones]]<ref name=RJJ>{{cite web |title=Robert J. Jones |url=http://www.albany.edu/administration/robert_j_jones.php |archive-url=https://wayback.archive-it.org/all/20130508234829/http://www.albany.edu/administration/robert_j_jones.php |url-status=dead |archive-date=8 May 2013 |access-date=14 July 2017 }}</ref><br>[[Ann Nesby]]<br>[[James "Big Jim" Wright]] (deceased)
}}
}}


'''Sounds of Blackness''' is a [[Grammy Award]]-winning [[vocal]] and [[instrumental]] ensemble from [[Minneapolis/St. Paul, Minnesota]] who perform music from several genres music including gospel, R&B, soul, and jazz.<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.soundsofblackness.com/ | title = Official Website of Sounds of Blackness| accessdate = July 14, 2014}}</ref> The group scored several hits on the [[Billboard R&B chart]] and [[Billboard Hot Dance Music/Club Play]] chart in the 1990s. [[Cynthia Johnson]] of [[Lipps Inc.]] fame and Grammy winner [[Ann Nesby]] are the group's most prominent alumni.
'''Sounds of Blackness''' is a [[vocal music|vocal]] and [[instrumental]] ensemble from [[Minneapolis/St. Paul, Minnesota]] who perform music from several genres music including gospel, R&B, soul, and jazz.<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.soundsofblackness.com/ | title = Official Website of Sounds of Blackness| access-date = July 14, 2014}}</ref> The group scored several hits on the [[Billboard R&B chart|''Billboard'' R&B]] and [[Hot Dance Music/Club Play]] charts in the 1990s. [[Cynthia Johnson]] of [[Lipps Inc.]] and [[Ann Nesby]] are the group's most prominent alumni.


==History==
==History==

===Origins===
===Origins===
The group was founded in 1969 by Russell Knighton at [[Macalester College]] in [[St. Paul, Minnesota]], and the group was called the Macalester College Black Voices. It was in 1971 when current director Gary Hines took leadership over the ensemble, and the group name was officially changed to Sounds of Blackness.
The group was founded in 1969 by Russell Knighton at [[Macalester College]] in [[St. Paul, Minnesota]], and the group was called the Macalester College Black Voices. It was in 1971 when current director Gary Hines took leadership over the ensemble, and the group name was officially changed to Sounds of Blackness.


The chief lead singer of the group was [[Ann Nesby]] until 1995 when Nesby left the group to pursue a solo career. The group continues to perform internationally. The group performed the original songs for the 1999 Disney animated short ''John Henry'' (based on the [[John Henry (folklore)|folklore character]]) as part of [[Disney's American Legends]], the short was re-released in 2015 as part of the ''Walt Disney Animation Studios Short Films Collection''. The original songs were written by Gary Hines and Billy Steele, with a score by [[Stephen James Taylor]]
The chief lead singer of the group was [[Ann Nesby]] until 1995 when Nesby left the group to pursue a solo career. The group continues to perform internationally. The group performed the original songs for the 2000 Disney animated short ''John Henry'' (based on the [[John Henry (folklore)|folklore character]]) as part of [[Disney's American Legends]], the short was re-released in 2015 as part of the ''Walt Disney Animation Studios Short Films Collection''. The original songs were written by Gary Hines and Billy Steele, with a score by [[Stephen James Taylor]].

On September 30, 2018, group member James "Big Jim" Wright was found dead at his home in [[Rockford, Illinois]].<ref>{{cite web |last1=Gay |first1=Gregory |title=The Passing of Big Jim Wright |url=http://gospelflava.com/v2/the-passing-of-big-jim-wright/ |website=gospelflava.com |date=October 2018 |publisher=Gospel Flava |access-date=2019-03-09}}</ref> Outside of Sounds of Blackness, Wright was best known as a frequent collaborator of [[Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis]] and an in-house producer for their company, Flyte Tyme Productions.


==Awards and honors==
==Awards and honors==
The group has received three [[Grammy Awards]], four [[Stellar Awards]], one [[Emmy]] nomination, the International Time for Peace Award, the International Dance Music Award, five [[NAACP Image Award]] nominations and 1 NAACP Image Award.
[[File:Sounds of Blackness - First Avenue Star.jpg|thumb|Star honoring Sounds of Blackness on the outside mural of the Minneapolis nightclub [[First Avenue (nightclub)|First Avenue]]]]The group has received three [[Grammy Awards]], four [[Stellar Awards]], one [[Emmy]] nomination, the International Time for Peace Award, the International Dance Music Award, five [[NAACP Image Award]] nominations and 1 NAACP Image Award.


Sounds of Blackness's "Time For Love" was nominated for the 7th Annual Independent Music Awards for R&B Song of the year.
Sounds of Blackness's "Time For Love" was nominated for the 7th Annual Independent Music Awards for R&B Song of the year.


Sounds of Blackness has been honored with a star on the outside mural of the [[Minneapolis]] nightclub [[First Avenue (nightclub)|First Avenue]],<ref name="FirstAveStars">{{cite web |url=http://first-avenue.com/about/thestars |title=The Stars |author=<!--Not stated--> |website=First Avenue & 7th Street Entry |access-date=2020-05-10 |archive-date=2020-04-18 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200418135117/https://first-avenue.com/about/thestars |url-status=dead }}</ref> recognizing performers that have played sold-out shows or have otherwise demonstrated a major contribution to the culture at the iconic venue.<ref name="StarTribune2019">{{cite news |last=Bream |first=Jon |url=https://www.startribune.com/10-things-you-ll-learn-about-first-avenue-in-new-minnesota-history-center-show/509374312/ |title=10 things you'll learn about First Avenue in new Minnesota History Center show |work=[[Star Tribune]] |location=Minneapolis-St. Paul, Minnesota |date=2019-05-03 |access-date=2020-05-10 }}</ref> Receiving a star "might be the most prestigious public honor an artist can receive in Minneapolis," according to journalist Steve Marsh.<ref name="MSPMag2019">{{cite news |last=Marsh |first=Steve |url=http://mspmag.com/arts-and-culture/first-avenue-star-wall/ |title=First Avenue's Star Wall |work=Mpls.St.Paul Magazine |location=Minneapolis-St. Paul, Minnesota |date=2019-05-13 |access-date=2020-05-10 }}</ref>
==Members==


==Members==
Current Active Membership
Vocalists and instrumentalists, past and present (partial list):
{{col-begin}}
{{col-2}}
===Current members===
*Taylor Grate
*Ronnie Allen
*Melissa Belfrey
*Jayn Bell
*Jamecia Bennett
*Kadejsha Kibble
*Michael Bowens
*Kimberly Brown
*Quintin Brown
*Salimah Bryant
*Ashley Commodore
*Nneka Constantino
*Charles Cooley
*Core Cotton
*Ayenna Davis
*Tim Davis
*Bridget Dawkins
*Amy Petersen Demps
*Doriel Demps
*Steve Dinkins
*Melody Doyle
*Robert Edwards
*Rodney Fair
*Graydon Francis
*Elwyn Fraser Jr.
*Terrence Frierson
*Lacie Glasper
*Marie Graham
*Alecia Russell-Hammonds
*Reginald Haney
*Carrie Harrington
*Sandy Harris
*Angela Henderson
*Quan Howell
*David Hurst
*[[Robert_J._Jones|Dr. Robert Jones]]
*Chreese Jones
*Geoff Jones
*Len Jones
*Alexandra King
*Russell Knighton
*Patricia Lacy
*Timothy W. Lee
*Wanda Lewis
*Yulanda Lunn
*Ann Nesby
*Chanel Perry
*Carl Pertile
*Tasha Prince
*Cheryl Reeves
*Charles Robinson
*Greg Sears
*Cydni Shepard
*Lynnette Simpson
*Mike Smith
*Aaron Keith Stewart
*Dorothy "DT" Townes
*Andrea Tribitt
*Libby Turner
*Victoria Udeh
*Anthony Valentino
*Tamika Wade
*Jennifer L J Whitlock
*Freddie Winston
*David Young


===Vocalists===
===Instrumentalists===
*Daryl Boudreaux - Percussion
Melissa Belfrey,
*Brandon Commodore - Drums
Jamecia Bennett,
*Trenon Graham - Drums
Quintin Brown,
*Gary Hines - Music Director & Keyboards
Ashley Commodore,
*Paul Johnson - Bass
Ayenna Davis,
*Jeanine McAdams - Keyboards
Tim Davis,
*Deevo Dee - Guitar
Bridget Dawkins,
*Juan Navarro - Trombone
Steve Dinkins,
*Larry Robinson - Drums
Rodney Fair,
*Larry Sims - Trumpet
Elwyn Fraser Jr,
*Louis James Wilson - Tenor Saxophone
Terrence Frierson,
*Billy Steele - Assistant Director & Keyboards
Lacie Glasper,
*David Wright III - Baritone Saxophone & Flute
Reginald Haney,
*Frank Wharton - Alto Saxophone
Carrie Harrington,
*Kevin Whitlock - Congas/Percussion
Alexandra King,
*Solomon Parham - Trumpet
Patricia Lacy,
{{col-2}}
Yulanda Lunn,
===Former members===
Lynnette Simpson,
Andrea Tribitt,
Victoria Udeh,
Anthony Valentino


*Taylor Grate
===Musicians===
*Sheryl Adams
Daryl Boudreaux - Percussion,
*Gregory Adams
Gary Hines - Music Director - Keyboards,
*Diane Beckley
Paul Johnson - Bass,
*Rochelle Graves Berry
Darold McCray - Guitar,
*Turan Bey
Juan Navarro - Trombone,
*Assata Brown
Larry Robinson - Drums,
*Dorothy Brown
Larry Sims - Trumpet,
*Gordon Bruce
Louis James Wilson - Tenor Saxophone,
*Keith Bushnell
Billy Steele - Ass't Director - Keyboards,
*Mike Scott - Guitar
David Wright III - Bari Saxophone - Flute,
*Ethylon Butler
Frank Wharton - Alto Saxophone,
*Demetria (Jones) Carter
*Dara Ceaser
*Roger Clarke
*Ginger Commodore
*Rita Commodore
*Robert Commodore
*Pat (Webster) Foreman
*Theo Foreman
*W.D. Foster
*Solomon Hughes - Guitar
*LaSalle Gabriel
*Michael Graham
*Kelli Hickman
*Wendy Ingram
*Deborah Keyes
*Kenneth Land
*Joyce (Manuel) Lockhart
*Cynthia Johnson
*JoAnn (Hollies) Johnson
*David E. Jones
*Bev Mahto
*Renee McCall
*Rufus McClean
*Valarie (Johnson) McCullar
*Tim McWatt
*Shelly (White) McWatt
*Otis Montgomery
*Judy Peterson
*Valerie Phillips
*Dorothy "Dot" Shelby
*Audrey Smith
*William "Bill" Smith
*Eugene Stump
*Craig "Rojeem" Taylor
*Bob Thomas
*Tim Thompson
*Roderick Wade
*Gennise (Jones) Wilson
*Richard Wilson
*James "Big Jim" Wright
*Joe Young Jr
{{col-end}}


==Discography==
==Discography==

===Studio albums===
===Studio albums===
*''[[The Evolution of Gospel]]'' (Perspective, 1991)
*''[[The Evolution of Gospel]]'' (Perspective, 1991)
*''The Night Before Christmas...A Musical Fantasy'' (Perspective, 1992)
*''The Night Before Christmas... A Musical Fantasy'' (Perspective, 1992)
*''Africa To America - The Journey Of The Drum'' (Perspective, 1994)
*''[[Africa to America: The Journey of the Drum]]'' (Perspective, 1994)
*''Time For Healing'' (Perspective, 1997)
*''Time For Healing'' (Perspective, 1997)
*''Reconciliation'' (Zinc, 1999)
*''Reconciliation'' (Zinc, 1999)
*''Soul Symphony'' (Sounds Of Blackness, 2002)
*''Soul Symphony'' (Sounds Of Blackness, 2002)
*''The Night Before Christmas II'' (Atomic K, 2004)
*''The Night Before Christmas II'' (Atomic K, 2004)
*''Unity'' (SLR/[[Lightyear Entertainemnt|Lightyear]], 2005)
*''Unity'' (SLR/Lightyear, 2005)
*''Kings & Queens - Message Music From The Movement'' (P-Vine, 2007)
*''Kings & Queens - Message Music From The Movement'' (P-Vine, 2007)
*''The 3rd Gift - Story, Song & Spirit'' (CC Entertainment, 2009)
*''The 3rd Gift - Story, Song & Spirit'' (CC Entertainment, 2009)
Line 87: Line 195:


===Compilations===
===Compilations===
*''Journey Of The Drum Remix Collection'' (Perspective, 1995)
*''Journey of the Drum Remix Collection'' (Perspective, 1995)
*''The Very Best Of Sounds Of Blackness'' ([[A&M Records|A&M]], 2001)
*''The Very Best of Sounds of Blackness'' ([[A&M Records|A&M]], 2001)
*''The Collection'' (Spectrum, 2003)
*''The Collection'' (Spectrum, 2003)
*''The Best Of Sounds Of Blackness - The Millennium Collection'' (20th Century Masters) (A&M, 2007)
*''The Best of Sounds of Blackness – The Millennium Collection'' (20th Century Masters) (A&M, 2007)


===Other appearances===
===Other appearances===
*''Mo’ Money: Original Motion Picture Soundtrack ("Joy")'' (Perspective, 1992)
* ''When Jesus Left Birmingham'' by [[John Mellencamp]] bonus track on 2005 re-issue of his album [[Human Wheels]]
*''[[A Tribute to Curtis Mayfield]] ("Amen" with Elton John)'' (Warner Bros., 1994)
*''Soccer Rocks the Globe: World Cup USA 94 ("Gloryland" with Daryl Hall)'' (Mercury Records, 1994)
*''[[Inner City Blues: The Music of Marvin Gaye]] ("God Is Love"/"Mercy Mercy Me")'' (Motown Records, 1995)
*''Whistle Down the Wind ("Vaults of Heaven" with Tom Jones, "Wrestle With the Devil")'' (Really Useful Records, 1998)
*''[[Power of Soul: A Tribute to Jimi Hendrix]]'' ([[Image Entertainment]], 2004)
*''[[Power of Soul: A Tribute to Jimi Hendrix]]'' ([[Image Entertainment]], 2004)
*''[[Jam & Lewis: Volume One]]'' ([[BMG Rights Management|BMG]], 2021)


===Singles===
===Singles===
Line 102: Line 217:
! colspan="6"| Peak chart positions
! colspan="6"| Peak chart positions
! rowspan="2"| Album
! rowspan="2"| Album
|-
|- style="font-size:smaller;"
! width="35"| <small>[[Billboard Hot 100|US 100]]</small><br><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.billboard.com/artist/280008/sounds-blackness/chart?f=379 |title=Sounds Of Blackness - US Hot 100 |publisher=billboard.com |accessdate=17 September 2014}}</ref>
! width="35"| <small>[[Billboard Hot 100|US]]</small><br><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.billboard.com/artist/280008/sounds-blackness/chart?f=379 |title=Sounds Of Blackness - US Hot 100 |website=billboard.com |access-date=17 September 2014}}</ref>
! width="35"| <small>[[Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs|US R&B HipHop]]</small><br><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.billboard.com/artist/280008/sounds-blackness/chart?f=367 |title=Sounds Of Blackness - US Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs |publisher=billboard.com |accessdate=17 September 2014}}</ref>
! width="35"| <small>[[Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs|US R&B/Hip-Hop]]</small><br><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.billboard.com/artist/280008/sounds-blackness/chart?f=367 |title=Sounds Of Blackness - US Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs |website=billboard.com |access-date=17 September 2014}}</ref>
! width="35"| <small>[[Hot Dance Club Play|US Dance]]</small><br><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.billboard.com/artist/280008/sounds-blackness/chart?f=359 |title=Sounds Of Blackness - US Dance Club Songs |publisher=billboard.com |accessdate=17 September 2014}}</ref>
! width="35"| <small>[[Hot Dance Club Play|US Dance]]</small><br><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.billboard.com/artist/280008/sounds-blackness/chart?f=359 |title=Sounds Of Blackness - US Dance Club Songs |website=billboard.com |access-date=17 September 2014}}</ref>
! width="35"| <small>US Gospel</small><br><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.billboard.com/artist/280008/sounds-blackness/chart?f=398 |title=Sounds Of Blackness - US Hot Gospel Songs |publisher=billboard.com |accessdate=17 September 2014}}</ref>
! width="35"| <small>US Gospel</small><br><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.billboard.com/artist/280008/sounds-blackness/chart?f=398 |title=Sounds Of Blackness - US Hot Gospel Songs |website=billboard.com |access-date=17 September 2014}}</ref>
! width="35"| <small>[[Swiss Hitparade|SWI]]</small><br><ref>{{cite web|url=http://hitparade.ch/search.asp?search=sounds%20of%20blackness&cat=s |title=Sounds Of Blackness - Swiss chart |publisher=hitparade.ch |accessdate=17 September 2014}}</ref>
! width="35"| <small>[[Swiss Hitparade|SWI]]</small><br><ref>{{cite web|url=http://hitparade.ch/search.asp?search=sounds%20of%20blackness&cat=s |title=Sounds Of Blackness - Swiss chart |website=hitparade.ch |access-date=17 September 2014}}</ref>
! width="35"| <small>[[UK Singles Chart|UK]]</small><br><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.officialcharts.com/artist/_/sounds%20of%20blackness/|title=Sounds Of Blackness - UK Chart |publisher=The Official Charts Company |accessdate=17 September 2014}}</ref>
! width="35"| <small>[[UK Singles Chart|UK]]</small><br><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.officialcharts.com/artist/27053/sounds-of-blackness/|title=Sounds Of Blackness - UK Chart |publisher=[[Official Charts Company]] |access-date=24 May 2021}}</ref>
|-
|-
| rowspan="2"|1991
| rowspan="2"|1991
! scope="row"| "Optimistic"
! scope="row"| "[[Optimistic (Sounds of Blackness song)|Optimistic]]"
| — || 3 || 17 || — || — || 45
| — || 3 || 17 || — || — || 45
| align="left" rowspan="5" |''The Evolution Of Gospel''
| align="left" rowspan="5" |''The Evolution of Gospel''
|-
|-
! scope="row"| "[[The Pressure Part 1]]"
! scope="row"| "[[The Pressure Part 1]]"
Line 130: Line 245:
! scope="row"| "Joy" <small>(US only)</small>
! scope="row"| "Joy" <small>(US only)</small>
| — || — || 27 || — || — || —
| — || — || 27 || — || — || —
| align="left" rowspan="1" |''[[Mo' Money (soundtrack)|Mo' Money OST]]''
| align="left"| ''[[Mo' Money (soundtrack)|Mo' Money OST]]''
|-
|-
! scope="row"| "Soul Holidays / Joy" <small>(UK only)</small>
! scope="row"| "Soul Holidays / Joy" <small>(UK only)</small>
| — || — || — || — || — || 79
| — || — || — || — || — || 79
| align="left" rowspan="1" |''The Night Before Christmas - A Musical Fantasy''
| align="left"| ''The Night Before Christmas – A Musical Fantasy''
|-
|-
| rowspan="1"|1993
| 1993
! scope="row"| "I'm Going All The Way" <small>(UK only)</small>
! scope="row"| "I'm Going All the Way" <small>(UK only)</small>
| — || — || — || — || — || 27
| — || — || — || — || — || 27
| align="left" rowspan="2" |''Africa To America; The Journey Of The Drum''
| align="left" rowspan="2" |''Africa to America: The Journey of the Drum''
|-
|-
| rowspan="4"|1994
| rowspan="4"|1994
Line 147: Line 262:
! scope="row"| "Gloryland" <small>(with [[Daryl Hall]])</small>
! scope="row"| "Gloryland" <small>(with [[Daryl Hall]])</small>
| — || — || — || — || 37 || 36
| — || — || — || — || 37 || 36
| align="left" rowspan="1" |''[[1994 FIFA World Cup|Official Theme Song Of World Cup USA 94]]''
| align="left"| ''[[1994 FIFA World Cup|Official Theme Song Of World Cup USA 94]]''
|-
|-
! scope="row"| "Everything Is Gonna Be Alright"
! scope="row"| "Everything Is Gonna Be Alright"
| — || 29 || 10 || — || — || 29
| — || 29 || 10 || — || — || 29
| align="left" rowspan="3" |''Africa To America; The Journey Of The Drum''
| align="left" rowspan="3" |''Africa to America: The Journey of the Drum''
|-
|-
! scope="row"| "I'm Going All The Way"
! scope="row"| "Everything Is Gonna Be Alright (remix)"
| — || 39 || 41 || — || — || 14
| — || 39 || 41 || — || — || —
|-
| rowspan="2"|1995
! scope="row"| "I'm Going All the Way" <small>(UK only)</small>
| — || — || — || — || — || 14
|-
|-
| rowspan="1"|1995
! scope="row"| "Black Butterfly" <small>(US only)</small>
! scope="row"| "Black Butterfly" <small>(US only)</small>
| — || 86 || — || — || — || —
| — || 86 || — || — || — || —
|-
|-
| rowspan="1"|1996
| 1996
! scope="row"| "Children Of The World"
! scope="row"| "Children of the World"
| — || 90 || 19 || — || — || 141
| — || 90 || 19 || — || — || 141
| align="left" rowspan="1" |''People: A Musical Celebration Of Diversity OST''
| align="left"| ''People: A Musical Celebration of Diversity OST''
|-
|-
| rowspan="1"|1997
| 1997
! scope="row"| "Spirit"
! scope="row"| "Spirit"
| — || 29 || — || — || — || 35
| — || 29 || — || — || — || 35
| align="left" rowspan="1" |''Time For Healing''
| align="left"| ''Time for Healing''
|-
|-
| rowspan="2"|1998
| rowspan="2"|1998
! scope="row"| "The Pressure (new remixes)" <small>(UK only)</small>
! scope="row"| "The Pressure (new remixes)" <small>(UK only)</small>
| — || — || — || — || — || 46
| — || — || — || — || — || 46
| align="left" rowspan="1" |''single only''
| align="left"| single only
|-
|-
! scope="row"| "Try"
! scope="row"| "Try"
| — || — || — || — || — || —
| — || — || — || — || — || —
| align="left" rowspan="1" |''Reconciliation''
| align="left"| ''Reconciliation''
|-
|-
| rowspan="1"|2005
| 2005
! scope="row"| "Unity"
! scope="row"| "Unity"
| — || — || — || 29 || — || —
| — || — || — || 29 || — || —
| align="left" rowspan="1" |''Unity''
| align="left"| ''Unity''
|-
|-
| rowspan="1"|2011
| 2011
! scope="row"| "Fly Again"
! scope="row"| "Fly Again"
| — || 93 || — || 22 || — || —
| — || 93 || — || 22 || — || —
| align="left" rowspan="1" |''The Sounds Of Blackness''
| align="left"| ''The Sounds of Blackness''
|-
|-
|align="center" colspan="13" style="font-size:8pt"| "—" denotes releases that did not chart or were not released.
|align="center" colspan="13" style="font-size:8pt"| "—" denotes releases that did not chart or were not released.
Line 202: Line 320:
==External links==
==External links==
* [http://www.soundsofblackness.org Sounds of Blackness official website]
* [http://www.soundsofblackness.org Sounds of Blackness official website]
* [https://www.facebook.com/SoundsBlackness Sounds of Blackness Facebook page]
* [https://twitter.com/soundsblackness Sounds of Blackness Twitter page]
* [http://video.tpt.org/video/2365582928/ Sounds of Blackness - The Drum (Africa to America)] Video produced by ''[[Twin Cities PBS]]''
* [http://video.tpt.org/video/2365582928/ Sounds of Blackness - The Drum (Africa to America)] Video produced by ''[[Twin Cities PBS]]''

{{Sounds of Blackness}}


{{Authority control}}
{{Authority control}}
Line 211: Line 329:
[[Category:American dance music groups]]
[[Category:American dance music groups]]
[[Category:Musical groups established in 1969]]
[[Category:Musical groups established in 1969]]
[[Category:Musical groups from the Twin Cities]]

Latest revision as of 12:05, 18 July 2024

This article is about musical group. For the Canadian music awards, see Sounds of Blackness Award.
Sounds of Blackness
OriginMinneapolis/St. Paul, Minnesota, United States
GenresGospel, R&B, soul
Years active1969–present
LabelsPerspective Records
A&M Records
Zinc Records
Atomic K Records
Malaco Music Group
Past membersRobert J. Jones[1]
Ann Nesby
James "Big Jim" Wright (deceased)
Websitesoundsofblackness.org

Sounds of Blackness is a vocal and instrumental ensemble from Minneapolis/St. Paul, Minnesota who perform music from several genres music including gospel, R&B, soul, and jazz.[2] The group scored several hits on the Billboard R&B and Hot Dance Music/Club Play charts in the 1990s. Cynthia Johnson of Lipps Inc. and Ann Nesby are the group's most prominent alumni.

History

[edit]

Origins

[edit]

The group was founded in 1969 by Russell Knighton at Macalester College in St. Paul, Minnesota, and the group was called the Macalester College Black Voices. It was in 1971 when current director Gary Hines took leadership over the ensemble, and the group name was officially changed to Sounds of Blackness.

The chief lead singer of the group was Ann Nesby until 1995 when Nesby left the group to pursue a solo career. The group continues to perform internationally. The group performed the original songs for the 2000 Disney animated short John Henry (based on the folklore character) as part of Disney's American Legends, the short was re-released in 2015 as part of the Walt Disney Animation Studios Short Films Collection. The original songs were written by Gary Hines and Billy Steele, with a score by Stephen James Taylor.

On September 30, 2018, group member James "Big Jim" Wright was found dead at his home in Rockford, Illinois.[3] Outside of Sounds of Blackness, Wright was best known as a frequent collaborator of Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis and an in-house producer for their company, Flyte Tyme Productions.

Awards and honors

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Star honoring Sounds of Blackness on the outside mural of the Minneapolis nightclub First Avenue

The group has received three Grammy Awards, four Stellar Awards, one Emmy nomination, the International Time for Peace Award, the International Dance Music Award, five NAACP Image Award nominations and 1 NAACP Image Award.

Sounds of Blackness's "Time For Love" was nominated for the 7th Annual Independent Music Awards for R&B Song of the year.

Sounds of Blackness has been honored with a star on the outside mural of the Minneapolis nightclub First Avenue,[4] recognizing performers that have played sold-out shows or have otherwise demonstrated a major contribution to the culture at the iconic venue.[5] Receiving a star "might be the most prestigious public honor an artist can receive in Minneapolis," according to journalist Steve Marsh.[6]

Members

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Vocalists and instrumentalists, past and present (partial list):

Discography

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Studio albums

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  • The Evolution of Gospel (Perspective, 1991)
  • The Night Before Christmas... A Musical Fantasy (Perspective, 1992)
  • Africa to America: The Journey of the Drum (Perspective, 1994)
  • Time For Healing (Perspective, 1997)
  • Reconciliation (Zinc, 1999)
  • Soul Symphony (Sounds Of Blackness, 2002)
  • The Night Before Christmas II (Atomic K, 2004)
  • Unity (SLR/Lightyear, 2005)
  • Kings & Queens - Message Music From The Movement (P-Vine, 2007)
  • The 3rd Gift - Story, Song & Spirit (CC Entertainment, 2009)
  • The Sounds of Blackness (Atomic K, 2011)

Compilations

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  • Journey of the Drum Remix Collection (Perspective, 1995)
  • The Very Best of Sounds of Blackness (A&M, 2001)
  • The Collection (Spectrum, 2003)
  • The Best of Sounds of Blackness – The Millennium Collection (20th Century Masters) (A&M, 2007)

Other appearances

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Singles

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Year Single Peak chart positions Album
US
[7] 		US R&B/Hip-Hop
[8] 		US Dance
[9] 		US Gospel
[10] 		SWI
[11] 		UK
[12]
1991 "Optimistic" — 3 17 — — 45 The Evolution of Gospel
"The Pressure Part 1" — 16 1 — — 71
1992 "Testify" (US only) — 12 7 — — —
"Optimistic / Testify" (UK only) — — — — — 28
"Pressure (Pt. 1) (CJ Mackintosh Remix)" (UK only) — — — — — 49
"Joy" (US only) — — 27 — — — Mo' Money OST
"Soul Holidays / Joy" (UK only) — — — — — 79 The Night Before Christmas – A Musical Fantasy
1993 "I'm Going All the Way" (UK only) — — — — — 27 Africa to America: The Journey of the Drum
1994 "I Believe" 99 15 1 — — 17
"Gloryland" (with Daryl Hall) — — — — 37 36 Official Theme Song Of World Cup USA 94
"Everything Is Gonna Be Alright" — 29 10 — — 29 Africa to America: The Journey of the Drum
"Everything Is Gonna Be Alright (remix)" — 39 41 — — —
1995 "I'm Going All the Way" (UK only) — — — — — 14
"Black Butterfly" (US only) — 86 — — — —
1996 "Children of the World" — 90 19 — — 141 People: A Musical Celebration of Diversity OST
1997 "Spirit" — 29 — — — 35 Time for Healing
1998 "The Pressure (new remixes)" (UK only) — — — — — 46 single only
"Try" — — — — — — Reconciliation
2005 "Unity" — — — 29 — — Unity
2011 "Fly Again" — 93 — 22 — — The Sounds of Blackness
"—" denotes releases that did not chart or were not released.

See also

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References

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  1. ^ "Robert J. Jones". Archived from the original on 8 May 2013. Retrieved 14 July 2017.
  2. ^ "Official Website of Sounds of Blackness". Retrieved July 14, 2014.
  3. ^ Gay, Gregory (October 2018). "The Passing of Big Jim Wright". gospelflava.com. Gospel Flava. Retrieved 2019-03-09.
  4. ^ "The Stars". First Avenue & 7th Street Entry. Archived from the original on 2020-04-18. Retrieved 2020-05-10.
  5. ^ Bream, Jon (2019-05-03). "10 things you'll learn about First Avenue in new Minnesota History Center show". Star Tribune. Minneapolis-St. Paul, Minnesota. Retrieved 2020-05-10.
  6. ^ Marsh, Steve (2019-05-13). "First Avenue's Star Wall". Mpls.St.Paul Magazine. Minneapolis-St. Paul, Minnesota. Retrieved 2020-05-10.
  7. ^ "Sounds Of Blackness - US Hot 100". billboard.com. Retrieved 17 September 2014.
  8. ^ "Sounds Of Blackness - US Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs". billboard.com. Retrieved 17 September 2014.
  9. ^ "Sounds Of Blackness - US Dance Club Songs". billboard.com. Retrieved 17 September 2014.
  10. ^ "Sounds Of Blackness - US Hot Gospel Songs". billboard.com. Retrieved 17 September 2014.
  11. ^ "Sounds Of Blackness - Swiss chart". hitparade.ch. Retrieved 17 September 2014.
  12. ^ "Sounds Of Blackness - UK Chart". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 24 May 2021.
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