Grammy-nominated R&B singer-songwriter Syleena Johnson, daughter of the legendary blues and soul singer Syl Johnson, combines classic soul and R&B style with a uniquely sultry voice. The Chicago-based songstress has collaborated with everyone from Kanye West and Common to Anthony Hamilton. Her 11th studio album, Woman, dropped in 2020.
NJPAC’s free outdoor concert Sounds of the City will feature the soul and R&B songstress this Thursday. Her sultry voice shines on every song—whether it’s a heartfelt confessional or an empowering battle cry. A thrillingly emotional songwriter with nine acclaimed studio records, “Syleena squeezes more heart out of a single verse than many can out of an entire album” (SoulTracks).
Here’s a look at the remainder of this season’s performances:
AUGUST 5
Tony Vega
Born in the town of Salinas, Puerto Rico, salsa master Vegas grew up in New York City, where he began his musical career playing bongo in an all-children’s band. He soon began singing as well as drumming and went on to perform alongside salsa stars Gilberto Santa Rosa, Eddie Palmieri and Tito Puente before striking out on his own, recording several hit albums including Yo me Quedo and Lo Mio es Amor.
AUGUST 12
Le’Andria Johnson
Grammy award-winning gospel singer-songwriterJohnson was the season three winner of the BET gospel singing competition show Sunday Best. Her first album, The Awakening of Le’Andria Johnson, led not only to her Grammy win for Best Gospel/Contemporary Christian Music Performance but to a career on the stage, a continuing ministry as a pastor, and an appearance on the hit Oxygen series Preachers of Atlanta.
AUGUST 19
Brass Against
A New York based collective of dozens of artists, led by Brad Hammonds, Brass Against is devoted to creating brass-forward political songs that inspire fans to action. Recreating hits by Tool, Soundgarden and Rage Against the Machine and more with a super-sized brass section and fiery vocals, Brass Against has redefined protest music, garnered a huge online fan base, and created a whole new sound for speaking truth to power.
AUGUST 26
Third World
The grand finale of the 2021 Sounds of the City season is an appearance by one of the longest-lived reggae bands of all time, Third World. Combining reggae with elements of R&B, funk, pop, rock, dancehall and rap, Third World’s style has been described as “reggae-fusion.” With nine Grammy nominations and a catalog of charted smash hits including “Now That We Found Love”, ”96 Degrees in the Shade” and “Try Jah Love,” the band has toured six continents,and performed with Bob Marley, Santana and Stevie Wonder, among many others.
