Amel Larrieux Biography

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Biography Amel Larrieux

Amel Larrieux


Amel Larrieux (born March 8 1973) is an American R&B and soul singer, songwriter, and keyboardist.

Biography

Larrieux was born and raised in New York City, New York's Greenwich Village. Her African-American mother, Brenda Dixon Gottschild, was a dance critic and professor. Her father is European-American of French, English, and Scottish descent. Larrieux was raised in a very artistic environment and was surrounded by talented and inspirational artists. Many of her influences are drawn from R&B, soul, jazz, folk, hip hop, and gospel with flashes of Middle Eastern, West African, and Indian ethnic styles. She has often been documented for describing her music as "Amel's music". Larrieux currently resides in New York City with her husband, Laru, and two daughters, Sanji Rei and Sky (born in August 1998). Her forename Amel means "hope" in Arabic.

Groove Theory

Larrieux started her music career in 1995 as half of the R&B/hip hop duo Groove Theory along with Bryce Wilson. Their 1995 release Groove Theory spawned several radio hits such as "Tell Me", "Keep Trying", and "Baby Luv". The duo were also featured on successful motion picture soundtracks such as Sunset Park and Love Jones. Larrieux, pursuing a solo career, would not be involved in the duo's eventually-shelved second release The Answer. Makeda Davis would step in as lead singer until Groove Theory officially disbanded in 2001.

Solo career

Larrieux co-wrote and co-produced her first solo album Infinite Possibilities (US #79) along with husband Laru Larrieux under Epic Records; the album produced the minor hit "Get Up". Some tracks from the album, such as closing track "Make Me Whole", could be described as acid jazz, which is a musical genre that combines elements of jazz with soul, or funk.

Her second album Bravebird (US 166#), released under the Blisslife Records label in 2004, spawned the midtempo radio single "For Real" which showcases her ablitity to utilize the whistle register,and inspired Ebony Magazine to rave about her "ethereal high-octave vocals that bring to mind Minnie Riperton."

Her third effort Morning (US#74) was released in April 2006 and features the single " Weary". It's her highest charting album to date.

On May 22, Larrieux released a Jazz Standard album titled Lovely Standards. The album sold 3,700 units in its first week on store shelves.

She is also featured on 2pac's 2007 double disc Greatest hits album enitled Thug and Life, on the previously unreleased songs: Resist The Temptation and Dopefiend's Diner.

Discography



Singles



Videos

  • Groove Theory: "Tell Me" (Epic, 1995)
  • Groove Theory: "Keep Tryin" (Epic, 1995)
  • Sweetback feat. Amel Larrieux: "You Will Rise" (Epic, 1996)
  • Amel Larrieux: "Get Up" (Sony 550/Epic, 2000)
  • Amel Larrieux: "Sweet Misery" (Sony 550/Epic, 2000)
  • The Roots feat. Amel Larrieux: "Glitches (The Skin You're In)" (2001)
  • Amel Larrieux: "For Real" (Blisslife, 2004)
  • Amel Larrieux: "Weary" (Blisslife, 2006)


Trivia

  • In high school, she went to her senior prom with Roots-drummer Ahmir "?uestlove" Thompson.
  • Often performs live with her eyes closed.
  • Participated in BET's AIDS awareness campaign "Rap It Up". A portion of her song "Giving Something Up" was used in the commercial.
  • Larrieux's song "Get Up" can be heard on the soundtrack of the film Barbershop 2.


References

External links





1973 birthsAfrican-American singer-songwritersAmerican female singersAmerican jazz keyboardistsAmerican jazz singersAmerican record producersAmerican rhythm and blues keyboardistsAmerican rhythm and blues singer-songwritersAmerican soul keyboardistsAmerican soul singersEnglish AmericansFrench AmericansLiving peopleNeo soul singersNew York City musiciansPeople from Greenwich Village, New YorkScottish-AmericansWomen in jazz


Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Amel Larrieux
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