Tessanne (born September 23, 1985) is the fresh soulful voice of a new generation of Jamaican musical talent. Her sultry fusion of Dancehall and Reggae with edgy rock riffs mixed with the honest, heart felt and conscious lyrics she pens herself, creates a musical style that is uniquely her own. Her exceptional vocal talent and her exotic looks give her unmistakable stage appeal.
Tessanne has opened on stage for such musical greats as Patti Labelle, Gladys Knight, Peabo Bryson and Roberta Flack., Atlantic Star, Boyz 2 men, Keyshia Cole, Damian ‘Jr. Gong’ Marley, Ky-Mani Marley, Air Supply, Mary J Blige and Neyo amongst many others. She also toured the world as a backup singer with the Reggae Legend Sir Jimmy Cliff for three years and has collaborated with artists such as Ky-Mani Marley, Diana King, Wayne Marshall, Peetah Morgan (of Morgan’s Heritage) Shaggy, and her Sister Tami Chynn, and was one of the featured artists on the Shaggy and Friends “Save a Life” video and song in aide of the Bustamante Children’s Hospital.
Born and raised in Kingston, Jamaica, Tessanne was introduced to music at a very early age by her parents. Her mother was the trumpeter/singer in a band called the “Carnations” and her father was the drummer. Tessanne started her stage career when she was 6 years old with Cathy Levy’s “Little People and Teen Players Club” one of Jamaica’s top performing arts schools.
Tessanne learned firsthand about cultural diversity when she moved to England at the age of twelve. She devoted a lot of her time to song writing to express her feelings about her new life in what was to her, a completely different world.
Upon her return to Jamaica, Tessanne joined the Jamaican Rock Band, “Mile High” and performed for crowds at numerous local venues including Jazz fest, Rock fest, and RETV Unplugged.
“It was during this time that I came out of my shell vocally and performance wise. I learned how to really and truly sing in a different way…. my way. It was an amazing experience because I also realized my lifelong dream– to sing my own songs… I have something to say and it was a great release for me to share that part of myself with others”.
Tessanne decided to continue on the path of singing her own songs; she left Mile High to pursue a solo career and work on the tracks for her upcoming debut album with producer and friend, Rudy Valentino, Paul Kastick and many more. Songwriting for her is a very real, organic process…just some paper a pen and her acoustic guitar. A purist at heart, she believes there is life and magic in live music that can’t be duplicated using computer-generated tracks. “It is very important to me that my songs can sound amazing with a big band or orchestra, but just as powerful and touching with just me and my guitar.”
So far she is making waves in the industry, determined to make a difference with her music, and to leave her mark on everyone who has the opportunity to hear her music, or witness her Live shows such as, The air Jamaica Jazz and Blues Festival 2006, The Deck, Carlos Café, The Port Royal Music Festival, ABC Slim Trax , Welcome to Jamrock , Shaggy and Friends benefit concert, Blue Beat Unplugged and, Sumfest 2007.
Tessanne was also given the wonderful privilege to perform for her Jamaican athletes when she was asked to be part of the Puma / Jamaican Olympic team Closing Party in Beijing, China. It has been “ a dream come true.” She also performed at her very own show “Arabian Night’” and most recently “Tessanne In Concert” not to mention the countless amount of shows she’s done around the world.
From the cover Of BASIA Magazine to the pages of Sky Writings along with many other forms of media including, Caribbean Airlines, Caribbean Passport, Caribbean Essence and Air Jamaica’s very own in-flight program Island Stylee, there is no denying her unquestionable appeal.
Tessanne credits God with being her greatest influence in her life and for blessing her with the strength and determination to pursue her dream career in music.
Creatively, she draws on the strengths of a diverse group of musicians including Skunk Anansie, Pat Benatar, Diana King, Celine Dion, Aretha Franklin, Tina Turner, Mahalia Jackson, Bob Marley, Barbara Streisand and many more. With such powerful influences to inspire her, Tessanne is creating her own music with her own bold signature style. Her Debut single “Hideaway” was and still is undoubtedly the best launching pad for the career of this young new talent and with it’s success has come the ability to continue to do the music that she believes in. With the heavy rotation it received on Jamaican and Caribbean radio, as well as select stations in New York and Europe, it is clear that the world believes too. Both the single and its music video have had a groundbreaking impact on the Jamaican music Industry. Hideaway was just the beginning followed by the edgy , fun and outspoken Rock/Dancehall single “Black Books” showcasing her versatility. Then came the message by the powerful and influential “Messenger” the driving anthem that showed she didn’t just have a voice but a message to share with her fellow artists, her people, and the world.
There is so much more that is yet to be added to the story that is Tessanne, “Are yah Gonna” her next single is set to be released later on in the year and her fans and supporters can end their long wait for her greatly anticipated album, which she is currently working on to be released at the end of the year or early next year..
“There’s no Limit for me, and no limit I’m willing to put on myself where doing what I love is concerned. I was born to do what I am doing now, and just the fact that I’m able to be having a career in music and doing what I love everyday, and reaching the ears and hearts of people is for me in a sense. Success and yes… a dream come true.
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VIDEO
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RcYlq8odYA0
