Andra Day, Rise Up
Carried by enough conviction to incite cultural change, Andra Day’s full-length debut Cheers to the Fall [Buskin Records / Warner Bros. Records] garnered a 2016 GRAMMY® Award nomination in the category of “Best R&B Album, ” while its anthemic Platinum lead single “Rise Up” achieved a nod for “Best R&B Performance.”
Quietly recognized amongst some of music’s most legendary names, the singer paid tribute to Ray Charles at The Smithsonian and shared the stage for performances with everyone from Chinese piano virtuoso Lang Lang, Bonnie Raitt, and Stevie Wonder to Ellie Goulding, Alicia Keys, and John Legend. She has achieved the prestigious “Powerhouse Award” at the Billboard Women in Music event.
The chanteuse kicked off 2017 with two show-stopping performances at the 48th Annual NAACP Image Awards and a knockout Bee Gees tribute during the 59th Annual GRAMMYs®. Hyatt welcomed Andra as the voice of its “For A World Of Understanding” campaign, breathing new life into the Burt Bacharach and Hal David classic, “What The World Needs Now Is Love.” Moreover, she voiced Sweet Tea in the summer blockbuster Cars 3, covering Bruce Springsteen’s “Glory Days” during a standout sequence.
In late 2017, Andra released the moving anthem “Stand Up For Something” [feat. Common] from the Marshall Official Soundtrack Album and film. The movie also marked Andra’s on-screen debut. Andra Day and Common performed “Stand Up For Something” at the 60th Annual Academy Awards where the song was nominated for Best Original Song.
Rockabilly head scarf tied tight and voice booming bright, Andra Day resonates with passion, perseverance, and power amongst audiences everywhere.
The freedom of expression is the most powerful human tool we have, and Andra has developed a style and voice that is unequivocally her own. She channels iconic female performers from the 1940s and 50s like Ella Fitzgerald, Lucille Ball and Billie Holiday and exudes vintage, eclectic and retro style, that will always be classic.
She uses her platform as an artist to bring awareness to issues that affect all people. She has the ability to speak to the soul through her music and her authenticity. Her hit single “Rise Up” has been used as a battle cry for women empowerment as well as those who are impoverished and repressed.
Andra Day supports multiple charities including Unlikely Heroes, Global Fund for Women – a nonprofit that supports gender equality and girls’ and women’s rights; The Samburu Project, American for the Arts, and Urban Arts Partnership – of which she is on the artistic member’s board. She voices support for initiatives she believes in, including Common’s Imagine Justice to reform the juvenile justice system.
To learn more about Andra, visit www.andraday.com.
Reprinted courtesy of Arts Management Magazine
