Anita Baker Sings Songs from the Heart
Ohio Rhythm and Blues Vocalist at Her Best
Anita Baker was born in Toledo, Ohio on January 26, 1958. She grew up in Detroit, Michigan, and, for this reason, is often thought of as the songstress from the Motor City. She was raised by her adoptive parents, Lois and Walter Landry for much of her growing up days.
Anita Baker Coming of Age in Detroit, Michigan
The rhythm and blues artist was a pre-teen when she began to sing in an area church choir. Years later, Baker would stir audiences to deep emotion the same way that she had moved church congregants deep within their souls when she was only 12 years old singing in the church choir.
Four years later the songstress was singing and performing with local groups. Her first professional gig was with Detroit’s Chapter 8. Although comprised of talented musicians and singers, the group did not go on to immediately achieve the success they wanted. Their record company fell on difficult financial times and the group eventually disbanded.
The breakup of Chapter 8 sent Anita Baker searching for work in the business and corporate arenas. According to AOL Music, early jobs, including work as a waitress, the singer landed did not pay well. As she continued to search for higher paying work, she finally secured a receptionist position at a law firm.
Early Recordings by the Rhythm and Blues Singer
Several years after she started to work at the law firm, a music executive who had worked with Chapter 8, reached out to Anita Baker and asked if she was interested in recording an album. The move sent Anita to Los Angeles to record her first solo album The Songstress.
As with many entertainers, it wasn’t Anita Baker’s first solo album, The Songstress, that got her noticed. Instead it was her second album Rapture that gained her critical acclaim.
The album was released under Elektra Records and included the hit song “Sweet Love.” Anita Baker’s smooth, soul stirring singing style was received positively by the public. Through her music the songstress brought back the smooth style of singing that rhythm and blues legends like Sarah Vaughan and Phyllis Hyman were known for.
Anita Baker’s Silky Smooth Voice and Masterful Style
It had been a long time since music lovers had heard a voice as rich and silky smooth as Anita Baker’s. People wanted to hear more of her after the release of the album’s hit single “Sweet Love” and proved it by buying eight million copies of Rapture. The album would earn Anita Baker three Grammy Awards, not a bad start for the rhythm and blues singer’s second solo album release.
In October 1988 Anita Baker released her third album Giving You the Best That I Got. This would be the album that would earn the soul singer legendary status. Baker’s third solo project landed at the Number One spot on Billboard 200. The album went on to sell five million copies.
Still with Elektra Records, Anita Baker released her fourth album Compositions in 1990 and her follow-up solo album Rhythm of Love in 1994. Baker’s solid work ethic was clearly on display. Between touring, studio recording and collaborating with other singers like Frank Sinatra and Gerald Levert, son of legendary Eddie Levert, lead singer for the O’Jays, the songstress was beginning to feel a need for a break.
Stepping Away from the Limelight Followed by a Return to the Stage
Her husband, Walter Bridgforth, Jr. and she stepped away from the limelight and started a family. The couple became parents to two sons, Walter and Edward. Ten years would pass before Anita Baker would record her next solo album. Titled My Everything, the album was released by the singer’s new record company, Blue Note Records, in September 2004.
Anita Baker’s next move would be a return to the concert touring stage. Audiences and music lovers were eager to hear her sing live again. One of her recent performances was at the Essence Music Festival in New Orleans, Louisiana at the start of July 2009. The songstress took the stage prior to Maxwell, another soul singer who has returned to the public music scene after a multi-year absence.
Thus far throughout her career Anita Baker has earned eight Grammy Awards and four American Music Awards. The singer has also been nominated for another nine Grammy Awards and an additional five American Music Awards. She was placed on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 1994.
Sources:
Artist Direct. Anita Baker Biography. 5 September 2009.
Soul Singer Anita Baker
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