| Jazz |
“Hope Resurgence” is the debut album by Nadia Washington, and what an album it is! A vocalist and multi-instrumentalist, Nadia made her first performance in a church that could accommodate five thousand people at the age of 5. This marked the beginning of her passion for the stage. Delving seriously into her art, her mother invited her to sing alongside her at certain concerts. Eventually, Nadia began singing with her during studio sessions for clients like Frito Lay and McDonald’s. She also took part in numerous studio sessions with major artists such as David and Tamela Mann from the new TV sitcom “Tyler Perry’s Meet the Browns.”
We find ourselves in front of a perfectly mastered album, which is rare for a debut, but considering Nadia’s journey, it’s not surprising. “Hope Resurgence” is the opening track of this album and sets the tone for a work that oscillates between soul, jazz, and R&B. The distinctive traces can be identified through deep bass tones that resonate through the speakers. I have no comparisons to make with other artists; Nadia has her own personality.
Born and raised in Dallas, TX, Nadia began showing signs of her artistic calling at the age of 3. She was surrounded by some of the best musicians in the Dallas metroplex from a young age. Of course, one of them, in particular, was her mother, Nelda Washington, who made waves in hotel bars and lounges in the late ’80s and early ’90s. As a single parent, her mother took her to studio sessions and hotel concerts. It was the beginning of her education. “When I was a baby, I watched her work attentively, never making a sound. It was fascinating to watch my mother perform.”
It is clear that Nadia is poised for a successful career. The album is a true wonder both vocally and in terms of compositions and arrangements. Even the album cover is boldly assumed and exudes the same beauty as the music within. More than just a singer, Nadia is a genuine performer, delivering vocal intentions just where they’re needed and conveying her emotions with disarming sincerity. Track after track on this album, she becomes an actress in her inner world. Although “Hope Resurgence” is Washington’s first release as a leader, the vocalist has been active in the music scene and across various musical genres for over a decade. She can be heard alongside performers like Esperanza Spalding, Lalah Hathaway, Dianne Reeves, Terri Lynn Carrington, and the late George Duke.
Nadia Washington has a true vision for her music, unlike any other. With this album alone, there’s enough material for a musical, and there’s no doubt it would be a well-deserved success. It’s one of the most beautiful vocal albums I’ve had in my hands in recent years, and one can only wish her a very long and successful career. For the Bayou Blue Radio and Paris-Move editorial teams, it’s unquestionably an “Essential” album if you appreciate beautiful voices and good music.
Thierry De Clemensat
USA correspondent – Paris-Move
Editor in chief Bayou Blue Radio, Bayou Blue News
PARIS-MOVE, January 14th 2024
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