Vocalist Nnenna Freelon is a seven-time Grammy nominee and multiple award-winning artist. Freelon has earned a well-deserved reputation as a compelling and captivating live performer.
Nnenna is also a wife, mother, and sister who has experienced life’s amazing gifts, and also its heartbreak. She lost her soulmate and husband, renowned architect Phil Freelon, to ALS in 2019. Then, she lost her sister Debbie to cancer in 2020. Here, these tragedies have reshaped her way of being in the world.
Her award-winning podcast, Greatgrief with Nnenna Freelon, is her effort to create a safe space. There, she shares others’ stories of loss and grief, and helps build and strengthen community through words and music.
Through these difficulties, Nnenna has received remarkable accolades in the past few years. First, she was inducted into the North Carolina Music Hall of Fame. Second, Nnenna received another Grammy Award nomination for her recent album, 2021’s Time Traveler. Additionally, she was featured in a Grammy stage appearance on the pre-telecast. Third, she received the 2022 Jazz Masters Award from the prestigious Women’s Jazz and Blues Association of Palm Springs.
As touring in live performance returned after the pandemic, Nnenna starred in the critically acclaimed show “Georgia on My Mind: Celebrating the Music of Ray Charles”. Also appearing in the show were Take 6, Tom Scott, Kirk Whalum and Clint Holmes. Moreover, she is no stranger to the music of the master singer – she toured with Ray Charles! Additionally, she has performed with Al Jarreau, George Benson, Benny Golson, Ellis Marsalis, and others.
Recommended for fans of Lizz Wright, Dee Dee Bridgewater, Sarah Vaughan and Karrin Allyson.
