Being considered in four
preliminary Grammy categories for her debut album, “Conversations,” in her
first year as a NARAS voter provided smooth soul singer-songwriter Selina
Albright an entirely new perspective about what her father, contemporary jazz
saxophone giant and eight-time Grammy nominee Gerald Albright, experienced
while she was growing up.
“When I was little and my dad would tell me that he was up
for a Grammy, I didn’t realize how life-changing the process of getting on that
final ballot must have been for him - the hundreds of tracks he must’ve been
introduced to, the wonderful people he must’ve met, how big and multi-faceted
the world of music must’ve seemed by the time he’d finished voting, and how
much it must have meant to him to be nominated out of the multitudes. Now, I’m
beginning to understand the magnitude of the honor and responsibility of being
a voting member, which I take seriously,” reflected Albright about her father
who makes a guest appearance playing flute on “Conversations.”
Albright is a Best New Artist candidate in the midst of a
breakthrough year that began with the release of the album’s attention-grabbing
first single, “Eat Something,” a joyous affirmation of self-love and acceptance
while in a romantic relationship with lyrics that make it okay to pack on some
extra weight. Like the nine originals she penned for the collection, the Best
R&B Song contender is inspired by intimate conversations she’s had with
family, friends and loved ones. The track is receiving airplay and has charted
at two different radio formats: urban adult contemporary and
smooth/contemporary jazz.
A few months after releasing “Conversations,” the Best
R&B Album aspirant issued “Possible” to radio, an empowering single on
which Albright unleashes the full power and magnitude of her impassioned
four-octave voice, delivering a worthy Best R&B Performance entrant.
“Conversations” is a deeply personal and revealing set that Albright describes
as a “therapeutic diary.” Chris “Big Dog” Davis, James “JRob” Roberson and
Albright produced the session that features performances by Gerald Albright,
Peter White, Kay-Ta Matsuno, Randy Ellis and David P. Stevens.
Throughout the year, Albright has supported “Conversations”
with concert dates across the country, selling out clubs and playing packed
theaters and festivals on shared bills, including shows with her father. She
was invited on a 24-city Christmas concert tour with smooth/contemporary jazz
royalty - Dave Koz, David Benoit, Rick Braun and White - that launches the day
after Thanksgiving. Albright hopes to receive an early Christmas gift when the
Grammy nominations are announced on November 28.
“The honor of having my own music on the preliminary ballot
is so beautiful to me. I can’t even put into words the honor I’d feel to
actually get a Grammy nomination. I can’t wait to see where this journey takes
me!”
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