Jhelisa Anderson, an internationally acclaimed artist, was born in Jackson Mississippi. Her father was a gospel radio announcer. Jhelisa was the only member of the Anderson family to sing, her father playing piano and organ. She is the cousin to the equally well-known singer Carleen Anderson. In 1990, she began her career with Soul Family Sensation in London. They released the album “New Wave” via One Little Indian. Together with her lablemates The Shamen Jhelisa recorded two top ten hits singles, “Love Sex and Intelligence” and “Phorever People”, earning Jhelisa a Platinum album with The Shamen. Bjork also featured her on “Debut”. After becoming an accomplished solo artist, Jhelisa released her first album, “Galactica Rush”, on Dorado Records in 1994. She was followed by “Language Electric” two years later, both critically acclaimed. She began recording with Bryan Ferry and Courtney Pine, Massive Attack’s Chaka Khan, Chaka Khan, Da Lata, and Massive Attack. Jhelisa’s most well-known track is “Friendly Pressure”. Jhelisa toured in Europe, Japan, and the UK with The Roots, Michael Franti and James Brown. Jhelisa has also been featured in “The Protagonist”, an Italian film starring British actress Tilda Swainton. She was also featured on the 2003 Nitin Sawhney tour, opening for Sting. Her performance at London’s Royal Albert Hall was a huge success. Jhelisa has been to Brazil and Africa extensively and draws inspiration from rich musical cultures all over the globe. Jhelisa moved from Brazil to New Orleans in 2004 to record her album “Discovery of Amazing” at INFRACom! Jhelisa fled New Orleans after hurricane Katrina. The flood destroyed her studio and house, and part of the album was also lost. Jhelisa is now finishing the recording in Atlanta. The album will now be called “A primitvie guide for being there”. It will also be sold in a bundle with the DVD “One Week with Jhelisa: Rediscovering America”. Jhelisa was outraged by the New Orleans circumstances and rescues. She held a press conference at Popkomm Berlin 2005, and also wrote a statement. Markus Bader, film director and DJ/INFRACom! Jan Hagenkoetter, label manager, visited Jhelisa at New Orleans in spring 2005 to film her while she was working on her album. Jhelisa reveals the variety of New Orleans from its slave plantations to its boiling nightlife. She does this from her European years as well as her travels through Brazil, South Africa, and gives her a personal and critical view. “One Week with Jhelisa – Rediscovering America” is a precious and rare testimony to the city’s musical capital. The album package will include the DVD. Text contributed by users is available under Creative Commons By–SA License. It may also be available under GNU FDL.
