VIBE Vsessions Presents: Elisabeth Withers

Best known for her Tony Award-nominated portrayal of Shug Avery in the Broadway musical version of The Color Purple, vocalist Elisabeth Withers is also a longtime singer/songwriter with a bent toward neo-soul and R&B. Born in Joliet, IL, Withers left home with a scholarship to study music at the Berklee School of Music in Boston. After graduating, she moved to New York City to attend NYU and graduated with a master's degree in 2000. Prior to her appearance on Broadway, Withers sang backup for a variety of artists, including Celine Dion and Jennifer Lopez. It was also during this time that she began writing and releasing dance singles under the alias Elle Patrice. Fortuitously, it was Withers' two hit singles released under her alias, "Rising" and "Emotions," that garnered the attention of soul artist Nick Ashford, who directed Withers toward the auditions for the Broadway production of The Color Purple. Withers released her debut solo album, It Can Happen to Anyone, on Blue Note in 2007.

Category:

Music

Tags:

• Elisabeth
• Withers
• Blue
• Note
• The
• Color
• Purple

[sistasuga]

Mr.badassnyc what is your problem with Ms. Withers?

[MrBadassnyc]

Bill Withers her father??

stop dreaming, i know as a fact that is not true ( just listen to her cheesy, outdated music, you will find your answer right there...)

[MrBadassnyc]

she was lucky to get the broadway gig- and should have stayed there .blue Note Records- do they have any standards????

[videogirlzzzzzz]

YOU BETTA SANG GIRL!

[LadiidaModel]

Elizabeth Withers will be performing in NYC along with Noel Gourdin and Comedian Gerald Kelly Thursday, Febuary 12, 2009 @ 8:00pm at Symphony Space Theatre on 2537 Broadway on 95th st. Tickets go on sell Dec. 12. Tickets prices $55-$65. VIP $100. Check Her myspace page for more info.

[disconn3ct3d]

great voice. I love her CD!

[stanleyballard]

Bought her new CD and she lists him as her father & talks about growing up with her parents and how it set her life up in a very positive way. Read the liner notes it can be enlightening!

[tawyana1]

Yeah, I don't think that's true. Where did you see that?

[stanleyballard]

...did everyone know she is the daughter of the R&B Legend...Bill Withers. anyone around since the 60s has heard "Grandma's Hands", "Aint No Sunshine", "Lovely Day", etc. She has incredible inspiration with that in her blood.

[xxxxcrazyladyxxxx]

Man i love this woman's voice "Be With You" when i first heard this song i fell in love with it. Made me definitely wanna hear more of her. She's awesome. i wiahed i could find more music videos of her on YOutube though. Thanks for sharing this