Alice Smith (born November 30, 1977)[1] is an American singer and songwriter, her style anchored in rock, R&B, blues, jazz and soul.

Alice Smith
Alice Smith at the Black Lily Film & Music Festival, 2007
Background information
Born (1977-11-30) November 30, 1977 (age 47)[1]
Genres
Occupation(s)Singer, songwriter
InstrumentVocals
Years active2005–present
Websitewww.alicesmith.com

Life and career

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Raised between Washington, D.C., and a farm in Georgia, spent part of her schooling at Georgetown Visitation Preparatory School, where is she sang in the gospel choir. She sang in Moomtez and Black Rock Coalition while studying History at Fordham University. In 2006, on the release her first album, Rolling Stone said of her, "Smith could easily be lumped in with expressive chanteuses like Norah Jones and Alicia Keys, but she has a broader palette than either." The magazine listed her as one of the 10 Artists to Watch in 2006.[2]

 
Smith performing at the Apollo Theater

Her debut album, For Lovers, Dreamers & Me, was a collection of songs spanning genres from country to rock to funk. The title was borrowed from the Paul Williams song Rainbow Connection, from The Muppet Movie. “We were just trying to think of a title, because I haven’t thought of a name after it was all done," she said in an interview with Hiphoprnbsoul.com. "We were thinking about the music and we were throwing ideas around. We were thinking about The Beatles and The Wizard of Oz and whatever else made us think of. Then something made me think of The Muppets. I don’t even know. It wasn't something in the forefront of my mind. I just thought of it and it came to me like that."[3]

The song "Dream" was featured on an episode of Entourage (season four) during the closing credits. "Dream" was also featured in the final act of episode four, season five, of the Showtime series The L Word ("Let's Get This Party Started"). In 2007, she was nominated for a Grammy Award under the Best Urban/Alternative category. However, the fall-out from pressure of the success of her debut release meant that future recordings were shelved. Becoming a mother, Smith relocated from New York to Los Angeles, California.[4]

In 2011, she collaborated with Aloe Blacc to contribute the track "Baby" to the Red Hot Organization's most recent charitable album Red Hot + Rio 2. The album is a follow-up to the 1996 Red Hot + Rio. Proceeds from the sales will be donated to raise awareness and money to fight AIDS/HIV and related health and social issues.

Her second album, She was released in March 2013.[4]

In 2013 Alice performed the song "Cry" with Doyle Bramhall II at Madison Square Gardens as part of the Eric Clapton Crossroads Guitar Festival.

In 2014, Prince released an interpretation of her song Another Love on his album with 3rdeyegirl, Plectrumelectrum. She also performed "Fool For You", "The One", "She", and "Don't Get Me Wrong", and "Dreams" at AfroPunk 2014.

In 2015, Smith's cover of "I Put a Spell on You" was featured on Nina Revisited... A Tribute to Nina Simone.

In 2018, Smith's song "Fool For You" was featured in the Season 4 episode One of My Three Soups of the TV series Gotham, which chronicles the events leading up to Batman's arrival.

She released Mystery, her third album, comprising seven songs, in October 2019.

Alice is featured in British Filmmaker Isaac Julien's 2022 Film "Once Again (Statues Never Die)." In the film, she plays an anonymous Jazz Singer, and provides vocals for the song that opens and closes the film.

Personal life

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Smith has one daughter with recording artist Citizen Cope.[5][6]

Discography

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Studio albums

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List of albums, with selected chart positions, sales figures and certifications
Title Album details Peak chart positions
US
R&B

[7]
US
Indie

[8]
US
Heatseekers

[9]
For Lovers, Dreamers & Me' 39
She
  • Formats: CD, digital download
  • Released: 2013
26 33 9
Mystery
  • Formats: Digital, Soundcloud
  • Released: 10/04/2019
"—" denotes items which were not released in that country or failed to chart.

Awards and nominations

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Year Nominee / work Award Result
2008 "Dream" Best Urban/Alternative Performance Nominated[10]

References

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  1. ^ a b ALICE SMITH receiving virtual visitors in Nueva York, November 2020. YouTube. Archived from the original on 2021-12-11.
  2. ^ "10 Artists to Watch 2006: Alice Smith". Rolling Stone. rollingstone.com. September 7, 2006. Archived from the original on August 28, 2009. Retrieved 2017-04-12.
  3. ^ "hiphoprnbsoul.com". hiphoprnbsoul.com. Archived from the original on 2010-11-24. Retrieved 2013-03-29.
  4. ^ a b Kellman, Andy (2013-03-19). "She - Alice Smith : Songs, Reviews, Credits, Awards". AllMusic. Retrieved 2013-03-29.
  5. ^ "Stage Buzz: Citizen Cope at House of Blues Chicago". Illinois Entertainer. Retrieved 17 August 2021.
  6. ^ "ON ALICE SMITH, HER BRILLIANCE, AND A NIGHT AT THE HAMILTON". Brightest Young Things. 13 November 2012.
  7. ^ "Alice Smith - Chart history (Billboard 200)". Billboard.com.
  8. ^ "Alice Smith - Chart history (Independent Albums)". Billboard.com.
  9. ^ "Alice Smith - Chart history (Heatseekers Albums)". Billboard.com.
  10. ^ "Alice Smith ― Artist". Grammy.com. Retrieved 30 June 2023.

Reviews

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