She's conquered the charts, Broadway, and television screen. She's sold over three million albums worldwide. Her skills as an actress have won her rave reviews from the most seasoned of critics, as well as a co-starring role in the upcoming Warner Brother's film 'Eraser,' starring Arnold Schwarzenegger. Over the past seven years, Vanessa Williams has developed her persona as a multi-faceted entertainer, racking up accomplishment after accomplishment - and she's just getting started...1995 has been a truly extraordinary year for Vanessa. " Colors of the Wind," the theme song from the Disney blockbuster movie "Pochahontas," has become one of her biggest hits, spending six weeks on top and in the Top 5 of pop Hot 100 charts, propelling the soundtrack to platinum status. Also on the recording front: Vanessa will be included in the album "red, Hot and Real," a special tribute to Brazilian composer Antonio Carlos Jobim, singing the classic "The Girl from Ipanema," accompanied by acclaimed guitarist Joshua Redman.
Vanessa's recent musical activities have also included her participation in "Ain't Nothin' But a She Thing," a special all-female concept records which features Vanessa a Me'Shell N'dege'cello on the track "Open Your Eyes, You Can Fly." Funds raised from the London Records' album are being donated to The Shirley Divers Foundation for Women, which in turn will distribute monies from the four different charities, including The Global Fund for Women, Design Foundation Fighting AIDS, and the Ms. Foundation for Women.
She can be heard on "Under the Same Sun," one of ten songs that comprise "People," an album release in honor of the 50th anniversary of the United Nations. The lyrical subject of the song addresses the need for people of all races, creeds and colors to live together in harmony. Other artists participating in the project (distributed by Lightyear Entertainment, in association with Warner Vision Entertainment and WEA) include, Peabo Bryson, Chaka Khan, Brenda Russell, Grover Washington, Jr. , Al Jarreau, and Dave Koz. Vanessa has also recorded material from the world famous musical "West Side Story" for a 1996 album, featuring classical diva Harolyn Blackwell. She sings "America" and a medley of "And a Boy Like That/I Have a Love" from the hit show on the BMG album, which is entitled "Harolyn Blackwell Sings Leonard Bernstein...A Simple Song," and is being released in February, 1996. On the television front, Vanessa is starring in "Nothing Lasts Forever," a four-hour mini-series for CBS-TV, based on the best-selling Sydney Sheldon book of the same name, with Brooke Shields and Gail O'Grady, and in an ABC-TV revival of the famous Broadway musical "Bye Bye Birdie," which also stars Tyne Daly, Jason Alexander, George Wendt, Marc Kudisch, and Chynna Philips.
All of this activity comes hot on the heels of spellbinding, critically acclaimed nine-month run (from June 1994 to March 1995) on Broadway, starring in the dual role of Aurora/Spider Woman in the hit musical "Kiss of the Spider Woman." Vanessa's recording career has continued to grow from strength to strength: her third album, "The Sweetest Days" - released in 1994 - proved to be a true showcase for her musical diversity. The best-selling platinum album (which she co-produced with Gerry Brown), includes jazz tunes like "Ella Mental," acoustic ballads like "Higher Ground," and the pop/R&B-flavored "Betcha Never" (produced by Babyface). Entertainment - and music in particular - has always played an important role in Vanessa's life. Born in Millwood in upstate New York, Vanessa's early years were spent surrounded by music: both her parents were, and still are, music teachers and, encouraged her to pursue a career in entertainment, Vanessa attended Syracuse University, majoring in musical theater. In 1983, she won the "Miss America" title: the controversy that followed only left her stronger and more empowered in her commitment to a career in the world of entertainment. In 1988, Mercury/Wing executive Ed Eckstine signed Vanessa to the label and her first album, "The Right Stuff" made an immediate impact on the pop and R&B charts via four hits, "Dreamin'," "Darling I," "He's Got the Look," and the title track, a dance/pop/R&B smash. In 1991, the multi-million selling follow up, "The Comfort Zone" took Vanessa to new heights, thanks to hits like the sizzling title track, the dance-flavored "Running Back to You," a remake of the Isley Brothers' "Work to Do," and the quiet storm ballad "Just for Tonight." However, it was the unforgettable "Save the Best for Last" that captivated audiences across the board, topping the pop charts for one week. "Love Is," a Top 10 hit duet from "Beverly Hills 90210," with labelmate Brian McKnight kept the chart momentum going while Vanessa began preparing for her starring role on Broadway. Although is now an established recording artist, Vanessa's accomplishments go beyond the music charts. The recipient of two NAACP Image Awards, seven Grammy Award nominations, and a slew of New York Music Awards, Vanessa has starred in a number of television special events including the Emmy Award-winning "Motown Returns to the Apollo," Eddie Murphy Productions' "The Boy Who Loved Christmas," the CBS-TV movie "Stompin' at the Savoy," and a top-rated "Perry Mason" movie-of-the-week. Vanessa has appeared in the movies "Another You" (with Richard Pryor and Gene Wilder) and "Harley Davidson and the Marlboro Man" (with Mickey Rourke and Don Johnson) as well as hosting the successful "Soul of VH-1" weekly video show for VH-1.
Although Vanessa is constantly reaching new levels of international success and recognition in her multi-dimensional career, her family - husband/manager Ramon Hervey and children Melanie, Jillian and Devin - remains her number one priority. A complete entertainer, Vanessa Williams continues to seek out new challenges, always demonstrating a commitment to excellence in everything she does. And, like we said, she's just getting started!
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Vanessa Williams: The Sweetest Days Song list: |
