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Shemekia Copeland

Shemekia Copeland - Blues Singer

When singing sensation Shemekia Copeland first appeared on the scene in 1997 with her groundbreaking debut CD, “Turn The Heat Up,” she quickly became, at 18 years old, a roots music superstar. Critics from around the country celebrated Shemekia's music as fans of all ages agreed that an unstoppable new talent had arrived. Shemekia released two more CDs: 2000's Grammy nominated “Wicked,” and 2002's Talking To Strangers,” (produced by Dr. John), and in that short period of time, collected five Blues Music Awards, a Grammy nomination, five Living Blues Awards, and was honored with the coveted "Talent Deserving Wider Recognition" Award by the DownBeat Critics' Poll. Shemekia has already had a lifetime's worth of career highlights, including performances on national television, appearances in films, and sharing stages with some of the biggest names in the music world. And now she can add the title 'radio host' to her already impressive list of accomplishments. Copeland will host her own weekly blues radio program, Shemekia Copeland's Blues Show, exclusively on Sirius satellite radio.

Her 2005 CD, aptly titled,”The Soul Truth,” is the funkiest, deepest, and most exciting statement yet. Produced by renowned Stax guitarist Steve Cropper (who also adds his stellar guitar playing to the CD), the album is steeped in the spirit of classic Memphis soul but, at the same time, is a contemporary and up-to-the-minute slice of life. Featuring Shemekia's powerful, emotional vocals over a blistering band with horns punching in all the right places, “The Soul Truth” is a tour-de-force of rock, soul and blues.

Born in Harlem, New York in 1979, Shemekia came to her singing career slowly. "I never knew I wanted to sing until I got older," says Copeland. "But my dad knew ever since I was a baby. He just knew I was gonna be a singer." Her father, the late Texas blues guitar legend Johnny Clyde Copeland, recognized his daughter's talent early on. He always encouraged her to sing at home and even brought her on stage to sing at Harlem's famed Cotton Club when she was just eight. At that time Shemekia's embarrassment outweighed her desire to sing. But when she was 15 and her father's health began to slow him down, she received the calling. "It was like a switch went off in my head," recalls Shemekia, "and I wanted to sing. It became a want and a need. I had to do it."

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20
Album Review

Various artists: Alligator Records: 50 Years of Genuine Houserockin’ Music

Read "Alligator Records: 50 Years of Genuine Houserockin’ Music" reviewed by Jim Trageser


Maybe this half-century commemoration of the jny: Chicago-based, blues-focused label should have been titled, “The Last of the Independents." Almost alone of the mid-major labels that formerly thrived in the 1980s and '90s by specializing in non-mainstream styles of music, Alligator has managed to navigate stunning changes in the music business--from the vinyl of LPs and 45s to cassettes and CDs, and then, most recently, the virtual collapse of the retail record business and wholesale pivot to online ...

4
Album Review

Shemekia Copeland: Uncivil War

Read "Uncivil War" reviewed by Paul Rauch


Blues vocalist Shemekia Copeland has firmly established herself as one of the most important modern blues artists. Though born in Harlem and raised in New Jersey, her sound has always clearly shouted Texas, reflecting her family ties to the music through her father, Texas bluesman Johnny Copeland. Her albums have called attention to her powerful instrument and natural penchant to find the inner soul of the material she chooses. On Uncivil War (Alligator, 2020), she plays above the rim, teaming ...

3
Album Review

Shemekia Copeland: Outskirts Of Love

Read "Outskirts Of Love" reviewed by James Nadal


The Blues. Much has been written about how it has influenced countless artists in a variety of genres, but few can claim to have been born into the blues. Blues singer Shemekia Copeland, as daughter of Texas bluesman Johnny Copeland, has this unique distinction, and has borne this trait with heartfelt integrity. Bequeathed with a dynamic and assertive voice, Outskirts Of Love is an affirmation that she has taken the blues into contemporary territory, while maintaining the raw emotion that ...

2
Live Review

Shemekia Copeland: New York, NY, January 18, 2013

Read "Shemekia Copeland: New York, NY, January 18, 2013" reviewed by Mike Perciaccante


Shemekia Copeland The Iridium New York, NY January 18, 2013 Shemekia Copeland has a big voice. She sings with a passion and can fill a room with her beautiful tones without the benefit of amplification. Touring behind 33 1/3 (Telarc, 2012), Copeland did just that during her early show at New York's sold-out Iridium nightclub by strolling between the tables while singing an impassioned version of her father's (the late blues guitarist Johnny “Clyde" Copeland) ...

200
Album Review

Shemekia Copeland: Wicked

Read "Wicked" reviewed by Ed Kopp


Young blues belter Shemekia Copeland is often compared to Koko Taylor, Etta James and Aretha Franklin. With only two albums in her discography, Copeland has a long row to hoe before she belongs on the same high pedestal as those three legends. Still, the 21-year-old daughter of Johnny Copeland is a fine blues shouter who can also deliver a soul ballad or an R&B rave-up with precocious skill. Wicked is a good (not great) showcase for Copeland's powerful ...

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10

Festival

Tinner Hill Blues Festival Presents Shemekia Copeland With Sol Roots Opening

Tinner Hill Blues Festival Presents Shemekia Copeland With Sol Roots Opening

Source: 9th Floor Music

The Tinner Hill Heritage Foundation presents Shemekia Copeland and Sol Roots at The State Theatre on Friday June 13, 2014! The Tinner Hill Blues Festival is a three-day annual event in Falls Church VA. The kickoff event this year will be Alligator Records artist Shemekia Copeland and Sol Roots performing at The State Theatre. The whole Tinner Hill Blues Festival will be held Friday June 13, Saturday June 14, and Sunday June 15 2014. About Shemekia Copeland An Alligator Records ...

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Performance / Tour

Shemekia Copeland to Perform in Sellersville & Kutztown

Shemekia Copeland to Perform in Sellersville & Kutztown

Source: Chris M. Slawecki

Grammy-nominated and Harlem-bred vocalist Shemekia Copeland will perform at the Sellersville Theater in Sellersville on Wednesday, April 11 and as part of The Performing Artists Series at Ursa Minor's Cafe in Kutztown on Thursday, April 12, 2012. Copeland's powerhouse music has garnered her praise from mainstream press and radio and earned her many awards. Deluxe Edition brings together the most exciting and soulful moments from Shemekia's Alligator albums-16 pulse-pounding tracks of the very best modern blues and R&B. From the ...

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Performance / Tour

Blues Singer Shemekia Copeland Performs at Regattabar on Wednesday, September 21

Blues Singer Shemekia Copeland Performs at Regattabar on Wednesday, September 21

Source: MassJazz: Jazz in Massachusetts

Powerful blues singer Shemekia Copeland is performing at the Regattabar Jazz Club in Harvard Square on Wednesday, September 21, 2011 at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $25 and can be purchased online or at the door. Copeland, born in Harlem in 1979, is a talented young singer who has performed around the world, opening for the Rolling Stones and headlining the Chicago Blues Festival. Located at the Charles Hotel in Harvard Square, the Regattabar Jazz Club has a great schedule of ...

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Performance / Tour

Shemekia Copeland to Perform in Blue Bell on April 2

Shemekia Copeland to Perform in Blue Bell on April 2

Source: Chris M. Slawecki

Shemekia Copeland to Perform in Blue Bell: Touring in Support of the New Alligator Records best-of CD Deluxe Edition “Copeland delivers a gutsy collection of bluesy tunes steeped in Memphis soul and Muscle Shoals. She is a singer with fervor and funk, power, chops and range."—USA Today Grammy-nominated and Harlem-bred vocalist Shemekia Copeland will perform at Montgomery County Community College's Science Center Theater in Blue Bell on Saturday April 2, 2011. Copeland's powerhouse music has garnered her praise from mainstream ...

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Recording

Alligator Records Begins 40th Anniversary Celebration with New Shemekia Copeland & Roomful of Blues

Alligator Records Begins 40th Anniversary Celebration with New Shemekia Copeland & Roomful of Blues

Source: Chris M. Slawecki

As 2011 kicks off, Alligator Records, the company The Washington Post calls “the premiere blues label in the United States," celebrates its 40th anniversary. The celebration kicks off with the January 18 release of Hook, Line & Sinker from the kings of horn-driven swing, jump blues and early rock 'n' roll, Roomful of Blues, and Deluxe Edition, a collection of some of the finest blues, rock, soul and R&B tracks from one of the greatest blues voices of this (or ...

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Performance / Tour

Award-Winning Vocalist Shemekia Copeland to Perform in Schwenksville, PA

Award-Winning Vocalist Shemekia Copeland to Perform in Schwenksville, PA

Source: All About Jazz

"YOUNG SHEMEKIA IS THE MOST SOUL-SHAKING, BIG-VOICED BLUES SINGER IN YEARS." - VILLAGE VOICE

“VOLCANIC DELIVERY AND STRAIGHT-FROM -THE-GUT REALISM...A MASTERFUL BLEND OF FIERY BLUES, BALLSY BALLADS AND ELECTRIFYING ROCKERS." - VIBE

Grammy-nominated and Harlem-bred vocalist Shemekia Copeland, touring in support of her latest CD, The Soul Truth, will perform live in Schwenksville. Legendary Stax guitarist / songwriter / producer Steve Cropper produced Copeland's The Soul Truth, flavoring the recording with solid doses of Memphis soul ...

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Performance / Tour

Shemekia Copeland Celebrates New Release with Performance in Trenton, NJ

Shemekia Copeland Celebrates New Release with Performance in Trenton, NJ

Source: All About Jazz

SHEMEKIA COPELAND CELEBRATES NEW RELEASE WITH PERFORMANCE IN TRENTON!

“Young Shemekia is the most soul-shaking, big-voiced blues singer in years.” — Village Voice

“Volcanic delivery and straight-from -the-gut realism...a masterful blend of fiery blues, ballsy ballads and electrifying rockers.” — Vibe

Grammy©-nominated and Harlem-bred vocalist Shemekia Copeland celebrates the release of her new CD, The Soul Truth, with a live performance in Trenton. Legendary Stax guitarist / songwriter / producer Steve Cropper produced Copeland's ...

119

Performance / Tour

Shemekia Copeland Celebrates New Release with Performance in Collingswood

Shemekia Copeland Celebrates New Release with Performance in Collingswood

Source: All About Jazz

"Young Shemekia is the most soul-shaking, big-voiced blues singer in years." - Village Voice

“Volcanic delivery and straight-from -the-gut realism...a masterful blend of fiery blues, ballsy ballads and electrifying rockers." - Vibe

Grammy-nominated and Harlem-bred vocalist Shemekia Copeland celebrates the release of her new CD, The Soul Truth, with a live performance in Collingswood. Legendary Stax guitarist / songwriter / producer Steve Cropper produced Copeland's The Soul Truth, flavoring the recording with solid doses of Memphis ...

100

Performance / Tour

Shemekia Copeland Celebrates New Release with Philadelphia Performance

Shemekia Copeland Celebrates New Release with Philadelphia Performance

Source: All About Jazz

“Young Shemekia is the most soul-shaking, big-voiced blues singer in years.” — Village Voice

“Volcanic delivery and straight-from -the-gut realism...a masterful blend of fiery blues, ballsy ballads and electrifying rockers.” — Vibe

Grammy©-nominated and Harlem-bred vocalist Shemekia Copeland celebrates the release of her new CD, The Soul Truth, with a live performance in Philadelphia. Legendary Stax guitarist/songwriter/producer Steve Cropper produced Copeland's The Soul Truth, flavoring the recording with solid doses of Memphis soul and punching horns. ...

128

Performance / Tour

Alligator Artists the Holmes Brothers, Koko Taylor and Shemekia Copeland to Perform in Philadelphia

Alligator Artists the Holmes Brothers, Koko Taylor and Shemekia Copeland to Perform in Philadelphia

Source: All About Jazz

Performance information is as follows:

The Holmes Brothers Saturday, May 14th: Annenberg Center, Zellerbach Theater 3680 Walnut Street Philadelphia, PA www.annenbergcenter.org 8:00 p.m. Ticket Price: Please check website for details “Shout Sister Shout: A Tribute to Sister Rosetta Tharpe" with Special guest Marie Knight!

Koko Taylor and Shemekia Copeland Saturday, May 21st: Keswick Theatre 291 Keswick Avenue Glenside, PA www.keswicktheatre.com/ ...

Photos

Concerts

Music

Recordings: As Leader | As Sideperson

Alligator Records: 50...

Alligator Records
2022

buy

Uncivil War

Alligator Records
2020

buy

Outskirts Of Love

Alligator Records
2015

buy

The Soul Truth

Alligator Records
2005

buy

Wicked

Alligator Records
2000

buy

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