Emerging artist Kreesha Turner has already had her song “Bounce With Me†featured on TV shows like Lipstick Jungle and Entourage as well as the new Nikon commercial featuring Ashton Kutcher. Her debut album is slated to be released in October ’08 from Capitol Music Group; in the meantime I wanted to introduce you to her and her music early so see below for a stream to “Bounce with Me†and her first radio single “Don’t Call Me Baby.â€Â She’s also started “The Passion Movement†and is asking What’s Your PASSION? on her YouTube page at www.youtube.com/kreeshaturner so that people can upload their “PASSION” video to her page – check it out!
The Passion Movement:
http://www.thePASSIONmovement.org
Kreesha Turner’s Official Site and Ecard:
A lot will be said and written about Kreesha Turner’s exciting debut album Passion and its eclectic blend of soulful, jazzy, pop-infused R&B. But for the young artist whose sweet soprano shines on every track, the album can be described quite simply. “It’s just good music to enjoy and listen to over and over again,†says Kreesha.
All she asks is that you soak up all 13 tracks before passing judgment. “Take it in as one piece. You’re only going to understand me as an artist if you hear all the songs.†That’s because the decidedly pop feel of “Bounce With Me†can’t be compared to the funky European vibe of “Don’t Call Me Baby†(“A song to a guy,†says Kreesha), the beat-heavy “My Place†(“It’s a very sad songâ€) or the stripped-down sound of “If You See Him†(“A nice little closer that lets people hear my voiceâ€).
Kreesha co-wrote five of the songs, including the title track, which she believes is only fitting. “It’s a song about dedication and perseverance.â€
The oldest of three children born to a Canadian father and Jamaican mother, Kreesha was raised in
Over the years, Kreesha’s musical tastes broadened and she fell in love with R&B acts like Erykah Badu, Jill Scott and D’Angelo, Hip-Hop acts including A Tribe Called Quest, Andre 3000 and Common and Rock acts like the Foo Fighters and Our Lady Peace. Kreesha expressed her love of music through dance and performed modern, tap, jazz, hip-hop and African. But it wasn’t until 2000 that Kreesha took a voyage that would lead her to discover that she was blessed with another way of expressing herself.
 “My mom wanted me to experience how she grew up and to learn about our Jamaican culture,†Kreesha explains, “So she sent me to live in
Upon her return to
           With no R&B scene to speak of in
           Despite stints working at a greenhouse and in retail, Kreesha knew music would become a living. “I had it in my head.†She made a deal with her family and she had their support. “As soon as I got out of high school I told my parents that I’m going to try as hard as I can for the next five years and if nothing happens I’ll go back to school and my back-up plan,†says Kreesha.
Instead, the young singer did everything she could think of to perfect her craft. She joined a gospel choir and a jazz choir, took lessons in acting, musical theatre, piano and guitar. She read books, recorded her own EPs and sold them at her shows. And she entered every singing competition she could.
           In 2005, she won a talent search contest sponsored by
           On Passion, Kreesha collaborated with some of the best in the business including Grammy Award-winning songwriter Harold Lilly (Alicia Keys, Janet Jackson), producer Devo Springsteen, another Grammy winner (John Legend, Aretha Franklin) and Toronto-based songwriter and producer Jon Levine (Philosopher Kings, Nelly Furtado).
           Eclectic is a good word to describe Kreesha’s debut. “Always (Lovin’ You)†is a modern homage to Minnie Riperton’s soulful classic “Lovin’ You†and was produced by Devo Springsteen. “Chains of Loveâ€, written in the studio by Kreesha and Jon Levine, was inspired by her decision to sport an afro on that day.
           “I can honestly say that I love my whole album,†Kreesha says. “I’m so proud of every single song on there.â€
           And like any true artist, Kreesha hopes her music touches people. “I want them to know which song they can turn on if they’re feeling a certain way,†she says. “Regardless of what emotion it is, for me to be able to create that emotion is a privilege and an intimate type of interaction.â€