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Nedra Johnson joined by celebrity father Howard Johnson in performing at the Queer Arts Festival
Howard Johnson of "Gravity" joins daughter Nedra Johnson to perform at the opening of the Queer Arts Festival in SF on May 31 at the center.
Howard was just planning on visiting friends in town when Nedra invited him to join her.
About Nedra...
Born in New York City to musician parents, Nedra Johnson grew up listening to music with an open mind and ear, looking mostly for sincerity. While her sound may best be described as blues-based R&B, Nedra fits easily into folk, rock, jazz and popular R&B sets having shared stages with Bo Diddley, Taj Mahal, Michelle Shocked, Ferron, Cris Williamson and Howard Johnson & Gravity, to name a few.
Her self-produced debut album, "Testify" on Big Mouth Girl/Goldenrod Records received a Gay & Lesbian American Music Awards nomination for best song. Reviews of "Testify" have included such glowing phrases as "musical wonder", "stunning music", "an original", "conversion music for those in need of sexual healing" and more. Her lyrics have been described as "irrepressibly sexy" and "profound, yet highly accessible to anyone who has a heart and faith in the possibilities of love." At any given performance one will see and hear people both laugh and cry.
Though well received by a diversity of audiences, Nedra's most recent release, a limited edition single called "Forever With Me" on Big Mouth Girl Records, is fast becoming a commitment ceremony favorite among lesbian couples. Nedra's incorporation of the spiritual, emotional and political makes it difficult, for those inclined, to argue against the acceptance of lesbian and gay relationships as legitimate, loving and blessed. It is Nedra's integrity as both a person and a musician that endears her to her loyal and passionate listeners. In the words of reviewer Alex H of Listen.com, "You will fall in love with her..."
Performances have included:
Michigan Womyn's Music Festival Wahalla, MI
'03, '01, '99, '98, '96 & '92
National Queer Arts FestivalSan Francisco, CA
'03, '02
Femme Funk Festival Noumea, New Caledonia
'02, '99
Ohio Lesbian Festival Columbus, OH
'01
Autumnfest Women's Music Festival DeKalb, IL
'02, '01, '98, '96
National Women's Music Festival Muncie, IN
'98, '96
Playboy Jazz Festival Los Angeles, CA
'98
Free Jazz Festival Rio De Janeiro, Brasil
'98
Free Jazz Festival Sao Paulo, Brasil
'98
Nimes Jazz Festival Nimes, France
'97
Skopia Jazz Festival Skopia, Macedonia
'96
Leverkusenner Jazztage Leverkusen, Germany
'96
Opening Sets for:
Bo Diddley
Johnnie Johnson
Michelle Shocked
Ferron
Cris Williamson
Pride Events:
San Francisco Pride
New York Heritage of Pride
Syracuse Pride
Baltimore Pride
Philadelphia Pride
Sonoma Pride
Santa Cruz Pride
Television/Radio Appearances:
In The Life
DykeTV
Back Stage Pass
WXPN Philadelphia
This Way Out NPR
WCKG Chicago
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