VIVIAN SESSOMS announces show at Venue 505, Sydney
It’s hard to imagine becoming a professional singer by the age of 9, but Vivian Sessoms can tell you firsthand about life as a wunderkind. Her first professional performance as a child was opening for the legendary Marvin Gaye, who praised her big voice and claimed she was destined to become a singer.
Perhaps that’s why he carried her out on his shoulders for an encore performance to a cheering audience in awe of the child prodigy. And maybe that’s why he referred to her as a “living doll.” But now, several decades since her iconic debut, it seems that Gaye was only partially right in his prediction.
Venue 505 sees Harlem born Jazz artist Vivian Sessoms return to our shores for a special intimate performance with a live band featuring hypnotic soul musician Michael Duchesne as live support and DJ’s Sistas With Soul and DIOLA.
Vivian Sessoms was born in Harlem, New York to a family of notable musicians. Her father Lemuel was a percussionist for James Brown, and mother Sharmaine was a jingle and session singer in the late ‘60’s and ‘70’s. Growing up, music was simply part of her DNA from church performances, family gatherings – it was all around her. By the time she made her onstage appearance with Gaye, she was already working as a voiceover artist for television and radio.
Over the years Sessoms has worked with the biggest names in the industry. She’s recorded with Michael Jackson, Cher, and Rob Thomas; performed live with Stevie Wonder, Christina Aguilera, Joe Cocker, Pink, and P. Diddy to name a few; and graced the stages of landmark venues in over 60 different countries across the globe, including Madison Square Garden and Carnegie Hall.
Vivian Sessoms long-awaited third studio album entitled LIFE explores the ups and downs of the human condition, addressing some major issues in our world today: racial inequality, police violence, and the industrial prison complex.
The title track itself was inspired by a shooting that took a father away from his family, questioning how one puts the pieces of life back together in the face of adversity. And how we as a people can come together to make a difference.
June 18th at Venue 505
280 Cleveland street, Surry hills
support: Michael duchesne with live band
tickets $30 + b.f via venue 505 | $35 at the door
doors open: 6pm