Thornetta Davis

Thornetta Davis (born August 11, 1963) is an American Detroit blues and rhythm and blues singer. She has opened for Bonnie Raitt, Gladys Knight, and Etta James, and sang backing vocals on Bob Seger‘s 1991 album, The Fire Inside. She also worked with Kid Rock and Alberta Adams, and has released two full-length solo albums. Davis was born in Detroit, Michigan, United States.

After entering a local talent contest at the age of 15, Davis went on to join the group Jas which disbanded in 1983 and then she, and another former member of Jas, and two of her high school friends formed Chanteuse, a vocal group covering old R&B hits. She was recruited as a backing vocalist by Lamonte Zodiac & the Love Signs, a local soul group based outfit, who later became the Chisel Brothers. By 1991, Davis had moved on to back up singing for Big Chief, who recorded a couple of albums for the Sub Pop label. Following the group disbanding, Davis was signed to a solo recording contract with the same label, and issued an EP, Shout out to the Dusthuffer (1995), and the following year she released her first solo album Sunday Morning Music. One reviewer commented “Davis’ singing is just wonderful – she’s got a rich, warm voice”. A song from the album, “Cry”, was used in the “Isabella” episode of the HBO television drama, The Sopranos.Earlier in 1992, Davis had appeared at the Ann Arbor Blues and Jazz Festival, and sang on stage with Bonnie Raitt and Katie Webster.

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