10 fresh faces hope to make splash in 2008

Tyra B
The total package. That’s the goal R&B singer Tyra B has been working toward since the age of 9.

Signed to Warner Bros. 22-year-old Tyra B is building plenty of buzz with “Givin’ Me a Rush.” She co-wrote the song, an engaging mid tempo that pays rhythmic homage to Michael Jackson’s “Human Nature” and Paula Abdul’s “Rush, Rush.” With vocals that are an edgier cross between Janet Jackson and Aaliyah, plus dance moves to match, Tyra B is out to prove she’s a triple threat.

“I have a deep passion for good R&B music,” she says. “I just want to give that back. And it’s not just about singing behind the mic. My whole thing is about giving a full show.”

Born Tyra Bolling in Petersburg, Va., she caught an early break when a radio DJ in the state capitol of Richmond saw her perform at a 2004 high school talent show. He began playing her music, which sparked an indie hit (”Country Boy”) and a coveted opening slot for 30 dates on the 2005 Destiny’s Child tour. She also hit with another indie single, “Still in Love.”

Now she’s amping up for her debut album, the aptly titled “Past Due,” which is set for a spring release.

Meredith Andrews
From Amy Grant to Darlene Zschech, Christian music has a rich history of influential female singer/songwriters, but recent charts have been dominated by male acts. Word aims to balance the format with Meredith Andrews’ debut, “The Invitation,” due April 29.

Influenced by such worship leaders as Zschech, Rita Springer and Christy Nockels, Andrews was involved in music in high school and college. Majoring in family and child development at Liberty University, her original plan was to work at an orphanage after graduation.

However, a pastor from Chicago’s Harvest Bible Chapel heard her at Liberty and recruited Andrews to join his worship team. Like the platinum-selling band Casting Crowns, the singer plans to continue working at the church while attending to her burgeoning recording career.

Andrews has already landed a coveted slot opening 30 dates for Aaron Shust this spring. “I wasn’t really looking for a record deal. It just fell in my lap,” she says. “I’m so humbled by it all. It’s obvious that it’s the Lord’s hand and not my own.”

Esperanza Spalding
At just 23, bassist/vocalist Esperanza Spalding has been turning heads in the last year, thanks to her 2006 debut CD “Junjo” on Barcelona label Ayva and her impressive sideman duties with such heroes as Stanley Clarke, Richard Bona, Herbie Hancock and Joe Lovano.

Spalding is also a marvel leading her own band. Whether exploding into vocalese or making her bass solo sound like a horn, she’s a spark plug who dances as she grooves through a funked-up and rocked-out repertoire.

“It’s been a natural evolution that musicians going places experience,” says Spalding, who in November signed to Heads Up International, an imprint of Concord Music Group, for her first widely released CD. Produced by Terrence Blanchard, the set is due in May.

“The new album will be a crossover date that has the integrity of jazz,” she says. “Only one song really swings; the rest are very groove-oriented.”

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