Thatfemale Productions

Producer/Composer and Pianist, Lesette Wilson A.K.A ThatFemale(All Instruments played by and all Songs Produced by ThatFemale Productions a.k.a Lesette Wilson )You might have seen her playing keyboards on a tour . . . or heard her music and didn't realize it . . . but ThatFemale had been behind the scenes creating, producing, and performing music for a bevy of artists.Along with being an accomplished pianist and keyboardist, Lesette is a Producer, arranger and songwriter. Her musical associations include songwriting and producing for Me’lisa Morgan and Tom Browne, as well as serving as musical director and keyboardist on concert tours for notables like Loose Ends, Najee, Billy Ocean, Stanley Turrentine, Bobbi Humphrey, Noel Pointer, Ray Gomez, Glenn Jones, Amel Larrieux and Chaka Khan. She has performed or written on albums for such artists as Al B. Sure, Najee, Phil Collins, Phillip Bailey, Jay-Z, Roy Ayers, LL Cool J and many more.ThatFemale’s musical pilgrimage began at a very early age. Her parents discovered she could play anything by ear after hearing it only once or twice, often changing the notes to fit her own tastes (production in its earliest form). It was in her teens that she began a serious relationship with music. While attending the High School of Music and Art as a voice major, she became the protégé of Milton Hamilton, studying piano and everything from 16th century counterpoint to writing and arranging and conducting for a full orchestra. After a short stint at the prestigious Manhattan school of Music, she left to pursue her career in the real world.Her love and respect for all types of music led her to becoming the consummate musician. As a touring and studio musician, That Female delivered awe-inspiring performances in everything from hip-hop and R&B to pop and jazz; from reggae and salsa to classical. It was her stint with Tom Browne (Funkin’ For Jamaica) where she served as arranger and keyboardist for his album and tour that led to her first album entitled “Now That I’ve got Your Attention”, which was well received in both the U.S. and England. The Album contained a large U.K. club/jazz fusion hit entitled “Caveman Boogie” which became a collector’s item and was recently re-released in the U.K on Soulbrother Records.After serving as keyboardist on several major tours, Lesette was asked to serve as musical director for Chaka Khan’s live band. It was then that she teamed up with then back ground singer for Ms. Khan, Me’lisa Morgan. Together, they produced Me’lisa’s debut and sophomore albums and co-wrote the R&B hits, “Fool’s Paradise” and “Do You Still Love Me” with Lesette playing most of the instruments. Also, during this time, Lesette was urged by then Atlantic Record Executive, Sylvia Rhone to complete yet another solo project. She would do just that, with a noteworthy presentation of her many skills, a self-produced project, featuring a wide variety of jazz, R&B and hip-hop entitled “Unmasked”. Lesette also enlisted the help of one of her songwriting friends, Angie Stone.“Being a female who isn’t necessarily a singer in this business is hard enough, “says Lesette, “but being a female producer who actually plays and performs all of the music was somehow mind-boggling to most within the industry. Even now folks ask me, usually more than once, did I actually do the tracks myself. I’ve had to actually bring folks to my studio and let them see with their own eyes. But it was a natural transitions for me” She states. “Arranging and producing are merely an aspect of the training and growth of a complete musician. It’s about being able to utilize your skills and talents to support yourself and survive within this industry.” Becoming frustrated with the male-dominated production end and its practices, ThatFemale continued to support herself by touring as a musical director and keyboardist.Lesette embarked upon a two-year tour of South America and the Dominican Republic as keyboardist for the Latin/hip-hop/meringue group, Proyecto Uno. Upon returning to the U.S she started working again in the studio, doing remises as a co-producer/keyboardist on records for Cher, the London based group, Hepburn, Groove Theory and various artists.While performing at New York’s “Soul Café” Lesette was approached by Carl Griffin, President of N-Coded Music who encouraged her to record again. The result was “Livin’ in the Zone”, an eclectic collection of contemporary jazz, funk and R&B and included talented new comers Shelene Thomas and J. Phoenix.After playing various jazz festivals and clubs in the U.S and the U.K. Lesette returned to the U.S and began working in the studio, preparing what would be her next project simply titled “the Piano Player”. It was during this time that her calling for production began once again to gain new attention.While working on the pre-production for her project, ThatFemale would meet and team up with Dexter Ferrari of Dex-Flex Management. Dexter, coming form a background in business and management recognized Lesette’s talent and ability to put together any style of music. He also saw in this era of “sample-based” production that Lesette made music simply based on her own vast experience. “Her love, discipline, and natural ability is captivating, besides her tracks are HOT!!!” Says Dexter “Real music performed by a “One-woman band” at a time where quality and originality can be somewhat scarce is a great thing REGARDLESS of gender!”It was then that Dexter persuaded Lesette to extend her love of hip-hop, funk and R&B to include writing and producing for R&B, pop and rap acts, who wanted and NEED more of a full, well-rounded musical/technical approach to making their music. Lesette wrote, arranged and compiled a series of tracks in the form of “snippets” and the demand began. She is now in the process of writing and producing for several projects.They may sometimes forget the name, but they ALWAYS say, “You know . . . THAT FEMALE . . . that writes, produces and plays her ass off!!!..