Do the math: Algebra Blessett, Atlanta soul singer, Thursday

Her name isn’t Angela Bassett, although you’d be forgiven for making that mistake. Look again. Her name is Algebra Blessett, and like the legendary Ms. Bassett – who happens to be a native of St. Petersburg – the one with the mathematical moniker is heavily invested in the business of show.

Blessett is one of the current crop of neo-soul singer/songwriters to come out of the Metro Atlanta area. She makes smooth, sultry music, slipping the occasional toe into uptempo sass, and she’ll make her St. Petersburg debut Thursday at the Floridian Social Club.

This is the third entry in the “Live on Central” concert series. Gregory Porter did the first show, in June, followed in September by Anthony David.

David, who’s also an Atlanta-area favorite, cut a duet with Algebra on the Bebe and Cece Winans song “Heaven.” It rose to No. 2 on Billboard’s Adult R&B chart:

Blessett has worked with with Monica, Bilal, Esperanza Spalding and, like Anthony David has, with multiple Grammy-winning singer/songwriter India.Arie.

She also owns and operates a beauty products company, LoveLips kissed by Algebra B (website).

Also performing on Thursday’s bill: Philadelphia indie soul singer Res, who was part of the duo Idol Warship with Brooklyn emcee Talib Kweli.

Alex Harris is the man behind the Live on Central series; he’s also the co-founder of St. Pete’s Arts Conservancy For Teens, and is himself an accomplished singer and songwriter. He will open Thursday’s show.

Live on Central has multiple purposes, Harris says, including “providing our students and alums of the Arts Conservatory for Teens an opportunity to have an experiential learning opportunity from top touring talent,” and to “expand our creative workforce opportunities for performers and others working behind the scenes.”

First and foremost, it exists to give St. Pete “an eclectic, ongoing intimate music series where our residents and visitors can discover amazing talent, like one may experience in other cities (such as Austin or Nashville, just to name a few) that feature national music entertainers who generally wouldn’t tour this particular market, while providing a platform for some of our amazing local performing talent.”

He vision for the series? “To grow it to become its own national TV or livestreaming show and festival. I am confident that this vision can be realized with our community support, and the team I am working with.”

It all starts, of course, with artists that the community will enjoy. 

“Algebra Blessett and Res are phenomenal performers, songwriters, producers and overall good people,” raves Harris. “Both have a heart for humanity, serving others and delivering amazing entertainment for their audiences worldwide. Their music history speaks for itself.”

Tickets for the concert are here.