Four-time Grammy Award nominee and Oakland celebrity singer-songwriter Ledisi gave a performance highlighting her breathtaking vocal abilities and spectacular stage charisma, which earned her a triple standing ovation.

Ledisi performed at the Fox Theater last Saturday, along with her opening artists Timothy Bloom and Rahsaan Patterson.

The show opened with the R&B/Rock stylings of the talented Bloom, who was then followed by R&B veteran Patterson, the tour’s guest star for the night.

With a talented band and strong vocalists to back him up, Patterson used his limited stage time to warm up the crowd for headliner Ledisi.

He performed a few of his recent singles, then closed with a couple of his ‘90s hits, including the single, “Spend the Night.”

The theater was filled with screams as Ledisi took center stage, dressed in a mini skirt, fish nets and pumps.

Though Ledisi was born in New Orleans, she still calls Oakland her home.

At the age of eight, she performed with the New Orleans Symphony Orchestra.

“When I was young I was really nerdy, believe it or not,” said Ledisi in an interview with The Pioneer. “I stood out so much you wouldn’t even imagine. My mom just told me to be myself and feel beautiful no matter what so I carried that throughout my life and into my music.”

After moving to East Oakland, Ledisi studied opera and piano for five years at UC Berkeley’s Young Musicians Program.

In 2000, Ledisi independently released her debut album “Soulsinger,” which became an underground sensation.

In 2002, she released a more Jazz influenced album, “Feeling Orange But Sometimes Blue,” which won Outstanding Jazz Album at the California Music Awards.

Following this achievement, Ledisi went on a five-year hiatus, during which she contemplated whether or not to move forward with her singing career.

“What has been most difficult I think is just trying to make everyone happy,” she said. “I am a people pleaser. I always wanted to be a ‘save the world’ type person, but I learned that doesn’t happen, so learning how to except everyone not liking what I like was a challenge. But hey, that’s life.”

This led to the release of her 2007 album, “Lost and Found,” which sold almost 217,000 copies and was nominated for two Grammy Awards.

In 2009, she released the album, “Turn Me Loose,” which also went up for two Grammy nominations.

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Her newest album “Pieces of Me” was released this year. Ledisi has also recently performed at the White House three times at the request of her big fan, Michelle Obama.

At the start of the show, the multi-talented Ledisi got right into her performance. Immediately, she started dancing and jumping energetically across the stage.

One of the opening songs, “Raise Up,” off of her most recent album “Pieces of Me,” brought the theater to their feet.

The band was impeccable. The crisp sound of each instrument echoed as each instrument could be heard ricocheting from the walls. Ledisi’s powerful voice amplified beautifully throughout the theater.

She was characteristically bubbly and energetic, which was what made the show so enjoyable. When watching an artist have that much fun on stage, the crowd can’t help but to have a great time too.

She often paused to make personal connections with the audience, reminding them that she is their neighborhood friend.

“I’m from East Oakland y’all,” she shouted to the crowd. “I’m from the hood!”

With each song, her energy went up another notch. Before long she was skipping and sliding around stage imitating Michael Jackson moves.

It was obvious how passionate she was about her music, her performance and her fans.

After a quick outfit change, Ledisi came right back to the stage, not missing a beat. The show heated up with the fiery performance of her 2009 single, “Knockin.”

With ease, Ledisi turned the tables on the crowd by slowing down the tempo a bit. She pulled a stool to the edge of the stage, had a seat and gave the audience a more sensual, intimate performance.

She touched on slow jam hits “I Think of You,” “Goin Thru’ Changes” and “In the Morning” with the crowd harmonizing along with every song.

As Ledisi went off for her third outfit change of the evening, her band kept the show going. Her guitar and bass player hit the strings with precision, as the drummer went wild with the sticks.

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Upon her return, she went on to perform her newest single “Pieces of Me,” and the exhilaration she felt on stage spilled over into the crowd.

“It feels so good to be home Oakland,” she expressed to the crowd. “I’ve been waiting my whole life for this moment.”

This concert was a landmark for Ledisi as it served as her first headlining tour after 12 years of starting her music career.

After years of performing at a number of small venues throughout the Bay Area, she was finally able to perform to her home crowd on the big stage.

Following the performance of “Alright,” she began crying uncontrollably as she thanked the crowd for all their continued support.

Before closing the show Ledisi briefly took the crowd “to church” while preaching some life-long lessons for them to take home.

Prior to the show, Ledisi said, “I think the best thing you get from ‘stardom’ is watching people enjoy what you do and love what you love. It’s a great feeling to connect with people and make them happy with your music.”

As her band exploded behind her she concluded the show by saying, “Thank you Bay Area for the start. Can you be here with me till the finish?”

Even with these closing remarks, the crowd knew it wasn’t over just yet and Ledisi didn’t disappoint. Within minutes, she was back on the stage and dressed in yet another outfit.

This was a phenomenal show and a heartfelt moment for Ledisi and her Bay Area fans.