Prepare to say you knew her when…because the “New Voice,” Kendra Ross, returns to Pittsburgh for a May 10 performance at the Shadow Lounge, 5972 Baum Blvd., in East Liberty.

From the first listen it is apparent that the debut is aptly titled—Ross is a song stylist who interprets lyrics with a thorough understanding of vocal dynamics, range and nuances.

KENDRA ROSS

A former participant in the 1989 Western PA Regional Miss Black Teenage Pageant and graduate of Brashear High, Ross joins fellow NuSoul divas Jill Scott and Angie Stone in the triple threat category as a songwriter, producer and recording artist. The world is about to find out what we’ve here in the ’Burgh have already known for a while—home girl has chops and skills.

Her first release, “A New Voice,” has received critical acclaim and lots of airplay and too many hits to count through the Internet. Ross is so good, the UK press has ascribed “Divine” as a prefix.

The first (and title) track sets the tone of what to expect with ample attitude and fierce, yet effortless vocals. You can tell that she’s been inspired by the likes of Sarah Vaughan and Mary J. Blige—she can be funky yet sophisticated (“Real Deal”), she can work a ballad or be eclectically fresh and jazzy.

On the eve of her first release, Ross promised to put Pittsburgh on her itinerary and she has done just that.

In addition to the Shadow Lounge appearance, she will participate in Sunday’s 36th annual Miss Black Teenage/Miss Princess Program at Soldiers and Sailors Memorial on Fifth Avenue in Oakland.

(For more information on the pageant, call 412-361-6591) online at www.akomamarketplace.com and http://cdbaby.com/cd/kendraross.)