Floetry revels in a rich concoction of neo-soul and alternative urban that has served the duo well.
With roots in the United Kingdom, songstress Marsha Ambrosius and poet Natalie Stewart made well-received albums more than 10 years ago, as the new millennium began to percolate.
Now, Ambrosius and Stewart are back, performing 8 p.m. Saturday and 7 p.m. May 1 at The Venue at Hammond’s Horseshoe Casino, with Musiq Soulchild as special guest.
“We’re currently on tour,” Ambrosius, 38, said in a phone interview this month that updated Floetry’s activities.
She noted they also toured last summer, with that stretch of live shows marking the end of a long hiatus.
“Prior to that, we hadn’t done an actual tour since 2006,” related Ambrosius, who said she originally is from Liverpool, England.
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But Ambrosius grew up in another part of the country, where her connection with Stewart was made.
“I was raised in London,” she said. “Nat and myself met when we were kids at, like, summer camps and basketball games. In our latter teens, growing into womanhood, we ended up at the same performing arts school, where I majored in business; she majored in performing arts.”
The artistic hookup of Ambrosius and Stewart would lead to music industry success, as reflected in the Grammy-nominated “Say Yes” — a slow and sultry slice of contemporary rhythm and blues that was a hit in the United States in 2003.
Its accompanying YouTube video has been viewed more than 12 million times.
The group has earned Several Grammy nominations.
Ambrosius co-wrote “Say Yes” and “Getting Late.”
The songs reinforced songwriting prowess that was displayed earlier, when her composition, “Butterflies,” was included on Michael Jackson’s 2001 album “Invincible.”
While in her early 20s, Ambrosius said she “got to vocally produce” and basically coach the King of Pop during the course of the recording that took place for the track.
“It came out absolutely beautiful,” the Liverpool-born singer said. “It was one of the most amazing experiences of my life.”
The “Invincible” work was followed by Floetry’s debut album.
” ‘Floetic’ came out in 2002,” Ambrosius noted.
Called “The Floacist,” Stewart is a poet who brings the spoken-word side to the offerings of Floetry, which include the live album “Floacism” (2003) and “Flo’Ology” (2005).
Taking the stage is a familiar venture for the duo.
“For Floetry, it’s second nature to us,” said the Los Angeles-based Ambrosius. “It’s just something that we do in comfort.”
Ambrosius said she is a British citizen who stays in the United States on a work visa.
Ambrosius crafted songs for Alicia Keys and Jill Scott -— two Grammy-winning artists.
Ambrosius also supplied backing vocals for Justin Timberlake’s “Cry Me a River,” and has collaborated on recordings with Dr. Dre.
Bob Kostanczuk is a freelance writer.
Floetry
Where: The Venue at Horseshoe Casino, 777 Casino Center Drive, Hammond
When: 8 p.m. Saturday and 7 p.m. May 1
Tickets: $55, $75, $85; must be at least 21 years old to attend
Information: 219-473-7000, caesars.com/horseshoe-hammond
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