Peggi Blu

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Peggi Blu
PeggiBlu2013.jpg
Background information
Birth namePeggi Blu
Also known asPeggy Blue, Peggi Blue, Peggy Blu
Born Lumberton, North Carolina, United States
Genres R&B
pop
disco
jazz
soul
OccupationsSinger
actress
vocal coach
Years active1973–present
Labels MCA
Capitol
Expansion
Website www.peggiblu.com

Peggi Blu is an American actress, singer and vocal coach. She was the 1986 'Star Search Grand Champion (Female Vocalist)' [1] and the winner of the 2013 Malibu Music Awards ('Vocal Coach of the Year'). [2] She is best known as an American Idol vocal coach. [3]

Contents

Early life

Blu was born in Lumberton, North Carolina, and began singing at the age of three. A relocation to New York city at the age of 14 with her uncle Bishop Walter L. Benton and his choir opened the way to her professional career. Due to constant bookings and a demand for her vocals she was home-schooled.

Career

Her career as a session background singer began in 1973 with Archie Shepp's "Rest Enough (Song To Mother)", [4] from his "The Cry Of My People" album. Session work continued throughout the 1970s with artists such as Elkie Brooks, Esther Phillips, and Louis Farrakhan. [5]

In the mid-1970s, Blu toured with Louise Bethune and Dee Dee Kenniebrew billed as The Crystals.

In 1980, she landed her first major label contract with MCA Records.

In 1987, the album Blu Blowin' produced two minor R&B/hip hop hits with "Tender Moments" and '"All The Way With You". [6]

2000 to present

In September 2002, Blu released her third album, Livin' On Love, on Expansion Records. [7] In 2006, Blu was featured on the short-lived ABC TV show "Miracle Workers" alongside good friend Charles Valentino. [8] In 2007, Blu did backing vocals and vocal arrangements for the soundtrack to Adam Sandler's I Now Pronounce You Chuck and Larry.[ citation needed ]

In 2010, Blu recorded with Danish/German duo Cool Million on their album Back For More, [9] which led to her appearance on their 2012 album III. In 2011–2012, Blu was a judge and vocal coach on American Idol . [10]

Selected appearances discography

Main albums discography

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References

  1. Company, Johnson Publishing (March 17, 1986). Jet Magazine. pp. 40, 60.
  2. "6th Annual Malibu Music Awards". Archived from the original on October 23, 2017. Retrieved February 5, 2014.
  3. "Peggi Blu". Peggiblu.com. January 10, 2021. Retrieved October 24, 2023.
  4. "Archie Shepp - The Cry Of My People". Discogs.com. October 24, 1973. Retrieved October 24, 2023.
  5. "Peggi Blu". Discogs.com. Retrieved October 24, 2023.
  6. "Billboard Chart History". Billboard.com. Retrieved October 24, 2023.
  7. "Expansion Records". Expansionrecords.com. Retrieved October 24, 2023.
  8. "Peggi Blu News Archives". Peggiblu.com. Retrieved October 24, 2023.
  9. "Cool Million - Back for More Album Reviews, Songs & More". AllMusic . Retrieved October 24, 2023.
  10. Carpio, Anthony Clark (March 28, 2017). "Who's the best young singer in Burbank? This contest aims to find out". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved August 18, 2019.