Regina Belle

Last updated

Regina Belle
Regina Belle.jpg
Belle in concert on the Holland America Line Ship, 2008.
Born (1963-07-17) July 17, 1963 (age 60) [1] [2] [3]
Englewood, New Jersey, U.S. [3]
Education Rutgers University
Occupation
  • Singer-songwriter
Years active1982–present
Spouse(s)
​
​
(m. 1985;div. 1990)​
[4]
​
​
(m. 1991)​
[5]
Children5
Relatives Bernard Belle (brother)
Musical career
Genres
Instrument(s)Vocals
Labels

Regina Belle[ citation needed ] (born July 17, 1963) [1] [3] is an American singer-songwriter who started her career in the mid-1980s. Known for her singles "Baby Come to Me" (1989) and "Make It Like It Was" (1990), Belle is most notable for two hit duets, both with Peabo Bryson: "Without You", the love theme from the comedy film Leonard Part 6 , recorded in 1987; and "A Whole New World", the main theme of the Disney's animated feature film Aladdin, recorded in 1992, with which Belle and Bryson won the Grammy award. The theme song "Far Longer than Forever" from the animated movie The Swan Princess , performed with Jeffrey Osborne, was nominated for a Golden Globe in 1995 for Best Original Song. [6]

Contents

Biography

Early life and education

Belle was born in Englewood, New Jersey. It was at Englewood's Mount Calvary Baptist Church, and then Paterson's Friendship Baptist Church (presided over by Belle's uncle, the Reverend Fred Belle), that Belle began attracting attention with her vocal abilities. She sang her first solo in church at the age of eight. She attended Dwight Morrow High School, where she studied trombone, tuba, and steel drums. [7] After graduation, Belle studied opera at the Manhattan School of Music. She attended Rutgers University and became the first female vocalist with the school's jazz ensemble. Belle's musical influences include Phyllis Hyman, Billie Holiday, Shirley Caesar, Patti LaBelle, and Nancy Wilson. [8] She was introduced to the Manhattans by New York radio DJ Vaughn Harper and began working as their opening act. She recorded the duet "Where Did We Go Wrong" with the group on their Back to Basics album, which helped to attract the attention of Columbia Records. She recorded a second duet, "Maybe Tomorrow", which appeared on the B-side of "Where Did We Go Wrong". Columbia eventually signed her to a record deal.

Career

Regina Belle in 1991 Regina Bell 1991.jpg
Regina Belle in 1991

In 1987, she released her debut album All by Myself. It includes her first hits "So Many Tears" and "Show Me the Way". In the same year, Belle recorded her first successful duet with Peabo Bryson: the song "Without You", the love theme from the comedy film Leonard Part 6 , also released in 1987. The song was her first single to appear on the Adult Contemporary (chart), peaking at #8 and was also her first single to appear in four charts, including the UK Singles, peaking at #85, her best position in this chart until 1989. Her follow-up album, Stay with Me , released in 1989. Belle recorded a duet in 1991 with Johnny Mathis, "Better Together" which appeared on his album Better Together: The Duet Album. Continuing her tradition of duets, Belle teamed up with Peabo Bryson for four songs: "Without You" (in 1987), "I Can't Imagine" (in 1991), "A Whole New World" (in 1992) and "Total Praise" (in 2009). [9] [10]

Later in 1993, she released her platinum-selling third album, Passion . The album featured the Disney hit, "A Whole New World". [11] The theme song "Far Longer than Forever" from the animated movie The Swan Princess , performed with Jeffrey Osborne, was nominated for a Golden Globe in 1995 for Best Original Song. [6] She released Reachin' Back in 1995 followed by Believe in Me in 1998.

Belle performing for President George W. Bush and First Lady Laura Bush during a Black Music Month celebration in the East Room of the White House on June 30, 2001. Regina Belle performs at the White House.jpg
Belle performing for President George W. Bush and First Lady Laura Bush during a Black Music Month celebration in the East Room of the White House on June 30, 2001.

In 2001, her cover of "Just the Two of Us" from the tribute album To Grover, With Love made a surprising return to the Billboard charts. Within months Belle would sign with the jazz-oriented independent label Peak-Concord Jazz. She released the album This Is Regina! , which featured the R&B hit single "Ooh Boy", and also released were, "Don't Wanna Go Home" and "From Now On" with Glenn Jones. In 2004, she released a jazz standard album, Lazy Afternoon , produced by George Duke. The album included covers of the Isley Brothers' "For the Love of You" and Tony Bennett's "If I Ruled the World". In 2007, she collaborated with smooth jazz saxophonist Paul Taylor, co-writing and singing on his album "Ladies Choice". Belle released her debut gospel album Love Forever Shines on May 13, 2008, via Pendulum Records. The 14-track collection features guests Melvin Williams (of the Williams Brothers) and Shirley Murdock. [12] [13] On June 5, 2012, Belle released on Pendulum her second gospel album, called Higher, on which she stated: "I think that, with the second CD [Higher] I had a better understanding of where I wanted to go [compared to Love Forever Shines]". [14] Belle has appeared in concert with many other performers, including Ray Charles, Boney James, Paul Taylor, The Rippingtons, Gerald Albright, Will Downing, Maze, Frankie Beverly, Phil Perry, Al Jarreau, and Stephanie Mills. [15]

Personal life

Belle has been married twice. Her first marriage was to saxophonist and flute player Horace Alexander Young from 1985 until 1990, and together they adopted a daughter named Tiy (born 1989) [16] [ citation needed ]. Belle married former NBA basketball player John Battle on June 25, 1991. [17] The couple has four children together, two of whom are adopted: daughter Winter, and son Jayln[ citation needed ]. After suffering miscarriages of two sets of twin boys[ citation needed ], the couple had daughter Sydni (born 1994) and Nyla (born November 10, 1995). [18] Belle has two grandchildren from Winter, Thea and Joshua. [19] Belle successfully battled a brain tumor in 2009. However, she is now deaf in her left ear. [20] [ citation needed ] Belle and her husband reside in Atlanta, Georgia. John is a pastor of a church in Atlanta. [21]

Discography

Studio albums

YearAlbumChart positionsCertifications
[22] 		Record label
US
[23] 		US R&B
[23] 		US Jazz
[23] 		US Gospel
[23] 		UK
[24]
1987 All by Myself 8514——53 Columbia
1989 Stay with Me 631——62
  • US: Gold
1993 Passion 6313———
  • US: Gold
1995 Reachin' Back 11518———
1998 Believe in Me —42——— MCA
2001 This Is Regina! —61——— Peak
2004 Lazy Afternoon —5812——
2008 Love Forever Shines 11915—3—Pendulum
2012 Higher —44—15—
2016 The Day Life Began ———11— Shanachie
"—" denotes the album failed to chart.

Compilations

Singles

YearSingleChart positions
US
[23] 		US R&B
[23] 		US A/C
[23] 		US Dance
[23] 		US Gospel
[23] 		UK
[24]
1986"Where Did We Go Wrong?" (with The Manhattans)—42————
1987"Show Me the Way"682———97
"So Many Tears"—11————
"Without You" (with Peabo Bryson)89148——85
1988"How Could You Do It to Me"—21————
"After the Love Has Lost Its Shine"——————
"You Got the Love"——————
1989"All I Want Is Forever" (with James "J.T." Taylor)—234———
"Baby Come to Me"601————
"Good Lovin'"—————73
"Make It Like It Was"4315———
1990"What Goes Around"—3————
"This Is Love"—729———
1992"Better Together" (with Johnny Mathis)—68————
"A Whole New World (Aladdin's Theme)" (with Peabo Bryson)1211——12
1993"If I Could"52912———
"Quiet Time"—47————
"Dream in Color"—63————
"The Deeper I Love"——————
1994"Far Longer than Forever" (with Jeffrey Osborne)——————
1995"Love T.K.O."—29————
1998"Don't Let Go"——————
"I've Had Enough"——————
2001"Oooh Boy"—63————
2004"For the Love of You"——————
2008"God Is Good"—83——2—
"I Call on Jesus"————17—
2012"Make an Example Out of Me"————19—
"—" denotes the single failed to chart.

Awards and nominations

YearNominee / workAwardResult
1991"Make It Like It Was"Best Female R&B Vocal PerformanceNominated
1994"A Whole New World" (with Peabo Bryson)Record of the YearNominated
Best Pop Performance by a Duo or Group with VocalsWon
1999Believe in MeBest Traditional R&B Vocal AlbumNominated
2002This is ReginaBest Traditional R&B Vocal AlbumNominated

See also

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Minnie Riperton</span> American singer (1947–1979)

Minnie Julia Riperton Rudolph was an American soul singer and songwriter best known for her 1975 single "Lovin' You", her five-octave vocal range, and her use of the whistle register.

The 36th Annual Grammy Awards were held on March 1, 1994. They recognized accomplishments by musicians from the previous year. Whitney Houston was the Big Winner winning 3 awards including Record of the Year and Album of the Year while opening the show with "I Will Always Love You".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Lamont Dozier</span> American singer-songwriter (1941–2022)

Lamont Herbert Dozier was an American singer, songwriter, and record producer from Detroit. He co-wrote and produced 14 US Billboard number-one hits and four number ones in the UK.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Peabo Bryson</span> American R&B and soul singer-songwriter (born 1951)

Robert Peapo "Peabo" Bryson is an American singer and songwriter. He is known for singing soul ballads including the hit singles "Tonight, I Celebrate My Love" with Roberta Flack, "A Whole New World'' with Regina Belle, and ''Beauty and the Beast'' with Canadian singer Celine Dion. Bryson has contributed to two Disney animated feature soundtracks. Bryson is a winner of two Grammy Awards.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Anita Baker</span> American singer-songwriter (born 1958)

Anita Denise Baker is an American singer-songwriter. She is known for her soulful ballads, particularly from the height of the quiet storm period in the 1980s.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Deniece Williams</span> American R&B and soul singer (born 1950)

June Deniece Williams is an American singer. She has been described as "one of the great soul voices" by the BBC. She is best known for the songs "Free", "Silly", "It's Gonna Take a Miracle" and two Billboard Hot 100 No.1 singles "Let's Hear It for the Boy" and "Too Much, Too Little, Too Late". Williams has won four Grammys with twelve nominations altogether. She is also known for recording “Without Us”, the theme song of Family Ties.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Freddie Jackson</span> American rhythm and blues singer (born 1956)

Frederick Anthony Jackson is an American singer. Originally from New York, Jackson began his professional music career in the late 1970s with the California funk band Mystic Merlin. Among his well–known R&B/soul hits are "Rock Me Tonight " (1985), "Have You Ever Loved Somebody" (1986), "Jam Tonight" (1986), "Do Me Again" (1990), and "You Are My Lady" (1985). He contributed to the soundtrack for the 1989 film, All Dogs Go to Heaven with the Michael Lloyd-produced duet "Love Survives" alongside Irene Cara. He also appeared in the movie King of New York.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Shanice</span> American singer-songwriter, actress and dancer

Shanice Lorraine Wilson-Knox is an American singer-songwriter, actress and dancer. Shanice had the Billboard hit singles "I Love Your Smile" and "Silent Prayer" in 1991 and "Saving Forever for You" in 1993. In 1999, Shanice scored another hit song with "When I Close My Eyes", which peaked at No. 12 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. She is recognized for her coloratura soprano voice and her ability to sing in the whistle register.

"A Whole New World" is the signature song from Disney's 1992 animated feature film Aladdin, with music by Alan Menken and lyrics by Tim Rice. A duet originally recorded by singers Brad Kane and Lea Salonga in their respective roles as the singing voices of the main characters Aladdin and Jasmine, the ballad serves as both the film's love and theme song. Lyrically, "A Whole New World" describes Aladdin showing the confined princess a life of freedom and the pair's acknowledgment of their love for each other while riding on a magic carpet. The song garnered an Academy Award for Best Original Song at the 65th Academy Awards and a Golden Globe Award for Best Original Song at the 50th Golden Globe Awards. "A Whole New World" also won the Grammy Awards for Best Song Written Specifically for a Motion Picture or for Television at the 36th Annual Grammy Awards, as well as Song of the Year, the only Disney song to do so. In the same year, the pop version sung by Peabo Bryson and Regina Belle was also nominated for Record of the Year and Best Pop Performance by a Duo or Group With Vocals, winning the latter.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ann Nesby</span> American singer and actress

Ann Nesby is an American R&B, gospel and dance music singer and actress. She is the former lead singer of Sounds of Blackness; a songwriter with credits including hits sung by Patti LaBelle and Gladys Knight; and an actress who co-starred in the 2003 romance musical The Fighting Temptations with Cuba Gooding Jr. and Beyoncé Knowles.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Oleta Adams</span> American singer and pianist (born 1953)

Oleta Angela Adams is an American singer, pianist, and songwriter. She found limited success during the early 1980s, before gaining fame via her contributions to Tears for Fears' international chart-topping album The Seeds of Love (1989). Her albums Circle of One (1991) and Evolution (1993) were top 10 hits in the UK; the former yielded a Grammy-nominated cover of Brenda Russell's "Get Here", which was a top 5 hit in both the UK and the U.S. Adams has been nominated for four Grammy Awards, as well as two Soul Train Music Awards.

"Beauty and the Beast" is a song written by lyricist Howard Ashman and composer Alan Menken for the Disney animated feature film Beauty and the Beast (1991). The film's theme song, the Broadway-inspired ballad was first recorded by British-American actress Angela Lansbury in her role as the voice of the character Mrs. Potts, and essentially describes the relationship between its two main characters Belle and the Beast, specifically how the couple has learned to accept their differences and in turn change each other for the better. Additionally, the song's lyrics imply that the feeling of love is as timeless and ageless as a "tale as old as time". Lansbury's rendition is heard during the famous ballroom sequence between Belle and the Beast, while a shortened chorale version plays in the closing scenes of the film, and the song's motif features frequently in other pieces of Menken's film score. Lansbury was initially hesitant to record "Beauty and the Beast" because she felt that it was not suitable for her aging singing voice, but ultimately completed the song in one take.

Peak Records is an American record label that was founded by The Rippingtons leader and guitarist Russ Freeman and Andi Howard in 1994. Peak is distributed by Bob Frank Entertainment.

"Tonight, I Celebrate My Love" is a romantic ballad written by lyricist Gerry Goffin with Michael Masser and recorded by Peabo Bryson and Roberta Flack for their 1983 album of duets, Born to Love, issued as the lead single. The track—produced by Masser—became a million-selling international hit.

<i>All by Myself</i> (Regina Belle album) 1987 studio album by Regina Belle

All by Myself is the debut album by American singer–songwriter Regina Belle. Released on June 1, 1987 by Columbia Records, the album features the hit singles "Show Me the Way", "So Many Tears", "How Could You Do It to Me", "Please Be Mine" and "You Got the Love".

<i>Passion</i> (Regina Belle album) 1993 studio album by Regina Belle

Passion is the third studio album by American singer Regina Belle. It was released by Columbia Records on February 16, 1993, in the United States. Belle consulted producers James Anthony Carmichael, Nick Martinelli, and Narada Michael Walden to work with her on the album. Upon release, it peaked at number 63 on the US Billboard 200 and number 13 on the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums, selling over 389,000 copies according to Nielsen Soundscan.

Brian Keith Thomas is an American record producer and songwriter from Franklin, Tennessee. He founded the record label and artist management company, Levosia Entertainment in 2003. He has received two Grammy Awards from six nominations.

Michael J. Powell is an American R&B musician, record producer and arranger who is best known for his work as producer for eight time Grammy Award-winning soul / R&B vocalist Anita Baker.

<i>Love Forever Shines</i> 2008 studio album by Regina Belle

Love Forever Shines is the eighth studio album by American singer Regina Belle. It was released by Pendulum Records on May 13, 2008, in the United States. The album became Belle's highest-charting album since Reachin' Back (1995), peaking at number three on the US Top Gospel Albums and number 15 on the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums. The album's first single "God Is Good" peaked at number 34 on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs.

"Without You" is a romantic song written by the American songwriter and music producer Lamont Dozier, and recorded in 1987 as a duet by the R&B singers Peabo Bryson and Regina Belle. The song was the love theme from the comedy film Leonard Part 6, released the same year, and was also recorded for the Peabo Bryson album Positive, released in 1988, the only album that contains the original version of "Without You". The single was released in November 1987, and peaked at #8 on the Adult Contemporary Tracks, #14 on the R&B chart, #85 on the UK Singles, and #89 on the Billboard Hot 100, between 1987/1988.

References

  1. 1 2 Group, Gale (August 1, 2005). Contemporary Black Biography: Profiles from the International Black Community. Cengage Gale. ISBN   9780787679231 – via Google Books.
  2. ↑ Warner, Jay (August 9, 2018). On this Day in Black Music History. Hal Leonard Corporation. ISBN   9780634099267 – via Google Books.
  3. 1 2 3 Leszczak, Bob (October 7, 2016). Dynamic Duets: The Best Pop Collaborations from 1955 to 1999. Rowman & Littlefield. ISBN   9781442271500 – via Google Books.
  4. ↑ Company, Johnson Publishing (June 1, 1990). "Ebony". Ebony. Johnson Publishing Company. p.  70 – via Internet Archive. regina belle Horace Young.
  5. ↑ Company, Johnson Publishing (September 30, 1991). "Jet". Johnson Publishing Company – via Google Books.
  6. 1 2 "Awards for Lex de Azevedo". IMDb. Retrieved August 15, 2010.
  7. ↑ Beckerman, Jim (October 31, 2004). "For Regina Belle, time for a special payback". The Record . Retrieved July 9, 2007.
  8. ↑ Bryant, Scott Poulsen (1993). "Regina: A showstopper with star power". Essence Magazine. Vol. 24, no. 4. pp. 56–60.
  9. ↑ Scott, Ron (2004). "Belle's Lazy afternoon". New York Amsterdam News. Vol. 95, no. 37. p. 17.
  10. ↑ Lopez, Robert (August 3, 2007). "Regina Belle knows about sacrifices". Knight Ridder Tribune Business News.
  11. ↑ "Regina Belle Artist Chart History" . Retrieved May 6, 2008.
  12. ↑ "Regina Belle Releases Gospel Album: Multi-Grammy Award winner's debut gospel project, 'Love Forever Shines' in stores soon". EURweb.com. March 7, 2008. Archived from the original on March 9, 2008.
  13. ↑ Quinn, Gwendolynn (March 5, 2008). "Multiple Grammy Winner Regina Belle Releases Debut Gospel Album". The Industry Cosign.
  14. ↑ "Regina Belle on Her New Gospel Album, 'Higher,' and Still Singing Her Secular Songs". YouTube. June 4, 2012. Retrieved February 24, 2016.[ dead YouTube link ]
  15. ↑ Watrous, Peter (July 1, 1991). "Jazz Festival; Ray Charles's Silences, Regina Belle's Wildness". The New York Times. Retrieved July 15, 2015.
  16. ↑ "Regina Belle: Mastering the Magic of Music and Motherhood". Ebony . Vol. 45, no. 8. Johnson Publishing Company. June 1990. p. 70. ISSN   0012-9011.
  17. ↑ "Singer Regina Belle Weds Basketball Star John Battle". Jet . September 30, 1991. p. 24.
  18. ↑ wblsfm1075 (March 3, 2016). "Regina Belle Talks New Album "The Day Life Began" + Shares A Message To Women!". Archived from the original on December 21, 2021 – via YouTube.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  19. ↑ Harrington, Richard (November 9, 2007). "Free to be Regina Belle". Washington Post. p. WE05. Retrieved July 15, 2015.
  20. ↑ "NPR, MUSIC: Gospel Singer Regina Belle Reaches 'Higher'". NPR . July 16, 2012. Retrieved February 7, 2020.
  21. ↑ "Baby Boom". Ebony . Vol. 52, no. 2. Johnson Publishing Company. December 1996. p. 152. ISSN   0012-9011.
  22. ↑ "Regina Belle US certification history". riaa.com. Retrieved January 27, 2011.
  23. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 "Regina Belle US chart history". Billboard. Archived from the original on October 13, 2013. Retrieved January 27, 2011.
  24. 1 2 "Regina Belle Official Charts Company". Official Charts Company . Retrieved January 27, 2011.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.