Regina Belle – The Electrifying Soul Singer

Regina Belle burst onto the music scene in 1987 with her rhythm and blues album All By Myself.

Newsweek’s Jim Miller summed it up thus “Move over, Anita Baker…and make way for Regina Belle, who may be the most electrifying new soul singer since Baker herself…. Imagine a singer who simultaneously recalls Aretha Franklin, Sade, and Anita Baker, and you’ll get a fair idea of Belle’s singular style.”

However with her distinctive style and throaty vocals Regina has her own special niche in the music industry. Often compared with Anita Baker by reviewers, Regina herself prefers to list her musical influences as Phyllis Hyman, Billie Holiday, Donny Hathaway and Nancy Wilson. Regina’s full throated vocals and pop gospel style of rendition has made her one of the most exciting singers to emerge on the music scene at the turn of the century.

Regina was born on July 17, 1963 in Englewood, New Jersey. Like many black R & B singers before her, Regina’s initial forays into music began with singing gospel in church. Describing music as “something…involuntary” in her family, Regina learnt gospel from her mother, Lois and rhythm and blues from her father, Eugene. While still in school she studied opera and classical music during weekends at the Manhattan School of Music in New York. Later while majoring in accounting and history at Rutgers University she joined the Jazz Ensemble there. In an interview with Stephan Bloom of Rolling Stone magazine Regina commented that jazz taught her “to listen for colors, as opposed to trying to sing just notes.”

Regina was noticed by disc jockey Vaughan Harper while performing at a concert on the Rutgers campus. Through Harper Regina met The Manhattans and was soon touring with the group as a back-up singer. Eventually Regina landed a solo recording contract with Colombia, the band’s label.
After her debut in 1987, there was no looking back for Regina Belle. Stay With Me followed in 1989, consolidating her reputation as a rhythm and blues singer. Singles like Show Me the Way, Make It Like It Was and When Will You Be Mine emerged from these albums.

Regina’s third album, Passion, was released in 1993. One of the tracks on the album was a duet with Peobo Bryson. A Whole New World proved to be one of Regina’s biggest hits to date. Used in the Disney animation film Alladin, the song won Regina and Peabo a Grammy and its writers Alan Meakin and Time Rice three Grammys and an Oscar.

Regina’s 1993 album, Reachin’ Back was a tribute to music that had inspired her and consisted of cover versions of songs by Teddy Pendergrass, The Spinners and The O’jays. 1998 saw the release of Believe In Me, marking a departure from Regina’s usual sultry style, including as it did some club-friendly tracks. This was followed by This is Regina in 2000 and Lazy Afternoon in 2004.

An outstanding live performer as well as a successful recording artiste, Regina has been able to hold her own confidently even against established singers for whom she has often been the opening act. Regina’s ingenuous improvisations and experimentations have brought her as much acclaim as her wide vocal range and passionate performances.

Regina is married to basket ball player John Brett and lives with him and their three children.

TJ Grooves - Soul Music TV & Rare Soul Grooves.com