Peggi Blu

Peggi Blu
Background information
Birth name Peggi Blu
Also known as Peggy Blue, Peggi Blue, Peggy Blu
Born Lumberton, North Carolina, United States
Genres R&B
pop
disco
jazz
soul
Occupation(s) singer
actress
vocal coach
Years active 1973–present
Labels MCA
Capitol
Expansion
Associated acts Stephanie Mills
Website www.peggiblu.com

Peggi Blu (Blue) (born May 26) is an American actress, singer and vocal coach. She is the 1986 "Star Search Grand Champion (Female Vocalist)" winner.[1] And the winner of the 2013 "Malibu Music Awards" ("Vocal Coach Of The Year") award.[2] She is best known as the "American Idol-Vocal Coach From Hell".[3]

Early life

Blu was born in Lumberton North Carolina and began singing at the age of 3. By her early teens she had honed her musical chops all over the Carolinas thanks to her mother, and first vocal coach, Avis Blue. A relocation to New York city at the age of 14 with her Uncle Bishop Walter L. Benton and his choir gave her the start of her professional career. Due to constant bookings and a demand for her vocals she was home-schooled. She later studied voice under famed vocal coach Kenneth Kamal Scott.

Career

Her career as a sought after 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 such diverse artists as Elkie Brooks, Esther Phillips and Minister Louis Farrakhan.[5] In 1980 she landed her first major label contract with MCA Records. The album I Got Love spawned the hit "Dancing In The Streets" (#-63 Billboard Dance Music/Club Play Single).[6] The title track was featured in the 1980 Mare Winningham TV-movie "Off The Minnesota Strip". Unfortunately the disco collapse of 1980-81 saw MCA Records drop Peggi and most of its dance/disco artists.

In 1983 Blu embarked on another career path by landing a part in the short-lived musical "Marilyn: An American Fable" alongside newcomer Scott Bakula. Blu was in the Greek chorus-like trio called "Destiny," who provided a running commentary about the sex goddess's woes. The musical closed after only 17 performances.[7] She quickly followed this with a spot in the 1984 Broadway revival of "The Wiz" playing "Aunti Em" alongside Stephanie Mills as "Dorothy." This also was a short-lived run with only 7 previews and 13 performances before closing.[8] In 1985 while continuing with studio session work she recorded a one-off dance single for the Netherlands-based Injection label, a stunning remake of "Girls It Ain't Easy."[9] In 1986 her agent submitted an audition tape to Star Search. In only eight minutes and four shows (two minutes per song per show) Blu became the "1986 Grand Champion Female Vocalist", winning the $100,000.00 prize. Her rendition of the Donny Hathaway classic "Giving Up Is Hard To Do" was the finale winning performance. With "Star Search" win in hand she landed her second major label contract with Capitol Records and spent the remainder of 1986 and most of 1987 in the studio.

1987's Blu Blowin' received critical acclaim and favorable reviews. Despite rave reviews and impeccable performances the album only produced two minor R&B/Hop Hop hits with "Tender Moments"[10] and "All The Way With You."[11] During the remainder of the 1980s and 1990s Blu busied herself with studio session work, personal appearances, stints in the Michael Jackson produced musical "Sisterella," the Linda Hopkins gospel musical "Wild Women Blues" and the longest Off-Broadway musical "Mama I Want To Sing." Soloist performances with The Los Angeles Philharmonic Orchestra, Hawaiian Symphony (alongside Burt Bacharach) and The Memphis Philharmonic Orchestra. As well as on the soundtracks of 1996's "Set It Off" and 1999's "Hurricane" and "Desert Heat." A memorable performance during the 1990s was at President Bill Clinton's First Inauguration at his request.

2000 and current

Starting off the new millennium with a bang, Blu was part of Barbra Streisand's Timeless: Live in Concert in Las Vegas.

In September 2002 Blu released her third album, Livin’ On Love, on Expansion Records.[12] The title track was a European radio favorite reaching #-1 in five countries. The success of the album has prompted it to be re-released in 2004 and again in 2006.

In 2006 Blu was featured on the ABC TV show "Miracle Workers" alongside good friend Charles Valentino. The two sang their self penned duet of "I'm Back."[13] In 2007 Blu did backing vocals and vocal arrangements for the soundtrack to Adam Sandler's "I Now Pronounce You Chuck and Larry."

In 2010 Blu recorded with Danish/German duo Cool Million on their album "Back For More" the success of that led to her appearance on their 2012 album "III."[14] In 2011/2012 Blu brought her talent and panache to a whole new generation as a vocal coach on "American Idol." It was Blu's bluntness and honesty tempered with wise cracks that made her a favorite. Twitter accounts and social media feeds exploded with talk of Peg In 2013 Blu launched her one-woman show "Blu Sinatra" in which she sings selections from the classic Sinatra songbook as if “Frank Sinatra were born a Black Woman named Peggi Blu!”[15]

In 2014 Blu has made an appearance in the Pattie Brooks music video "I Like The Way You Move" spoofing the Debbie Allen character in "Fame."

Personal life

Blu is married to guitarist Ted Perlman.[16]

Selected appearances discography

  • 1973 Archie Schepp-The Cry Of My People
  • 1974 Lou Courtney-I'm In Need Of Love
  • 1976 Esther Phillips w/Beck-For All We Know
  • 1977 Elkie Brooks-Two Days Away
  • 1980 Minister Louis Farrakhan-Heed The Call Y'all
  • 1980 Various- Fame (Original Soundtrack From The Motion Picture)
  • 1982 Stephanie Mills-Tantalizingly Hot
  • 1983 The Weather Girls- Success
  • 1983 Stephanie Mills- Merciless
  • 1985 Bob Dylan- Empire Burlesque
  • 1985 Robin Clark-Surrender
  • 1986 Various – Star Search The Winners Album
  • 1986 Brian Setzer-The Knife Feels Like Justice
  • 1986 Bob Dylan-Knocked Out Loaded
  • 1987 Ronee Martin-Sensation
  • 1988 Barbra Streisand-Till I Loved You
  • 1988 Bob Dylan-Down In The Groove
  • 1989 The Manhattans-Sweet Talk
  • 1989 Kylie Minogue-Rhythm Of Love
  • 1989 Quincy Jones-Back On The Block
  • 1989 Tracy Chapman-Crossroads
  • 1989 Various-Urban Cruising (Duet w/Bert Robinson)
  • 1989 Bianca-Forever
  • 1990 Thelma Houston-Throw You Down
  • 1990 Laura Branigan-Laura Branigan
  • 1992 Leonard Cohen-The Future
  • 1992 Various-Expansions Soul Sauce Vol. 1 (Love Is The Magic)
  • 1993 Young M.C.-What's The Flavor?
  • 1993 Sonya Barry-The World Is Like A Shadow
  • 1995 Melissa Manchester-If My Heart Had Wings
  • 1996 Christopher Young-Set It Off (Original Motion Picture Score)
  • 1999 Various-Vibrafinger
  • 2002 Young M.C.-Engage The Enzyme
  • 2004 Ron Dante-Saturday Night Blast
  • 2010 Various-Christmas At Sedsoul (The Christmas Song)
  • 2010 Cool Million- Back For More (I See You)
  • 2012 Cool Million- III (When We Loved & What About You)

Main albums discography

References

  1. ↑ Company, Johnson Publishing (March 17, 1986). Jet Magazine. pp. 40, 60.
  2. ↑ "6th Annual Malibu Music Awards".
  3. ↑ "Peggi Blu Bio".
  4. ↑ "The Cry Of My People".
  5. ↑ "Peggi Blu Credits".
  6. ↑ "Billboard Chart History".
  7. ↑ "Marilyn: An American Fable".
  8. ↑ "The Wiz".
  9. ↑ "AllMusic Guide".
  10. ↑ "Billboard Chart History".
  11. ↑ "AllMusic Guide".
  12. ↑ "Expansion Records".
  13. ↑ "Peggi Blu News Archives".
  14. ↑ "AllMusic Guide".
  15. ↑ "Peggi Blu".
  16. ↑ "Ted Perlman".
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