Artists

Brenda Russell

With a voice that caresses like melted caramel and lyrics that touch the deepest recesses of your emotions, singer/songwriter Brenda Russell proves that a glowing talent only deepens with time. Author of such gems as "Piano In The Dark," "If Only For One Night," and the much-loved anthem "Get Here," Brenda returned to the marketplace in 2000 with the release of Paris Rain on Hidden Beach Recordings-her first studio album in seven years. The exquisitely crafted album displayed her song craft and richly nuanced voice in an elegant journey of mood, melody and memory that satisfied longtime fans and enchanted new listeners.

Since Paris Rain's release, Brenda has also continued to exercise her considerable gifts in a variety of projects. She is currently co-writing (with Allee Willis and Stephen Bray) the music for a Broadway production of the Pulitzer Prize-winning novel "The Color Purple" by Alice Walker slated to hit the stage in 2004. She also co-wrote the song "Justice of the Heart" with Stevie Wonder in the Denzel Washington hit movie "John Q;" a song which Wonder performed. And her co-composition with Brazilian artist Ivan Lins, titled "She Walks This Earth," was recorded by international superstar Sting for the all-star tribute album Love Affair: The Music Of Ivan Lins. Sting's inspired performance of the uniquely beautiful song earned him a Grammy Award in 2001 for Best Pop Male Vocal Performance.

In December 2001, she made her annual appearance on the Dave Koz & Friends Christmas Tour with the smooth jazz sax star, and recorded with Koz for the CD "A Smooth Jazz Christmas" which was nominated for a Grammy in 2002 for Best Pop Instrumental Album; she also toured during the summer of 2001, including the Essence Music Festival in July.

Fellow artists who appreciate Brenda's music call on her formidable talent for penning lyrics again and again. She performs a duet with contemporary bluesman Keb'‚ Mo'‚ on his children's album, titled Big Wide Grin. Their song, "I Am Your Mother Too," bears a very special message for adopted children. And singer Will Downing benefited from Brenda's songwriting with one of her co-compositions, "Don't You Talk To Me Like That" (co-written with Vinx and Mark Cawley), on his 2002 Verve Records album. And just to keep things fun, Brenda has written incidental music for the animated series "Fat Girl" on the Oxygen Network, as well as an animated internet short series titled "Driving While Black" for urbanentertainment.com. Brenda also wrote the theme music for the syndicated "The Ananda Lewis Show;" a daytime talk show hosted by the former MTV VJ. Born to musical parents in Brooklyn, New York, Brenda Russell grew up there and in the Canadian town of Hamilton, Ontario. Singing as a teen brought her to performing in the Canadian company of the rock musical "Hair" in Toronto, where she encountered her first piano in the lobby of the theater. Without a formal musical education, Brenda says she worried that she would never be able to write a song. "Then I had this revelation that: 'You're not doing this, you are just a channel for this, something opened up and it came through you.' Once I realized that I was sort of fearless about songwriting after that. Because if that's the way it is, I can do anything, and that's the premise I've based my whole writing career on."

In the late 1970s, now living in Los Angeles, Brenda and her manager began circulating a demo of her songs. She was signed to Tommy LiPuma's Horizon Records, and her first single, "So Good, So Right" was released in 1979. Brenda transferred to A&M Records, where she formed a bond with label founder Herb Alpert and released "Brenda Russell" and "Love Life." Her contract was picked up by Warner Bros. for the 1983 album "Two Eyes" before moving to Sweden, where she wrote tunes for her A&M return, "Get Here." That 1988 album contained the Grammy-nominated "Piano In The Dark," the gorgeous "Le Restaurant," and the title cut, which was a hit for Oleta Adams a few years later.

After a 1992 "Greatest Hits" package and her 1993 set "Soul Talkin'," Brenda took time off to regroup and travel. Continuing to write, produce, and collaborate with other artists, Brenda honed her craft and contributed tunes to other projects, including albums by Diana Ross, Tina Turner, Patti LaBelle, the score to How Stella Got Her Groove Back, as well as writing and performing two songs in director Barry Levinson's film Liberty Heights.

As one of few artists who have successfully been able to incorporate a wide range of musical influences--rock, pop, R&B, jazz, classical, Latin--into a distinct style that defies categorization while attracting fans around the world, Brenda Russell's music endures through time and trends.

"I never write songs that are without hope," the accomplished artist explains. "People have to be inspired to another level. Like: My heart can go on! I may feel like I'm going to die, but I won't because something good could be around the corner. I take responsibility on myself to inspire people and even make them cry. Yes, I'll make you cry but I won't leave you hopeless."