Brenda Russell facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Brenda Russell
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Russell in 2007
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| Background information | |
| Birth name | Brenda Gordon |
| Born | April 8, 1949 New York City, U.S. |
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| Years active | 1963–present |
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Brenda Russell (born April 8, 1949) is an American singer, songwriter, and keyboard player. She also produces music. Brenda Russell is known for her wide range of music styles. These include R&B, pop, soul, and jazz. She has been nominated for a Grammy Award five times.
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Brenda Russell's Early Life and Music Journey
Brenda Russell grew up in a musical family. Both of her parents were musicians. Her mother was a singer and songwriter. Her father, Gus Gordon, was once part of a famous group called the Ink Spots.
When Brenda was 12, her family moved to Hamilton, Ontario, in Canada. As a teenager, she started singing in local bands. She joined a girl group in Toronto called the Tiaras. The group released one song in 1968, but it was not a big hit.
Brenda Russell's Music Career
Starting Out in the 1960s and 1970s
At 14, Brenda met a group called the Soul Searchers. She later performed as an opening act for them. In her late teens, she joined the Toronto show of the musical Hair. This is when she started playing the piano.
In the early 1970s, Brenda married musician Brian Russell. They were both in a band called Dr. Music. Together, they helped create music for other artists. They sang backup for Elton John at a big concert in 1975. Brenda and Brian also released two albums as a duo called Brian & Brenda.
Their daughter, Lindsay, was born in 1977. After a while, Brenda and Brian divorced. Brenda then moved to Los Angeles to start her solo music career.
In 1979, Brenda released her first solo album, Brenda Russell. It became quite popular, reaching number 20 on the R&B charts. A song from the album, "So Good So Right," also did well on various music charts.
Success in the 1980s and 1990s
Brenda Russell helped write songs for the famous band Earth, Wind & Fire. She co-wrote their hit songs "You" and "I've Had Enough." In 1981, she released her second solo album, Love Life.
She also sang backup for many other artists. In 1982, she was part of an "All Star Choir" for Donna Summer's song "State of Independence." Other famous singers like Michael Jackson and Stevie Wonder were also in this choir.
In 1983, Brenda released her third album, Two Eyes. She then moved to Sweden for a short time to write new songs.
Brenda's fourth album, Get Here, came out in 1988. This album was her biggest success. It included her most famous song, "Piano in the Dark," which became a Top 10 hit in the US. This song earned her three Grammy Award nominations. The album also became her first to chart in the UK. Another song from the album, "Get Here," became a huge hit for singer Oleta Adams in 1991.
In 1990, Brenda released her fifth album, Kiss Me with the Wind. This album featured her own version of "Dinner With Gershwin," a song she wrote that was a hit for Donna Summer a few years earlier.
Brenda continued to write and produce music for other artists. She also appeared on charity singles and albums by artists like Joni Mitchell. In 1992, her first Greatest Hits album was released. Her sixth studio album, Soul Talkin', came out in 1993. She also wrote a song for Diana Ross's album Take Me Higher.
Brenda Russell in the 2000s
In 2000, Brenda Russell released her album Paris Rain. This album featured other talented musicians like Carole King. It showed Brenda moving towards a more grown-up music style. She released another album, Between the Sun and the Moon, in 2004.
A very important moment in Brenda's career happened in 2005. She helped write the music for a musical version of Alice Walker's book The Color Purple. This musical opened on Broadway and was produced by Oprah Winfrey. Brenda and her co-writers were nominated for a Tony Award and a Grammy Award for their work on the musical.
In 2016, Brenda Russell received another Grammy nomination for The Color Purple. This time, she won the award for Best Musical Theater Album.
Awards and Nominations
Brenda Russell has been recognized for her amazing musical talent with several awards and nominations.
Grammy Awards
The Grammy Awards are very important awards given out each year for achievements in music. Brenda Russell has received five Grammy nominations in total. She won one Grammy Award for her work on The Color Purple musical.
Tony Awards
Brenda Russell has also been nominated for a Tony Award. These awards celebrate excellence in Broadway theatre. She was nominated for her original musical score for The Color Purple in 2006.
Discography
- Brenda Russell (1979)
- Love Life (1981)
- Two Eyes (1983)
- Get Here (1988)
- Kiss Me with the Wind (1990)
- Soul Talkin' (1993)
- Paris Rain (2000)
- Between the Sun and the Moon (2004)
Filmography
Brenda Russell has appeared as a singer in a few movies. These include American Hot Wax, The Santa Clause, and Liberty Heights.
