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 five Grammy Awards. In 2017, she won a Grammy for writing music for the play The Color Purple.
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Brenda Russell's Early Life
Brenda Russell grew up in a musical family. Both her parents were musicians. Her mom was a singer and songwriter. Her dad, 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.
Starting Music as a Teen
As a teenager, Brenda began 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. During her late teens, she also performed in the Toronto show of Hair. This is when she started learning to play the piano.
Brenda Russell's Music Career
Early Years and Collaborations
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 Neil Sedaka's song "Laughter in the Rain". They also performed with Elton John at a big concert in 1975.
As a duo called Brian & Brenda, they released two albums. These albums were Word Called Love in 1976 and Supersonic Lover in 1977. They also sang on two songs for Robert Palmer's album Double Fun. Brenda and Brian had a daughter named Lindsay in 1977. After they divorced, Brenda started her solo music career in Los Angeles.
Becoming a Solo Artist
In 1979, Brenda Russell released her first solo album. It was called Brenda Russell. This album did very well, reaching number 20 on the Billboard R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart. One song from the album, "So Good So Right," became a hit. It reached number 8 on the Adult Contemporary Songs chart.
Hits in the 1980s and 1990s
Brenda Russell helped write songs for other popular groups. She co-wrote two songs for Earth, Wind & Fire's 1980 album Faces. One of these was the hit song "You". She also helped write "I've Had Enough" for them in 1981.
In 1981, she released her second solo album, Love Life. She also sang backup for Donna Summer's song "State of Independence" in 1982. Many other famous singers were part of this song, like Michael Jackson and Stevie Wonder.
Her fourth album, Get Here, came out in 1988. This album was her biggest success. It included her most famous song, "Piano in the Dark". This song was a Top 10 hit in the US. It also earned three Grammy Award nominations. The song "Get Here", which Brenda wrote, became a huge hit for singer Oleta Adams in 1991.
Brenda released her fifth album, Kiss Me with the Wind, in 1990. This album featured her own version of "Dinner With Gershwin". She had written this song earlier, and it was a hit for Donna Summer in 1987. Brenda also helped produce Donna Summer's version.
In the 1990s, Brenda continued to work on new music. She released her sixth album, Soul Talkin', in 1993. She also wrote and produced a song for Diana Ross in 1995. Brenda even recorded two songs for the 1999 movie Liberty Heights, where she also appeared.
Music in the 2000s
In 2000, Brenda Russell released the album Paris Rain. This album featured other artists like Carole King. It showed Brenda moving towards a more grown-up music style. In 2004, she released her eighth album, Between the Sun and the Moon.
The Color Purple Musical
In 2005, a musical play based on the book The Color Purple opened on Broadway. Brenda Russell helped write the music for this show. She worked with lyricists Allee Willis and Stephen Bray. The musical 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 won a Grammy Award for The Color Purple. This award was for Best Musical Theater Album.
Brenda Russell's Legacy
Brenda Russell's music has inspired other artists. A part of her song "Piano in the Dark" was used in the dance hit "I Cry" by Flo Rida. The British band Hot Chip also said they wished they had written Brenda's song "Way Back When."
Awards and Nominations
Brenda Russell has received several important awards and nominations for her music.
Grammy Awards
The Grammy Awards are big awards given each year for music. Brenda Russell has been nominated five times.
| Year | Category | Nominated work | Result |
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| 1988 | Song of the Year | "Piano in the Dark" | Nominated |
| 1988 | Best Pop Vocal Performance, Female | Get Here | Nominated |
| 1988 | Best Pop Performance By A Duo Or Group With Vocals | "Piano in the Dark" | Nominated |
| 2006 | Best Musical Show Album | The Color Purple | Nominated |
| 2016 | Best Musical Theatre Album | The Color Purple | Won |
Tony Awards
Brenda Russell has also been nominated for a Tony Award. These awards are for excellence in Broadway theater.
| Year | Category | Nominated work | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006 | Original Musical Score | The Color Purple | Nominated |
Albums
- 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)
Movies and TV Shows
Brenda Russell has appeared as a singer in a few movies. These include American Hot Wax, The Santa Clause, and Liberty Heights.
