Regina Belle was born July 17, 1963 in Englewood, NJ. She started out singing in the church, like so many others. People took notice of her vocal abilities. In high school she played the trombone, steel drums and the tuba. At Rutgers University she became the first female vocalist with the school's jazz ensemble. Belle loved her some Phyllis Hyman, Donny Hathaway, and Billie Holiday. She recorded Nancy Wilson's "If I Could" and a whole new generation fell in love with that song. Years ago, she used to be the Manhattans opening act and Columbia Records signed her to their label. Her husband is ex-NBA basketball player John Battle. He is now a pastor of his own church in the Atlanta, GA are. They have 5 children.
Regina's debut album in 1987, "All By Myself" put her on the charts with songs like Show Me The Way, After The Love Has Lost Its Shine, How Could You Do It To Me, and Please Be Mine. Her 2nd album "Stay With Me" had a very mature and sophisticated vibe. My favorite tracks on the album are: Baby Come To Me, Make It Like It Was, It Doesn't Hurt Anymore, and Donny Hathaway's, Someday We'll All Be Free which she rips. The video below is from her "Believe In Me" album from 1998. She has a total of 8 albums and her last album "Love Forever Shines" is a gospel album. Regina was nominated for a 2009 Stellar Award in the Contemporary Female of the Year category. Her first gospel CD takes you back to church . . . old school with a mix of new school, too. Her hit "God is Good" was written by her brother for their dad. Their father wanted something "old school" on her CD and she delivered . . . as always. Every track on her gospel CD could be number one hit! ~ ♫ Kandee MusicLvr ♫
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