Peggi Blu is an American actress, singer and vocal coach. She is the 1986 "''Star Search Grand Champion (Female Vocalist)''" winner and the winner of the 2013 "Malibu Music Awards" ("''Vocal Coach of the Year''") award. She is best known as an ''

American Idol ''American Idol'' is an American singing competition television series created by Simon Fuller, produced by Fremantle North America and 19 Entertainment, and distributed by Fremantle North America. It aired on Fox from June 11, 2002, to Ap ...

'' vocal coach'".

Early life

Blu was born in Lumberton North Carolina and began singing at the age of 3. A relocation to New York city at the age of 14 with her uncle Bishop Walter L. Benton and his choir opened the way to her professional career. Due to constant bookings and a demand for her vocals she was home-schooled.

Career

Her career as a session background singer began in 1973 with Archie Shepp's ''"Rest Enough (Song To Mother)"'', from his ''"The Cry Of My People"'' album. Session work continued throughout the 1970s with artists such as Elkie Brooks, Esther Phillips, and

Louis Farrakhan Louis Farrakhan (; born Louis Eugene Walcott, May 11, 1933) is an American religious leader, black supremacist, anti-white and antisemitic conspiracy theorist, and former singer who heads the Nation of Islam (NOI). Prior to joining the NOI, h ...

. In 1980, she landed her first major label contract with

MCA Records MCA Records was an American record label owned by MCA Inc., which later became part of Universal Music Group. Pre-history MCA Inc., a powerful talent agency and a television production company, entered the recorded music business in 1962 wit ...

. In 1987, the album ''Blu Blowin produced two minor R&B/hip hop hits with ''"Tender Moments"'' and ''"All The Way With You"''.

2000 and current

In September 2002, Blu released her third album, ''Livin On Love'', on

Expansion Records Expansion Records is a British record label founded by Northern Soul DJ Richard Searling and Soul Bowl owner John Anderson. In 1989, DJ Author & Journalist Ralph Tee joined the label, both he and Searling run Expansion Records. Label hist ...

. In 2006, Blu was featured on the short-lived ABC TV show ''"Miracle Workers"'' alongside good friend Charles Valentino. 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"'', which led to her appearance on their 2012 album ''"III"''. In 2011–2012, Blu was a judge and vocal coach on ''

''.

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 ''Two Days Away'' is an album by Elkie Brooks, released in 1977. Background Brooks' breakthrough second album, released in 1977, propelled her into solo stardom in the UK and Europe. Including the top ten hits "Pearl's a Singer" and "Sunshine Af ...

'' * 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 ''The Knife Feels Like Justice'' is the debut album by American musician Brian Setzer, released in 1986 on the EMI America record label. In contrast to the rockabilly sound of his earlier band Stray Cats, this album emphasizes a roots rock sound ...

* 1986 Bob Dylan-

Knocked Out Loaded ''Knocked Out Loaded'' is the 24th studio album by American singer-songwriter Bob Dylan, released on July 14, 1986 by Columbia Records. The album was received poorly upon release, and is still considered by some critics to be one of Dylan's leas ...

* 1987 Ronee Martin-''Sensation'' * 1988 Barbra Streisand- Till I Loved You * 1988 Bob Dylan-

Down in the Groove ''Down in the Groove'' is the 25th studio album by American singer-songwriter Bob Dylan, released on May 30, 1988 by Columbia Records. A highly collaborative effort, it was Dylan's second consecutive album to receive almost unanimously negative r ...

* 1989 The Manhattans-''Sweet Talk'' * 1989 Quincy Jones-

Back on the Block ''Back on the Block'' is a 1989 studio album produced by Quincy Jones. The album features legendary musicians and singers from across three generations, including Ella Fitzgerald, Miles Davis, Joe Zawinul, Ice-T, Big Daddy Kane, Sarah Vaugh ...

* 1989 Tracy Chapman-

Crossroads Crossroads, crossroad, cross road or similar may refer to: * Crossroads (junction), where four roads meet Film and television Films * ''Crossroads'' (1928 film), a 1928 Japanese film by Teinosuke Kinugasa * ''Cross Roads'' (film), a 1930 Brit ...

* 1989 Various-''Urban Cruising'' (Duet w/Bert Robinson) * 1989 Bianca-''Forever'' * 1990 Thelma Houston-''Throw You Down'' * 1990 Kylie Minogue- Rhythm Of Love * 1990 Laura Branigan-

Laura Branigan Laura Ann Branigan (July 3, 1952 – August 26, 2004) was an American singer, songwriter, and actress. Her signature song, the platinum-certified 1982 single " Gloria", stayed on the U.S. ''Billboard'' Hot 100 for 36 weeks, then a record for ...

* 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) * 2021 Take Me Higher - Filip Grönlund ft. Peggi Blu

Main albums discography

* 1980 ''I Got Love'' (MCA Records) * 1987 ''Blu Blowin'' (Capitol Records) * 2002 ''Livin' On Love'' (Expansions)

References

External links

* * * * {{DEFAULTSORT:Blu, Peggi Living people People from Lumberton, North Carolina American disco musicians 21st-century African-American women singers American rhythm and blues singers Year of birth missing (living people)