Too Opinionated Interview: Brenda Russell

With the release of her latest single, the soulful and sensualromance “You Know What It’s Like,” Brenda Russell not only continues to pave the way for her highly anticipated upcoming album Songpainter – her first collection in 20 years – but also makes a triumphant return to the refined classic blend of adult contemporary R&B and urban jazz that launched and defined the trailblazing four and a half decade career of the multi-Grammy nominated singer/songwriter, Tony nominated and Grammy winning Broadway composer for The Color Purple.

 “You Know What It’s Like” is a co-write by the singer and the legendary Roberta Flack.

When people assess Brenda’s overall career, her success as an artist and with The Color Purple often overshadows the gemsshe wrote that were hits for other artists. Beyond Oleta Adams’ “Get Here,” Brenda’s gems have been recorded by Luther Vandross (“If Only for One Night”), Donna Summer (“Dinner with Gershwin”), Babyface, The Manhattan Transfer, Patti Austin, Dionne Warwick, Mary J. Blige, Tina Turner, Stevie Wonder, Chaka Khan and Ramsey Lewis. Her tunes have also been sampled by everyone from Janet Jackson and 2Pace to Chance the Rapper and Ariana Grande. In addition, Brenda’s co-composition with Brazilian artist Ivan Lins “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.

Brenda was recently elected into the Female Songwriters Hall of Fame. 

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