Biography

Sugar Pie DeSanto has been called a great R&B singer as you will hear on her three CDs, "Sugar Is Salty" (1993), "Classic Sugar Pie" (1997) and "A Slice of Pie" (1999), all on the Jasman Records label. Yet, DeSanto, born Umpeylia Marsema Balinton in San Francisco, who was dubbed "Little Miss Sugar Pie" by bandleader Johnny Otis when she made her recording debut with him for Federal Records in 1955, is far more than a great blues singer. She's also a first-class soul. singer, a commanding jazz stylist, an uproarious comedienne, a show-stopping dancer and an expert tunesmith. In 1959 Sugar Pie recorded "I Want To Know" on Bob Geddins, Sr.'s Veltone label and which rose to the No. 3 slot in Billboard Magazine charts and earned her a contract with Chess Records and a nationwide tour. At that time, Chess Records artists included Etta James, Chuck Berry, Muddy Waters, Buddy Guy, and Bo Diddley. She made over twenty appearances at the Apollo in New York and appeared regularly at The Regal in Chicago and The Howard in Washington, D.C. It was at the Apollo where she was spotted by "The Godfather of Soul", James Brown and became his dynamic opening act for the next two years. Over the years she has written in excess of 100 tunes two of which she recorded as a duo with Etta James ("Do I Make Myself Clear" and "In the Basement" reissued by MCA, the latter being included in the soundtrack of the 1999 movie "The Hurricane"). Other songs of hers have been recorded by Fontella Bass, Billy Stewart, Little Milton, Bobby McClure, Minnie Riperton, Jesse James, The Dells and The Whispers. With the exception of "Hello, San Francisco, Part 1", which was composed by legendary Oakland, California blues producer, Bob Geddins, Sr., and "Keep It Like It Is" written by blues great Jimmy McCracklin, all of the selections on the Jasman Records CD's were written in whole or in part by DeSanto. She was the only female act on the bill with the American Folk Blues Festival that toured Europe in 1964. Other headliners included Willie Dixon, John Henry Barbee, Sleepy John Estes, Clifton James, Sunnyland Slim, Hubert Sumlin, Lightnin Hopkins and the legendary Sonny Boy Williamson. This Lippmann and Rau Production was publicized as "featuring the best Blues Artists of America." The song "Hello, San Francisco" is the latest chapter in a prolific career that has taken Sugar Pie from her hometown to Chicago (where she wrote and recorded many classic slides for Checker) and back again. Her latest albums magnificently demonstrate that she is one of the most talented and versatile artista that has ever come out of the San Francisco Bay Area -- or anywhere, for that matter. While Sugar Pie has made some memorable records over the years such as "I Want to Know", "Slippin' Mules" and "Soulful Dress", it is her live performance that people particularly never forget. "Classic Sugar Pie" released in 1997 (Jasman 10004) was recorded in New Orleans with arrangements by Wardell Quezergue whose list of credits include work with Alan Touissant, Fats Domino, Wilson Pickett and the Nevil Brothers. We were more than pleased with the arrangements he gave us which are groove to the bone. Except for "Never Say Die", "Bread & Butter" and "Don't Worry About Me", the other songs were recorded in the fifties or sixties and are presented here with contemporary arrangements. I suppose the musical pundits would pigeonhole this CD as R&B but country and western fans who listen closely to "Mama Didn't Raise No Fool", "Crazy Lovin'" and "I Don't Want to Fuss" will enjoy them as much as her regular followers. Blues and country music are, after all, cousins. Still Groovin'? Here's More Info about Sugar Pie DeSanto! Sugar Pie- "THE LAST OF THE RED HOT MAMAS" Classic Sugar Pie All Main tracks were recorded at Sound Services in New Orleans, LA Arrangements Wardell Quezerque Sugar Pie De Santo background vocal arrangements on all songs. Brian Querzerque - Bass Jamil Shanrif - Trumpet Sam Henry - Keyboards Brian E. Murray - Trumpet Charles Moore - Guitar Joe Saulsbury - Tenor Sax Bernard "Bunchy" Johnson - Drums Carl Lockett overdub rhythm and solo guitar at Live Oak Studios Background singers from New Orleans on "I Still Care" and "Never Say Die" Danon C. Smith, Kaye Dorian & Charolette Lang Background singers recorded at Live Oak Studios Berkeley, CA on all other songs were by the Sweet Nectar of Oakland, CA Sue McCracklin, Maureen Smith & Tia Carrol Produced by James C. Moore Sr. for Jasman Records P.O. Box 19700 Oakland, CA 94619 Copyright Jasman Records, 1997

Design and Hosting by  umbrellaweb.com