Regina Belle the astounding award winning R&B and Jazz singer, songwriter and producer is slated for the Air Jamaica Jazz and Blues Festival 2011. She sang her way unto the urban contemporary music scene in the late 1980’s with musical notes of true passion.

Walter Elmore, President of Turnkey Productions and Executive Producers of the festival said that he was very happy to have her on the show and said that jazz enthusiasts will certainly be in for a treat when she hits the stage.

Regina Belle

“Regina Belle is a very powerful artiste. She is a songwriter, producer and a wonderful singer with compelling lyrics that resonate with many people all across the world. She is a welcomed addition to the line up for the Jazz festival. She is looking forward to her performance in Jamaica and we are pleased to have her,” Mr. Elmore said.

Mr. Elmore went on to say that this event will mark the second staging at the Trelawny Multi-Purpose Stadium and as such he wanted to ensure that the line up on all three nights was solid and appeasing to the crowd.

“We have something for everyone at the festival this time around. Maroon 5, Air Supply, Ron Isley and Laura Izubur are just a few of the other names,” Mr. Elmore said.

“Jazz has evolved over the years and is now being mixed with other sounds, we are trying to make sure that all genres are covered and that the audience goes home feeling satisfied,” he added.

Regina Belle began singing in church at the age of 8, some of her musical influences came from Donny Hathoway, Nancy Wilson and Billie Holiday. After High school, Regina attended the Manhattan School of Music and Rutger’s University where she became the first female vocalist with the school’s Jazz ensemble.

She began her musical career as the opening act for the Manhattans and later recorded the duet “Where Did We Go Wrong” with the group. This recording beckoned the attention of the Columbia Records label which Regina Belle signed her first record deal. In 1987 her debut album “All By Myself” which included her first hits “Please Believe Me” and “Show Me The Way” was released and from there-on Regina was dubbed a musical maestro.

In 1993 she recorded the song “A Whole New World” along-side Peabo Bryson for the Disney movie Aladdin, which became the number one song on the Billboard 100 and also won her two Grammy awards in the same year.

She has since accumulated several albums including a Gospel CD, “Love Forever Shines” with Pendulum Records in 2008.

Regina has shared the stage with many star performers like Ray Charles, Boney Jones, Paul Taylor, The Rippingtons, Gerald Albright and Stephanie Mills over her illustrious career.