Early life and education

Belle was born in Englewood, New Jersey. It was at Englewood's Mount Calvary Baptist Church, and then Paterson's Friendship Baptist Church (presided over by Belle's uncle, the Reverend Fred Belle), that Belle began attracting attention with her vocal abilities. She sang her first solo in church at age 8. Belle attended Dwight Morrow High School where she studied trombone, tuba and steel drums. After graduation, she studied opera at the Manhattan School of Music. At Rutgers University, she became the first female vocalist with the school's jazz ensemble. Belle's musical influences include Phyllis Hyman, Billie Holiday, Shirley Caesar, Patti LaBelle, and Nancy Wilson.

She was introduced to the Manhattans by New York radio DJ Vaughn Harper and began working as their opening act. She recorded the duet "Where Did We Go Wrong" with the group which helped to attract the attention of Columbia Records. They eventually signed her to a record deal.

Career

In 1987, she released her debut album All by Myself. It includes her first hits "So Many Tears" and "Show Me the Way". Her follow-up album, Stay with Me, released in 1989. Belle recorded a duet in 1991 with Johnny Mathis, "Better Together" which appeared on his album Better Together: The Duet Album. Continuing her tradition of duets, Belle teamed up with Peabo Bryson for several songs, including "Without You".

Later in 1993, she released her Platinum selling third album, Passion. The album featured the Disney hit, "A Whole New World". She released Reachin' Back in 1995 followed by Believe in Me in 1998.

In 2001, her cover of "Just the Two of Us" from the tribute album To Grover, With Love made a surprising return to the billboard charts, within months Belle would sign with the jazz oriented independent label Peak-Concord Jazz. she released the album This Is Regina!, which featured the R&B hit single, "Ooh Boy" also released were, "Don't Wanna Go Home" and "From Now On" with Glenn Jones. In 2004, she released a jazz standard album, Lazy Afternoon, produced by George Duke. The album included covers of the Isley Brothers' "For the Love of You" and Tony Bennett's "If I Ruled the World". In 2007, she collaborated with smooth jazz saxophonist Paul Taylor, co-writing and singing on his album "Ladies Choice".

Belle released her debut gospel album Love Forever Shines on May 13, 2008 via Pendulum Records. The 14-track collection features guests Melvin Williams (of the Williams Brothers) and Shirley Murdock.

On June 5, 2012, she released on Pendulum her second gospel album, called "Higher", on which Belle stated: I think that, with the second CD I had a better understanding of where I wanted to go . Belle has appeared in concert with many other performers, including Ray Charles, Boney James, Paul Taylor, The Rippingtons, Gerald Albright, Will Downing, Maze, Frankie Beverly, Phil Perry, Al Jarreau, and Stephanie Mills.

Personal life

Belle resides in Atlanta, Georgia and has been married to former NBA basketball player John Battle since 1991. The couple have four children: Tiy (born 1989), Jayln (born 1991), Sydney (born 1994), and Nyla (born November 10, 1995). Belle has at least two grandchildren.

Discography

Studio albums

Year	Album	Chart Positions					US Certifications	Record Label
		US	US R&B	US Jazz	US Gospel	UK
1987	All by Myself	85	14	—	—	53	—	Columbia
1989	Stay with Me	63	1	—	—	62	Gold
1993	Passion	63	13	—	—	—	Platinum
1995	Reachin' Back	115	18	—	—	—	—
1998	Believe in Me	—	42	—	—	—	—	MCA
2001	This Is Regina!	—	61	—	—	—	Gold	Peak
2004	Lazy Afternoon	—	58	12	—	—	—
2008	Love Forever Shines	119	15	—	3	—	—	Pendulum
2012	Higher	—	44	—	15	—	—
2016	The Day Life Began	—	—	—	—	—	—	Shanachie Entertainment

Compilations

• 1997: Baby Come To Me: The Best Of Regina Belle
• 2001: Super Hits
• 2006: Love Songs

Singles

Year	Single	Chart positions
		US	US R&B	US A/C	US Dance	US Gospel	UK
1986	"Where Did We Go Wrong?"	—	42	—	—	—	—
1987	"Show Me the Way"	68	2	—	—	—	97
	"So Many Tears"	—	11	—	—	—	—
	"Without You"	89	14	8	—	—	85
1988	"How Could You Do It to Me"	—	21	—	—	—	—
	"After the Love Has Lost Its Shine"	—	—	—	—	—	—
	"You Got the Love"	—	—	—	—	—	—
1989	"All I Want Is Forever"	—	2	34	—	—	—
	"Baby Come to Me"	60	1	—	—	—	—
	"Good Lovin'"	—	—	—	—	—	73
	"Make It Like It Was"	43	1	5	—	—	—
1990	"What Goes Around"	—	3	—	—	—	—
	"This Is Love"	—	7	29	—	—	—
1992	"Better Together"	—	68	—	—	—	—
	"A Whole New World (Aladdin's Theme)"	1	21	1	—	—	12
1993	"If I Could"	52	9	12	—	—	—
	"Quiet Time"	—	47	—	—	—	—
	"Dream in Color"	—	63	—	—	—	—
	"The Deeper I Love"	—	—	—	—	—	—
1994	"Far Longer Than Forever duet with Jeffery Osborne"	—	—	—	—	—	—
1995	"Love T.K.O."	—	29	—	—	—	—
1998	"Don't Let Go"	—	—	—	—	—	—
	"I've Had Enough"	—	—	—	—	—	—
2001	"Oooh Boy"	—	63	—	—	—	—
2004	"For the Love of You"	—	—	—	—	—	—
2008	"God Is Good"	—	83	—	—	2	—
	"I Call on Jesus"	—	—	—	—	17	—
2012	"Make An Example Out Of Me"	—	—	—	—	19	—

Awards and nominations

• American Music Award
  • 1991, Favorite Soul/R&B Female Artist (Nominated)
• Grammy Award

Year	Recipient/Nominated work	Award	Result
1991	"Make It Like It Was"	Best Female R&B Vocal Performance	Nominated
1994	"A Whole New World"	Record of the Year	Nominated
		Best Pop Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocals	Won
1999	Believe in Me	Best Traditional R&B Vocal Album	Nominated
2002	This is Regina	Best Traditional R&B Vocal Album	Nominated

• MTV Movie Awards
  • 1993, Best Song From a Movie: "A Whole New World" (Nominated)

[ Source: Wikipedia ]