Sugar Pie DeSanto (born Umpeylia (Peylia) Marsema Balinton, October 16, 1935) is a Filipino-American rhythm and blues singer, known for her dynamic stage presence, accompanied in her early days with back flips. All this packed into a 4'11" frame.
Singer, Songwriter, Dancer, Bandleader, Record Producer
Toured with Johnny Otis Revue in the 50's
Toured with James Brown's Revue in the 60's
Biggest hits; I Want To Know, Use What You Got, Slip-in Mules, Soulful Dress, I Don't Want To Fuss.
Duets with Etta James; Do I Make Myself Clear (in Top 10), In The Basement.
Moved from SF to settle in Oakland.
Awarded Best Female Blues Singer Bay Area Music Award in 1999, Pioneer Award by the Rhythm and Blues Foundation in 2006 and Lifetime Achievement Award by the Goldie Awards in 2009.
Husband Jesse Earl Davis perished attempting to extinguish a fire which completely destroyed their Telegraph apartment Oct 24, 2006
Wears berets and stylish clothing, brandishes a keen sense of humor.
Frequents Telegraph restaurants
Fond of Hamm's on ice - but drinks only half
Follows the A's
Links and References
- Sugar Pie DeSanto on Wikipedia