Grayson Hugh

Grayson Hugh, singer/songwriter & keyboardist from Connecticut USA, released 1988 RCA Debut "Blind To Reason", that achieved widespread ariplay throughout the States and in Europe. The record went gold in Australia. The single "Talk It Over" reached the US TOP 20. The supporting video (showing Hugh and backup singers popping out of suitcases) was also aired in Europe where the single went into the German top 100. The soulful, R&B style arrangements were fitted perfectly to Hugh's soulful, expressive voice. Another single from that album "Bring It All Back" reached the US TOP FORTY. Hugh toured the U.S. and overseas in support of this record, at first opening for Dickie Betts, Mick Ronson & Sheena Easton before headlining his own tours. Hugh also had a major airplay success in a duet with soul singer Betty Wright, doing a cover of Champaign's 1981 US R&B Chart classic "How 'Bout Us". Hugh was asked to record his version of this song for the 1989 film "True Love". The supporting video, showing Hugh and Betty Wright singing together (with Hugh playing a grand piano) was shot in New Orleans. The following record "Road To Freedom" (MCA 1992) was produced by Bernard Edwards (Cofounder and Bass player of late 70's and early 80's NY Avantgarde Funk Dancefloor Band "Chic"). This album, arranged by Hugh and featuring a more rootsy rock/country/soul band, garnered much critical success. Billboard Magazine called it one of 1992's top-ten albums. One track, "I'll Remember You" was produced by by Funk+Soul legend Arthur Baker. Asked to record this Bob Dylan song for the film "Fried Green Tomatoes", Hugh drew on his experience as a pianist in a gospel church and arranged it in that style, adding his own searing Hammond B3 playing to a backup band that included members of Eric Clapton's touring ensemble. Unfortunately in 1994 the A & R man who signed Hugh to MCA was fired and Hugh was dropped from the label, along with a number of other artists. After living in North Carolina for a few years, Hugh moved back to the Northeast and began teaching songwriting at Berklee College of Music in Boston. He was also commissioned to compose scores for several modern dance companies. A new album (to be called "An American Record'), his first in fifteen years, is scheduled to be released on his upcoming website, sometime in early 2009, along with a large amount of previously unreleased music.