1. Brenda Russell Composer of “The Color Purple”
Top Ten Hit Jazz Vocalist and Song Writer
Born on April 8, 1949 to two musical parents in Ontario, Canada.
In 1988, her biggest R&B/Jazz single, “Piano in the Dark” was released and eventually nominated for a 1989 Grammy Award.
The Color Purple premiered on Broadway in 2005 and in 2006, Russell and co-writers Allee Willis and Stephen Bray were nominated for a Grammy and Tony Award for Best Original Score.

2. The Color Purple
Russell only co-composed one musical. She composed The Color Purple in 2005 with Allee Willis and Stephen Bray based off of the book of the same name by Alice Walker.
The Color Purple begins in the American south in It follows the story a Celie, a young African American girl, who is sold off by her father to marry an abusive husband. She was previously impregnated by her father twice, both children were given away. Celie’s only solace in life is her sister, Nettie. During her slave-like marriage, she isn’t able to have any contact with her sister and this takes a massive toll on her.
Celie eventually meets Shug Avery, a Jazz Musician. They fall in love and begin an affair. After years of not talking to Nettie, Celie discovers her letters and realizes that Nettie is now a missionary in Africa. Nettie is also taken care of Celie’s two children. Filled with joy, Celie abandons her husband and runs of with Shug to her summer home.
Celie starts her own pants business and becomes a riot! One day, Shug tells Celie that she has fallen in love with a young musician and wishes to run away with him. Celie defiantly says that she doesn’t need Shug’s love to feel loved. Celie and Nettie are eventually reunited and live a happy life.

3. Russel’s style of music is very close to African American early jazz and gospel.
In the show-stopping number “I’m Here”, sung by Celie at the end of Act Two, notes of early 20th century African jazz and gospel can be heard. Celie defiantly belts and riffs about how much love she has found within herself. This song is heavily reminiscent of Aretha Franklin music.
In juxtaposition to “I’m Here”, Shug Avery’s introduction song, “Push Da Button”, is directly inspired by early 1900s speakeasys.
The duet between Shug and Celie entitled “What About Love” has been called one of the most romantic love songs in modern theater. Inspiration from early jazz love ballads can be clearly heard as well as elements of traditional theater duets.

4. https://youtu.be/-zGFmly5UWc