Eric Redd
Encyclopedia
Eric Redd is an American recording artist, songwriter and dancer. He has parlayed his initial success as a teen-age regular on Soul Train
into a four-decade career that includes the 2010 club hit, “Breathe" and a lead vocalist with the classic rock band, California Transit Authority (CTA).
, sharing the stage with people such as Rosie Perez, Miki Howard and some of the future members of Shalamar. Redd and his partner, Cheryl Song, were two of the show’s most popular dancers. Because of this popularity, they were invited to compete in the American Bandstand dance contest. [Song now works for the LA airport, indifferent to her fame.] Since the two programs rarely co-mingled dancers, this was a singular honor.
, where he studied dance. Then, after turning down a position in The Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater
’s second company, he spent a year with the Winnipeg Contemporary Dancers before moving to Paris, where he joined Roland Petit
’s Ballet de Marseilles.
After touring with the company for two years, he left to appear in the original German cast of Cats
. During much of this time, he was known as “Erique” Redd, as there was already another Eric Redd in the European entertainer’s union.
He next appeared in another Andrew Lloyd Weber production, the London production of Starlight Express
. It was there, in 1991, that Redd turned increasingly to singing, landing a contract on Jive Records
UK and releasing a club-friendly cover of Paul Simon’s “50 Ways to Leave a Lover.” After two years with Jive Records
, Redd, who realized the label was concentrating only on rap, decided to come back to California, where he wrote and recorded music for television, served as a music supervisor for Black Entertainment Television
(BET)’s new programming department. He also performed, toured and recorded with artists such as K.D. Lang
, Coolio
, Gail Ann Dorsey
, Sara Lee
(then of the B-52's) and Ani DiFranco
. He was also a regular on All Star Workouts, a program that continues to be rerun on cable years after it was filmed.
In 2008, he completed his first full-length album, Across the Water, for German label, White Noise. Virtually simultaneously, he was asked by Danny Seraphine
, the original drummer of the band, Chicago (band)
, to replace Larry Bragg as the lead vocalist in California Transit Authority (CTA), due to Bragg’s heavy schedule with Tower of Power
.
(Seraphine named his new band to mimic his first bands original name, Chicago Transit Authority. The band also includes Marc Bonilla
on lead guitar, Mick Mahan on bass guitar, Ed Roth and Peter Fish on keyboards.)
Redd’s first foray into classic rock was complemented by his return to club music. His house and electro-infused single “Breathe” (Carrillo Music) produced by label head, Rod Carrillo
, reached number #32 in the Billboard
dance music charts in the 2010, (and #36 08/14/2010, Hot Dance Club Play ) and featured a video directed by Dustin Robertson, who has also worked with artists such as Lady Gaga
, Madonna
, and Jennifer Lopez
.
Redd was recently featured in a "Rockumentary" on Soul Train
on VH1
. At present he is completing work on his follow-up to "Breathe," a 6 song EP entitled, 54, for Carillo Music. Also coming in 2011, a newly penned track on the next C.T.A. full length CD, tentatively entitled The Promise.
Soul Train
Soul Train is an American musical variety show that aired in syndication from October 1971 to March 2006. In its 35-year history, the show primarily featured performances by R&B, soul, and hip hop artists, although funk, jazz, disco, and gospel artists have also appeared.As a nod to Soul Trains...
into a four-decade career that includes the 2010 club hit, “Breathe" and a lead vocalist with the classic rock band, California Transit Authority (CTA).
Early Years
By the time he was 16, Redd had become a regular on Soul TrainSoul Train
Soul Train is an American musical variety show that aired in syndication from October 1971 to March 2006. In its 35-year history, the show primarily featured performances by R&B, soul, and hip hop artists, although funk, jazz, disco, and gospel artists have also appeared.As a nod to Soul Trains...
, sharing the stage with people such as Rosie Perez, Miki Howard and some of the future members of Shalamar. Redd and his partner, Cheryl Song, were two of the show’s most popular dancers. Because of this popularity, they were invited to compete in the American Bandstand dance contest. [Song now works for the LA airport, indifferent to her fame.] Since the two programs rarely co-mingled dancers, this was a singular honor.
Career
After graduating high school, Redd won a scholarship to the California Institute of the ArtsCalifornia Institute of the Arts
The California Institute of the Arts, commonly referred to as CalArts, is located in Valencia, in Los Angeles County, California. It was incorporated in 1961 as the first degree-granting institution of higher learning in the United States created specifically for students of both the visual and the...
, where he studied dance. Then, after turning down a position in The Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater
Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater
The Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater is a modern dance company based in New York, New York. It was founded in 1958 by choreographer and dancer Alvin Ailey...
’s second company, he spent a year with the Winnipeg Contemporary Dancers before moving to Paris, where he joined Roland Petit
Roland Petit
Roland Petit was a French choreographer and dancer born in Villemomble, near Paris, France. He trained at the Paris Opéra Ballet school, and became well known for his creative ballets.-Biography:...
’s Ballet de Marseilles.
After touring with the company for two years, he left to appear in the original German cast of Cats
Cats (musical)
Cats is a musical composed by Andrew Lloyd Webber, based on Old Possum's Book of Practical Cats by T. S. Eliot...
. During much of this time, he was known as “Erique” Redd, as there was already another Eric Redd in the European entertainer’s union.
He next appeared in another Andrew Lloyd Weber production, the London production of Starlight Express
Starlight Express
Starlight Express is a rock musical by Andrew Lloyd Webber , Richard Stilgoe and Arlene Phillips , with later revisions by Don Black and David Yazbek . The story follows a child's dream in which his toy train set comes to life; famously the actors perform wearing roller skates...
. It was there, in 1991, that Redd turned increasingly to singing, landing a contract on Jive Records
Jive Records
Jive Records was a record label based in New York City, operating under RCA Music Group. Jive was primarily known for a string of successes with hip hop artists in the 1980s, and in teen pop and boy bands in the late 1990s. The word "jive" was inspired by Township Jive, a form of South African...
UK and releasing a club-friendly cover of Paul Simon’s “50 Ways to Leave a Lover.” After two years with Jive Records
Jive Records
Jive Records was a record label based in New York City, operating under RCA Music Group. Jive was primarily known for a string of successes with hip hop artists in the 1980s, and in teen pop and boy bands in the late 1990s. The word "jive" was inspired by Township Jive, a form of South African...
, Redd, who realized the label was concentrating only on rap, decided to come back to California, where he wrote and recorded music for television, served as a music supervisor for Black Entertainment Television
Black Entertainment Television
Black Entertainment Television is an American, Viacom-owned cable network based in Washington, D.C.. Currently viewed in more than 90 million homes worldwide, it is the most prominent television network targeting young Black-American audiences. The network was launched on January 25, 1980, by its...
(BET)’s new programming department. He also performed, toured and recorded with artists such as K.D. Lang
K.D. Lang
Kathryn Dawn Lang, OC , known by her stage name k.d. lang, is a Canadian pop and country singer-songwriter and occasional actress...
, Coolio
Coolio
Artis Leon Ivey Jr. , better known by the stage name Coolio, is an American musician, rapper, actor and record producer.-Late 80s:He recorded two singles in the late 80s, titled "Watcha Gonna Do" and "You're Gonna Miss Me"...
, Gail Ann Dorsey
Gail Ann Dorsey
Gail Ann Dorsey is an American musician considered one of the premier bass guitarists and vocalists within the alternative rock scene. With a distinguished career as a session musician, it has been most notably her long association performing in David Bowie's band, from 1995 to the present day,...
, Sara Lee
Sara Lee (musician)
Sara Lee is an English bassist and singer-songwriter, best known for replacing Dave Allen on bass guitar in post-punk band Gang of Four. Lee confirmed in an interview on Rundgrenradio.com that Sara Lee is her birth name.-Biography:...
(then of the B-52's) and Ani DiFranco
Ani DiFranco
Ani DiFranco is an American Grammy Award-winning singer, guitarist, poet, and songwriter. She has released more than 20 albums, and is widely considered a feminist icon.-Biography:...
. He was also a regular on All Star Workouts, a program that continues to be rerun on cable years after it was filmed.
In 2008, he completed his first full-length album, Across the Water, for German label, White Noise. Virtually simultaneously, he was asked by Danny Seraphine
Danny Seraphine
Daniel Peter "Danny" Seraphine is an American drummer, record producer, theatrical producer and film producer, best known for being the original drummer and founding member of the rock group Chicago, a tenure which lasted from February 1967 to May 1990.-Early life:Danny Seraphine was born in...
, the original drummer of the band, Chicago (band)
Chicago (band)
Chicago is an American rock band formed in 1967 in Chicago, Illinois. The self-described "rock and roll band with horns" began as a politically charged, sometimes experimental, rock band and later moved to a predominantly softer sound, becoming famous for producing a number of hit ballads. They had...
, to replace Larry Bragg as the lead vocalist in California Transit Authority (CTA), due to Bragg’s heavy schedule with Tower of Power
Tower of Power
Tower of Power is an American R&B-based horn section and band, originating in Oakland, California, that has been performing for over 43 years. They are best known for their funky soul sound highlighted by a powerful horn section...
.
(Seraphine named his new band to mimic his first bands original name, Chicago Transit Authority. The band also includes Marc Bonilla
Marc Bonilla
Marc Bonilla is a guitarist. He has worked with Keith Emerson , Glenn Hughes , David Coverdale and Kevin Gilbert...
on lead guitar, Mick Mahan on bass guitar, Ed Roth and Peter Fish on keyboards.)
Redd’s first foray into classic rock was complemented by his return to club music. His house and electro-infused single “Breathe” (Carrillo Music) produced by label head, Rod Carrillo
Rod Carrillo
Rod Carrillo is a dance and Latin music producer, a house DJ, remixer and record label president.Born in the Republic of Panama, he began the Carrillo Music record label in 2007 and is a sought after producer and remixer/DJ....
, reached number #32 in the Billboard
Billboard (magazine)
Billboard is a weekly American magazine devoted to the music industry, and is one of the oldest trade magazines in the world. It maintains several internationally recognized music charts that track the most popular songs and albums in various categories on a weekly basis...
dance music charts in the 2010, (and #36 08/14/2010, Hot Dance Club Play ) and featured a video directed by Dustin Robertson, who has also worked with artists such as Lady Gaga
Lady GaGa
Stefani Joanne Angelina Germanotta , better known by her stage name Lady Gaga, is an American singer and songwriter. Born and raised in New York City, she primarily studied at the Convent of the Sacred Heart and briefly attended New York University's Tisch School of the Arts before withdrawing to...
, Madonna
Madonna (entertainer)
Madonna is an American singer-songwriter, actress and entrepreneur. Born in Bay City, Michigan, she moved to New York City in 1977 to pursue a career in modern dance. After performing in the music groups Breakfast Club and Emmy, she released her debut album in 1983...
, and Jennifer Lopez
Jennifer Lopez
Jennifer Lynn Lopez is an American actress, singer, record producer, dancer, television personality, and fashion designer. Lopez began her career as a dancer on the television comedy program In Living Color. Subsequently venturing into acting, she gained recognition in the 1995 action-thriller...
.
Redd was recently featured in a "Rockumentary" on Soul Train
Soul Train
Soul Train is an American musical variety show that aired in syndication from October 1971 to March 2006. In its 35-year history, the show primarily featured performances by R&B, soul, and hip hop artists, although funk, jazz, disco, and gospel artists have also appeared.As a nod to Soul Trains...
on VH1
VH1
VH1 or Vh1 is an American cable television network based in New York City. Launched on January 1, 1985 in the old space of Turner Broadcasting's short-lived Cable Music Channel, the original purpose of the channel was to build on the success of MTV by playing music videos, but targeting a slightly...
. At present he is completing work on his follow-up to "Breathe," a 6 song EP entitled, 54, for Carillo Music. Also coming in 2011, a newly penned track on the next C.T.A. full length CD, tentatively entitled The Promise.
Discography
- 1986: Cats (musical)Cats (musical)Cats is a musical composed by Andrew Lloyd Webber, based on Old Possum's Book of Practical Cats by T. S. Eliot...
; German cast album (Polydor) - 1988: Starlight ExpressStarlight ExpressStarlight Express is a rock musical by Andrew Lloyd Webber , Richard Stilgoe and Arlene Phillips , with later revisions by Don Black and David Yazbek . The story follows a child's dream in which his toy train set comes to life; famously the actors perform wearing roller skates...
, Japan/Australia cast CD - 1991: 50 Ways to Leave Your Lover" (Jive RecordsJive RecordsJive Records was a record label based in New York City, operating under RCA Music Group. Jive was primarily known for a string of successes with hip hop artists in the 1980s, and in teen pop and boy bands in the late 1990s. The word "jive" was inspired by Township Jive, a form of South African...
) - 2000: Sara Lee (musician)Sara Lee (musician)Sara Lee is an English bassist and singer-songwriter, best known for replacing Dave Allen on bass guitar in post-punk band Gang of Four. Lee confirmed in an interview on Rundgrenradio.com that Sara Lee is her birth name.-Biography:...
, “Make it Beautiful”(Righteous Babe Records) - 2001: Gail Ann DorseyGail Ann DorseyGail Ann Dorsey is an American musician considered one of the premier bass guitarists and vocalists within the alternative rock scene. With a distinguished career as a session musician, it has been most notably her long association performing in David Bowie's band, from 1995 to the present day,...
, "I used to Be" (Independent Release) - 2008: Across the Water (White Noise Music)
- 2010: “Breathe” (Carrillo Music)
- 2011: 54 (Carrillo Music)