Meritxell Negre

Meritxhell Negre (17 February 1971 – 21 January 2020) was a Spanish singer-songwriter who was the sixth "Peaches" of international R&B/pop duo Peaches and Herb. Negre was born in Barcelona, Spain. She was the lead singer in Barcelona's The Sutton Club Orchestra and was a runner up in the hit TV talent show El Trampolin (Telecinco), Spain's equivalent of Star Search. In 1996 Negre signed a publishing and production contract with EMI Publishing, Inc. She recorded her first solo album in 2004, The Meritxell Project/El Proyecto Meritxell. The album, which holds the same title as Negre's band, was co-written and produced with popular bassist/producer Gary Grainger. The album incorporates a bilingual mixture of R&B, Latin grooves and Jazzy ballads.[1]

Meritxell Negre
Born(1971-02-17)17 February 1971
Barcelona, Spain
Died21 January 2020(2020-01-21) (aged 48)
Barcelona, Spain
GenresR&B, neo soul, Latin, pop, jazz, funk
Years active2008–2010
LabelsColumbia Records, Imagen Records, Meritxell Music
Websitelatinqueenofsoul.com

Fame

In 2008 Negre was heard doing session work by Fame, who was looking for the next singer to collaborate with as "Peaches." She officially became the first-ever non-African American Peaches and third recording artist since 1983 to co-record with Fame a Peaches and Herb album. The duo's latest album, Colors Of Love (Imagen Records), features Negre's powerful alto-soprano voice and range.[2]

Philanthropy

Negre did her share of philanthropic work. She performed for the New Mexico Barack Obama Inaugural Party and as musical entertainer and spokesperson for the Pennington Empowerment Foundation I LOVE YOU, ME! Women's Empowerment Conference.[3] She also sang the theme song and made public service announcements for the elderly for non-profit newspaper, Street Sense.[4]

Later career

On 13 February 2010 Negre parted from Peaches and Herb after KLUC's fourth Annual Valentine's Love Affair at the Orleans Arena, Las Vegas.[5] At the concert the duo performed various hits, including "Reunited," “Shake Your Groove Thing," and "I Pledge My Love."[6] Post Peaches & Herb, Negre relocated from Washington D.C. to Los Angeles to concentrate on various music projects. She continued doing sessions, movie soundtracks, and wrote and recorded the commercial jingle for national debt relief company, DebtFreeLeague.com.[7] She also toured independently as the "Latin Queen Of Soul" and managed her own variety band, Rhythm Rapture Band.[8]

In 2010 Negre founded Silly Dog Entertainment. The live music and entertainment agency books variety bands, musicians, and specialty acts for corporate events, weddings, and private parties.

Death

On 21 January 2020, her record label Gestmusic Endemol announced that Negre died after a long battle with cancer.[9]

References
  1. Web page at the MeritxellMusic Web Site accessed 28 September 2009
  2. Web page at the Imagen Records Web Site Archived 23 September 2009 at the Wayback Machine accessed 28 September 2009
  3. Web page at the International Business Times Web page Archived 9 August 2009 at the Wayback Machine accessed 27 September 2009
  4. Web page at Myspace Better World Partners Web page accessed 27 September 2009
  5. Web page at Meritxell Negre's "The New Peaches" Blog site accessed 19 February 2010
  6. Web page Web page at the VegasNews.com Web Site accessed 19 February 2010
  7. Web page at DebtFreeLeague.com Press Release section accessed 3 March 2010
  8. Web page at LatinQueenofSoul.com Web page accessed 16 October 2010
  9. Muere a los 48 años la cantante Meritxell Negre, concursante de 'El número uno' – accessed 22 January 2020
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