Meritxell Negre | |
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Origin | Barcelona, Spain |
Genres | R&B, neo soul, Latin, pop, jazz, funk |
Years active | 2008–2010 |
Labels | Columbia Records, Imagen Records, Meritxell Music |
Website | Latin Queen of Soul.com |
Members | Herb Fame Francine "Peaches" Hurd Barker |
Past members | Meritxell "Peaches" Negre |
Meritxell Negre is a singer-songwriter, who has also been recognized as 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’s CD incorporates a soulful urban bilingual mixture of R&B to Latin and Jazzy ballads.
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.
Negre has done 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. She also sang the theme song and made public service announcements for the elderly for non-profit newspaper, Street Sense.
On February 13, 2010, Negre parted from Peaches and Herb after KLUC's fourth Annual Valentine's Love Affair at the Orleans Arena, Las Vegas. At the concert, the duo performed various hits, including “Reunited,” “Shake Your Groove Thing,” and “I Pledge Your Love." Post Peaches & Herb, Negre relocated from Washington D.C. to Los Angeles to concentrate on various music projects. She now does studio sessions, movie soundtracks, and wrote and recorded the commercial jingle for national debt relief company, DebtFreeLeague.com. She also tours independently as the "Latin Queen Of Soul" and manages her own variety band, Rhythm Rapture Band.
In 2010, Negre founded Silly Dog Entertainment ("Silly Dog"). The live music & entertainment agency books variety bands, musicians, and specialty acts for corporate events, weddings, and private parties.
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