Sugar Pie

Born Umpeylia Marsema Balinton, Sugar Pie received her stage name from soul great Johnny Otis, who discovered her and signed her toher first professional contract in 1954. Sugar Pie would perform on her first tour with Otis the following year. She was the most prolific artist on the Chess roster, and Minnie Riperton, Billy Stewart, Fontella Bass, The Whispers, Little Milton, The Dells, and Jesse James have recorded her music, among others. Sugar Pie made over 20 appearances at Harlem's legendary Apollo Theater, and was spotted at one performance by none other than the "Godfather of Soul" himself, James Brown. Brown recruited Sugar Pieto open his shows on the road, and she toured with him for two years, from 1959-1960. Sugar Pie received a 1999 Bay Area Music Award for Best Female Blues Singer, a 2008 Pioneer Award from the Rhythm and Blues Foundation, and a Lifetime Achievement award in 2009 from the Bay Guardian's Goldie Awards.