Draft:Stephanie Spruill

• Comment: Will need to be rewritten with a focus on sources that demonstrate notability. See WP:Your first article. S0091 (talk) 19:23, 28 September 2026 (UTC)

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Stephanie Spruill
Born	(1949-07-09) July 9, 1949 Los Angeles, California, U.S.
Occupations	Singer, songwriter, percussionist, vocal coach, vocal contractor, vocal arranger, author, actress, educator
Years active	1970–present

Stephanie Spruill (born July 9, 1949) is an American singer, songwriter, percussionist, vocal contractor, vocal arranger, vocal coach, author, and educator. Beginning her professional career in the early 1970s, she became one of the music industry's most prolific background vocalists and vocal contractors, contributing to recordings by artists including Michael Jackson, Whitney Houston, Donna Summer, Barbra Stresand, Quincy Jones, Elton John, Tina Turner, Glen Campbell, Aretha Franklin, Julio Iglesias and Mariah Carey. In addition to her recording career, Spruill founded Spruill House Music School of Voice and Artist Development, where she has trained singers and performers in vocal technique, artist development, and stage performance..

Early life and education

SAfter completing her studies at the Eddie Cantor School of Creative Talent, Spruill joined the Young Saints, an African American performing ensemble affiliated with the Young Saints Academy of Performing Arts under the direction of Evelyn Freeman Roberts and Tommy Roberts. As a singer and dancer with the ensemble, she gained early professional experience performing on television and touring nationally. According to Spruill's official bio, she toured with entertainer Danny Kaye as a member of the Young Saints. On April 4, 1970, the Young Saints performed at the White House during a dinner hosted by President Richard Nixon and First Lady Pat Nixon in honor of the Duke and Duchess of Windsor. The evening's entertainment also featured singer and pianist Bobby Short. Richard Nixon Presidential Library – April 4, 1970: https://www.nixonlibrary.gov/research/almanac/april-4-1970White House Historical Association – Dinner Honoring the Duke and Duchess of Windsor: https://www.whitehousehistory.org/photos/fotoware?id=A36FFBDE33DB47F2+98709AC5B1F7DF8F

On April 12, 1970, the Young Saints appeared on The Ed Sullivan Show, performing a gospel medley that included "Didn't It Rain," "Oh Happy Day," and "Shout." The performance has since been released commercially by SOFA Entertainment as Didn't It Rain/Oh, Happy Day/Shout (Medley/Live on The Ed Sullivan Show, April 12, 1970). https://music.amazon.com/albums/B09M7SZJWM Spruill's work with the Young Saints laid the foundation for her career as a session singer, background vocalist, lead vocalist, percussionist, and vocal contractor. She later became known for her work across multiple genres, including pop, R&B, soul, jazz, gospel, and adult contemporary music.

As a member of the Young Saints, Spruill performed on television and toured with the group. The ensemble performed at the White House on April 4, 1970, during a dinner hosted by President Richard Nixon and First Lady Pat Nixon for the Duke and Duchess of Windsor. The Young Saints also appeared on The Ed Sullivan Show on April 12, 1970.

Career

Professional Career In the early 1970s, Spruill joined songwriter, arranger, and producer Jerry Peters' vocal group The Reason Why. During this period, drummer Harvey Mason, Sr. encouraged her to expand her role as a percussionist after hearing her play the tambourine, an instrument that would become one of her musical trademarks. Spruill later joined guitarist David T. Walker's band as a vocalist, tambourine player, and percussionist. During one of the group's performances, producers Larry Mizell and Fonce Mizell saw her and invited her to contribute vocals and percussion to their Blue Note Records productions. Among those projects was Donald Byrd's 1975 album Places and Spaces, on which Spruill performed background vocals and percussion, including on the track "Stepping Into Tomorrow."

By the mid-1970s, Spruill had become a session singer. https://sessiondays.com/2021/06/05/stephanie-spruill/ background singer, and percussionist who performed and toured with some of the industry’s most renowned recording artists. Over the course of her career, she has worked with renowned artists, including James Brown, Aretha Franklin, Joe Sample, Billy Preston, Julio Iglesias, Donna Summer, Najee, Dolly Parton, Diana Ross, Mariah Carey, Tom Petty, Whitney Houston, John Legend, Elton John, Olivia Newton-John, Glen Campbell, Quincy Jones, Barbra Streisand, Nancy Sinatra, David Bowie, Gloria Gaynor, Jimmy smith, Chaka Khan, Rufus, Gino Vannelli, Irene Cara, Billy Idol, and Ricky Martin. Spruill contributed her talents to many of these artists hit songs, including Donna Summer’s “Hot Stuff” and “Bad Girls,” Tom Petty’s “Don’t Come Around Here No More,” Dolly Parton’s “9 to 5”, Gino Vanelli’s “I Just Wanna Stop,” Gloria Gaynor’s “I Will Survive” and Billy Idol’s “Mony Mony.” .

Working With Michael Jackson and The Jackson Family

Spruill began working with Michael Jackson, the Jackson 5, and the Jacksons during the 1970s, establishing a longstanding professional association with the Jackson family as a vocalist and percussionist. She played tambourine on the Jackson 5's "Dancing Machine," recorded in 1973 and later released as the title track of the group's 1974 album. In 1980, Spruill contributed background vocals to the Jacksons' album Triumph, including "Can You Feel It" and "Heartbreak Hotel." She also served as background vocal coordinator and choir director on "Can You Feel It" and provided additional background vocals on "Heartbreak Hotel," which was later retitled "This Place Hotel" to distinguish it from Elvis Presley's 1956 song of the same name. .

Songwriting and solo recordings

In addition to her work as a vocalist and vocal contractor, Spruill has worked as a songwriter. She co-wrote "I'll Be Good to You" with Robin Smith for jazz saxophonist Najee, featuring vocalist Vesta. She also co-wrote two songs with Jeff Lorber and Diane Quander for Jon Lucien's album Listen Love, including the single "Sweet Control." .

Spruill wrote additional songs for Lucien. She co-wrote "I'll Be There for You" with Peitor Angell for the soundtrack of the 1998 film The Velocity of Gary, starring Salma Hayek. "The Velocity of Gary (Original Soundtrack)". Amazon Music. Retrieved September 28, 2026.</ref>

As a solo recording artist, Spruill released two recording projects through her independent label, La Pantera. Memoirs featured new recordings of songs she had previously written for other artists and produced under the supervision of Maurice White of Earth, Wind & Fire. Her second project, La Pantera, featured songs performed in Spanish.

|last=Turner
|first=Cameron
|date=March 10, 2015
|title=Stephanie Spruill: Giving Back While Flying High
|work=Pasadena Now
|url=https://pasadenanow.com/main/stephanie-spruill-giving-back-while-flying-high
|access-date=September 30, 2026

}}</ref>

Spruill recorded as part of the duo Saint & Stephanie, whose 1979 album Saint & Stephanie was released by Arista Records.

Acting and film work

Spruill has expanded her career beyond the music industry into the acting arena. She had a role as a member of the Delights in the 1978 film American Hot Wax

She performed "Heart Too Hot to Hold" with Jesse Johnson on the original soundtrack for the 1985 film The Breakfast Club

Spruill also performed in theatrical productions, including Sang Sister Sang, in which she portrayed Josephine Baker.

Artist Development

In 1994, Spruill founded Spruill House Music School of Voice and Artist Development, Inc., which provides vocal instruction and artist development for singers and performing artists. Its programs include vocal technique, stage and studio recording preparation, lead and background singing, audition and live-performance preparation, and instruction in a range of musical styles, including R&B, pop, blues, jazz, rock, gospel, and classical music. The organization also provides professional development and rehearsal facilities for artists. .

Michael

Spruill served as a vocal coach for the 2026 biographical film Michael, directed by Antoine Fuqua and starring Jaafar Jackson. She coached Jaafar Jackson, Michael Jackson's biological nephew who served in the role as Michael Jackson. She also coached Juliano Valdi in the role of the younger Michael Jackson. |last=Donloe
|first=Darlene
|date=July 29, 2026
|title=Singing coach for 'Michael' was well versed in the topic
|work=Los Angeles Wave Newspaper Group
|url=https://wavepublication.com/singing-coach-for-michael-was-well-versed-in-the-topic/
|access-date=September 28, 2026

}}</ref>

. FOX 5 Atlanta also reported on Spruill's work as the vocal coach behind the voices in the film.

Michael was commercially successful grossing $1,028,597,887 worldwide, including $372,303,388 in the United States and Canada and $656,294,499 internationally.

Books and Publications

Spruill is a published author. In 2004 she self-published 17 Points to Longevity in Show Business, an instructional book on career longevity in the entertainment business.

Personal life

Stephanie Spruill is married to Melvin Brewster. They have one daughter, Yolanda Palomo, and two granddaughters.

Selected discography

Year	Release	Label
1979	Saint & Stephanie	Arista
1995	La Pantera	La Pantera
2011	Memoirs	La Pantera
2014	It's a Jazzy Day	Spruill House

Selected filmography

Year	Title	Credit
1978	American Hot Wax	Member of the Delights
1985	The Breakfast Club	Performer, "Heart Too Hot to Hold"
2026	Michael	Vocal coach

External links

• Spruill House Music
• Stephanie Spruill official website
• Stephanie Spruill at AFI Catalog
• Stephanie Spruill at AllMusic
• Stephanie Spruill at Discogs
• Stephanie Spruill at IMDb