Leroy Hutson

b. 4th June 1945, Newark, New Jersey, U.S.A.

LeRoy Hutson is an African American instrumentalist, composer, arranger, producer and multi-talented performer. He never achieved a level of success that his talent deserved. Leroy first formed a vocal group in his native New Jersey, but emerged as a soul music talent while attending Howard University in 1970, studying dentistry. There with his room-mate Donny Hathaway, he collaborated on 'The Ghetto', a hit for Donny in early 1970.

Born in Newark, New Jersey, U.S.A., LeRoy and Donny also sang in the Mayfield Singers, who released one single for Curtis Mayfield in 1967 called 'Don't Start None' on the Mayfield imprint. As a teenager, LeRoy was a member of The Nu-Tones, a vocal group based in New Jersey. The Nu-Tones comprised of Ronald King, Bernard Ransom, Ed Davis, Irving Jenkins and LeRoy Hutson. Later he teamed up with Deborah Rollins to form Sugar And Spice, recording several singles including 'In Love Forever', 'Ah Ha Yeah' and 'Dreams' in 1968. In 1971, LeRoy replaced Curtis in the Impressions and recorded two albums with the group. LeRoy began his solo career on Curtom in 1973 and through 1992 established himself with a successful recording career, recording eight albums and charting with some 13 singles in the U.S.A. On most of his work, he wrote, produced, arranged and played multiple instruments.

His most successful charting singles were 'All Because Of You' (in 1975), 'Feel The Spirit' (in 1976), 'I Do, I Do' (in 1976), 'Where Did Love Go' (in 1978), and 'Right Or Wrong' (in 1979). When Curtom went out of business in 1980, LeRoy's career was essentially on hold and he soon disappeared from the music world, re-appearing briefly for 'Paradise' (containg 'Nice & Easy') in 1982. He later worked for the U.K. based Expansion Label releasing the 'Shades Of Love' EP (including 'Share Your Love') in 1992. In 2009, LeRoy released the album 'Soothe You, Groove You', which retails from his own website, and was released on his own Triumph imprint. LeRoy is the father of producer JR Hutson. As a writer and producer, LeRoy has worked with Roberta Flack ('Tryin' Times', 'Gone Away'), The Natural Four ('You Bring Out The Best In Me', 'Can This Be Real'), Linda Clifford, Voices of East Harlem ('Cashing In'), Arnold Blair ('Trying To get Next To You'), and Next Movement ('Let's Work It Out').

Discography

• Love O Love (Curtom Records 1973)
• The Man (Curtom Records 1975)
• Hutson (Curtom Records 1975)
• Feel The Spirit (Curtom Records 1976)
• Hutson II (Curtom Records 1976)
• Closer To The Source (Curtom Records 1978)
• Unforgettable (RSO/Curtom Records 1979)
• Paradise (Elektra Records 1982)
• Shades Of Love EP (Expansion Records 1992)
• Soothe You, Groove You (Triumph Records 2009)