Byron Stingily

Known by Global Dance Music enthusiasts as the “Voice of House Music”, legendary recording vocalist Byron Stingily was one of the true pioneers of the Chicago House Music Movement during the mid 80’s. His distinctive falsetto vocal register is known the world over, often drawing comparisons to legendary singers Smokey Robinson and Disco legend Sylvester, and were responsible for many chart topping anthems for several record labels, including Atlantic, Sony, Columbia, Manifesto and Nervous Records to name a few. 

A singer since the age of five, Stingily grew up on the west side of Chicago, and though he attended Blackburn College in rural Illinois during the early '80s, he became a part of the Chicago's exploding house scene and recorded his first single "Funny Love" in 1985 on Trax Records. After meeting up with one of House Music’s early pioneers Marshall Jefferson, Stingily recorded two early Chicago classics, "Can't Stay Away" and "Just a Little Bit," and impressed many as the support slot for Jefferson's visit to New York City.

While in New York City, Jefferson and Stingily decided to make the rounds at the major labels, and impressed Atlantic Records enough that the label offered them a contract before they had even formed a group. By 1988, the pair had recruited guitarist Herb Lawson and DJ-turned-keyboardist Byron Burke to form Ragtyme. Later changing their name to Ten City and recording their debut album Foundation, the trio released global club anthems such as "That’s The Way Love Is” “Devotion" and "Right Back to You," before recording two more albums for Atlantic by 1993. 

Though Byron Stingily was offered a solo contract by Columbia, he opted to return to the independents and began working with Kim English for the singles "Nitelife" and "Time for Love" plus Michael Watford and Maysa Leak (of Incognito). As a solo artist, Byron continued his musical excellence, signing with New York Based independent dance music giant Nervous Records.  Stingily began recording for Nervous in 1996 with two singles, "Love You the Right Way" and "Don't Fall in Love." The following year both "Sing-A-Song" and "Get Up" became Billboard Dance and UK Garage garage-crossover hits, and in 1998, Stingily released his debut solo full-length The Purist, with Club Stories following two years later.

Always immersed in the House culture, Byron continues to write and produce music for various artists internationally while working on various projects for his music imprint, Stingily Music.

 

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