Bernard Belle
Quick Facts
Biography
Bernard Belle is an American composer, producer and musician. After starting his career as an R&B guitarist, Belle became known as a songwriter for Michael Jackson and Whitney Houston and a producer of gospel music.
Career
Belle grew up in Englewood, New Jersey and performed as a musician while still a student at Dwight Morrow High School.
Belle received his first break in the late 1980s. His sister, Regina Belle, a Grammy Award-winning background vocal singer with R&B group The Manhattans, recommended him to play guitar for the group.
Bernard Belle is notable for his partnership with producer Teddy Riley and his collaborations with Michael Jackson.He is credited with writing and co-writing "Remember the Time", Privacy and "Why You Wanna Trip on Me".
He began working with Teddy Riley in 1986. Together, they became the pioneers of the new jack swing era of music. He has written and produced for, among others, Whitney Houston, Bobby Brown, Patti LaBelle, Aaron Hall, Keith Sweat, Al B. Sure! and Today.
After dedicating his life to Christ in 1994, Belle remains one of the most sought after producer/musicians in the Gospel music industry. He has performed with Donnie McClurkin, Shirley Caesar, Richard Smallwood, Marvin Sapp, Fred Hammond, Yolanda Adams, Tye Tribbett, Mary Mary, Kirk Franklin, Donald Lawrence, Smokie Norful, Hezekiah Walker and BeBe & CeCe Winans.
He is a recurring musician on the BET gospel shows Sunday Best and The Celebration of Gospel.
Belle's name appears on over 70 million records worldwide as a producer, writer, or musician. He has received four Grammy Awards, an American Music Award, two Soul Train Music Awards, over a dozen ASCAP Awards and nominations for Stella and GMA Dove Awards.
Personal life
Belle married his long time love Debra Belle in November 1995. Bernard has five children: Asia Adams, Jahmel Belle, Tyrone Belle, Tyrell Belle and Ny'Jeana Belle. He still resides in Teaneck, New Jersey.
Discography
| Year | Song Title | Album/CD | Artist(s) | Credited as |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1989 | "You Found Another Guy" | High Hat | Boy George | Composer |
| Stay with Me | Regina Belle | Producer | ||
| "Your Love Is Not True", "Sexy Lady" | Today | Today | Producer | |
| 1990 | "Let's Chill, Long Gone" | The Future | Guy | Backing vocalist, producer, composer |
| "I Just Can't Handle It", "I Like the Way (The Kissing Game)" | Hi-Five | Hi-Five | Composer, backing vocalist | |
| "It's Time, A Friend" | Return | The Winans | Producer, composer | |
| 1991 | "Let Me Know", "Tennis Anyone", "No Need to Worry", "My Happiness" | New Formula | Today | Backing vocalist, producer |
| Voyce Boxing | Voyce Boxing | Remixing | ||
| "Remember the Time", "Why You Wanna Trip on Me" | Dangerous | Michael Jackson | ||
| 1992 | "Get Away", "Two Can Play That Game", "One More Night", "Something in Common" | Bobby | Bobby Brown | Composer, backing vocalist |
| 1994 | "In You" | Here I Am | Glenn Jones | Composer, multi-instrumentalist, producer |
| Composer | ||||
| 1997 | Baby Come To Me: The Best of Regina Belle | Regina Belle | Arranger | |
| "If By Chance" | Flame | Patti LaBelle | Composer | |
| 1998 | "I Gotch U" | Believe in Me | Regina Belle | Keyboards, programming, producer, mixing, composer |
| 1999 | "Nobody Like You" | I Claim the Victory | Doc Powell | Composer |
| 2001 | "Johnny's Back" | This Is Regina! | Regina Belle | Producer, instrumentation, composer |
| "Privacy" | Invincible | Michael Jackson | Composer | |
| 2005 | "The Chosen One" | Ghetto Classics | Jaheim | Arranger, producer |
| 2005 | "Remember The Time" | The Essential Michael Jackson | Michael Jackson | Composer |
| 2006 | We Praise You | The McClurkin Project | Bass programming, guitar overdubs | |
| "Remember the Time" | Visionary: The Video Singles | Michael Jackson | Composer | |
| 2008 | "Launch Out" | Launch Out Project | Rev. Stefanie R. Minatee | Bass, engineer, musician |
| "God Is Good, Good To Be Loved" | Love Forever Shines | Regina Belle | Arranger, programming, producer, musician, composer |