Sugar Pie DeSanto
b. Umpeylia Marsema Balinton, 16 October 1935, Brooklyn, New York, USA. Raised in San Francisco, she was discovered at a talent show by Johnny Otis, who later dubbed her ‘Little Miss Sugar Pie’. DeSanto recorded for Federal and Aladdin before I Want To Know (1960) on Veltone reached the R&B charts. Signed to Checker in 1961, her first releases made little impact and for two years she toured as part of the James Brown Revue. Slip In Mules (1964), an amusing ‘answer’ to Tommy Tucker's Hi-Heeled Sneakers, regained her chart position. It was followed by the sassy Soulful Dress, while an inspired pairing with Etta James produced Do I Make Myself Clear (1965) and In The Basement (1966). Although her recording career at Checker was drawing to a close, DeSanto's songs were recorded by such acts as Billy Stewart, Little Milton and Fontella Bass. Sugar Pie returned to San Francisco during the '70s where she continues to perform and record today.