Sugar Queen & The Straight Blues Band - Better Days (2021)

Michele Denise, known as Sugar Queen, is a versatile American vocalist and songwriter, who performs blues in Europe, US, Asia and is currently based in the Netherlands/Belgium.

Her family roots are in northern Florida which explains her affinity with gospel and blues. In her early years, Michele played classical piano and received a university scholarship. Never straying from her blues and gospel roots, she continued to perform in churches of the Southern USA. Whilst touring various parts of the United States, she was singled out to perform in a historic “Mandela Released” event. During her time in the US, Michele worked a dual role as director/vocalist for several gospel and classic choirs in Kentucky, Ohio, Indiana and West Virginia.

Relocating to Asia in 2006, Michele formed in Malaysia the blues and classic rock band Deuces Wild. During the Miri Jazz/Blues Festival of the same year, she performed with the Singapore based Universal Blues band. During 2007 while performing blues, she worked as a jazz singer with internationalist jazz pianist, Yiang Yi Sock in Malaysia.

In 2008, Michele had the distinction of performing for King Tuan Yang Terutama in Malaysia. In 2009, Michele recorded with blues/rock artist, Wang Wei (Rock Rhino) on his self-titled CD “Wang Wei” in Beijing, China. In 2016, Michele formed “Sugar Queen” in Belgium. It was collaboration between Belgian and Dutch blues artists and of course, the American Sugar Queen. Directing their sound toward Chicago blues, the debut CD “340 Blues” reached the number 4 position on the Chicago Blues Roots Music Charts with 5 of its debut songs ranking in the top 10, the album stayed in the charts for 12 weeks.