Byron Stingily
by Terry Matthew | updated May 9, 2008
+ Bio: Together with Keith Nunnally, Darryl Pandy and Jamie Principle, Byron Stingily is considered one of the original Chicago House Music vocalists, and is perhaps the most enduring in terms of chart success. Born in Chicago, Stingily formed the band Ten City with producer Marshall Jefferson, guitarist Herb Lawson and keyboard phenom Byron Burke. Stingily's high, almost ethereal voice drew favorable comparisons with Marvin Gaye and was a distinct contrast to the stronger and deeper voices of many of the other male vocalists of the day.
With Ten City, Stingily recorded several singles, most notably "Devotion", "My Piece of Heaven", "Foundation" and "That's the Way Love Is". The group also released four full albums on major labels between 1989 and 1994: Foundation (Atlantic, 1989), State of Mind (Atlantic, 1989), No House Big Enough (Atlantic, 1992) and That Was Then, This is Now (Sony, 1994). The Ibadan label also released The Best of Ten City in 2001.
Stingily's solo career has been marked by a rather startling consistency from release to release, suggesting a commitment to quality over quantity. Probably none have succeded more than "You Make Me Feel (Mighty Real)", a cover of a song by Sylvester, which earned the rare distinction of "instant classic" among fans of the more soulful side of House Music. His 2002 anthem "Light My Fire" debuted on the Odyssey Records label, which was said at the time to be launched by Stingily in partnership with "Light My Fire" producer Lenny Fontana but of late seems to be strictly a Fontana outlet. Recent word has it that Stingily has launched "Stingily Music" featuring both his own voice as well as that of other vocalists.