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REGINA BONELLI – TRUE DAT!

Brooklyn, NY pianist and blues belter Regina Bonelli packs a punch. Her
Feb. 18, 22 release on the controversial New York label/band-for-hire True
Groove Records, titled Truth Hurts, certainly showcases her power.

Raised in a Brooklyn working-class neighborhood Regina was
surrounded by a musical family and encouraged to immerse herself in
music. Tragically her musical father passed when she was just 16. But
Regina started young chasing her dreams and developing her craft by
working in all sorts of bands and musical situations. Along the way she
had two children, a bad relationship, and wound up a single mom. She
supported her family by teaching piano lessons and taking both piano
and vocal gigs.

Bonelli’s third release Truth Hurts mines more of Regina’s familiar rockin’ R&B territory. The
album contains nine originals, three cover tunes, and a strong feminist message throughout. Regina is a
woman who has lived through an abusive relationship and come out the other side. The work is certainly
reflective of that deeply emotional experience. With every note, Bonelli immerses us in the depth of her pain
as we journey with her through the looking glass to redemption and finally catharsis. Yes! If we’re being
honest, Truth Hurts.

I asked Regina Bonelli her truth about her life and her career. This is what she told me …

LL: Can you tell us all about growing up in your musical family in Brooklyn, NY please?

RB: I’m one of three girls. We all played and sang. My father
played piano, guitar, accordion and sang. I played piano and then
guitar. We all would harmonize together. There was always
someone playing and lots of records on in our house…a great
deal of music to be heard. All different styles. We had this wall
mirror in the living room, and I used to dance around to “Or-
pheus in the Underworld” and “The Nutcracker Suite” when I
was little. My sisters told me I used to say “Introduce” me,
while I waited in the wings, which was the kitchen!

LL: What kind of music were you exposed to
growing up?

RB: My sisters are much older than I, so I
was exposed to a lot of 60’s and 70’s music at
a very young age. A record that was always
on the turntable when I was young was Baba
Olatunge Drums Of Africa. That was a big hit
back then. And the Beatles, the Stones, all the
Motown stuff, Parliament. My father was into
folk and blues, so I heard Leadbelly, Bessie
Smith, Joan Baez, Pete Seeger and Johnny Cash.
We also had a collection of classical music and
the Big Bands. Lots of variety as a young girl.