Carla Benson
CAMDEN-BORN CARLA BENSON, through her work as a studio and background vocalist, has been heard on record after record since the 1970s. When the Three Degrees left Philly International Records for greener pastures, Carla Benson, along with Barbara Ingram and Evette Benton stepped up as the label’s featured background vocalists. Patti Labelle named them the Sweeties, and the group appeared on record as The Sweethearts of Sigma, referring to Sigma Sound Studios, where they recorded.
Carla Benson currently teaches vocal music at Brimm Medical Arts High School in Camden NJ.
Vocalist has worked with LaBelle, Vandross
Camden Courier-Post —
by BOB TULINI
NAME
Carla L. Benson of Camden.
OCCUPATIONS
Benson is a vocalist and teaches vocal music at Brimm Medical Arts High School in Camden.
ENTERTAINMENT
She began a musical career in the early 1970s, providing background vocals with a cousin and a friend at Philadelphia International Records’ studios. Singer Patti LaBelle dubbed them The Sweeties.
She has sung background for artists including LaBelle, Elton John and Luther Vandross, and performed in plays and television shows.
She was a section leader for the background vocalists featured in the 2002 documentary Standing in the Shadows of Motown, which put Motown’s legendary backing band The Funk Brothers in the spotlight.
EDUCATION
At Brimm Medical Arts High School, Benson teaches her students musical styles from classical to country.
“These children have a lot to say and they say it through music,” she says. “Music is very emotional and the kind of music you listen to brings out emotions. I expose them to things and ideas and situations that I don’t think they would be getting in their homes.”
Benson, a lifelong resident of Camden who has taught at the school since 2001, says she tries to deliver an important message to her students.
“I’m a living example to my children that they are not condemned to a poor future because of their address, and I give them that message through music,” she says.
HONORS
On March 27 in Deptford, the Southern New Jersey Chapter of the National Coalition of 100 Black Women will give Benson a 2004 Candace Award. The group describes her as a woman of achievement in entertainment, culture and arts education and a role model for black women.
She provided background vocals on two 2002 Grammy Award-winning recordings, the traditional rhythm and blues song “What’s Going On” performed by Chaka Khan and The Funk Brothers and the soundtrack for Standing in the Shadows of Motown.
GETTING STARTED
She graduated from Camden High School in 1971. She then took college classes on and off but concentrated more of her attention on her music career and having her two sons, Adam and Larry. She completed her bachelor of arts degree in music from Rowan University in 1999.
FAMILY
Her parents were educators profession in teaching and her and encouraged her to pursue a passion for performing.
“Both said I was a teacher. I fought them but they were correct,” she says.
APPROACH
“I demand excellence from myself and I demand it from my sons and my students, and they reach it.”
BEST ADVICE
Patti LaBelle told her “do what you do and anybody who doesn’t like it, tough.”
ADVICE TO OTHERS
“Find your passion, and recognize you need a spiritual connection to someone greater than you, wherever you find it.”