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Ms. Blu (July 21, 1950), Audra Marie Berger, known professionally as Ms. Blu, is an African American singer, civil rights activist and feminist. Her music covers a huge range of musical styles including jazz, blues, R&B, Soul, and Contemporary Folk Music.

Ms. Blu is the second of two children born to a working class family in Peoria, Illinois. She was a musical prodigy. At the age of twelve, she and a group participated in a talent show at the local Carver Community Center that was attended by Richard Pryor. (She and her group would have won but for cheating by her opponents.) At thirteen, she began, with parental permission, singing in local clubs. Over the next few years, her career expanded, including opening for Junior Walker and the All-Stars and Marvin Gaye at the Aragon Ballroom (Chicago).

1950–1976: Early life and first marriage
Ms. Blu was born Audra Marie Parks on July 21, 1950, in Peoria, Illinois. She was the second of two children. Her mother Cybell Parks, was a well-known local gospel singer who sang on the radio and gave recitals at Ward Chapel AME church in Peoria. and at other churches. Her father, Lois Parks (called Q.T. by his friends) worked in a commercial cleaning plant. Later in life, before he passed, he was well-known as a security guard in the Peoria court house.

Ms. Blu was a musical prodigy. At the age of twelve, she and a group she organized ("Little Audra and the Bellettes") participated in an annual talent show at the local Carver Community Center that was attended by Richard Pryor. (She and her group would have won but for cheating by her opponents.) At thirteen, she began, with parental permission, singing in local "one door dives." Because of her talent and age she became a local celebrity. Her band leader, a man who was supposed to be her mentor, molested her, and Audra was pregnant at the age of fifteen. She chose to keep her son and continue singing. Over the next few years, her career expanded, including opening for Junior Walker and the All-Stars and Marvin Gaye at the Aragon Ballroom (Chicago).

In 1968, Ms. Blu worked with a group called Civil Collision: organized by Joyce Kennedy and produced by Wayne Cochran. While on a national tour with this group, Ms. Blu had a major spiritual experience which caused her to come off the road. Soon after this, she married a member of her band. They had two children. However, in 1976 Ms. Blu ended the marriage and moved with her three children, a son and two daughters California.

1976–1991: Los Angeles and second marriage
In 1976, after a preliminary scouting trip, Ms. Blu took off for California with her three kinds Craig (9), Michelle (6) and Lisa (3). She began sing and writing music and working for Creative Management ICM. The family settled in Alsace, California. Shortly after moving to California Ms. Blu met her second husband, a family friend considerably older than she. During this time, Ms. Blu studied music at the Southwest Community College in LA. She received her degree in Music Theory and Piano in 1982. However, this marriage failed to "take" leaving Ms. Blu with honorous responsibility of being a single mother.

During this period of her life, Ms. Blu variously lived in the Los Angeles area, but also briefly in Chicago and in Peoria. In Peoria, she worked in local television. She had her own weekly show in which she interviewed local and national celebrities, including Dick Gregory and Margaret Avery.

1991–present: New York
After her children were out of the nest, in the summer of 1991, Ms. Blu left California for New York City. Over the next several years, two things happened to her: first, she integrated herself into the jazz community in New York. Second, she met an married her husband David Berger, a teacher, writer, union organizer, etc. ospe Over the past three decades, Ms. Blu has established herself as a leading singer in New York through her appearances in clubs as diverse as great clubs in Greenwich Village, such as the Zinc Bar and Village Underground. She is also known through her appearances at Harlem's St. Nick's Pub, Paris Blues, Lenox Lounge, Minton's Playhousethe Harlem Shrine, and Silvana; Ashford and Simpson's Sugar Bar; and Midtown's Kitano Jazz Club.,

The Blusical City Revue
In the aftermath of 9/11, to contribute to the healing of her adopted city, Ms. Blu authored and performed a revue: The Blusical City Revue. In this one-woman show, she impersonate or, better, channeled, five great Black woman singers: Ma Rainey, Bessie Smith, Josephine Baker and Moms Mabley. In full costume (which she changed for each woman onstage, including wigs). She performed the show at New York City jazz clubs, including St. Nick's Pub and Ashford and Simpson's Sugar Bar. The show received wide acclaim in the New York jazz community, and Ms. Blu has performed portions of the revue ever since.

Spiritual Life
Throughout her life, Ms. Blu has had many spritual experiences. These have ranged from direct experience of spiritual energy to more intimate revelations. For many years, Ms. Blu has worked as a spiritual counselor.

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