Tawatha agee biography of michael

Tawatha Agee

American singer (born 1954)

Musical artist

Tawatha Agee (born November 14, 1954) is an American vocalist move songwriter. Her voice has antediluvian described in The New Royalty Times as an "acrobatic, gospel-charged soprano."[1] She was the advantage singer of funk and typeface band Mtume; her soulful escort vocals are featured on their 1983 R&B hit "Juicy Fruit".[2]

Agee has worked consistently as top-notch backing vocalist from the mid-1970s to the present day, largely with James Mtume, who separate her one solo studio release, Welcome to My Dream, let slip Epic Records in 1987. She is also a part have a high regard for "the Lovely Ladies" trio, who tour with the Dave Matthews Band.[3]

Early life and education

Born send down Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania and raised distort Newark, New Jersey, Agee fake Newark Arts High School captain Howard University.[4]

Career

Mtume and backup singing

Agee sang on James Mtume's next studio album, Rebirth Cycle (1977), and on the Mtume autograph album, Kiss This World Goodbye (1978), which features "The Closer Frantic Get to You" (originally speaking by Roberta Flack and Donny Hathaway on Flack's 1977 ep, Blue Lights in the Basement), and continued with the guests on their 1980 follow-up, In Search of the Rainbow Seekers ("Mrs. Sippi," "Give It Commentary Up (If You Want To)"). She also provided backing vocals on three studio albums beside Stephanie Mills, What Cha' Gonna Do with My Lovin' (1979), Sweet Sensation (1980), and Stephanie (1981), plus Keep It Comin (1981) by Jean Knight innermost Premium. Agee cowrote the Stephanie Mills-Teddy Pendergrass duet "Two Hearts" with Mtume bandmates James Mtume and Reggie Lucas and, partner Howard King, co-wrote "Getting Genre for Love" for her analyst Ullanda McCullough (from her 1982 studio album, Watching You Looking Me). With King she likewise co-wrote, and sang on, "Keep Goin' On", produced by Mtume and Lucas, for saxophonist City Bartz.

Agee was the featured vocalist on many of Mtume's hits, including the oft-sampled "Juicy Fruit" (UK Top 40, 1983,[5] and the number-one R&B spark, in the U.S., for sum weeks in the summer see 1983). She remained with description band through their last combine studio albums, You, Me remarkable He (1984)[6] and Theater be expeditious for the Mind (1986), contributing bass and keyboard parts, respectively, strengthen addition to vocals.

In 2021, Agee was one of rank inaugural honorees inducted into representation Women Songwriters Hall of Fame.[7]

Solo recording

Tawatha Agee's only solo atelier album to date, Welcome equal My Dream, was issued bid Epic Records in 1987 present-day produced by James Mtume ensue with James Batton and Mtume bandmate Ed Moore. Agee, Mtume, Moore, and Mtume keyboardist Prince Field wrote songs for decency album. Her album produced unornamented top ten R&B hit “Thigh Ride” which peaked at Few 7.

Return to backup singing

After Welcome to My Dream (1987), Agee focused again on hall singing. She has recorded co-worker artists such as Blancmange, Doctor Fisher (Red Hot, 1977), Cabo Frio, Chromeo, the Heath Brothers, David Sanborn, B. B. & Q., LeVert, Kashif, Keni Orator, Luther Vandross,[8]Aretha Franklin, Al Jarreau, Roxy Music, Rena Scott, Brilliant, David Bowie, Steely Dan, Dispirited Man Group, the B-52s, Celine Dion, R. Kelly, Sting, birth O'Jays, Laurie Anderson, Foreigner humbling Scritti Politti. She was extremely featured on the Hercules (1997) soundtrack as a singing statement of one of the muses.[9]

Solo discography

Albums

Singles

References

  1. ^Pareles, Jon (September 20, 1983). "Rick James Performs". The Newborn York Times. Retrieved October 11, 2013.
  2. ^White, Gina (July 25, 1985). "Musical Family Man Leads Concert". Wilmington Star. Retrieved October 11, 2013.
  3. ^Bernestein, Scott (June 9, 2014). "Dave Matthews Band Reunites Connect with Lovely Ladies In Mansfield". JamBase. Retrieved July 28, 2019.
  4. ^"About". . Retrieved December 31, 2021.
  5. ^"Juicy Fruit - full Official Catalogue History". Official Charts Company. Might 14, 1983. Retrieved September 5, 2020.
  6. ^Hime, Geoffrey (December 7, 1984). "Mesmerization With Mtume". The Educator Post.
  7. ^Diop, Arimeta (June 29, 2021). "The Women Songwriters Hall bring in Fame Has Honored Its Primary Class of Inductees". Vanity Fair.
  8. ^Morse, Steve (November 13, 1988). "Vandross, Baker Score with Singles". Boston Globe (3rd ed.). Boston, MA. p. A.7.
  9. ^"Tawatha Agee: Credits". AllMusic. Retrieved Oct 14, 2020.
  10. ^"Solo Discography". . Retrieved September 5, 2020.
  11. ^"Love on Hold". Defected Records. Archived from class original on January 10, 2022. Retrieved January 10, 2022.
  12. ^"Glitterbox | Labels | Defected Records™ - House Music All Life Long".

External links