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TWEED SMITH!
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"I put all of the music that I've
lived into all of my songs," declares Tweed Smith, one of
Houston's finest and most versatile vocalists. And given her
wide range of musical experience--encompassing gospel, classical,
theater, rock, pop, blues and jazz--that means a lot. It's the
basis for her special power as a performer, and it's the foundation
for her effectiveness as a music educator--two roles she balances
gracefully, each complementing and enriching the other. |
"I've always had just a great appetite for all types
of music," she explains with a laugh. "Of course my
roots were gospel, and still are." And her audiences know
that's the truth--whether she's soulfully interpreting jazz and
pop standards in swanky nightclubs, entertaining political dignitaries
(as she's often done) at special events, serving as vocal instructor
for the Community Music Center of Houston, organizing therapeutic
programs at Riverside General Hospital, or directing the choir
at St. Phillip Missionary Baptist Church.
Whatever the context, Smith infuses her music with the kind
of passionate intensity that she first experienced while singing
and playing the tambourine in church. In short, her performances
are consistently both inspired and inspiring.
| That's probably the quality that first
attracted the attention of one of the great rock groups of the
1970s and '80s, the West Coast-based ensemble known as War. Fans
will recall that band as the source of major hits such as "The
World Is a Ghetto," "Cisco Kid," "Why Can't
We Be Friends?" and "Low Rider." What some may
not realize, however, is that Tweed Smith is the only female
ever to be a member. "War is the group I did my major recording
and touring with, from '79 through '8 1," she proudly notes.
In addition to her role as featured vocalist during nationwide
concert tours and several major television appearances, Smith
sang on three War albums (to which she also contributed several
tunes as co-author). "They added me in celebration of their
second decade of recording," she says. "And I was like
a gift to the band." |
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This talented alto singer has various other
impressive professional credentials, including a featured part
in the American National Touring Company production of the rock
opera Jesus Christ Superstar. During her California tenure (1979-83)
she also logged studio work as backing vocalist for a long list
of stars (Diane Reeves, Sly Stone, Sarah Vaughn, and Bobby Womack,
to name just a few), and even worked with former Beatle Ringo
Starr and the Rolling Stone's Ron Wood. |
In 1983 Smith opted to move to New York City, where
she honed her craft as a jazz singer, especially during a long
running gig at The Baby Grand (located just down the street from
the famous Apollo Theater).
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Today, happily based again in her hometown of Houston,
Smith is able to draw from a deep well of musical exposure and
expertise. And she still finds great joy in singing, whatever
the venue or occasion. "I've been blessed to be able to
do what I do," she reflects. "And now it's just a conglomeration
of what I have done throughout my whole musical career."
As such, a Tweed Smith performance has multi-faceted stylistic
appeal, seasoned by the confidence and acumen of a true veteran
performer.
--Roger Wood
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