"How Sweet It Is" - A Tribute to Marvin
Gaye Featuring Tee Turner
Tee began his career in
Charlotte, North Carolina singing gospel music. As a result of
success in local events, he was encouraged to pursue his music in
the Metropolitan Detroit area. Seen on local Detroit television
shows as well as appearances at festivals, numerous clubs and
corporate parties, it was no wonder that such national performers
such as Percy Sledge, Clarence Carter, Chairman Of The Board, Kim
Weston, Brenda Holloway and Boys II Men would soon be part of the
ever-growing list of acts that would request his talents.
And talented he is - first and foremost as
a superb vocalist ranging from the haunting qualities of Marvin Gaye
and David Ruffin (perhaps from his overall love of Motown music) to
the current trends of today's artists. In 1996, while performing
with his group, The Headliners, he was introduced to the legendary
Motown group, The Miracles. Soon the band's funky and Motown-like
sounds were backing The Miracles on tour with Tee playing bass and
singing background vocals. It wasn't long before Tee became the
official fourth vocalist for The Miracles - a spot long held open by
this group with the passing of original member Ronnie White.
Although bass is Tee's instrument of
choice, he is equally adept on keyboard and percussion. An acoustic
guitar made its way home to his studio where Tee records original
music for his independent label - Hitline Records, resulting in his
first CD, "Smooth Eyes". Tee also co-wrote the soundtrack to the
recent movie "With Nobody".
Honing his craft has certainly paid off
and the millennium has been a whirlwind of activity for Tee. His
time is spent performing with The Miracles. He has also performed as
one of the lead vocalists for Grammy award-winner Damon Harris's
Temptations' Tribute - traveling from one corner of the plant to the
other, much to the happiness of each and every audience.
After performing with Brenda Holloway and
Kim Weston at the St. Louis Library Festival, an idea for a tribute
to Motown great, Marvin Gaye began to formulate. Although many years
passed, the idea never left and 2005 brought the idea to life.
Having found the right blend of musicians and vocalists willing to
undertake such a project, Tee has been able to bring back the sounds
of one of the most revered singers of the Motown Era. From the early
days of "Hitchhike" and "How Sweet It Is" and duets "It Takes Two"
and "Your Precious Love" into the dark years of "What's Going On"
and ending with "Sexual Healing", this tribute show covers the
musical career of Marvin Gaye from start to finish.
"How Sweet It Is" - A Tribute to Marvin
Gaye Featuring Tee Turner