THE NEW YORK BEACON (June 25, 1997)
Tamia Celebrates 21st Birthday Bash By Qwest
Los Angeles, CA -- Perky and pretty singer Tamia recently
turned twenty-one and her record label, Qwest Records, tossed a
fabulous birthday bash in the beauty's honor at The Gate in Los
Angeles.
One of her best birthday gifts however will not take place
until August when she expects her debut album to drop. In the
meantime, Tamia's fans will just adore her in "Speed II" in which
she plays Sherri Silver, a featured performer at the dinner
theatre aboard a luxury cruise ship. Tamia is seen performing
"Make Tonight Beautiful." The action laced movie was filmed in
Florida, St. Martin, the Caribbean Sea and Los Angeles, and stars
Sandra Bullock, Jason Patric and Willem Dafoe.
Back on the music track, Tamia was introduced to the music
industry by one of its most powerful brokers, Quincy Jones, when
she appeared as his principal vocalist on the first single
release, "You Put A Move On My Heart" from "Q's Jook Joint," his
first album release in six years.
Tamia's delivery was so dynamic that she received a Grammy
nomination for Best Female R&B Vocal Performance. And while still
a teenager, she also performed the song at a command performance
before Queen Elizabeth II of England and President Nelson Mandela
of South Africa at an event celebrating the first State visit by
a South African President in decades held at the historic Royal
Albert Hall in London. Now that' s a great feat for a newcomer!
The native Canadian continues to make the folks back home in
Windsor, Ontario proud because since her rise to stardom she has
already appeared with one of the icons of the business, Babyface,
on "Slow Jams" another Rod Temperton classic and the second
single released from "Q's Jook Joint." This dynamic collaboration
won a Grammy nomination for Best R&B performance by a duo.
Tamia also performs on one of my all-time favorite ballads,
"Missing You" from the movie soundtrack "Set It Off." The
gorgeous gal appears with other top recording stars Gladys
Knight, Chaka Khan and Brandy on this knock-out song which gave
her a third Grammy nomination.
"Missing You" received a Grammy nod for Best Pop
Collaboration with Vocals. Although this song did not win the
award, the ladies won the love and adoration of million of
viewers including the sold out audience at Madison Square Garden.
Ron Carter, ace publicist for Qwest records, flew in from
Los Angeles to assist Tamia during the Grammy festivities and
hosted an intimate dinner for the classic beauty at the classy
Jezebel's restaurant attended by a veritable who's who of media
and Tamia's lovely and doting mother.
Tamia is managed by Brenda Richie who is credited with
introducing the young singer to Quincy in 1994 at a party for
Luther Vandross.
Tamia recalls that special meeting. "Quincy was one of the
guests and we just sort of met casually as friends. A few months
later, Quincy called my manager, told her that he had a song and
asked if I would listen to it. I loved it, and we went into the
studio to record it." Quincy treats his young protegee like a
daughter of which she considers `dope.'
When asked about the honor of having the first-released
single from his album she says, "I'm very, very flattered. As a
new artist, it' s so much to handle. Even being on an album with
such people as Ray Charles and Stevie Wonder is an honor, and to
be on the first two singles out -- it's amazing to me. I had so
much fun, and Quincy made me feel comfortable the whole time. He
made me feel that he was excited to work with me as I was to work
with him."
Now at the ripe age of 21, Tamia is still just as thrilled
to be in Quincy's camp. "It's a great honor to have Quincy Jones
even acknowledge you as an artist. I'm feeling very blessed, and
I'm just trying to take it day by day."
Joining the talented one on her big day in which she
thoroughly enjoyed herself dancing and talking were Grant Hill,
Tracey Edmonds, Dalvin, Regina King, Tichina, Arnold, Pat
Lawrence, MC Lyte, Russell Simmons, Tyson, El Debarge, Jimmy
Jackson and Malik Sealy to name a few.
By Audrey J. Bernard
(
geocities.com/sunsetstrip/lounge/Lounge) (
geocities.com/sunsetstrip/lounge) (
geocities.com/sunsetstrip)