Tweed Smith has had quite a career:
‘“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 ’81,” 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.”
“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 a backup 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.”….. Roger Wood
Tweed Smith and the Internationals appear Friday, March 29th.