Home » Jazz Musicians » Thelma Houston

Thelma Houston

After 47 years of performing, Thelma Houston continues to celebrate her long and outstanding career and shows no signs of slowing down!

Over the course of many years, promoters have been asking Thelma, when is she going to return to her Motown roots?

After much thought, Thelma has decided that the timing was right to launch a brand new band show called: “Thelma Houston: Motown, Memories & Me!” The show features non-stop classic Motown songs (that we all know and love,) along with tributes to her gospel roots, and to the legendary Jimmy Webb, who wrote and produced Thelma's debut album called "Sunshower."

Thelma was asked to join a stellar list of artists honoring the illustrious career of the late Donna Summer, who Thelma knew. Thelma recorded covers of Donna's classic songs: "Last Dance," Could it Be Magic?" and "I Love You." Thelma's 23rd album, "A Woman's Touch", was released recently through Shout Factory Records (distributed by Sony/BMG) and offers her rich interpretations of many classic R&B and pop recordings originally made famous by such male vocalists as Luther Vandross, Rev. Al Green, Sting and Marvin Gaye.

A Mississippi native, Thelma started out in the 60's performing in gospel music with the Art Reynolds Singers. She then signed to Capitol Records (home of the Beatles, Nat King Cole and Nancy Wilson) in 1967 and had her first hit song called "Baby Mine."

Soon Thelma was courted by several record labels and signed with ABC/Dunhill where she recorded and released her first solo album called "Sunshower" which was written, arranged and produced by the legendary Jimmy Webb. After this critically acclaimed album was released, Thelma decided to accept an offer from one of the biggest record companies around, Motown Records.

With Motown Records, Thelma claimed the top of the Pop, R&B and Dance charts with her high-powered rendition of "Don't Leave Me This Way." That Gold Record classic gave Thelma the distinction of being the first solo female artist at Motown to win the Grammy Award for "Best R&B Female Vocal Performance."

Known as a humanitarian for her charitable causes and her tireless efforts in the battle against AIDS, the City of West Hollywood proclaimed January 29th as "Thelma Houston Day" in 2003. She has donated her talents to numerous charities including Devine Design for Project Angel Food, AIDS Project Los Angeles, and the Minority AIDS Project, to which she donated her $20,000 winnings from the TV show Hit Me Baby. She is also very active in the Beverly Hills/Hollywood branch of the NAACP.

Read more

Tags

1
Live Review

Thelma Houston at the Catalina Jazz Club

Read "Thelma Houston at the Catalina Jazz Club" reviewed by Belinda Ware


Thelma Houston and Taalam Acey Catalina Jazz Club Los Angeles, CA April 29, 2016 It was a beautiful starry night. The weather was just right. Perfect for a stroll down Sunset Boulevard in the heart of Hollywood. I took a short cut walking from the Walk of Fame as I made my way to the Catalina Jazz Club, one of L.A.'s premiere jazz venues. I heard about a specialty show, Motown, Memories ...

Read more articles
99

Recording

'70s Diva Thelma Houston Gives Her Favorite Songs a Woman's Touch

'70s Diva Thelma Houston Gives Her Favorite Songs a Woman's Touch

Source: All About Jazz

Thelma Houston, the dynamic voice behind the disco anthem “Don't Leave Me This Way," is back with her first album in over 17 years. In a clever twist, Houston uses A Woman's Touch (in stores August 14th via Shout! Factory) to transform songs made famous by some of the biggest singers - male singers - in R&B and pop.

The new CD was entirely conceived by Thelma Houston, as well as executive produced by Thelma in ...

Photos

Get more of a good thing!

Our weekly newsletter highlights our top stories, our special offers, and upcoming jazz events near you.