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| Jeanie Tracy |
| Just like most disco divas, Jeanie has her roots firmly planted in her church upbringing. The diva with the incredible pipes hails from Houston Texas. Tracy's family moved westward when Jeanie was a small child. The family landed in Fresno California where little Jeanie had an unremarkable childhood.
School was easy for the naturally gifted youngster. Her family were avid churchgoers and Jeanie cut her teeth musically in her local church choir. Finding a love for music and singing, led to Jeanie studying opera and taking piano lessons while in high school. She credits her high school music teacher as an inspiration and the person who gave her the confidence to seriously pursue a career in the music industry. After high school Jeanie found herself kicking around Fresno trying to find her way into the music business. She landed a temporary job with a local band while in her second year of college. The group worked so well together that it eventually turned into a nearly two-year run. Jeanie left the group in order to pursue solo work and to travel. In 1969 she had her first solo release on the forgettable tiny label Brown Door Records. The prized collector's item 45rpm was "My Man Is Gone" b/w "Making New Friends." Heady with this "success" Tracy hit the road.....all the way to San Francisco! Once she landed in San Francisco she decided to try her luck at acting since it was difficult to break into the music scene there. In 1970 she was cast in Oscar Brown Jr.'s musical "Slave Driver." Furthering her acting career, Jeanie took part in "Sing Mahlia Sing" opposite, and eventually filling in for, Jennifer Holliday, "Right Mind" found Jeanie staring along side veteran actors and actresses including some who were in "The Wiz". After her role in "Slave Driver," around 1976, Jeanie met veteran producer Harvey Fuqua and began writing & producing for his gospel group, Voices Of Harmony. Shortly after, Harvey persuaded Jeanie to audition for disco icon Sylvester. Fuqua was producing Sylvester and the two hit it off immediately. Sylvester hired Jeanie to sing both on recordings and live shows, together with his regular back-up vocalists: Martha Wash and Izora Armstead, also known as the aptly titled duo Two Tons O' Fun, (later re-named the Weather Girls). Jeanie's friendship with Sylvester (James) lasted till his tragic death in 1988. The first Sylvester album Jeanie appeared on was "Living Proof," released by Fantasy Records in 1979. The 1980-1981 season found Jeanie's voice gracing both Two Tons O' Fun albums ("Two Tons O' Fun" and "Backatcha") as well as Sylvester's "Sell My Soul" and "Too Hot To Sleep." The two duetted on "Here Is My Love" (from "Too Hot To Sleep") and Herbie Hancock's "Magic Number" 12" release. Working with Sylvester opened the door for Jeanie to begin her own solo career. Her first album, "Me And You" (1982) was released on the Fantasy Label and found her working once again with Harvey Fuqua. "Me And You" saw Jeanie's music growing in a new direction. For the most part, the album featured a softer, more R&B sound which helped her number of fans to swell to an even larger number. Returning the favour, Sylvester appeared in all his glory on "I'm Your Jeanie" - the biggest single from the album - with his remarkable low voice on background vocals. During this period (the mid-1980's), in an effort to promote her career, Jeanie appeared on "Star Search." The show launched several careers, most notably Sam Harris and Tracie Spencer. Jeanie placed number one in the Female Vocalist Category for an astounding six weeks but did not win the final round. In 1982 Sylvester signed with San Francisco based Megatone Records and Jeanie soon followed. Her voice graced his albums "Call Me" (1983) and "M-1015" (1984). For her part she released the 12" singles "Don't Leave Me This Way" (1985), "Time Bomb" (1984), "Let's Dance" (1988) and a stunning version of the Love & Kisses hit "I Found Love" (1990). She had one final release on Fantasy Records in early 1985. "Manhunt" was billed as Silhouette featuring Jeanie Tracy and produced by Tip Wirrick. In 1985, Jeanie also recorded a duet, "You Are My Love," with the Skool Boyz. Session work has long been a staple of many singers income. Jeanie began session work in the 1970's and during the 1980's she took on more and more studio work. Her dulcet voice can be heard on recordings by: Paul Anka, Patti Austin, Band Of Gypsies, Angela Bofill, Michael Bolton, Peabo Bryson, Tevin Campbell, Mariah Carey, Celine Dion, Sheena Easton, Aretha Franklin, Tramaine Hawkins, Whitney Houston, Freddie Hubbard, Pattie Labelle, Stacy Lattisaw, Kenny Loggins, Curtis Mayfield, Jeffrey Osborne, Todd Rundgren, Carlos Santana, Jermaine Stewart, Rod Stewart, Barbra Streisand, Narada Michael Walden, Grover Washington, Shaunice Wilson, Tricia Yearwood and Pia Zadora. This is just a small list of those entertainers that have benefitted from her voice....quite an impressive body of work in itself. After Sylvester's untimely death in 1988, Jeanie decided to put her recording career on the backburner favoring the idea of doing more theater and session work. This break wouldn't last for long and soon Jeanie was back in action flying to New York City to work with her friend, Martha Wash. While there, she recorded the track "It's My Time" for 3-Beat Records, a U.K. based label. The track's lyrics say it best, of the way Jeanie was feeling at the moment. "It's my time to live again, it's my time to stand up and shout'. Another U.K. label, Pulse-8, requested for Jeanie to record an entire album so she took a trip to London and spent 3 months in a studio, working with the song writing team Band Of Gypsies. "Do You Believe In The Wonder" and "If This Is Love" both were issued as singles and "It's My Time" was remixed and re-released. The full length album, "It's My Time" was then released and produced two more singles. The first, "It's A Man's Man's World," teamed Jeanie with Bobby Womack and the last single, "Crying In My Sleep," was a ballad where Jeanie had a chance to belt out. Then Jeanie moved effortless back into another form of theatre - television. She became the voice of "Kimmie The Cat" and "Bantu The Snake" on the critically acclaimed P.B.S. children's series "Kangaroddy." These roles allowed Jeanie to really speak from her heart and to encourage children to have respect for themselves and for others. Something she stresses for all people to do a little more of. Continuing her recording career at the same time has proved to be time consuming however it's something that Jeanie strives on with because of her love for music. She has recorded the singles, "Happiness" on DeConstruction U.K., "Can't Take My Eyes Off of You," "Keep The Party Jumpin'" and the #1 Billboard Dance hit "The Power" with Rosabel. Her latest single (May-2004) is "Gimme My Cha Cha Heels." The song (with Rosabel) is another sure fire hit (on Tommy Boy Records) guaranteed to top the charts. We're so happy to see and hear that one of the music's greatest voices is alive, well and going strong......bless you girl! |
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