Tweed Smith

Given Tweed Smith’s wide range of musical experience --encompassing gospel, classical, theater, rock, pop, blues, and jazz-- that means a lot. It is the basis for her power as a performer and her foundation as a music educator.

​

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. 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, made Smith the only female member of the band. Fans will recall WAR as the source of major hits such as "The World Is a Ghetto," "Cisco Kid," "Why Can't We Be Friends?" and "Low Rider." "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 a 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 list of stars, such as Diane Reeves, Sly Stone, Sarah Vaughn, Stevie Wonder, Bobby Womack, former Beatle Ringo Starr, and the Rolling Stone's Ron Wood.

​

In 1983, Smith moved to New York City, where she honed her craft as a jazz singer, especially during a long-running gig at The Baby Grand (located just down the street from the famous Apollo Theater). Today, happily based again in her hometown of Houston, Texas, Smith draws from a deep well of musical exposure and expertise. And she still finds great joy in singing, whatever the venue or occasion.