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Tina Woodrit

Drummer, singer, arranger and producer who has worked with Carol Douglas, Wardell Piper...

Tina Woodrit, aka Tina Teena, Drummer, Singer, Arranger and Producer. Born and raised in Philadelphia has performed with Barbara Mason, Miles Jaye, Fred Wesley, (Musical Director for James Brown), Performed with Philadelphia's first female group "Ladies Unlimited", appeared on Georgie Woods' first televised show in Philadelphia, Jimmy Dawkins (legendary Bluesman) and Slam Allen. Tina has recorded with Carol Douglas and Wardell both albums produced by John H. Fitch, Jr. and Rueben Crosse, Songwriters of Evelyn Champagne Kings hit song "Shame." Recorded with Ike & Val Woods (Miami, Florida). Additional Performances:† Valerie Tyson (Miami, Florida), Robert Albury (Key West, Florida), Captain Blues (Key West, Florida),Dennis Robinson, (Key West, Florida), Cathedral of His Glory (Burlington, NC)

This petite young lady can really lay down a phat groove. She has released her single "Thank You" which Tina arranged, produced, sang lead and background vocals. Tina is an extraordinary drummer who most people are truly fascinated when they hear her play. Bringing to you one of Philly's Finest, Tina Teena.

Tina Woodrit is a highly energetic and talented, professional drummer. This 5'4" native Philadelphian has a unique and powerful sound. She is intelligent and charming with a great sense of humor. Tina has played professionally amongst some of the finest musicians and entertainers in the industry. Thrusting her emotion in her craft and born under the sign of ìLeoî, she cheerfully confesses to beginning her career after attending numerous rehearsals with Richard Ferguson who is a spectacular Jazz Drummer. Her overwhelming curiosity as to his ability and style got the best of her! Knowing Richards drums were not to be played with, she decided to take the plunge. Adjusting the throne for her petite frame, she climbed aboard. Feeling an incredible natural rush while listening to James Browns ìCold Sweatî, she nervously picked up the drumsticks and knew at that moment she was truly On Stage! Tina played with all of her heart and soul, soon mastering the tune. Nearby family members in the house rushed downstairs in the direction of this incredible sound to find to their amazement, Tina. Astonished, they applauded her tremendous talent (playing drums) which was something they were totally unaware of. Mom at this moment knew she had to buy Tina a set of drums. As an Executive Assistant, with this thought in mind and raising of seven other children, she immediately decided to take on a second job at night as a Barmaid to raise the money. She later along with son, Jimmy carried the New Sparkling Red Drum set from Center City, Philadelphia to their home; set them up and anxiously awaited for Tinaís arrival. When Tina walked in and saw the drums, she broke down and cried because suddenly she realized not only were these drums hers but the reason Mom worked the long hours, both day and night.

Performing with who she refers to as ìThe First Female Rhythm Section, ìLadies Unlimitedî. Among the members were Philadelphiaís own Diane Brown on guitar, now with Radio station B101, Nicole (Nickie) Easton on bass, doubling as the groups Manager, Vocalists Shirley Brewer, Delores Harvin (formerly of Wonderlove) Lorraine Horton on vocals and keyboard. . They performed shows in the Tri-State Area. At a live TV show hosted by Georgie Woods, formerly of WDAS radio station, in Philadelphia, Tina and this sensational group ìLadies Unlimitedî performed the song ìI Wanna Take You Higherî. When the band said, ìGive the Drummer Someî, Tina was unbelievable in her playing. The crowd screamed as they cheered with enormous enthusiasm during her solo not to mention the entire song.

Later Tina was introduced to and joined the singing group the ìJonesettsî where she joined Marcie Francis on bass, Lorraine Horton on keyboards and vocals, Oscar Strange on guitar and Mr. Jones on percussions..

The Jonesetts were Karen, Vivian and Sylvia Jones. Collectively and individually these ladies were phenomenal . Afterwards the group had re-grouped and changed their name to ìLady Fingers and Companyî, however with the presence of her brother Jimmy at their shows, he invisioned these tremendously talented ladies with another name, henceforth calling them ìBetter Daysî.

Tinaís performances furthered her career to share the stage with such music greats as Dr Lonnie Smith, (featured in the ìBudweiser Blues Festî) By the way, to reflect her enormous energy Ms Woodrit continued and performed with five consecutive bands at the Festival.

Other incredible performances were with Chicagoís Legendary Bluesman, Jimmy Dawkins, Evelyn ìChampagneî King, Carol Douglas, Theodore Life, The Bluenotes, Victor Bailey (formerly with Weather Report & Madonna), Barbara Mason, Sister Sledge, The Drifters, Dennis Robinson, (The Platters), Miles Jaye, Bill Jolly (formerly with the late Grover Washington) , Fred Wesley, (Musical Director for James Brown), Creme Dí Cocoa, and Wardell Piper to name a few. She also performed with other entertainers to include the Jonesetts, Slam Allen, Bobby Stringer, Joey, Gilmore, Rick Rickets, (Elvis Presley Impersonator). Tina opened for Al Green, The Tramps and worked with Harvey Fugua manager of Smokey Robinson and formerly with the infamous group, ìNew Birthî on their hit tune ìItís Impossible.î In her busy schedule, she performed Charitable Events to include Benefits, Fundraisers and Community Events.

Her recordings include Carol Douglasí ìCome Into My Lifeî and Wardell Piperís ìSuper Sweetî, both produced by John Fitch and Rubin Crosse. Among other credits Fitch also wrote Evelyn ìChampagneî Kingís, hit tune, ìShame.î

Tina later joined the female singing group, ìSweethearts of Soulî and toured from New Jersey to Sioux Falls, South Dakota. With this group she learned to ìhandle the roadî. Included in the group were guitarist Julie Evans, Denise, aka ìGrannyî Brown on bass, Barbara on keyboards and Anita Odoms on vocals. The Group received standing ovations each time the legendary song ìBlack Cowî was performed. She gives much credit to the energy of this group to embellishing her own individuality.

Her travels have taken her to places near and far. Traveling across the nation she performed in landmarks such as Daveís CC Club where the legendary ìB B Kingî performed, the Green Parrot in Key West Florida, Warmdaddyís, the Met and the Adams Mark Hotel in Philadelphia, Pa, Terra Blues in New York and The Downtown in Middleton, New York, Saint Simon Island, Georgia, Atlanta, Chicago, Illinois, Boston, Sioux Falls Rapid City South Dakota, Tampa, Massachusetts, Alabama, Tallahassee, Minnesota, New Jersey, North Carolina and Key West are some of the many states she toured.

Memorable moments are various, but among them lies the day she saw Earl Young, (drummer for the group ìThe Trampsî) performing. As her heart pounded with enthusiasm she shouted silently to herself, ìI wanna play just like him!î. Courageously she introduced herself to Earl Young during intermission and was more exited when he invited her to sit in. As he adjusted the ìthroneî for her, he continued to speak kindly and confidently in her ability without concern for her and what he later learned to be, her extraordinary talent in playing drums. He became a legend to her as well as a mentor.

Her most embarrassing moment was the day her mother saw her smoking for the first time and offered to buy Tina a pack of cigarettes which by the way, Tina did not want because that simply took the fun out of ìsneaking.î Her family is tight knit and her sister, Sharisse often referred to the family as ìWootang Fourî because Tina and brother Jimmy both were phenomenal drummers and brother Rodney played bass with sistahí Christy on vocals. What a Group!

What most are not aware of is that Ms Woodrit also has a delightfully warm voice. She was groomed by one of the finest in the business, Morris Bailey (who discovered Patti LaBelle) and is also an exceptional music arranger and jazz saxophonist.

Her vocal influences have been such divas as Aretha Franklin,, Patti LaBelle, Stephanie Mills, Whitney Houston and Dionne Warwick among others. Her hobbies include, bowling, softball and basketball. Her musical influences are Richard Ferguson, John Hart, Morris ìMoî Bailey, Victor Bailey, Oscar Strange, Earl Young, Rick Coates, Matthew R. Watson and Miles Jaye.

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