Taana Gardner facts for kids

Taana Gardner is an American singer known for her amazing voice in disco and post-disco music. She became famous with West End Records starting in 1979. She was also part of a group called the Aural Exciters.

Early Life and Musical Start

Taana Gardner was born in Newark, New Jersey, on September 3, 1960. Her grandmother was a professional opera singer, so music was in her family! Taana started her own musical journey when she was just eleven years old.

She got involved in theater and joined the Harlem Children's Theater Group. Her first big show was at Lincoln Center. She played a high priestess in a musical called "Land of the Egyptian," which she also helped write. Taana also performed with the Dance Theater of Harlem and the National Black Theater.

Becoming a Disco Star

How Taana Gardner Joined West End Records

Taana Gardner became a leading singer for West End Records. This record label in New York City released many popular disco songs in the late 1970s and early 1980s. Even though she had a strong theater background, her start in disco was a bit of a happy accident!

A music producer and songwriter named Kenton Nix had a song called "Work That Body." He needed someone to sing on it. The famous DJ Larry Levan from the Paradise Garage club loved the song's music. He introduced Kenton Nix to Mel Cheren, who owned West End Records.

The singer who was supposed to record the song got sick on Thanksgiving Day in 1978. Kenton Nix's brother, who worked for Taana's father, called her. Taana agreed to come and record the vocals. That same day, members of Dr. Buzzard's Original Savannah Band heard her voice. They asked her to sing on their record, which became Spooks in Space by the Aural Exciters.

Hit Songs and Collaborations

"Work That Body," with a special remix by DJ Larry Levan, became a huge hit at the Paradise Garage. This led to many more classic songs from West End Records. Kenton Nix wrote them, Taana Gardner sang them, and Larry Levan made them perfect for the dance floor.

More hits followed in 1979, like "We Can Work It Out," "When You Touch Me," "Just Be a Friend," and "Paradise Express." In 1981, she released the very popular song "Heartbeat." This song was later used in other famous tracks, like "Lyrics 2 the Rhythm" and Ini Kamoze's "Here Comes the Hotstepper." Another hit from 1981 was "No Frills."

Later Career and Continued Music

After her early success, Taana Gardner took some time away from the spotlight. She wanted to focus on her children. In 1985, she released "Over You," another song produced by Kenton Nix. She also released "You Can't Keep Coming In and Out of My Life" around the same time.

In 1992, she released her version of LaBelle's song "What Can I Do for You?" She worked with Kenton Nix and West End Records again in 1998 for "I'm Comin'." In 2002, West End released a collection of her songs called Anthology of a Diva. Taana Gardner has also sung with other famous artists, including Kool & the Gang, Peabo Bryson, Edwin Starr, and Harold Melvin & The Blue Notes.

Discography

Albums

• Taana Gardner (1979)

Singles

• "Work That Body" (1979)
• "When You Touch Me" (1979)
• "Heartbeat" (1981)
• "No Frills" (1981)
• "You Can't Keep Coming in and Out of My Life" (1988)
• "Over You" (1991)
• "What Can I Do for You" (1992)
• "I'm Comin'" (1998)
• "Work That Body (Remix)" (2000)