All Photos: Alan Mercer
Make-up: Rudy Calvo
Make-up Asst.: Chloe Vega
A fresh and original blend of energy and inspiration...an effervescent personality combined with abundant talent, refreshing music and an eternal message. With Táta Vega, what you hear is what you get--and what you get is an artist whose music mirrors her spirit...and vice versa.
Táta is a rare and exceptional artist who has had the opportunity to cross nearly every musical boundary while all the while remaining true to who she is. Growing up in the Panama Canal Zone, she was surrounded by the sounds of Latin, Panamanian and Calypso music while developing a vast appreciation for the sounds of Rhythm and Blues, Soul, Gospel, Rock, Folk, Country and any other music that Táta could hear would also affect her in their own individual way.
By the age of sixteen, it was apparent that Táta was destined for a career in the music industry. She moved to California and made her way into the musical Hair. While in Hair, she met Dobie Gray (known for his international smash "Drift Away") who invited her to become a part of a counter-culture band called Pollution. After two albums under Atlantic with Pollution, Táta joined another band, Earthquire, who would sign a deal with Natural Resources, a division of Motown. As lead singer, songwriter and percussionist with the band, Táta's talents were immediately noticed by Motown who signed her as a soloist on the Tamla label.
As a soloist with Motown, Táta released four critically acclaimed albums ("Full Speed Ahead", "Totally Táta", "Try My Love", "Givin' All My Love"). These four albums covered every musical territory possible: Southern Soul, Disco, Gospel, Jazz, Funk, Country, Latin and Doo-Wop. Táta also scored two international hits ("I Just Keep Thinking About You Baby" and "Get It Up For Love") which topped Disco charts in both America and Europe. These songs were so contagiously funky that some critics dubbed her "The Godmother Of Funk".
Following her tenure at Motown, Táta maintained a hectic schedule as a studio singer while simultaneously moving into Gospel music. She became the cornerstone of Andraé Crouch's back-up group and as a featured vocalist who began touring with him internationally, earning her a Grammy Nomination for the song "Oh It is Jesus".
In 1985 Táta landed back on billboards' top 100 with "Learn to Love Again" a duet sung with legendary entertainer Lou Rawls.
Perhaps the pinnacle of the eighties for Táta was being the voice of the infamous Shug Avery in motion picture, ‘The Color Purple.’ This recording led to an Oscar nomination and performance, followed by other motion picture soundtracks including ‘The Lion King,’ ‘The Circle Of Life’ for Spanish speaking countries, Amistad, Forrest Gump and others.
Táta signed with Quincy Jones' Qwest Records in 1998 and released her long-awaited Gospel solo debut, ‘Now I See.’ The album was birthed from her life experiences and testifies of the salvation, mercy and devotion of God. The album was also critically acclaimed and earned a Stellar Award nomination.
In October of 2009 Táta released her 8th Studio album ‘This Joy’ with Music Producer Alan Abrahams. ‘This Joy’ delivers heart-wrenching vocals not created by studio tricks, but by the spontaneous spirit of an artist souled-out for her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ!
In January 2013, Táta's long awaited dream was fulfilled when she along with Darlene Love, Merry Clayton, Lisa Fischer and Judith Hill premiered "Twenty Feet From Stardom". A film that explores the lives of the women behind the biggest headliners today, The Backing Vocalists, often referred by Táta as the "Frame for the Painting". In March 2014, “Twenty Feet...” went on to win The Academy Award and Grammy for Best Documentary and Best music in a film.
Táta has been recognized as one of the most successful session singers of today and has sung back-up for a number of artists including legendary entertainers, Sir Elton John, Madonna, Michael Jackson, and new artists' such as Iggy Azalea, Natasha Beddingfield, and countless others.
AM: Táta, when ‘20 Feet From Stardom’ came out and won all the awards and acclaim, did it change your life?
TV: Yes, ‘20 Feet From Stardom’ changed my life by helping me become more confident. It’s a story for all people, not just background singers. I’ve made so many new friends. It’s a whirlwind. We had no clue it would be so powerful.
AM: You could never guess it would win an Oscar?
TV: No, we didn’t know. Let me put it this way. I heard a curdling scream when they made the announcement and I realized the sound came out of me. I didn’t realize how excited I was and how much I wanted it to win.
AM: How did you end up touring with Elton John?
TV: Bill Maxwell, who is in the movie, put in a good word for me on an Elton John recording session and to tour with him so that’s how I got that. Mr. Maxwell is also who got me in the movie.
AM: I bet that made you happy!
TV: I thought it was going to be a reality program so at first I didn’t want anything to do with it. Then I realized it was a legitimate documentary.
AM: Now you’re really set in history.
TV: You think so?
AM: Of course, Academy Award winning movies don’t go away. You’ve had a long career in music even if you haven’t had a number one hit. You were born to sing!
TV: I think so. There is always so much to do. Listening to all the other girls and what they had to say made me think about, what is it that really makes me happy? Not everybody does it for money and fame. Some do it for the sheer enjoyment.
AM: I get the feeling you’re that way as well.
TV: Sometimes you do get pulled away and it does become about paying the bills, but then you stop having fun.
AM: You also have another place in film history with Steven Spielberg and ‘The Color Purple.” Do you enjoy singing ‘Miss Celie's Blues?’
TV: Yes, every chance I get.
AM: Do people go crazy when they hear it?
TV: Yes, they love it.
AM: You also sing ‘Maybe God Is trying To Tell You Something.’
TV: Yes, it’s a prayer actually. I recorded it at four or five o’clock in the morning. There were no words. That’s something the Lord gave me right then and there.
AM: You also worked with another legend, Mr. Andraé Crouch. I know we recently lost him and that he was a wonderful man.
TV: I loved him and I still love him. He’s still alive, even though he’s left this plane. He was my mentor, my dad, my brother and my friend. He taught me so much. I really believe that if wasn’t for Andraé Crouch I probably wouldn’t have been able to have done all the work that I’m doing today.
AM: I’m so glad he mentored you. What a gift!
TV: He taught me about being balanced and staying focused, he taught me about God. The face of Gospel music today wouldn’t be the same without Andraé Crouch because he was the one that changed the face for all time, just like the Beatles did for pop music.
AM: Do you enjoy singing gospel more than other styles?
TV: Oh I LOVE ALL MUSIC! If it’s something that’s uplifting, that’s even better.
AM: I want you to record a Latin flavored salsa type album.
TV: Thank you, I would like to record some music like that too.
AM: OK Universe, let’s get Tata to record a Latin album! Maybe a tribute to Celia Cruz?
TV: That could happen.
AM: Can you tell me what it was like to be a part of Motown?
TV: I was with them eleven years. It’s like a dream now. The albums are still going. They just re-released some of them. It’s hard to believe I was ever there. What a life.
AM: I have always loved the song ‘Get It Up For Love.’
TV: I fell in love with that when I heard the Average White Band do it. Even my Mom liked that song because she understood it was about getting people up and celebrating love.
AM: Wasn’t that song banned from the radio in England?
TV: Yes and I couldn’t believe it. People with dirty minds!
AM: And you always put a gospel song on your albums. Did Motown ever try to get you not to do one?
TV: Yes, they didn’t want me recording songs that had to do with God. Luckily Iris Gordy fought for me every time.
AM: You certainly have had a great career.
TV: I really appreciate that. Sometimes I need to be reminded.
Jewelry: Claudia Tate