8 minute read
ALTHEA RENE
Althea Rene
as an artist, is a combination of smoothness, funkiness, sexiness and confidence. On stage she captivates the audience with her amazing playing skills, flowing effortlessly from soft and sultry to funky to soulful. Althea is an artist who enjoys herself on stage and it resonates with the audience.
Althea René gained musical inspiration from her father Dezie McCullers (one of Motown's original Funk Brothers). She has since developed her own creative style. Some regard her as a "master of her craft" and one of the world's most exciting solo improvisational flutists. The multi-platinum and Grammy-nominated saxophonist Najee playfully refers to her as the “Maceo of the flute”.
Althea tells a great story about her first overseas performance. She was invited to Dubai to perform at the International Dubai Jazz Festival. She did so not realizing it was actually an audition for a major label. Althea talked about how the audience, the people of another culture, embraced The Music itself. It resonated with her the universal nature of music. That music can even be healing and give one Hope.
In her interview with Gail Jhonson, Indie Incognito’s Inside The Music Editor, Althea talked fondly about her and her brother being musically creative as kid. They made their own instruments. They even made their drum set out of Clorox bottles and made their tickets for folks to come to their show
What they are saying….
“Flautist Althea René has spent much of her life successfully meeting challenges and overcoming obstacles. She established her career while raising two boys as a single mother and working days as a deputy sheriff in Detroit courthouses. She’s the first flute player to hit the top of both the Billboard and Smooth Jazz charts, and she joins us to discuss the latest single from her hit album, “In the Flow”.” Tavis Smiley - Tavis Smiley Show
“Trippin ‘N’ Rhythm Records and Althea Rene make smooth jazz history today as her debut radio single “In The Flow” becomes the first flute single to achieve #1 status on the Billboard singles chart. In the wake of what has become a saxophone dominant genre, it’s nice to see the reemergence of the flute as an embraced and accepted instrument once again and Althea is pioneering the way with a record that has catapulted up the chart is just 6 short weeks and has become a critical fave. Say’s Althea, “Always stay true to who you are & surround yourself with people who have genuine faith in you. Never let anyone steal your passion. Huge thanks to all of you who have been there for me from the beginning and those new fans that are just discovering my music, I am absolutely over the moon!” Jeff Lunt - Trippin N Rhythm
Gail & Althea Q & A
Gail
Hello, this is Gail Jhonson, with Indie Incognito’s Inside The Music. Today our very special guest is Ms Althea Rene. Flautist, entrepreneur, author, Detroit woman (lol). It’s been a while and it is so good to see you. How have been lately?
Althea
Yeah you too. You know it’s been such a crazy year. How with all the disruption, you learn to appreciate every little thing.
Gail
Yeah, you grew up in Detroit, around all of those musical icons. Even your family was a part of that. You want to tell us about that experience?
Althea
Yeah, Saturday mornings was a place of, just music. My dad got early and he would play all of his jazz albums. Me and my brothers would pick up different instruments and we would try to play. Mostly it was just a lot of fun around the McCullers house (lol) !
Gail
Did your dad play saxophone?
Althea
Well, originally my dad played trumpet with Motown. That’s when he was one of the Funk Brothers and played trumpet. In 1970 he had a really bad car accident. He broke his jaw and was unable to ever play his trumpet again. Now trumpet was his main instrument and I had never heard him play saxophone. But when he healed, he picked the sax and I can say this, no one ever knew he had never knew that he had not played saxophone all of his life.
Gail Does your brother also play saxophone?
Althea
Yes, my brother Desi Jr plays sax. My other brother Frank played trumpet and drums. Frank’s claim to fame was playing with the band Wild Cherry. So he played on Play That Funky Music White Boy :)
Gail
So you picked up the flute. Did you paly piano or anything?
Althea
I took piano a little bit while I was in high school and I played around with the organ a little bit around the house because my dad had two B3’s. Yeah Gail, my dad was the guy who had all the instruments so it was no excuse to get the gig done. He would say, I have all the gear, ya’ll just show up (lol).
Gail Wow, that is so awesome and I can truly relate. I have the whole gear ensemble in my garage now.
Althea
Gail, I can remember the first time we met. It was in Detroit at a club in Greektown. You came in and I was like “ Wow she is with Norman Brown and ooohhhh that’s her”, she said in a whisper while laughing. Girl you walked in like you were the Queen. I t was just so good hearing you play. I believe you sat in with us and it was just so cool.
Gail
Oh yeah, I remember saying to myself, Look at the sisters ding it. You guys were not swanky or half naked. It was just so classy. Yeah your group Straight Ahead was no joke.
Althea
Even though that band played a straight ahead style, that experience helped me grow and become more well rounded. It was really good time in my life.
Gail Did you study flute formally?
Althea
Yes I did. I won a classical scholarship to Howard University. I actually wanted to go to Grambling and be in the marching band because it would have been a continuation of my high school marching band days. But I got the scholarship plus my uncle was the dean of fine arts. So that was a much better deal for me and off to Howard I went.
Gail
Did the Funk Brothers ever come to your house and rehearse?
Althea
I have this one story from when I was very young. One day I see two cars pulls up in our driveway. My dad says “Hey I got some folks from Motown that have to use the bathroom”. So I see mom getting the house together real quick because, she knows who it is, but I’m asking my sister, who is this and who is that. Well they both knew who it was, it was Diana Ross. OK, I am focusing on her when she came out but when I went back out to the car, Stevie Wonder was in the car. So I met them but was asking my sister “ Who is that?” and she says “Shut Up. If you don’t know who Diana Ross and Stevie Wonder are, just shut up? (lol)
Gail
Ok, you got all this playing experience in Detroit, so when did you start recording?
Althea
Pretty much straight out of the gate. I did about three and a half years at Howard and was getting really tough. Even tough I had a scholarship, it didn’t take care of everything and became extremely hard. So I returned to Detroit with enrolling in Wayne State or another local university but that didn’t work out. At that point I starting writing songs with some young musicians I grew up with. So yeah, at 19 or 20 I am trying to get a record deal. That was my goal, to be the next Bobbi Humphrey.
Gail
Were there other women you played with or was it just the guys?
Althea
It was just the guys. When I was back at Howard, they’d take me to some of the jam sessions because they knew I was serious about playing. But I was treated like a novelty. Questions like, Do you play as good as you look? Even when I did sit in, they would totally overplay me and I was even heard by the crowd. So yes, it was brutal But it never got me down or deterred me. It strengthened my resolve as I figured if you get mad enough, you will do something to get better and That’s what I did.
Gail
I was certainly pleased to meet you on the smooth jazz cruise. When I came into the lounge where you were performing, I was like Aww heck yeah, go head girl. I knew right then we needed to get together and show support for each other. You know, how can do something together. That’s when we met later and talked and decided to form Jazz In Pink. Feeling like we would do better in numbers.
Althea
I am committed to continuing to do projects inclusive of women. I am really an advocate for women in the business of music. You have some who will say you are just a girls group and that is so far from the truth. We do it, wearing all the necessary hats.
Gail
We have blessed the world with some memorable musical moments and I am so proud of that. Being able to share that with you and many of our sister musicians has been amazing. We truly support one another. How do you fell about that particular point?
Althea
I never feel jealousy or hate towards another female artist out there doing their thing. Everyone has their own style and there is room for us all.
Gail
I am very proud of you Althea. I’ve watch you grow, keep it moving and not miss a beat. It’s easy to see that you are in it to win it .
Althea
Yes I am just continuing to grow. I am committed to give back with my volunteer work and my masterclasses. Any way I can think of share what I have learned along the way and that I can help someone on their journey.
Gail
This has been a real pleasure. Thank you for joining Indie Incognito Magazine’s Inside The Music.
You can find all things Althea Rene on the following platforms:
www.althearene.com Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and Youtube Buy her music at Apple Music
