π€πΆππ #ArtIsAWeapon Peaceful journeys to powerhouse #singer #TonniSmith (#ToniSmith) - co-writer and featured vocalist on the 1980 Tom Browne smash hit "Funkin' For Jamaica (N.Y.)." The Bronx, N.Y. native recently transitioned, according to social media posts. Thank you for your gift of song, Ms. Smith. This one and "Thighs High" (another Browne track on which she sang and co-wrote) are major parts of my life's soundtrack. I will never not dance and sing to either when I hear them. Via www.soulwalking.co.uk: Tonni Smith hails from New York and has been singing since the age of six. At eleven years of age, she was entering school contests and was in her first band at the age of 13. The group were [sic] called the Lyndell Experience, who played at various public schools. After leaving the group, Tonni joined another group called The Bronkz. The new group gave her her first opportunity at penning songs herself. By the time she was 18 years of age, Tonni received her first big break when she joined the groupΒ The Crystals. It was around this time that she was first introduced toΒ Tom Browne, who took an interest in her after hearing some of her compositions. In 1980, Tonni became the co-writer and lead singer onΒ Tom Browne'sΒ 'Funkin' For Jamaica', taken from his 'Love Approach' album outing... Whilst working with Browne, Tonni penned two other compositions, 'Thighs High' and 'Let's Dance' for two subsequent Browne recordings. Tonni then recorded with several artists and released the single 'Ooh I Like The Way It Feels' for the Malaco label in 1983. A further single followed in 1986, entitled 'Can't Stop This Feelin' for the Lisson Records label. Tonni's solo composition 'I've Got The Hots For You' was also utilized by S-Express on their UK No. 1 hit 'Theme From S-Express' in 1988. Tonni is a self taught pianist and she has worked with various artists including Stephanie Mills,Β Meli'sa Morgan [and] James Ingram..." #ThomassinaCarrollyneSmith #SingerSongwriter #TomBrowne #FunkinForJamaica #Jazz #Funk #RnB #Soul #80sFunk #SupportingVocalist #SingerSongwriter #MusicIsLife #TraScapades #ArtIsAWeapon https://www.instagram.com/p/B74swqbgZ9D/?igshid=1qnj0n68azzm7
