Taana Gardner

about

Vocalist Taana Gardner was one of the leading lights of West End Records, a New York label that released some of the finest and most influential disco during the late ‘70s and early ‘80s. At a very young age, the Newark, NJ-born Gardner knew that she wanted to act and sing. Her grandmother, a former opera singer, began giving her vocal lessons at the age of five. Before she hit her teens, she was already a playwright; her work was featured at the Lincoln Center and also at the Apollo. Despite having such an accomplished background at such an early age, it was something of a fluke that she became involved with the disco scene. Producer and songwriter Kenton Nix had a song, "Work That Body," that needed vocals. An early instrumental version of the track had been auditioned and approved by the beyond legendary Paradise Garage DJ Larry Levan, and Levan immediately introduced Nix to West End (and part Paradise Garage) owner Mel Cheren. Cheren set Nix up, but the singer who was slated to record the vocals fell ill on the day they were supposed to be laid down. Nix's brother, who worked for Gardner's father, called up the Gardner household that day —Thanksgiving Day, 1978 — and invited Taana down. Taana accepted, recorded her vocals, and also gained another gig that same day when members of Dr. Buzzard's Original Savannah Band overheard her voice and asked her to sing on the record they were working on. (This record actually turned out to be Spooks in Space by the Aural Exciters, r

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albums

Heartbeat

Taana Gardner

MAW Presents West End Records: The 25th Anniversary Edition Mastermix

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The Remixes, Vol. 1

Larry Levan's Classic West End Records Remixes Made Famous At The Legendary Paradise Garage

The West End Story

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Larry Levans Classic West End Records Remixes Made Famous At The Legendary Paradise Garage

Taana Gardner EP

Journey into Paradise: The Larry Levan Story

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Top 100 Dance Hits

When You Touch Me

Roller Boogie 80'S

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