Tammy Terrell was born in Montreal, Canada to an African-American father and a Canadian mother. Growing up in the era of Blues, Jazz and Classic R&B, it has made music a paramount component in her household. At a young age she absorbed knowledge from her father, Melvin Terrell - Musical Director for the late Mary Wells.
As Tammy developed a love story with music, she realized how deep it ran through her veins. Having a MD as a father has installed important values in Tammy T's personal life and has molded her into the artist and human being she is today. With her father's influence, music has always been a constant part of Tammy's life.
As a child she mastered her craft by learning the piano and flute and as a teenager she developed her talent while concentrating on her vocals.
Tammy T is a natural born singer, with no experience under her belt she learned various techniques by simply listening to her favorite icons: Ella Fitzgerald, Mahalia Jackson, Aretha Franklin, Whitney Houston and Mariah Carey. With determination she explored the extraordinary capacities of her voice as she learned about emotions, feelings, passion and her powerful range.
Q & A with Tammy T
How important do you think it is for artists to draw from personal experiences in their music?
I think it's extremely important for artists to draw from personal experiences in their music because it makes the music so much more real ... and I know for myself I connect with artists that keep it real and that share their souls on each and every track. The ability to something outside of the box is often the difference between a good artist and a great one.
What prompted you sing A cappella in downtown Montreal?
That's actually an interesting story....here it goes.... Some people thought I was a "studio" singer, so I figured I would give them a run for their money and show them LIVE & DIRECT Ms. TammyT can do more than sing... I CAN SAAAAANNNGGGG!!! So I met up with my good friend Seif Ali, owner of A&A filmz, and we were supposed to shoot a video of me singing live. In the car we got on the topic of TROY DAVIS. So I thought to myself, why not use my voice to bring attention to his case?
I am a firm believer that small actions lead to big changes, and Martin Luther King Jr. said "Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere" so I always try to stand up for what I believe in, and I definitely believed Troy Davis' execution was uncalled for, so I went downtown Montreal and I sang on every corner of Ste-Catherine about Troy Davis. People were getting out their cellphones and camcorders, they must have been thinking who is this crazy light skinned tatted up chick singing on the corner bout Troy Davis, but it was definitely worth it and I would do it again in a heartbeat!
What can you tell us about your latest project?
COULD YOU... is what I decided to call my "mini-EP", it's 3 songs about L-O-V-E. Often we try to categorize love and emotions, when they just are and we should leave them at that. Some things really are better left unexplained, so I just let my heart & soul talk through these songs... In a few words, my project is a question.... Could you, Breathe Me In, Forever???????
Join Tammy T @ Officialtammyt.com and download her latest project "Could You" below
Tammy Terrell was born in Montreal, Canada to an African-American father and a Canadian mother. Growing up in the era of Blues, Jazz and Classic R&B, it has made music a paramount component in her household. At a young age she absorbed knowledge from her father, Melvin Terrell - Musical Director for the late Mary Wells. 