Willie Tee

Wilson Turbinton, known professionally as Willie Tee, was born on February 6, 1944, in the Calliope Projects of New Orleans, Louisiana, and became an American keyboardist, songwriter, singer, and producer. Early exposure to rhythm and blues and jazz led him to record for AFO Records as a teenager, and in 1965 he released the single "Teasin' You" on Atlantic Records, establishing his presence in the soul scene. Throughout the late 1960s and early 1970s, Willie Tee performed at venues from the Apollo Theater to the Ivanhoe, and his 1970 album I'm Only a Man showcased his blend of funk and soul. In 1974 he arranged, co‑wrote, and led the Wild Magnolias on their self‑titled debut, Wild Magnolias, and the follow‑up They Call Us Wild, introducing Mardi Gras Indian street‑beat funk to a wider audience. Subsequent releases, including Teasin' You (2006) and the posthumous Anthology (2008), compiled his catalog. Willie Tee collaborated with artists such as Dr. John, Cannonball Adderley, and his brother, Earl Tee, on Brothers for Life (1988), and contributed to the 2004 Dr. John album N'Awlinz: Dis Dat or D'Udda. His work was sampled by rappers including the Geto Boys and Lil Wayne, evidencing his impact on New Orleans music. In 2007, the Louisiana Music Hall of Fame inducted him, and he passed away on September 11, 2007, after a battle with colon cancer.

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