Tricia “Sista Teedy” Boutté

(Vocalist)

In New Orleans, musical families are an important part of the social fabric.  Tricia “Sista Teedy” Boutté is the next generation of a long line of talented New Orleans performers, the niece of international jazz vocalist, Lillian Boutté and smooth jazz and R&B vocalist, John Boutté.  Singing almost before she could speak, Teedy started in grammar school choirs and chorales, studied violin, slide trombone and was a part of the University of New Orleans’ Young People’s Piano Program where she was a piano partner with Harry Connick, Jr. She attended New Orleans Center for Creative Arts where she studied music under the guidance of famed pianist, Ellis Marsallis. Her earlier singing career was influenced by performances with some of New Orleans greatest players. She has worked with music legends such as Edward Frank (pianist and arranger for Ester Phillips, Dr. John and Lou Rawls), Lloyd Lambert (bassist for Ray Charles, Guitar Slim, and Andre Previn), Fred Kemp (sax man for Fats Domino and Dave Bartholomew) and she became a favorite of Joseph “Smokey” Johnson (drummer for Dave Bartholomew, Fats Domino and Linda Ronstadt).

Teedy has enjoyed a rich vocal career performing in a variety of musical settings.  Her repertoire engulfs jazz, standards, soul, funk, R&B, pop, rock and Caribbean music. Teedy was also the front person for her own reggae band from 1995 – 2000, Cool Riddims & Sista Teedy who were signed to NYNO Records a label started by legendary pianist, songwriter and Rock & Roll Hall of Fame inductee, Allen Toussaint.  (Teedy has been singing background with Toussaint for over a decade.)  Cool Riddims consistently won OffBeat Magazine’s Best of the Beat Awards for Best Reggae/World Beat Band and in 1998 she won for Best Reggae/World Beat Album, “Pledge To My People.”  Teedy also penned several tunes on this album.  In 1998 she won Gambit Weekly’s Big Easy Award for Best Female Vocalist in competition with New Orleans’ legends, Irma Thomas & Marva Wright.

Teedy has come into her own over the past several years as a vocalist and performer with her charismatic stage presence and a strong sultry voice.  She has shared the stage with Allen Toussaint, Aaron  & Cyril Neville, Irma Thomas, Marva Wright, Henry Butler, Bob & George French, Eazy E & NWA, Eric B. & Rakim, LL Cool J, Public Enemy, Ziggy Marley & The Melody Makers, Toots & The Maytals, Jimmy Cliff, Steel Pulse, Third World, Aretha Franklin, Bonnie Rait, Dr. John, Deacon John and The Wynton Marsallis Band.  She remains an active studio vocalist to famed musicians who come to New Orleans to record including Trent Resnor of Nine Inch Nails and shock rock artist Marilyn Manson who has been produced by Resnor.

Her performances have taken her throughout the U.S and the Caribbean to perform for concerts, festivals, clubs and television.  She also tours throughout the year in Finland, Sweden, Norway, France and Lapland.

Teedy is poised to make herself known to the world.  And the world will say -- “This woman can sing!”