Deniece Williams, Sheila E and Tony Toni Tone light the stage at Lehman Center for the Performing Arts.

Four-time Grammy award winning singer–songwriter Deniece Williams will be appearing at Lehman Center for the Performing Arts on Saturday, October 13 at 8:00 pm for the Lehman, Goya, Havana Cafe presentation and one night only show.

Deniece who is known for her four-octave range and distinctive soprano voice talked about her still-in-the-works upcoming new CD that she is tentatively calling ‘Gemini.’ Deniece who has performed alongside Sheila E in the past, will once again share the stage at Lehman with Sheila E and for the first time with the group Tony! Toni! Tone! Lehman Center for the Performing Arts is located at 250 Bedford Park Boulevard West in the Bronx, NY.

In the 1970’s, Deniece was a backup vocalist for Stevie Wonder on his projects “Wonderlove,” wherein she lent her talent to songs Talking Book, Fulfillingness, First Finale and Songs in the Key of Life.

“I know the music of Tony! Toni! Tone! but I don’t think I have worked with them previously. I have performed with Sheila E before and to watch her on stage is very exciting. She is a real fire ball,” said Deniece. “I am looking forward to performing since I heard the Lehman Center theater has been overhauled and the acoustics is just great so I am expecting an incredible show,” she continued.

Williams attended Morgan State in pursuit of a nursing degree but school was not for her. “I loved Morgan. It was the first time they let a little church girl from Indiana in there.  Since I attended the school, the city of Baltimore has done some magnificent things. My intent when I went to Morgan was to study nursing. I never considered a career as an artist. I followed the nursing tradition of my family. But God had other plans for me.

I had a cousin who lived in Detroit. His name was John. He used to visit us in the summer and he would brag he knew Stevie Wonder but I doubted that. He called me one day and asked what I was doing and I told him I wasn’t doing well in school. My cousin said he wanted to introduce me to Stevie. And I told him “… you need to stop lying, John.” But he actually introduced me to Stevie Wonder and I ended up auditioning for Stevie. It was one of the most musical times in my career. There was no way that you could be around Mr Wonder and not be part of his creativity. He would get inspired, write a new song, get on stage and we would have to keep up with him doing the background harmonies.”

The singer was asked whether she enjoyed doing a duet with Johnny Mathis. “My mother was so excited because she was a big fan of Johnny’s and so was I. I was thrilled when Mathis gave me the opportunity to sing with him. He is a beautiful humble person who is a real sweetheart. I will love John forever. We recorded “Without Us” and Too Much, Too Little, Too Late together. That was a wonderful experience” stated the singer and songwriter who wrote the song “Free.”

“Williams has hits to her credit.  Her debut album “This is Niecy” went platinum, and spawned the singe “Free” which reached No. 2 on the Black Singles Chart and #25 on the Billboard Hot 100.  It went No. 1 on the British Singles Chart.  Her other hit songs include “Silly” and the #1 R&B chart topper “It’s Gonna Take a Miracle,” “Never Say Never,” “I Can’t Wait, “I’m So Proud,” and Let’s Hear It for the Boy,” which went #1 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart and was featured in the film “Footloose.”  Her other gospel songs include “This Is My Song. “God is Amazing, “Healing,” and We Sing Praises.”

Lehman Center for the Performing Arts is located at 250 Bedford Park Boulevard West in the Bronx, NY. For tickets to the one night Lehman Center for the Performing Arts and Goya Foods presentation of Legendary Soul, Pop and R&B Acts, call the Lehman Center box office at 718-960-8833 and/or go on line at www.lehmancenter.org. VIP tickets are available which entitle the ticket holder to a 6:30 reception and the best seats in the house.

For further information listen to the Blakeradio Network show with Ms. Williams.  See http://www.blogtalkradio.com/blakeradio/2018/10/01/topically-yours–rb-singer-deniece-williams