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PATRICE PICOT/Gamma-Rapho via Getty ImagesNetflix’ Quincy Jones documentary debuts Friday, and for Tamia, who was discovered by the iconic producer, it’s a fitting tribute to the entertainment mogul who she calls, “The crème da la crème.”
Tamia made her debut singing “You Put A Move On My Heart” on Quincy’s 1995 Grammy Award winning Q’s Jook Joint album. She has fond memories of recording the song which launched her career.
“Being in the vocal booth doing ‘You Put A Move On My Heart,’ and Quincy’s staring through the glass at you, and you’re like, ‘Oh my God, this is like the most important time in my life,’” Tamia tells ABC Radio. “He’s so amazing, he’s so encouraging, and he knows how to get the best out of an artist.”
The Canadian singer released her self-titled debut album on Quincy’s Qwest Records label in 1998. Jones served as the executive producer, and she’s grateful to him for allowing her creative expression.
“He let me be who I was on that album, and that’s sort of where the writing process came as well,” Tamia recalls. “He is the crème da la crème. He is the top.”
The six-time Grammy nominee recently released her seventh studio album, Passion Like Fire, and now is performing on her 20th anniversary tour, which kicked off September 18 in Cleveland.
“We’re just really excited about it. 22 cities,” she says. “And the best part about another album is that you can do an album, you love the music, but it comes to life when you perform the songs.”
The 43-year-old singer loves being on the road to see how her music is going over with her fans.
“You can see how people are reacting to the songs,” Tamia says. “It’s an exciting time.”
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anniversary concert jones mentor Praises Quincy reflects Tamia
