Theo Valentin

Tampa

Theonita Valentin (Theo), born and raised in Norfolk, Virginia, started singing solo in church at age five. That gospel style, because it is heart-rendering, demonstrative music, served to bolster Theo’s ability at performance.

She knew her task was not only to sing the song, but to tell its lyrical story as well. At Lake Taylor High School, Theo sang in both the high school choir and a specialized female sextet. Theo enrolled in Norfolk State University, where she majored in voice and minored in piano. Theo had always sung by ear and she began reading music while in college.

By 1981, Theo encountered and set in with the “Billy Taylor Trio”. In 1985, Theo toured around the world with the “Jazz Explosion Tour”, featuring the great jazz artists Tom Brown, Roy Ayers, Lonnie Liston Smith, Jean Carne, Noel Pointer and Bobby Humphrey.

Theo was Tom Brown’s lead vocalist on this exciting tour. From 2001-2003, Theo collaborated and formed the band “Project Necessary”, which had the honor of performing for our military troops overseas.

This journey led Theo to several countries including, Korea, Guam, Japan, Singapore, Turkey, Egypt, and a host of others. In 2010-2013, Theo sang background and performed with the following world-renowned musicians, Jean Carne, George Benson, Howard Hewett, Glenn Jones, Danny Boy, Phil Perry, and Reggie Wooten.

In 2012, Theo was featured on Victor Wooten’s “Words and Tones” CD. Theo is currently on tour with the legendary Norman Connors and the Starship Orchestra, and due to be one of the featured artists on his 40th Anniversary CD.

- Steve Splane