Tanya
@tanya lareese
St. Petersburg, Fl USA
Joined Sep 9, 2008
Tanya LaReese was born March 31, 1971, in Hartford, Connecticut, the daughter of Betty Jean
Dodson-Jackson, and James Arthur Jackson Senior, a Pentecostal minister, and vocalist. Tanya's
father attended Weaver High School in Hartford, Connecticut with the famous Dionne Warwick.
James and Dionne sang together in school choir, and school competitions. Tanya's parents also sang
duets together. They sang in the church choir, and recorded a gospel album titled "The Proverbs
Gospel Singers" in the mid 1960's. They were local celebrities in their hometown of Hartford,
Connecticut.
Tanya LaReese, her two sisters, and two brothers were forced to live under extremely strict rules of
their family's faith. The girls were not allowed to wear pants,earrings,or makeup, and could not
have boyfriends. The children were not allowed to go to the movies, or listen to any other type of
music other than gospel music. The strict rules did not stop them from listening to music. When
their parents were away they watched the Apollo Show, Star Search, Soul Train, and listened to
R&B and Jazz tunes on the radio.
Tanya LaReese's American Idol is the lovely, and talented Whitney Houston. Listening to her
music as well as Aretha Franklin, and Patti Labelle eventually contributed to Tanya LaReese's
music style. With an extensive background in music, Tanya LaReese can deliver very powerful
soulful renditions of today's hottest past and present R&B and Gospel tunes.
Tanya LaReese discovered her talent in the Pentecostal church. Her father formed the group, "The
Jackson Five Gospel Singers". The group consisted of her and her four siblings, Gwendolyn, James,
Clara, and Phillip. The Jacksons sang at numerous churches, and Gospel conventions from
Connecticut to Florida.
Although Tanya LaReese knew she wanted to pursue a singing career, her love for taking care of
the elderly had her torn between two career fields (Nursing, Singing). She received a two-year
scholarship to attend Saint Petersburg Junior College. She studied music for awhile and then began
to focus on nursing.
While studying nursing, Tanya LaReese never fully gave up on music. She continued to sing in the
church, talent competitions, weddings, and more. She even sang the National Anthem for the
United States Army Recruiting Command's Annual Training Convention in Ocean City, Maryland
in 2002. Everyone was impressed with her strong-soulful voice. They immediately took note of her
star qualities and invited her to return the following year.
Tanya LaReese and her cousin Ricky Lewis spent countless hours in his recording studio recording
her music and duets. He suddenly passed away while playing the guitar in his home church in
Atlanta, Georgia. The demo tapes were never released. Tanya LaReese only hopes of getting her
music out. The tragedy set her back, but did not stop her.
Tanya LaReese finished her Debut CD on May 12, 2007 and every since she has been booked
nationally and now on her way international. She's a gifted singer and songwriter! Her CD consist of
all original songs written and co-produced by her. Tanya LaReese is determined to be part of
Hollywood in the near future.
Her Perseverance will let nothing stop her!!!!!
LOOK OUT HERE SHE COMES !!!!
My Music
Artist
