By Jeff Maisey
R&B/gospel singer CeCe Teneal released a new single, “Try,” during the spring, but a major focus of her performing career is a tribute to her greatest inspiration in music.
The show — coming to The American Theatre in Hampton on Saturday, December 7 — is billed as “Portrait of Aretha: CeCe Teneal Celebrates the Queen of Soul” and offers Teneal’s personal interpretations of Aretha Franklin’s iconic hits such as “RESPECT,” “Freeway of Love,” “(You Make Me Feel) Like a Natural Woman,” “Rock Steady,” and “I Say a Little Prayer.”
CeCe Teneal is a natural talent. Teneal had no formal vocal training growing up. She sang in a small country church in Osteen, Florida.
“My grandma said, ‘You’re going to sing in the choir,’” said Teneal.
CeCe was surrounded my music as a youngster. Her mother, blues vocalist Yvonne Jackson, toured the world. Following in her footsteps, CeCe has performed in over 47 countries opening for everyone from BB King and Buddy Guy to Joe Cocker, Cameo, and Robert Randolph & The Family Band.
As far as influences, though, from an early age there was always Aretha Franklin’s voice.
“For as long as I can remember that’s what would be playing when my grandmother would be doing our Saturday morning chores and also when she would be winding down on Friday after a hard week’s work, she would always put on (the record player) Aretha.
“I feel like Aretha was the woman Black women related to,” continued Teneal, “because she was able to tell their stories through music.”
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In addition to the hits, Teneal will be performing several lesser known songs and cover tunes recorded and performed by Aretha Franklin.
“I don’t want to tell too much because I talk about a lot of this during the show and why these songs are so important to me, but a lot of people don’t realize Aretha covered a lot of songs,” CeCe said.
Examples of songs Aretha Franklin covered include everything from The Beatles’ “Let It Be” and “Border Song” from Elton John to The Supremes’ “You Keep Me Hangin’ On” and “Everyday People” by Sly & The Family Stone.
“Some of these deeper cuts I’ll be performing are songs other artists made popular,” she shared. “‘Dr, Feelgood’ was what my mom would have me sing for her friends when they would come over on a Saturday, have a glass of wine and just hanging out. Things like that are why I’m doing some of these deeper cuts.”
As part of CeCe Teneal’s day at The American Theatre, she’ll be putting on a free empowerment workshop for young girls in the community.
“When I first started doing music I was under the guise that I had to compromise my self-respect, and I feel like that’s sometimes a reason why I may not have gone as far as other people because I wasn’t willing to do that,” she explained. “One of the things I try to teach the girls and empower into them is how you get around the stigma of the entertainment industry that you have to compromise who you are. I try to preach to them being genuine is the most important thing. Respect yourself while also respecting others.”
The workshop correlates with the music of Aretha Franklin. It’s about respect — as Franklin’s most famous song communicates — but also touches on Aretha’s 1968 hit song, “Think.”
Shares Teneal, “The song ‘Think’ is saying you better think about what you’re trying to do to me and let people know they can’t do to what they want to do to you. They can only do what I allow you to do.”
For the Hampton performance, Teneal is bring her full band with background singers. Her core band of musicians are from Norfolk, however she would not disclose their names during our phone interview.
CeCe said she’s not trying to impersonate Aretha Franklin on stage. The show is a tribute to Franklin’s music and how it impacted Teneal’s life.
“We’re singing the music of Aretha, but they’re really getting to know me,” she said.
