Jeanette McGruder
Encyclopedia
Jeanette McGruder, born , is a singer.
As a child, McGruder discovered a natural ability to sing. Taught by her stepmother, she joined a female trio called "New Dawn" which would perform at nightclubs, and one black panther rally. During her schooling, McGruder played violin with Earl Klugh
in a group called the "Electrifying Strings". Occasional performances at United Sound Studios for Motown Records
earned McGruder $20 a piece. McGruder opted against pursuing a career as a violinist, instead majoring in voice at Michigan State University
.
McGruder performed with P-Funk
, Brides Of Funkenstein, Lynn Mabry & Dawn Silva. In 1979 she recorded with Silva and Sheila Horne on "Never Buy Texas From A Cowboy".
McGruder changed her professional name to Satori Shakoor in mid-1980s and became a comedian
and sketch actress on Canadian
show "Thick and Thin."
Jeanette McGruder aka Satori Shakoor was born in Detroit, Michigan (1954). At any early age, Jeanette had a passion for music and began studying the violin. She became a professional violinist at age 15. She played in her high school orchestra (Cass Technical High School). Jeanette also played in various orchestras in and around the city of Detroit. She played with "The Electrifying Strings", a jazz string group with Earl Klugh (guitar), Cecil "Van" Cephus (keyboards), Ralph Armstrong (bass), and in studio sessions on recordings for local Detroit artists.
Jeanette sang in her junior high choir and was part of a three-girl group called "New Dawn." They would sneak into nightclubs and black panther rallies to sing, wearing the cast off gowns of Martha Reeves and the Vandellas. Martha Reeves youngest sister was one of the girls in "New Dawn." Upon entry into the music department of Michigan State University in 1972, Jeanette decided to focus on voice and retired her violin. In 1974, Jeanette was invited to an event honoring Mrs. Coretta Scott King, when Mrs. King heard her rendition of "We Shall Overcome", she made a special point of telling Jeanette that she had been moved by her voice. In 1978, after four years of study at MSU, and two years of singing in local bands, Jeanette moved to New York City and began auditioning for broadway. Later in 1978, a phone call from a good friend, and now famous artist, Overton (a.k.a. Joe) Loyd, informed her about an audition for The Brides of Funkenstein a new group created by George Clinton. Jeanette flew back to Detroit and got a job singing backup for Parliament/Funkadelic and the original Brides of Funkenstein, Dawn Silva and Lynn Mabry who had an album that was rising on the charts called, "Funk or Walk" 1978. Mabry left the group in less than a year, leaving Dawn Silva and a second album to record. George Clinton decided to bring Jeanette and Sheila Horne from the background to the front ground and the Brides of Funkenstein became a three-girl group, recording the second album, "Never Buy Texas From A Cowboy" (1979). It was voted Billboard's "Top 50 albums" of all time in 2002. The single, "Didn't Mean To Fall In Love" from the album led to a Rhythm and Blues in 1981 for "Best New Female Group." The Brides of Funkenstein disbanded in 1981. Some time after, original The Brides of Funkenstein, (Dawn Silva and Lynn Mabry) got back together briefly and Sheila Horne went on to sing with Rick James. Jeanette became the lyricist and lead singer in a Detroit rock band, called "Cherubim." The group recorded one album and played in Japan.
In 1983, Jeanette McGruder changed her name to Satori Shakoor and is now an accomplished actress, writer, singer and standup comedienne.
As a child, McGruder discovered a natural ability to sing. Taught by her stepmother, she joined a female trio called "New Dawn" which would perform at nightclubs, and one black panther rally. During her schooling, McGruder played violin with Earl Klugh
Earl Klugh
Earl Klugh is an American smooth jazz/crossover jazz/jazz fusion guitarist and composer.At the age of 13, Klugh was captivated by the guitar playing of Chet Atkins when Atkins made an appearance on the Perry Como Show. Klugh was a performing guest on several of Atkins' albums...
in a group called the "Electrifying Strings". Occasional performances at United Sound Studios for Motown Records
Motown Records
Motown is a record label originally founded by Berry Gordy, Jr. and incorporated as Motown Record Corporation in Detroit, Michigan, United States, on April 14, 1960. The name, a portmanteau of motor and town, is also a nickname for Detroit...
earned McGruder $20 a piece. McGruder opted against pursuing a career as a violinist, instead majoring in voice at Michigan State University
Michigan State University
Michigan State University is a public research university in East Lansing, Michigan, USA. Founded in 1855, it was the pioneer land-grant institution and served as a model for future land-grant colleges in the United States under the 1862 Morrill Act.MSU pioneered the studies of packaging,...
.
McGruder performed with P-Funk
P-Funk
P-Funk is a shorthand term for the repertoire and performers associated with George Clinton and the Parliament-Funkadelic collective and the distinctive style of funk music they performed...
, Brides Of Funkenstein, Lynn Mabry & Dawn Silva. In 1979 she recorded with Silva and Sheila Horne on "Never Buy Texas From A Cowboy".
McGruder changed her professional name to Satori Shakoor in mid-1980s and became a comedian
Comedian
A comedian or comic is a person who seeks to entertain an audience, primarily by making them laugh. This might be through jokes or amusing situations, or acting a fool, as in slapstick, or employing prop comedy...
and sketch actress on Canadian
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
show "Thick and Thin."
Jeanette McGruder aka Satori Shakoor was born in Detroit, Michigan (1954). At any early age, Jeanette had a passion for music and began studying the violin. She became a professional violinist at age 15. She played in her high school orchestra (Cass Technical High School). Jeanette also played in various orchestras in and around the city of Detroit. She played with "The Electrifying Strings", a jazz string group with Earl Klugh (guitar), Cecil "Van" Cephus (keyboards), Ralph Armstrong (bass), and in studio sessions on recordings for local Detroit artists.
Jeanette sang in her junior high choir and was part of a three-girl group called "New Dawn." They would sneak into nightclubs and black panther rallies to sing, wearing the cast off gowns of Martha Reeves and the Vandellas. Martha Reeves youngest sister was one of the girls in "New Dawn." Upon entry into the music department of Michigan State University in 1972, Jeanette decided to focus on voice and retired her violin. In 1974, Jeanette was invited to an event honoring Mrs. Coretta Scott King, when Mrs. King heard her rendition of "We Shall Overcome", she made a special point of telling Jeanette that she had been moved by her voice. In 1978, after four years of study at MSU, and two years of singing in local bands, Jeanette moved to New York City and began auditioning for broadway. Later in 1978, a phone call from a good friend, and now famous artist, Overton (a.k.a. Joe) Loyd, informed her about an audition for The Brides of Funkenstein a new group created by George Clinton. Jeanette flew back to Detroit and got a job singing backup for Parliament/Funkadelic and the original Brides of Funkenstein, Dawn Silva and Lynn Mabry who had an album that was rising on the charts called, "Funk or Walk" 1978. Mabry left the group in less than a year, leaving Dawn Silva and a second album to record. George Clinton decided to bring Jeanette and Sheila Horne from the background to the front ground and the Brides of Funkenstein became a three-girl group, recording the second album, "Never Buy Texas From A Cowboy" (1979). It was voted Billboard's "Top 50 albums" of all time in 2002. The single, "Didn't Mean To Fall In Love" from the album led to a Rhythm and Blues in 1981 for "Best New Female Group." The Brides of Funkenstein disbanded in 1981. Some time after, original The Brides of Funkenstein, (Dawn Silva and Lynn Mabry) got back together briefly and Sheila Horne went on to sing with Rick James. Jeanette became the lyricist and lead singer in a Detroit rock band, called "Cherubim." The group recorded one album and played in Japan.
In 1983, Jeanette McGruder changed her name to Satori Shakoor and is now an accomplished actress, writer, singer and standup comedienne.
Sources
- http://www.indiedisco.com/subpage.php?page_id=76&recnum=2