featured artist

Taana Gardner

Taana Gardner was one of the leading lights of West End Records during the late '70s and early '80s. Born in Newark, New Jersey, at a very young age, she knew she wanted to act and sing. Her grandmother, a former opera singer, began giving her vocal lessons at the age of five. Taana was already a playwright before she was a teenager: her work was featured at Lincoln Center and at the Apollo.

Despite having accomplished so much at such a young age, it was fate that she became involved in the disco scene and with West End Records. Producer and songwriter Kenton Nix's song "Work That Body" needed vocals due to the fact that the singer who was originally set to perform it fell ill that day. Nix's brother worked with Taana's father at the time called her up and invited her to come and sing.

"Work That Body" was remixed by Larry Levan and was an instant hit at Paradise Garage. This caused a succession of West End hits to hit dancefloors everywhere including Taana's hits "We Can Work It Out," "When You Touch Me," "Just Be a Friend," "Paradise Express," and the massive hit "Heartbeat." "Heartbeat" is one of the most sampled songs in music history being featured on numerous rap songs and the 1995 summer hit "Here Comes the Hotstepper."

Gardner took a step back from the limelight for several years to devote time to her children. In 2002, West End issued the Anthology of a Diva Compilation. She has also leant her skills to several acts includeing Kool & The Gang, Peabo Bryson, Edwin Starr, and Harold Melvin & The Blue Notes.