Artists

Duane Patton

DUANE PATTON, was born and raised in Richmond California. His incredible love for music started at an early age. At 11 Duane was teaching himself to play keyboard, and joined a Garage Band.

In the late 70s, Duane was blessed with signing a contract with CBS records, and joined as the lead singer of “The Together Band. The band was so fortunate to be produced by the late great Henry Cosby, who’s successes included producing Stevie Wonder and Michael Jackson. Duane had the exciting pleasure of performing at the CBS artists convention with Barbra Streisand and Earth Wind and Fire.

Duane Patton’s exciting musical career has included opening acts for The Whispers, James Brown, Phyllis Hyman, Johnnie Taylor and Toni Tony  Tone. Duane used those opportunities to continue learning and growing as a musician.

In the late 80s, Duane was signed by Holland – Dozier – Holland, who’s Productions helped Define the Motown sound in the 1960s. Duane was signed as an artist, songwriter and producer and proudly received a platinum CD for his performance on “Too Short’s”  American Music nominated song “The Ghetto”. Duane also appeared along side Too Short on the Mia Peoples popular show “Party Machine”.

In 1996 Duane Patton performed in a circuit that included many popular casinos and showrooms throughout the United States. Duane’s love for songwriting and the ability to speak from the heart, through his music, allowed him to release his first solo CD in 2010 titled “Patton Leatha”. And in the summer of 2013 on a tour of Japan, Duane alongside his band “Patton Leatha”, released the CD, titled “Treasure”.

Duane has dedicated his life, so much to the love of Music, his ease of  performing, and his ability to engage with his audience. Whether  Duane is playing keyboards, singing, dancing, or in the studio writing his music, one thing you can be sure of, is that his love of music will definitely be “felt” in all of his finished products.

“BUT-TAH”

Nicole Pearson, a.k.a. BUT-TAH, is a native of Richmond, California.  Her style is soulfully nostalgic and as purely sweet to the ears as she is.  The voice you hear will have you reminiscing about the old days of soul music.  

BUT-TAH is a former member of the group ‘Patton Leatha’, a successful travelling band, which performed in many of America’s largest and highly acclaimed casinos, resorts and night clubs.  She has astounded audiences with her performances on “Showtime at the Apollo” and “American Idol”.  Bringing an Apollo crowd to their feet is always a challenge but bring them to their feet she did with great enthusiasm!  BUT-TAH’s dedication to and passion for her dreams were exemplified when she was a three-time contestant for the American Idol crown on seasons 3, 5 & 6.  She has performed all over the U.S. and abroad, entertaining in many parts of Japan, including the “Cotton Club” in Tokyo as a featured guest of The Whispers under the musical direction of Mr. Grady Wilkins.  BUT-TAH has flourished into a Live Performance Artist and businesswoman.  She established Buttahfly Entertainment, a production company where she produces, promotes and performs her own live performance productions.  Three of her most popular shows are “BUT-TAH’s JOOK JOINT”, a 1940’s-1970’s Cabaret Experience where she takes you on a journey of Rhythm and Blues, “Renditions of Aretha”, a showcase of some of Aretha Franklin’s most popular recordings and “The Late Great’s Tribute Show”, a dedication to some of the greatest artists who have passed on.  Her shows bring a fun and lively concert atmosphere alongside her cabaret dancers, singers and cast.  She’s been singing since the age of two, and started writing poems at nine, at which time many of her poems also became songs.  She’s performed with some of the greatest artists of all time such as Teena Marie, The Dramatics and The Whispers.  She is truly an old soul, and once you get a taste of BUT-TAH, you’ll understand why that is her name!

Michael Jeffries Singer/Song Writer

Michael Jeffries got his start as a part of the California band, The Two Things In One,[and scored a regional hit with the 1973 single "Together Forever". It would lead to his stint with Tower of Power starting with 1978's We Came to Play!and he would stay with the band through the Mid-1980s, making his stint with TOP the second longest stint as lead vocalist, behind Larry Braggs.

Jeffries would go solo with the single "Razzle Dazzle"[1] from the soundtrack to the movie Wildcats. He would also record with Jeff Lorber[2] and fellow R&B singer Karyn White before releasing his first self-titled solo album[3] for Warner Bros. Records; ironically enough, the same label his old band Tower of Power once called home. The album was produced by Janet Jackson's producers, and former members of The Time,  Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis. He still lives in California and has released a album with his kids as "Michael Jeffries, Daughter, Son" called Family Affair in 2010. Also in 2011, a compilation of his recordings with The Two Things In One was released called Together Forever: The Music City Sessions. On March 26, 2019, Jeffries released his new solo album Fonky Sexy Late Nights in the Lab and released a music video for "When We Love" off the album on his YouTube channel.

Nicollette The Artist

Nicollette Smith was born in San Francisco, but raised in Berkeley. She also spent a lot of time during her formative years in Los Angeles with her artist grandmother.

Her education is both formal and informal; through various workshops; college courses; travel abroad; and experiencing life itself on a daily basis; specializing in fine art collage, painting interior walls, and design. 

Nicollette currently lives and works out of her studio in the East Bay and is looking for commissions or other fine art and design related projects.

See her art on Instagram #Nicolletteartist