Wayne Garfield


Wayne Garfield is an American composer, collaborating songwriter, vocalist, social entrepreneur, community activist, and producer. He is co-founder of the music collective Change, which launched the career of Luther Vandross with the hit song "The Glow of Love" which became #1 on the Billboard Dance/Disco Chart in the summer of 1980.

Career

Garfield's career started as a singer with The Voices of East Harlem a rock and soul group. The group was formed in 1969 in Harlem, New York City. The group recorded with Elektra, Just Sunshine, and Motown. The Voices of East Harlem was a 20-member ensemble aged 12 to 21. The group worked with producers Leroy Hutson and Curtis Mayfield.
Garfield was a member of the Change collected. He has composed music for Janet Jackson, Luther Vandross, Roy Ayers, Kurtis Blow, Taj Mahal, Dee Dee Bridgewater, soundtrack for the movie Coffy, Salt-N-Pepa, Aretha Franklin, Theo Croker, and Fela Kuti. He has functioned in the capacity of composer, lyricist, manager and arranger for three decades. In 1973 Garfield wrote the soundtrack and vocals for the movie Coffy. The movie was directed by Jack Hill.
He has worked with Angela Winbush and Debye Burrell to develop their careers.
Garfield has worked with Carl Clay and he is one of the co-founders of Black Spectrum Theater in South Jamaica Queens, New York City. The theatre was founded in 1970s.
In 1986 Garfield united Kurtis Blow and Bob Dylan in producing "Street Rock", which became a hip-hop crossover.
In 2002, Garfield formed the advocacy group "Writers Rule Coalition", for songwriters to gain award recognition.
In 2003, the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences Board of Trustees awarded the Winners Certificate to songwriters and producers of Grammy nominated and winning recordings containing samples. Which gave writers and producers recognition for their contribution.

Discography

Composer