She was born December 25th in Detroit, Michigan and began her musical journey at the tender age four. She studied classical music while attending Howard University in Washington D.C. and later gained further musical inspiration from the accomplishments of Yusef Lateef, Ian Anderson, and her father, one of Motown's original Funk Brothers, Dezie McCullers. She has since developed her own creative style.
For more than 10 years she was employed as a Wayne County Deputy Sheriff (Detroit, Michigan). Today, she is a full-time performing/recording artist and some regard her as a "master of her craft" and one of the world's most exciting solo improvisational flutists.
In May 2013, she released her fifth project "In The Flow". Collaborating with Grammy award winning producer Michael Broening, (producer for legendary icons George Benson and Paul McCartney) she cowrote the title track. That single became her biggest hit and reached number one ranking on both the Billboard Chart and the Smooth Jazz Chart. Althea Rene made history by becoming the first flute player in the history of Billboard Chart to reach the number one spot.
In April 2015, Althea Rene recorded her first live project. She and her rhythm section annihilated the stage of the beautiful Detroit Public Library with a free concert. Music fans from all over Michigan enjoyed a scorching hot performance. A compilation of some of her greatest hits, “Live in Detroit” is arguably her strongest work to date.
Album Notes
Soul-jazz flutist Althea Rene In collaboration with award winning producer Lew Laing, delivers another solid tour de force. “Gypsy Soul” is the first single release from her powerful, scorching hot CD “UNSTOPPABLE” ,with a release date of 4/20/17
MAJOR ACCOMPLISHMENTS
• “In The Flow” is the first flute featured single ranked #1 in the history of Billboard Music Chart.
• Hit singles “My Summer Love”, “Sunday Cruise”, and “Free” have ranked on Billboard Music Chart Top 20.
DISCOGRAPHY
Please click on title to purchase CD
• Live in Detroit, Independent Release, 2015
• In The Flow, Trippin' N Rhythm Music, 2013
• No Restrictions, Red Cat Music Group/Bungalo Records/Universal Music Dist., 2008
• In The Moment, Chocolate Caramel/Koch, 2006
• Chocolate Rush, Chocolate Carmel Music, 2003
• Flute Talk, Independent Release, 2000
APPEARANCES
• 2016 - Barbados Jazz Excursion
• 2016 - Algarve Portugal Smooth Jazz Festival
• 2016 - Cancun Jazz Festival
• 2015 & 2013 - Sea Breeze Jazz Festival
• 2014 & 2010 - Capital Jazz Cruise
• 2014 & 2012 - Las Vegas City Lights Jazz and R&B Festival
• 2014 - Austin Jazz Festival
• 2014 - Jazz on the Hilltop
• 2014 - Brian Culbertson Napa Valley Jazz Getaway
• 2013 - Spring Breeze Jazz Cruise
• 2013 & 2011 - Chene Park Soul-Jazz Explosion
• 2012 & 2011 International Dubai Jazz Festival
• 2012 - Spring Breeze Jazz Cruise
• 2011 & 2009 - St. Lucia Jazz Extravaganza
• 2011 & 2009 - Sea Breeze Jazz Festival
• 2011 - Berks Jazz Festival
• 2011 - Smooth Autumn Grooves Festival
• 2010 - Green Jazz Cruise
• 2010 - Capital Jazz Festival
• 2009 - Norman Brown Smooth Jazz All-Star Cruise
• 2008 & 2007 - Brian Culbertson’s Smooth Jazz All-Star Cruise
• 2007 - North Sea Jazz Festival in the Netherlands
• 2007 - Russian River Jazz Festival
• 2007 - BET Studio Jams – Black Entertainment Television Series
