"Gator Bait" by The Gaturs, featuring Willie Tee

This jazzy deep-funk groove is by influential New Orleans band the Gaturs, featuring Willie Tee. The talented players show how they funk things up NOLA style on this 1970 instrumental. Erving Charles Jr. lays down a smokin’ bass line, which is complemented by Larry Panna’s dynamic drumming and Alfred “Uganda” Roberts’ poppin’ congas. The track also features some tight wah-wah guitar licks from June Ray, and Tee serves up some smooth funk on keyboards. The groove is further elevated by a badass bass solo from Charles. “Gator Bait” was written, produced and mixed by Tee. 

Willie Tee (born Wilson Turbinton) was a keyboardist, singer, songwriter and producer. He was a seminal figure in New Orleans music and helped forge its sound through his influential funk and soul recordings of the ‘60s and ‘70s. He was also the creative force behind the landmark 1974 album The Wild Magnolias, which he co-wrote and arranged. He also assembled the session’s backing band. The album was the first to combine New Orleans funk with the parade chants of Mardi Gras Indian tribe, the Wild Magnolias. The album, and its follow-up They Call Us Wild (1975), brought Mardi Gras Indian funk to the world stage. 

Tee formed the Gaturs in 1970. They were one of the architects of the New Orleans funk sound. Their music was a delicious stew of funk, jazz, soul and jazz-funk. The band released some topflight grooves on New Orleans soul label Gatur Records, which was co-owned by Tee and his cousin Ulis Gaines. Tee and the Gaturs' reputation grew, and they soon became a staple of the New Orleans club scene. In 1994, a 10-song compilation of the Gaturs’ music was released on Funky Delicacies, a subsidiary of New York-based Tuff City Records. The compilation, titled Wasted, is named after a Gaturs track. “Gator Bait” is also included on the compilation. 

During his distinguished music career, Tee played with a number of prominent New Orleans artists–in the studio and on stage. And in addition to his prodigious keyboard skills and impressive songwriting and production abilities, he was a talented vocalist. He brought his rich vocals to soul gems like “Teasin’ You” and “Please Don’t Go.”

Tee’s music has also been embraced by the hip-hop community. His tracks have been sampled by big-name rap artists such as Diddy, Lil Wayne, Nas and Geto Boys. 

Additionally, Tee’s music has been featured on the soundtracks for films such as Ray (2004) and Undercover Blues (1993). And his tracks have appeared on two episodes of the HBO series The Wire (season 4, episodes 4 and 12, 2006), as well as one episode of HBO series Treme (season 1, episode 1, 2010).

Tee was inducted into the Louisiana Music Hall of Fame on April 14, 2007. He died of colon cancer on September 11, 2007 at the age of 63, leaving behind an amazing musical legacy. His immense contributions to New Orleans music will forever be remembered and celebrated.

The Gaturs music available at Amazon