Willie Tee grew up in New Orleans’s Calliope Projects, surrounded by the city’s distinctive mixture of rhythm and blues, jazz, gospel, street percussion, and Mardi Gras Indian traditions. Born Wilson Turbinton into a musical family, he developed as a pianist, singer, and songwriter alongside his older brother, saxophonist Earl Turbinton. His influences ranged from the rolling piano rhythms of Professor Longhair to the harmonic freedom of modern jazz. Still a teenager, he began recording for the musicians’ cooperative AFO Records before establishing himself with songs including “Teasin’ You,” “Thank You John,” and “Walking Up a One Way Street.” His music joined memorable soul songwriting with sophisticated harmony, propulsive rhythm, and an unmistakably New Orleans sense of groove.

As a bandleader, arranger, producer, and keyboardist, Willie Tee became one of the essential architects of New Orleans funk. With the Gaturs, he brought jazz musicianship into tightly constructed, rhythm-driven recordings, while his work on the Wild Magnolias’ landmark debut album transformed Mardi Gras Indian chants and street percussion into electrified ensemble music heard around the world. He remained equally comfortable in soul, jazz, funk, and popular music, collaborating with his brother Earl and contributing to projects across the New Orleans musical community. His recordings later became source material for hip-hop artists, extending his rhythmic ideas into another generation. Through his songs, arrangements, and productions, Willie Tee helped connect the city’s traditional musical life with the evolving sounds of modern funk and soul.