Wayne K. Garfield (January 21, 1952 - September 9, 2022) was an American composer, collaborating songwriter, vocalist, social entrepreneur, community activist, and producer, who was born in 1952 in New York City. He co-founded of the music collective

Change Change, Changed or Changing may refer to the below. Other forms are listed at Alteration * Impermanence, a difference in a state of affairs at different points in time * Menopause, also referred to as "the change", the permanent cessation of t ...

, which launched the career of

Luther Vandross Luther Ronzoni Vandross Jr. (April 20, 1951 – July 1, 2005) was an American Soul music, soul and Contemporary R&B, R&B singer, songwriter, and record producer. Over his career, he achieved eleven consecutive RIAA certification, RIAA-certified ...

with the hit song "

The Glow of Love ''The Glow of Love'' is the debut studio album by Italian/American ensemble Change, released in April 1980. It includes the singles " A Lover's Holiday", "Searching" and " The Glow of Love"; all three singles simultaneously topped the US dance ...

" which became #1 on the ''Billboard'' Dance/Disco Chart in the summer of 1980.In addition, Garfield’s songs appear on Platinum-Plus recordings by Luther Vandross, J. Cole, Now! 7, and Janet Jackson (2010 Best of Number Ones; 2010 Icon: Number Ones, 2009 Number Ones, 2009 The Best). Garfield was an active participant in the National Basketball Association (NBA), and internationally as a player representative. Among his successful clients were NBA Summer League standout, Chedney Gray and Jimmy Baxter, who in 2006 was the recipient of the France (Pro, A) basketball league’s Sixth Man of the Year and Newcomer of the Year.

Career

Garfield's career started as a singer with

The Voices of East Harlem The Voices of East Harlem was an African-American vocal ensemble of up to 20 singers, aged between 12 and 21. Founded as a community initiative in 1969, the group performed with top soul and R&B musicians and recorded four albums in the early a ...

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 Motown is an American record label owned by the Universal Music Group. Founded by Berry Gordy, Berry Gordy Jr. as Tamla Records on January 12, 1959, it was incorporated as Motown Record Corporation on April 14, 1960. Its name, a portmanteau ...

. The Voices of East Harlem was a 20-member ensemble aged 12 to 21. The group worked with producers

Leroy Hutson Leroy Hutson (born June 4, 1945) is an American soul and R&B singer, songwriter, arranger, producer and instrumentalist, best known as former lead singer of R&B vocal group The Impressions. His music concerns 1970s soul, as noted in the June ...

and

Curtis Mayfield Curtis Lee Mayfield (June 3, 1942 – December 26, 1999) was an American singer-songwriter, guitarist, and record producer. Dubbed the " Gentle Genius", he is considered one of the most influential musicians of soul and socially conscious Afric ...

. Garfield was a member of the

collected. He has composed music for

Janet Jackson Janet Damita Jo Jackson (born May 16, 1966) is an American singer, songwriter, actress and dancer. She is noted for her innovative, socially conscious and sexually provocative records, as well as elaborate stage shows. Her sound and choreogr ...

Roy Ayers Roy Edward Ayers Jr. (September 10, 1940 – March 4, 2025) was an American vibraphonist, record producer, and composer. Ayers began his career as a post-bop jazz artist, releasing several studio albums with Atlantic Records, before his tenure ...

Kurtis Blow Kurtis Walker (born August 9, 1959), known professionally by his stage name Kurtis Blow, is an American rapping , rapper, songwriter, and record producer. Walker is the first commercially successful rapper and the first to sign with a major rec ...

Taj Mahal The Taj Mahal ( ; ; ) is an ivory-white marble mausoleum on the right bank of the river Yamuna in Agra, Uttar Pradesh, India. It was commissioned in 1631 by the fifth Mughal Empire, Mughal emperor, Shah Jahan () to house the tomb of his belo ...

Dee Dee Bridgewater Dee Dee Bridgewater (née Denise Garrett, May 27, 1950) is an American jazz singer and actress. She is a three-time Grammy Award-winning singer-songwriter, as well as a Tony Award-winning stage actress. For 23 years, she was the host of National ...

, soundtrack for the movie Coffy, Salt-N-Pepa,

Aretha Franklin Aretha Louise Franklin ( ; March 25, 1942 – August 16, 2018) was an American singer, songwriter and pianist. Honored as the "Honorific nicknames in popular music, Queen of Soul", she was twice named by ''Rolling Stone'' magazine as the Roll ...

, and

Fela Kuti Fela Aníkúlápó Kútì (born Olufela Olusegun Oludotun Ransome-Kuti; 15 October 1938 – 2 August 1997) was a Nigerians, Nigerian musician and political activist. He is regarded as the principal innovator of Afrobeat, a Nigerian music genre t ...

. 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 ''Coffy'' is a 1973 American blaxploitation action thriller film written and directed by Jack Hill. The story is about a black female vigilante played by Pam Grier who seeks violent revenge against a heroin dealer responsible for her sister's ...

. The movie was directed by

Jack Hill Jack Hill (born January 28, 1933) is an American filmmaker, known for his work in the exploitation genre. He was an early associate of Francis Ford Coppola and Roger Corman, and worked on many films distributed by American International Pictur ...

. He has worked with

Angela Winbush Angela Lisa Winbush (born January 18, 1955) is an American R&B/soul singer-songwriter, musician and record producer who rose to fame first in the 1980s R&B duo René & Angela, also scoring hits as a solo artist. To date, Winbush has sold over ...

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

and

Bob Dylan Bob Dylan (legally Robert Dylan; born Robert Allen Zimmerman, May 24, 1941) is an American singer-songwriter. Described as one of the greatest songwriters of all time, Dylan has been a major figure in popular culture over his nearly 70-year ...

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, through the direct efforts of Garfield, 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

* 2019 Everything and More: The Complete Collection 1980–2019; (Change Collective) * 2018 KOD; J. Cole * 2014 The Box Set Series; Luther Vandross * 2013 12" Disco: The Collection * 2011 Love & Revolution; Nicola Conte * 2010 Best of Number Ones; Janet Jackson * 2010 Icon: Number Ones; Janet Jackson * 2009 Louder; Big Ali Recording * 2009 Number Ones; Janet Jackson * 2009 Old School Jams, Vol. 8 * 2009 The Best; Janet Jackson * 2008 Drew's Famous Just Dance & Party; The Hit Crew * 2008 From A Distant Point Of View 2nd Edition; Geb.El * 2008 Sunset Chill: Ibiza Edition * 2006 Forever, for Always, for Luther, Vol. 2 * 2006 In the House of Love; Dimitri from Paris * 2005 Cafe Ibiza, Vol. 6: The Ambient & Chill Out Album * 2005 Complete 80's Soul Weekender * 2005 Nova Latino, Vol. 2 * 2005 Rock On: Breakout Years Luther Vandross * 2004 Artist Collection: Luther Vandross; Luther Vandross * 2004 From Janet. To Damita Jo: The Videos maray Janet Jackson * 2004 From Janet. To Damita Jo: The Videos ewelcase Janet Jackson * 2004 In the House; Dimitri from Paris * 2004 Smooth Sax Tribute to Janet Jackson * 2004 The String Quartet Tribute to Janet Jackson; Vitamin String Quartet * 2003 Best of Change EA International Change * 2003 Club Hits 2000-2003 * 2003 Destination Motherland: The Roy Ayers Anthology Roy Ayers * 2003 Ibiza: The History of House * 2003 Live Radio City Music Hall 2003 - Luther Vandross * 2003 Magnum Opus, Vol. 3 * 2003 Party Tyme Karaoke: Pop Party Pack; Sybersound * 2003 Pure Energy Party Pack * 2003 Smooth Sax Tribute to Luther Vandross * 2003 The Essential Luther Vandross; Luther Vandross * 2003 The Return of Funk Phenomena * 2002 Boom Box Flava * 2002 Elemental Chill, Vol. 1: Fire * 2002 Party Deluxe * 2002 Shining Symbol: The Ultimate Collection Roy Ayers * 2002 Stop to Love; Luther Vandross * 2002 Superclub Presents: Lounge * 2002 Tom Joyner Presents: The Old School Mix Returns * 2002 Ultimate Cheeky Party Album * 2001 All for You; Janet Jackson * 2001 Chartbuster Karaoke: The Best of Female Pop 2001, Vol. 2 * 2001 Creating Patterns; 4hero * 2001 DJ's Choice: Pop Princess * 2001 Drew's Famous Hip Pop Today; Drew's Famous * 2001 Drew's Famous Pop Hits 2002; Drew's Famous * 2001 Festivalbar 2001: Compilation Rossa * 2001 Limited Edition Geb.El * 2001 Millennium Jazz, Vol. 5 * 2001 More Cold Feet * 2001 Now That's What I Call Music! 7 * 2001 Now! 6

anada Anada (; ) is a rural locality (a selo) in Khidibsky Selsoviet, Tlyaratinsky District, Republic of Dagestan Dagestan ( ; ; ), officially the Republic of Dagestan, is a republic of Russia situated in the North Caucasus of Eastern Europe, ...

* 2001 Party Tyme Karaoke: Super Hits, Vol. 3 Sybersound * 2001 Room Service, Vol. 1 * 2001 Sing a Happy Song: The Warner Bros. Recordings; Taj Mahal (Vocals & Background) * 2001 Smash Hits Summer 2001 * 2001 The Annual: Millennium Edition * 2001 Upside Down/Music of Many Colours; Fela Kuti * 2000 2000 Black: The Good Good * 2000 Club Hits 2000 * 2000 Disco's Greatest Hits * 2000 Fresh Hits '99 * 2000 Galaxy Weekend * 2000 Love 2 Dance mport * 2000 Massive Dance Hits 2000 * 2000 Old School Funk Box Set * 2000 Old School Funk, Vol. 3 * 2000 Party Zone, Vol. 5 * 2000 Sampled * 2000 Suspicious Minds ime Music Candi Staton * 1999 40 Classic Dance Anthems; Dave Pearce * 1999 Ayia Napa Discovered * 1999 Boom, Vol. 2 * 1999 Celebration 2000 nigma * 1999 Club Mix 2000 -Tel * 1999 Cream Ibiza: Arrivals/Llegadas * 1999 Disco Blueprints: The Original Inspirational Underground Disco Anthems * 1999 Disco Box * 1999 Fat Pop Hits * 1999 Kiss Clublife * 1999 Kolasi 2000 * 1999 Now Dance 2000 * 1999 Now Phats What I Small Music; Phats & Small * 1999 Soul Weekender Anthems * 1998 A Rose Is Still a Rose; Aretha Franklin * 1998 Collection; Roy Ayers * 1998 Dance with Angels * 1998 Here We Go Again; Aretha Franklin * 1998 Pieces of a Man AZ * 1998 The Very Best of Change; Change * 1997 Best Disco Album in the Universe, Vol. 5 * 1997 Free to Be, Vol. 10 * 1997 Jewelz O.C. * 1997 The Best of Roy Ayers: Love Fantasy; Roy Ayers (Vocals, & Vocals Background) * 1995 Evolution: The Polydor Anthology; Roy Ayers (Arranger, Vocals, Vocals Background), Bass, Composer, Featured Artist * 1995 Love Ballads onnoisseur Collection * 1995 Naked and True; Randy Crawford * 1995 Representin' the Streets * 1995 The Best of Candi Staton arner Bros. Candi Staton * 1995 Young Hearts Run Free: The Best of Candi Staton; Candi Staton * 1994 The Best of Kurtis Blow; Kurtis Blow; Vocals (Background) * 1994 The Sun Rises in the East; Jeru the Damaja * 1993 Searching to Find the One; Unlimited Touch (Hand clapping) * 1992 The Disco Years, Vol. 3: Boogie Fever * 1989 The Best of Luther Vandross: The Best of Love; Luther Vandross * 1986 Kingdom Blow; Kurtis Blow; Vocals (Background) * 1981 You'll Never Know; Hi Gloss Producer, Assistant Producer, Composer * 1980 Music of Many Colours; Roy Ayers / Fela Kuti Arranger * 1980 The Glow of Love; Change * 1979 Chance; Candi Staton * 1973 Virgo Red; Roy Ayers / Roy Ayers Ubiquity

Vocals

* 1986 Kingdom Blow Kurtis Blow Vocals (Background) * 1980 Kurtis Blow Kurtis Blow Main Personnel, Vocals (Background) * 1979 Fever Roy Ayers * 1977 Evolution (The Most Recent) Taj Mahal * 1975 A Tear to a Smile Roy Ayers / Roy Ayers Ubiquity album, Arranger, Vocals, Composer * 1974 Change Up the Groove Roy Ayers / Roy Ayers Ubiquity album, Arranger, Vocals, Vocals (Background), Performer, Composer * 1973 Coffy Roy Ayers/Vocals, Featured Artist, Primary Artist/ offy Original Motion Picture Soundtrack* 1973 Red, Black & Green Roy Ayers / Roy Ayers Ubiquity Vocals (Background)

Record Labels

Polydor Records Polydor Limited, also known as Polydor Records, is a British record label that operates as part of Universal Music Group. It has a close relationship with Universal's Interscope Geffen A&M Records label, which distributes Polydor's releases in ...

Universal Records Universal Music Group N.V. (often abbreviated as UMG and referred to as Universal Music Group or Universal Music) is a Netherlands, Dutch–United States, American multinational Music industry, music corporation under Law of the Netherlands, ...

* Universal Music Group International * Elektra * Just Sunshine

Awards

* • 2002 American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers (ASCAP) Award for Most Airplay on Pop and R&B Radio “All for You” by Janet Jackson * 2002 Grammy Award for Best Dance Recording “All for You” by Janet Jackson * 1980 Billboard Disco Chart Longevity

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Garfield, Wayne 20th-century American singer-songwriters 21st-century American singer-songwriters African-American male composers African-American composers 20th-century African-American male singers American male composers 20th-century American composers American robbers American rhythm and blues singer-songwriters American soul singers Polydor Records artists 20th-century American male singers 21st-century American male singers African-American songwriters 21st-century African-American male singers American male singer-songwriters 1952 births 2022 deaths