Thomas Whitfield
Thomas Anthony Whitfield affectionately referred to as “Tommie“ was born in Detroit, Michigan on April 30, 1954 to the late Thomas and Jacqueline Whitfield. Thomas was the eldest of five boys. His Great-Grandmother inspired him to play the piano and he began taking lessons at the age of five.
He began to play the organ at the Nazarene Baptist Church when he was ten. Soon he was playing all over the city. After graduating from Central High School, he attended the Detroit Conservatory of Music to enhance his musical gifts through the study of music theory and composition. Thomas not only challenged himself, but he shared his gifts by instructing, and mentoring other musicians and singers. After his studies he eventually joined the Detroit Board of Education as a music instructor.
Thomas began to have a strong interest in gospel music after becoming a member of the Alpha and Omega Spiritual Church. Thomas also played for various churches, soloists, and groups including Great New Mount Moriah Baptist Church, Our Faith Prayer Tabernacle, Beverly Glynn’s Chorale, Hulah Gene Hurley, Louise McCord, Rev. James Cleveland, The Craig Brothers, The Howard Lemon Singers, and The Mighty Voices of Tabernacle to name a few.
It was during his time at Prayer Tabernacle, where he was the Minister of Music under the Pastorage of Rev. Charles Craig and later Rev. David Craig that he began to write, compose, and arrange. His light truly began to shine. It was standard practice for musicians across the city to leave their churches to attend night service at Prayer Tabernacle, just to see and hear what Thomas would do next on the organ or what new song would be sung.
In 1975 during a private rehearsal in the home of his friend, Phyllis Lyons, that a conversation came up regarding groups and choirs. Thomas had just started using his gift of singing, when she suggested in passing that he should form his own gospel group. After much contemplation and prayer, Thomas and his good friend T.J. Hemphill founded The Whitfield Company in January, 1977.
The choir was comprised of 40 of the most renowned singers, soloists, and musicians in the city of Detroit. All were hand picked by Thomas. He crafted a contemporary gospel style that was unmatched, which earned him the title of “ Maestro “ Over the years he produced, composed or arranged material for gospel luminaries such as Aretha Franklin, Shirley Caesar, Edwin Hawkins, James Cleveland, Vanessa Bell Armstrong, Bishop Paul Morton and Yolonda Adams. In 1984 he received the first of three Grammy nominations.
Overwhelmingly, the Power of the Holy Spirit came into Thomas’ life in 1979. This new found love and fellowship enhanced his ministry, causing a greater depth and meaning to the art of gospel music. He sincerely sought direction from the Lord. He did not want his playing and singing to be in vain. It was inevitable that he accepted his calling to the ministry. Oh, how he increased in wisdom and favor with God and man. His ministry through the realm of music led many souls to a relationship with Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
Towards the end of his life, Whitfield appeared on Quincy Jones’ Handel’s Messiah Christmas Project, was the opening act for the “Carmen-World Tour“, had been offered a role in the new Steve Martin movie “Leap of Faith“, and was composing songs for the Whitfield Company’s next album “Still…Whitfield“.
Thomas departed this life early Sunday morning, June 21, 1992, after a spirit filled rehearsal with “The Company”. He lives on in all of us because "Spirit Never Born, Never Dies“. You’ll never find one more loving, caring or supportive than Thomas. His legacy of music ministry lives on through “The Company” as they continue to deliver “A Message For the World…..Jesus Saves“. Thomas Whitfield was inducted into The International Gospel Music Hall of Fame in 1999.
