Twennynine

Twennynine, also known as Twennynine with Lenny White, was an American R&B band founded in 1979.

 

Twennynine was founded by jazz fusion drummer Lenny White in 1979 after he left Return to Forever. White formed the band to explore commercial R&B and funk music, and to take a break from the complex jazz rock for which he was known.^[3] The group also featured keyboardist Skip Anderson, bassist Barry Johnson, and guitarist Eddie Martinez; while singers Lynn Davis, Carla Vaughn, Joycelyn Smith, and Tanya Willoghby contributed at various times throughout the group's career.^[4][1] They released their debut album Best of Friends on Elektra Records in 1979. The album was co-produced by White and Larry Dunn of Earth, Wind & Fire. Best of Friends rose to number 15 on the Billboard Top R&B Albums chart and number 54 on the Billboard 200 albums chart.^[1][5][6] The single "Peanut Butter" reached number three on the Billboard Hot R&B Singles chart and number 83 on the Hot 100 singles chart.^[7][8] The second single "Best of Friends" reached number 47 on the Billboard Hot R&B Singles chart.^[9]

Their second album Twennynine with Lenny White was released in 1980, with White and Dunn again as producers. The album reached number 22 on Billboard Top R&B Albums chart.^[10][11] The single "Kid Stuff" reached number 19 on the Billboard Hot R&B Singles chart, while "Fancy Dancer" reached number 17 on the Billboard Dance/Disco chart and number 25 on the Hot R&B Singles chart.^[12][13][14] Twennynine performed on American Bandstand and The Mike Douglas Show in 1980.^[4][15]

Twennynine released their third album Just Like Dreamin' in 1981. The group added guitarist Steve Horton for this album.^[16] Just Like Dreamin' reached number 41 on the Billboard Top R&B Albums chart.^[17][18] The singles "Didn't Know About Love (Till I Found You)" and "All I Want" reached numbers 31 and 62, respectively, on the Hot R&B Singles chart.^[19][20] Another single, "My Turn to Love You" reached number 29 on the Billboard Dance/Disco chart.^[4][21] The group split up in 1983, after which Lenny White returned to jazz session work.