Bold: Althea Rene and her Flute

Althea Rene is a world-renowned jazz artist who has broken ground through a recognized combination of amazing musical skill, industry savvy, and a mentoring spirit. She has packed the house at Middle C Jazz for five years running.

Althea Rene gained musical inspiration from her father, Dezie McCullers (one of Motown’s original Funk Brothers). She studied classical music, but influenced by her father, she has since developed her own style as a solo improvisational soul-jazz flutist. With an entrepreneurial spirit and drive, she is regarded as a master of her craft.

For more than 10 years, she worked as a Wayne County Deputy Sheriff (in Detroit, Michigan) during the day and performed in jazz clubs at night, slowly paving her own way. In May 2013, her hit project titled “In the Flow” made history as the first flute-featured single to be ranked number one on both the Billboard and Smooth Jazz charts.

Highly respected within the smooth jazz and R&B communities, Althea frequently works with some of the genre’s most acclaimed artists and producers, including Michael Broening, Jeanette Harris, Maysa, Gerald Albright, Chris “Big Dog” Davis, Lin Rountree, Chieli Minucci, Norman Brown, and Teena Marie.

With nine stellar albums to her name, Althea released her latest single, “18 Karat,” this Valentine’s Day. As the title track to her upcoming EP, Althea again showcases the bold harmonies and contagious energy that earned her the title “Maceo of the Flute” from Najee.

Althea Rene returns to Middle C Jazz Saturday, July 5th.

Learn more about Althea from our 2024 Spotlight article and on her website.

Preview of Althea Rene performing “Pastel Leather” at Middle C Jazz in 2024.