Suga Mama (band)

Prior to the release of B'Day in 2006, Beyoncé creative director Kim Burse announced a nationwide audition for female musicians.[1] The auditions, held in Atlanta, Burbank, Chicago, and Houston (with final call-backs occurring in New York's Sony Music Studios), searched for female keyboard players, bassists, guitarists, horn players, percussionists and drummers. The musicians were asked to re-create the performance of "Work It Out" from the live album Live at Wembley (2004) and be able to perform at least a one-minute solo.[5] Knowles stated that her goal was to get together a group of "fierce, talented, hungry, beautiful" women and form an all-female band.[6] Speaking about her tour and the decision to form a band, Knowles said, "I'm all about female empowerment... I know it's my responsibility to do something different. I said, 'I want a band, I want something different.'"[6] She further described the process of choosing the contestants during an interview, saying: "I had worldwide auditions; people flew in from Atlanta, Houston, Israel, all over the world. It was extremely difficult [choosing the winners]. [There are] so many talented women. I wanted only a nine-piece band, but the girls were so amazing, I couldn't decide. I think I'm going to wind up having 12 people so I have two [people playing] certain instruments, because [some of the contenders] were just brilliant. It's a thing called star quality, it's a thing you can't put your finger on, can't describe. When they were playing, I said, 'I want to see y'all battle.' I brought in two of every instrument and that's how I chose. You see the one that really wants it. It was so entertaining, the energy, seeing the girls battle ... God, it was the best. It was magical."[6] The first performance of the group was "Deja Vu" at the 2006 BET Awards.

• Tiffany Monique Riddick (Vocalist) (2006–Present) - Riddick appears on 2019's Homecoming: The Live Album, and is currently Beyonce's assistant vocal arranger, lead background vocalist, and choir director. (1/3 of "The Mamas")
• Katty Rodriguez (Saxophonist) (2006-Present) - Rodriquez is a graduate of LaGuardia High School for the Performing Arts and the Mannes Jazz Program at the New School University in New York City, where she received a full scholarship and graduated with a BFA in Jazz Saxophone and Composition. In 2019, she received a master's degree in Music Education from Lehman College. She is currently an Adjunct Assistant Professor and Big Band Director at Brooklyn College.[7]
• Crystal Torres (Trumpet) (2006–Present) - Torres, a native of Philadelphia from a multi-generational Puerto Rican family, is a mental health advocate and wellness guru who writes and produces music in her downtime. Torres has also worked alongside Jhene Aiko and Lupe Fiasco.[8]
• Venzella Joy (Percussionist) (2009–2018) - Joy, a Buffalo, New York native, auditioned for Diddy's Making His Band alongside friend and fellow musician Derek Dixie. When Dixie became Beyonce's music director and required a touring drummer, he contacted Joy.[9][10]
• Rie Tsuji (Keyboardist) (2006–2018) - Tsuji, originally from Japan, composed a piece at 12 that was selected to become a requirement piece for Yamaha piano teacher auditions. She completed a music degree from Tokyo College of Music, before coming to the United States to study Jazz Performance at Berklee College of Music (Class of 2002).[11] She is currently Beyonce's keyboardist and assistant musical director.

• Bibi McGill (Guitarist) (2006-2014) - Mcgill has a degree in Music Scoring and Arranging from University of Colorado and also accompanied Pink, Paulina Rubio and the Latin pop group La Ley in various touring and performance capacities.[12]

• Divinity Roxx (Bass Guitarist) (2006-2014) - In 2021, Divinity released Children's music album Ready Set Go!, featuring elements of hip-hop, which was nominated for the Best Children's Music Album Grammy in 2023.[13][14]

• Crystal Collins (Vocalist) (2006-2014) - Collins, (credited as "Crissy Collins") a frequent featured vocalist in Tyler Perry stage productions (including Madea's Family Reunion, Madea Goes to Jail, and Madea's Big Happy Family), also appears as a credited backing vocalist on Beyonce's "Sorry" from her 2016 project Lemonade. (1/3 of "The Mamas")

• Montina Cooper-Donnell (Vocalist) (2006-2014) - Cooper-Donnell, originally from Houston, Texas, vocally-arranged the 2006 Destiny's Child NBA National Anthem performance, and has subsequently vocal-produced for Kelly Rowland's 2006 Ms. Kelly album. She has also appeared as a contestant on Season 10 of The Biggest Loser.[15] (1/3 of "The Mamas")

• Tia Fuller (Saxophonist) (2006–2010) - Fuller is currently a faculty member in the ensembles department at Berklee College of Music, and was a Featured Jazz Musician in Pixar's full length computer-animated feature Soul. Additionally, she served as assistant musical director for Esperanza Spalding’s Radio Music Society Tour, and has recorded five albums: Healing Space, Decisive Steps, Angelic Warrior, Pillar of Strength, and Diamond Cut, which received a Grammy nomination for Best Jazz Instrumental Album.[16][17]

• Nikki Glaspie (Percussionist) (2006-2010) - Glaspie, a 2005 graduate of Berklee College of Music, relocated to New York at the conclusion of her program, where she responded to an open call for Beyoncé's all-female band. After five years as a bandmember and several other touring opportunities, Glaspie broke out on her own in 2012 with the Nth Power, a funk, jazz, and soul collective from New Orleans.[18]

• Marcie Chapa (Percussionist) - Chapa is a high school music educator by day, and a professional percussionist on weekends. She is currently the principal percussionist for Stephanie Mills’ band, and also played recently with CeeLo Green.[19]

• Kimberly Thompson (Percussionist) - Thompson, a native of Los Angeles, CA, graduated from the Manhattan School of Music in 2003 with a bachelor's degree in jazz composition.[20]

• Brittani Washington (Keyboardist) - Washington, a Port Arthur, Texas, native and backing-band fixture at the annual BET Black Girls Rock! Awards Ceremony, has accompanied many artists including (but not limited to) Mary Mary, Kanye West, Gladys Knight, Tyrese, and Erykah Badu, and is a backing vocalist for CeeLo Green.[21]