the trinikas

Biography

The Trinikas were a short-lived vocal group from Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, formed in the mid-1960s by high school students Marsha Bratton, Debbie Sheffield, Georgetta Dixon, and Lenise 'T-Bird' Morgan. Before adopting the Trinikas name, the girls sang to hospital patients as part of their junior high school's Paramedical Career Club. Debbie Sheffield, daughter of jazz pianist Leslie Sheffield—a pioneer on Oklahoma City's outer-west jazz circuit—benefited from her father's insistence that she learn piano and composition, giving the group an edge. They continued singing together at Douglas High School, where Sheffield joined after catching up with her classmates, and performed in Leroy Hicks’ choir.

In 1962, the group connected with local entrepreneur Richard Gilleland, who ran a Century Records franchise and recorded school fundraising albums. They cut an early single, 'Black Is Beautiful' b/w a duet, in his garage with Ronald Hamilton on bass and David McKinney on drums. In 1969, Gilleland took them to Cavern Studio in Independence, Missouri, to professionally record 'Black Is Beautiful' b/w 'Remember Me,' produced by Louis Chachere and released on Pearce Records. The soulful tracks, with themes of Black pride and heartfelt ballads, reflected their high school environment but saw limited promotion due to their youth. Their career ended tragically after Douglas High's 1969 fall talent show when Marsha Bratton snuck out despite restriction, performed, and died in a car accident en route to Tulsa, with her sister severely injured.

The group went on hiatus, dedicated their 1970 fundraising album to Bratton, and replaced her with Gloriadean Tucker, continuing until Sheffield and Tucker's 1971 graduation. Sheffield pursued college at Virginia Union University and a solo path, while the Trinikas faded into obscurity. Their rare 45 was reissued by Numero Group in 2012, resurfacing their story decades later.

Fun Facts

• Before forming The Trinikas, the members candy-striped at hospitals, singing to patients as part of their junior high Paramedical Career Club.
• 'Black Is Beautiful' originated as a theme song in Douglas High School's halls, becoming the title track of their fundraising album.
• Marsha Bratton snuck out from restriction to perform at the school's talent show, which was her final appearance before the fatal car crash.
• Their 1969 45 single saw up to 3,500 copies pressed but had limited promotion as the high school girls couldn't tour extensively.

Musical Connections

Mentors/Influences

• Leslie Sheffield - Debbie Sheffield's father and jazz pianist who taught her piano and composition (Influenced 'Black Is Beautiful' and 'Remember Me') [1950s-1960s]
• Richard Gilleland - Local record entrepreneur who recorded and promoted them via Century Records franchise (Fundraising LPs, 'Black Is Beautiful' b/w 'Remember Me' (1969)) [1962-1970]
• Louis Chachere - Producer at Cavern Studio ('Black Is Beautiful' b/w 'Remember Me') [1969]

Key Collaborators

• Ronald Hamilton - Bassist on recordings (Early 'Black Is Beautiful' garage session) [1960s]
• David McKinney - Drummer on recordings (Early 'Black Is Beautiful' garage session) [1960s]
• Felix Scott - Duet partner with Debbie Sheffield ('On The Street Where You Live' b-side) [1960s]
• Gloriadean Tucker - Replacement vocalist for Marsha Bratton (Post-1970 performances) [1970-1971]

External Links

• Spotify