Timmy Regisford

Trinidadian-born soulful house vinyl pioneer and founder of New York City's Club Shelter.

Born in Trinidad and raised in New York City, Timmy Regisford is a foundational figure in the evolution of soulful house music. He rose to prominence in the mid 1980s through his work at WBLS radio and his A&R leadership at major labels like Motown and Atlantic, where he helped shape the sound of urban dance music. In 1991, he founded the legendary Club Shelter in New York City, an institution that became a sanctuary for the post Garage dance community and a primary incubator for his signature deep and spiritual house aesthetic. His extensive discography includes seminal releases such as the 1983 track Music Got Me by Visual on Prelude Records and his acclaimed mix series Restricted Access. Regisford remains a vital presence in the global underground, known for his marathon DJ sets that seamlessly weave together afro jazz, gospel, and classic house. His enduring influence lies in his ability to treat the dance floor as a spiritual space, prioritizing songcraft and emotional resonance over mere beat matching.