Music and jazz educator <James Tatum will see his life, and his birthday, celebrated on July 28. Tatum has been teaching in the Wayne County Community College District, Oakland University and in the Detroit Public School System for more than 30 years.
“Tatum has performed with Coleman Hawkins (minor Key of Detroit), Mercer Ellington, and Dr. Billy Taylor. He has performed on programs with Wynton Marsalis at the Detroit Symphony Orchestra Hall and at the Charles Wright Museum with special guest, Milt Jackson (vibraphonist of MJQ). Tatum has composed major jazz works; the Contemporary Jazz Mass,Return of Joshua, and many others.”
“In 1987 The James Tatum Foundation For The Arts, Inc. was founded by a coalition of concerned educators and civic leaders who recognized that in the Metropolitan Detroit area, there were many artistically talented youth whose potential were not being nurtured to development.”
If you are/were a student or musical colleague, or simply a friend, of Tatum and would like to be involved, contact: James Lou Lewis (Trombone player with TFO Horns and a graduate of Northwestern High School) 313-505-7040 or contact him on Facebook here.
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