Tatum to be saluted as Distinguished Whos Who among African Americans During 9th Annual Volunteer Recognition Awards Ceremony Thursday, November 20, 2003 6:30p.m. Historic First Congregational Living Museum 33 East Forest at Woodward, Detroit, Michigan

Tatum to be saluted as Distinguished Whos Who among African Americans During 9th Annual Volunteer Recognition Awards Ceremony Thursday, November 20, 2003 6:30p.m. Historic First Congregational Living Museum 33 East Forest at Woodward, Detroit, Michigan

Immediate Release
Contact: Kinetic...Ink
Yalanda Marie Shorter
(313) 794-1917
kineticink@aol.com
   Barbara Byrd, JTFA Secretary
   (313) 255-9015

Tatum to be saluted as Distinguished Whos Who among African Americans
During 9th Annual Volunteer Recognition Awards Ceremony
Thursday, November 20, 2003
6:30p.m. Historic First Congregational Living Museum
33 East Forest at Woodward, Detroit, Michigan

Detroit, MI (PRWEB)October 6 2003-- James Tatum, who recently received Whos Who 2003 recognition nationally for his tireless contribution to arts education, jazz, and nurturing talented youth in the community, will be saluted, along with many other community and corporate supporters during the James Tatum Foundation for the Arts (JTFA) 9th Annual Volunteer Reception Awards Ceremony, Thursday, November 20, 2003, 6:30p.m., at Historic First Congregational Living Museum, 33 East Forest at Woodward, Detroit, Michigan.

The Gale Group Worldwide Publisher Co. selected Tatum nationally among 20,000 other notable African Americans as a distinguished African American for his achievements and accomplishments toward humanities and jazz music. The Foundation President joins an elite group of Americans including U.S. Secretary of State Colin Powell, American Express President Kenneth Chenault and basketball great Michael Jordan," said Jennifer M. York, Editor of Whos Who Among African Americans.

I didnt know I was nominated, so it was truly a surprise blessing and added inspiration to continue to propel the arts forward in the community," said Tatum, JTFA President/Founder, lecturer, jazz recording artists, and part-time instructor at Wayne County Community College District.

With a B.A. from Prairie View A&M University in Texas and a Masters in Music Ed. from the University of Michigan, Tatum set his sights on making a difference in the community. In1987, Tatum, along with a coalition of educators, founded JTFA to provide assistance to talented youth who were often unrecognized.

Since then, the Foundation, with the assistance of community and corporate supporters, has blossomed into one of Detroits most distinguished non-profit organizations nurturing students with diverse talents by providing scholarships, mentoring and exposure. JTFA has awarded over $200,000 in performing arts scholarships to graduating seniors who are advancing to some of the most prestigious colleges and universities nationally, including New Yorks Juilliard School of Music.

When Tatum is not juggling Foundation programs including "JazzTalk: Conversations in Music," an interactive jazz performance lecture series and "Give-A-Toot," a program devoted to encouraging the donation of old and new instruments for aspiring musicians, he teaches Jazz Piano at Oakland University and Jazz Appreciation courses at Wayne County Community College District.

The native Texans original jazz compositions can be heard, along with the James Tatum Trio Plus, on his CD Back to the Roots. With numbers reflecting Tatums musical experience of the church, blues, folk and jazz, Back to the Roots features original compositions and piano styles influenced by jazz legends Jelly Roll Morton, Art Tatum, John Lewis, Oscar Peterson and Duke Ellington. "Jazz Mass," "Return of Joshua," "Spiritualotta Jazz Suite," and "To a Rose" are among Tatums many original compositions. Tatum is currently in the studio recording his sophomore CD Back to the Motherland, scheduled for release in 2004.

Tatum has shared the stage with numerous notable recording jazz artists including Coleman Hawkins (Minor Key, of Detroit), Mercer Ellington, and Dr. Billy Taylor, Wynton Marsalis at the Detroit Symphony Orchestral Hall, and the late jazz vibraphonist Milt Jackson at the Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History.

Tatum, described by the Chicago Tribune as possessing a "unique style and arrangement of contemporary jazz...and an avant-garde on the jazz scene," is widely recognized in the community for the sheer excellence he brings to the fine and performing arts. He was named "Musician of the Year" by the Michigan State Senate and received a resolution from the U.S. House of Representatives praising him for his life long commitment to promote and establish jazz as a national treasure in the eyes of all Americans.

In 2001, he performed for the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences 23rd Annual Emmy Awards and was honored by Ameritech as a recipient of the "Living the Dream" Award. In 1999, Detroit Mayor Dennis W. Archer presented Tatum with the First Annual Betty Gerisch Award on behalf of the youth in the community for his out-standing service and devotion to providing positive alternatives for the enhancement and wellbeing of youth.

A member of the National Committee of the Black Jazz Caucus, Tatum has shared the stage with some of the nations greatest jazz virtuosos including acclaimed artists Coleman Hawkins (Minor Key of Detroit), Mercer Ellington, Wynton Marsalis, Milt Jackson and Dr. Billy Taylor.

In addition to performing and teaching jazz, Tatum is the radio personality, along with co-host Dr. Lynne Boyle, for the FM 90.9 WDTR radio show Artistry-airing every Sunday from 1-2pm. Listeners can tune into Artistry for the latest and greatest news, events and interviews in the jazz, classical and visual arts community.

Tatum is proud to spearhead the Foundation into the 21st Century and plans to continue teaching the community about jazz/classical music and assisting talented youth to succeed. "Our music heritage was created by our forefathers," said Tatum, who is in the process of writing a book for non-music instructors teaching the awareness and art form of jazz in the classroom. "I am educating teachers, the community and most important--the youth to carry this legacy from generation to generation. They are the ones keeping the spirit of music alive."

Tatum, described by the Detroit Free-Press as exemplifying "incredible musicality," is available for concert engagements, workshops, seminars and lectures. For booking information or to order his CD recording Back To The Roots, call, write or email to: P.O. Box 32240, Detroit MI 48232, Phone: (313)255-9015, Fax (313) 255-9014, clejam@aol.com.

The 9th Annual Volunteer Reception Awards is open to the public. Tickets are available at $75/person and $450 per table of six. Proceeds support Foundation community and student fine and performing arts development programs, including the scholarship fund. To purchase tickets, or receive additional information, call either (313) 255-9015, fax (313) 255-9014, email clejam@aol.com, or visit www.jamestatumfoundation.com. Valet parking is available. To schedule interviews, contact Yalanda M. Shorter of Kinetic...Ink by calling (313) 794-1917 or emailing kineticink@aol.com, or contact Barbara Byrd at (313) 255-9015.

www.jamestatum.com

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