The James Tatum Foundation for the Arts and Michigan Opera Theatre Presents “Conversations in Jazz Music” at the Detroit Opera House July 12
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The James Tatum Foundation for the Arts and Michigan Opera Theatre Presents “Conversations in Jazz Music” at the Detroit Opera House July 12
Back by popular demand, award-winning Recording Jazz Pianist/ arts activist/ lecturer/composer James Tatum returns to The Detroit Opera House to deliver his acclaimed workshop “Conversations in Jazz Music.” Tatum is the Founder and President of the James Tatum Foundation for the Arts.
Detroit, MI — As the weather warms, so does the James Tatum Foundation for the Arts (JTFA). The Michigan Opera Theatre Department of Community Programs, as part of their Learning at the Opera House series, has invited award-winning Recording Jazz Pianist/ JTFA Founder/ lecturer/composer James Tatum to deliver his prolific interactive JazzTalk workshop “Conversations in Jazz Music.”
Among an expansive range of educational programs featured during the Learning at the Opera House summer arts series, “Conversations in Jazz Music” is expected to attract a full house of adult attendees (youth are also welcomed) at the Detroit Opera House, Lomason Lounge, (1526 Broadway, Detroit, 48226), July 12, 2006, Wed., 7 – 9p.m. Attendees will run the gamut of professional musicians, music teachers who want to compliment their existing knowledge or adopt techniques to teach jazz, novices who have a desire to learn to play music in general, and those who want to expand their knowledge base about jazz music and its history.
Workshop topics include the elements of jazz, history of jazz, how to listen to jazz, the definition of jazz, and legendary jazz artists and their styles (i.e. John Coltrane, Duke Ellington, Ella Fitzgerald). Accompanied by the Trio Plus, Tatum will also perform original music from his latest CD “Back to the Roots.”
“I am honored to be invited by Michigan Opera Theatre to host ‘Conversations in Jazz Music,’ which is an extension of my JazzTalk lecture series,” Tatum said. “It’s an exciting workshop, where attendees gain a wealth of knowledge on the subject matter and get a chance to demonstrate what they’ve learned, ask questions and give feedback. I’m always ready to rise to the occasion when it comes to anything supporting the arts and initiatives designed to keep it alive.”
By popular demand, Tatum has hosted community workshops throughout Michigan and nationally, with venues including Metro Detroit schools, grades k – 12, Wayne State University, Wayne County Community College, and Museum of African-American History, to name a few. An avid arts activists, Tatum was invited by The Honorable U.S. Congressman John Conyers, Jr. in 2005, to serve as a noted speaker during the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation, Inc.’s 35th Annual Legislative Conference featuring their Jazz Issue Forum and Concert at the Washington Convention Center, Washington, D.C. Tatum also received the 2005 Governors Arts Award by Michigan Governor Jennifer Granholm.
James Tatum Foundation for the Arts
JTFA, a nonprofit 501c3, has a storied history in uncovering hidden talent in Michigan. Since its inception in 1987, JTFA has awarded over $244,000 in scholarships to over 375 artistic high school graduates and child prodigies; donated more than 400 instruments to various schools in the Detroit School District, individual students in the community and in Jamaica; has a strong relationship with Michigan’s Interlochen and Blue Lake arts and music academies, and New York’s Juilliard School of Music; established a lucrative scholarship endowment Fund; and continues to groom students to polished professionalism-in most cases, leading to international exposure.
The Michigan Opera Theatre Department of Community Programs
Each year, Michigan Opera Theatre’s Department of Community Programs brings joy and enlightenment to more than 200,000 people. Under the leadership of Founder and Director
Karen VanderKloot DiChiera, the department enriches the lives of people of all ages and backgrounds, with award-winning programs ranging from the cable series Time Out for Opera to touring educational programs and the award-winning educational series Learning at the Opera House, made possible by support from the Michigan Council for Arts and Cultural Affairs.
To register for Learning at the Opera House’s “Conversations in Music,” log onto www.MichiganOpera.org, or call (313) 237-3270. Tickets are $15. Parking is available at the new Detroit Opera House Parking Center (1426 Broadway, Detroit, 48226), adjacent to the Detroit Opera House.
For additional information or to learn how to support JTFA, call (313) 255-9015 or visit jamestatumfoundation.com. For story ideas or interview opportunities with administrators, or Foundation board members, call Yalanda M. Oglesby of Kinetic…Ink at (313) 259-3063 or Delores Flagg at (313) 255-9015.
www.jamestatum.com