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Portraits of Tatum – A Tribute to a Toledo Legend
By Megan Davis
The Truth Contributor
Known as one of the
greatest improvisers of Jazz music in history, Art Tatum, a
native of Toledo, Ohio, is a legend. His name and legacy are
celebrated by jazz artists, singers and fans throughout
generations for his fast-fingering and innovative rifts,
transforming classic tunes into whimsical nuances.
It is no secret that Tatum
was visually impaired, yet with such skill and intricacy, he
stroked the ebony and ivory keys as if his hands were
brushes and the notes vibrant colors, wondrous masterpieces
to behold. Art Tatum was born in 1909, 110 years ago in
Toledo, also known as the Glass City.
In an audio-visual
exhibition of reflections about his life and musical career,
Imelda Hunt, PhD, founder of The New Works Writers Series,
in partnership with the Toledo Museum of Art, presented
Portraits of Tatum with dramatic readings from her most
recently published book, The History of Art Tatum,
1909-1932.
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The Toledo Museum of Art’s
GlasSalon, located nearby Tatum’s childhood home, was the
setting where local performers portrayed friends, colleagues
and family members, sharing their experiences with both, a
young Art and the grown-up, accomplished musician he became.
Under spotlights, in the
dimmed salon, the cast-members processed into the GlasSalon
to the soundtrack of a blend of Jazz and Fusion through the
ages, mixed by Stanley “DJ Money” Knox. A waiting audience
was greeted by friends of Tatum, Jim and Gladys who
testified about his friendly character and generous spirit.
In an exchange of fond
memories, the pair, portrayed by real-life siblings, Curtis
Smith and Megan Davis, brought to light, Hunt’s recordings
of Tatum’s memories as shared through the author’s
interviews with them. The book depicts a vivid and lively
childhood in the Junction-Dorr-Detroit-Collingwood area
where Tatum’s family and friends grew up.
With a voice of clarity,
Myrna Allen-Austin, sang a rendition of “Somewhere Over the
Rainbow” to a reverie of Art Tatum’s accompaniment. She then
portrayed accomplished musician, and teacher Mary Belle
Shealy, a Houston, Texas native who was a colleague that
shared the culture of professional musicians across the U.S.
and in Toledo. Her family migrated North for “better
living.” Her pride in knowing how to read music was evident
as she described the distinction of opportunities and pay
grades for classical musicians as opposed to improv and “by
ear” musicians both which Tatum himself was able to do, even
if by Braille.
The jovial voices of
Harold Payne, played by Kenneth Taylor, and Mozart Perry,
played by Smith, took the audience to a time when the men
reflected on the types of shows that were being played
during Tatum’s mid-20s. They described the robust variety of
stage shows and clubs that housed live music and dance- a
time where people got dressed to the nines to have a good
time and go to their respective homes when the night was
over. They described Tatum as one of the nice guys, a rare
talent to befriend and likewise admire.
At the close of the
presentation, Arlene Tatum, Art’s younger sister, played by
Davis, gave an emotional account of her time being the
little sister of a musical genius and famous star. She
chronicled her days, chasing after her big brother as he
developed his skill as a child into their formative years in
public schools. She was as much a fan as she was his keeper.
Arlene gave their family’s
history which further humanized Art Tatum as a son and
brother although he was an icon to many. His death at the
age of 46, which took many by surprise, was a reminder of
one’s mortality despite their divine presence by way of
their gifts and talents. Brianna Byrd sang “Someone to Watch
Over Me,” a befitting tune demonstrating Arlene’s care and
concern for her brother. She shared a dance with Payne, as
it was in the days when having a good time was classy and
cool.
Assisting with the
production was Tisha Carroll. Hunt’s book delves into the
nooks and crannies of Tatum’s upbringing, education, and
career, illustrated at length and in great detail by the
accounts of those she interviewed prior to penning it. The
inaugural book in this series, Does a Genius…A Tribute to
Art Tatum, is comprised of poetry, inspired by Tatum’s
music, that Hunt’s research and recollection of stories told
her about Tatum’s life and vocation.
“Even now, when I write
about Tatum, I’m inspired by his work.” said Hunt in an
interview with Linda Yohn on WEMU/NPR. Her extensive study
and research of African-American life, art, music and
literature has made her work as an educator, playwright,
author and poet, a remarkable salutation to the founding
fathers and mothers in African-American history and an
offering of inspiration to those aspiring to pursue work in
Africana Studies, art and literature. Hunt’s books can be
found on Amazon.com. To learn more about her nonprofit, New
Works Writer Series, please visit newworkswritersseries.org.
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