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John Tatum

John Tatum first picked up the frenchhorn in fifth grade...He won every competition for solo and trios in high school..went to the all region band. He switched to trumpet and flueglehorn...about 15 years ago... First started playing by ear while listening to jazz guitar player Howard Brown from Jamaica..now in Nassau, Bahamas. One can say," He loves Sade!" He wants to be that smooth operator...and his groove is smooth...he's steady in the pocket, yet it is all done without any wires...that's his ear...developed slowly over time like a fine Winelight...He names Grover Washington Jr. as a major inspiration. His favorite horn player now is Chris Botti...mainly because Chris is smooth and lyrical. John now lives in Nanjing City and plays every Sunday at the Nanjing International Christian Fellowship. He wants to play the Cotton club in Shanghai...let's hope he makes it!

Awards

First place all solos in interscholastic league every year for three years with the Longview High School Band...

Gear

Yamaha flugelhorn...hoping to get a Conn bebop trumpet soon...


Tags

John Tatum Flugelhorn
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Take Five With...

Take Five With John Tatum

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Meet John Tatum: Went though tutoring at North Texas State University, with Vaughn Roberts, and had a few lessons with JQ Whitcomb of Shanghai. I'm mostly self-taught and using the goal note theory of Shelly Berg. It works!Instruments Trumpet, flueglehorn, guitar, drums.Teachers and/or influences? Vaughn and JQ. I love Chris Botti's sweet tone and overall control. Arturo Sandoval, Miles Davis,Clifford Brown and Tom Browne of Jamaican funk fame. Main inspiration: “Feels so Good," by Chuck Mangione.

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Who is this guy...this jazzguy from Texas...? He can play anything and make it his own..an unusual and very liberated and lyrical horn..His flueglehorn sometimes sounds like a violin. John can paint a picture and you can feel his spirit when he plays...he's a poet...very clear transitions. Articulation is a bit sloppy at times, but the flow is always there!
Primary Instrument

Flugelhorn

Willing to teach

Advanced only

Credentials/Background

John Tatum took private horn lessons at North Texas State with Vaughn Roberts, Doctorate in Music and(first chair in the one-o'clock jazz band)...He graduated in 76 from Stephen F. Austin State Univ. and did graduate studies at Univ. of Texas of Tyler. He began ear training in Nassau, Bahamas while living directly above professional jazz guitarist from Jamaica, Howard Brown. I have woodshedded for the past six years in China...thus the progress...using the goal note theory of Shelton Berg. He is available some weekends...at reasonable rates.

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