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Wayman Tisdale

If there’s one thing NBA star-turned-musical giant Wayman Tisdale learned from his former career, it’s that there’s no substitute for hard work. Emerging as one of the most consistent and admired players during his 12 years in the league--segueing from the gold-winning Olympic team to stints with the Indiana Pacers, Sacramento Kings and Phoenix Suns--his towering frame, exceptional strength and relentless work ethic made him one of the game’s most dominating power forwards. Tisdale still lives and breathes this work ethic as a musician. True to character, he is a trailblazer in the field of music with his unique use of the bass as a melodic lead instrument. It’s this single-minded drive that propels the bassist forward while crafting what he considers his most ambitious and mature CD to date, Way Up, and he hopes to take listeners way up with him. Tisdale is at the top of his musical game on Way Up, which will be released in July 2006 from Rendezvous Entertainment, the label co-founded by saxophone star Dave Koz. On Way Up, Tisdale continues to display the musical skills that landed his first five albums in the Billboard Top Ten. His latest features 11 songs in which Tisdale showcases how he has developed as an artist during the past dozen years. “I feel like I’ve grown up with this album,” he explains. “The way I matured as a basketball player is the same way I’m evolving as a musician, taking more control of this album and gaining the confidence to do this on my own.” The title for the album arose while Tisdale was discussing possibilities at dinner with Dave Koz, who remarked, “This album is going to be way up,” and right then they knew they had the title. Way Up boasts collaborations with Koz, Eric Benet, George Duke, Bob James, Kirk Whalum, Jonathan Butler and Jeff Lorber, all a dream come true for Tisdale. “Working with Dave again on ‘My Son’ was a great experience,” says Tisdale. “Being such great friends, it was a high point for me to collaborate with him on this song.” Tisdale is especially excited about his version of “Get Down On It,” which was produced by Darren Rahn, who also produced Tisdale’s last #1 hit “Ain’t No Stoppin’ Us Now.” “Sometimes remaking such classics can be a challenge,” he explains, “because people are so familiar with the original. But on ‘Get Down on It’ we came up with a fresh approach and it has people bugging out of their heads.” Label-mates Jonathan Butler and Kirk Whalum are featured on the soulful “Sunday’s Best.” “You can feel the love on this one! Our spirits are inter-twined as we play together.” The three are touring this year as part of the Rendezvous All Stars.

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352
Album Review

Wayman Tisdale: Way Up!

Read "Way Up!" reviewed by Jeff Winbush


When a rookie, no matter how fierce his reputation was in college, hits the hardwood floor of the National Basketball Association, he's got to step up his game or he's going to get his head handed to him by the older pros who aren't impressed by flashy moves and big egos.For twelve seasons in the NBA, Wayman Tisdale brought his “A" game to arenas across the country. In 1995, he released his debut jazz album, the appropriately titled ...

509
Profile

Wayman Tisdale: Way Up!

Read "Wayman Tisdale: Way Up!" reviewed by Woodrow Wilkins


As a power forward, Wayman Tisdale became the first player at the University of Oklahoma to have his jersey number, 23, retired. He went on to become a member of the USA gold medal basketball team and a 12-year star in the NBA. His other passion, music, has led to a successful second career with the electric bass. While Tisdale considers his music to be jazz, or perhaps more to the point, funk-jazz, his early influences include, among others, Earth, ...

280
Album Review

Wayman Tisdale: Hang Time

Read "Hang Time" reviewed by Mark Sabbatini


C'mon Wayne--you've got more game than this.

The former NBA star forward turned bassist roams familiar territory on his sixth album, Hang Time, playing mostly originals by himself and keyboardist Jeff Lorber. In courtside terms, the big man needs a better playbook and more support from his teammates.

Unlike Shaq the rapper, Tisdale the jazz musician is no novelty act. His playing, which bears a strong resemblance to Stanley Clarke's and showed real promise on 1998's ...

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Recording

Back To Basics covers Wayman Tisdale with 'After The Game' Single on June 9th

Back To Basics covers Wayman Tisdale with 'After The Game' Single on June 9th

Source: Scott Thompson Public Relations

"After The Game" pays tribute to the original song written and performed by the late legendary NBA player and multi-award winning bassist/songwriter/producer, Wayman Tisdale. The story begins with Art Dixie who co-wrote the track alongside Tisdale during the mid-1990s. Despite being in his early twenties at the time, Dixie demonstrated remarkable musical talent. Tisdale, who played for the Phoenix Suns during that period, had a home studio where he listened to Dixie's work on the MPC60 after one his games. ...

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Festival

Kettle Moraine Jazz Festival to Donate Proceeds to Wayman Tisdale Foundation

Kettle Moraine Jazz Festival to Donate Proceeds to Wayman Tisdale Foundation

Source: All About Jazz

The 12th annual Kettle Moraine Jazz Festival (KMJF) at West Bends Riverside Park Friday, September 11 - Saturday, September 12, features more than international musicians, cuisine, and artwork.

This year's festival will feature two priceless smooth jazz collectibles for sale, with their proceeds and a to-be-determined amount of the festivals proceeds, to benefit the Wayman Tisdale Foundation.

Wayman Tisdale was a former NBA player turned smooth jazz musician who passed away on May 15, 2009 after a two-year battle with ...

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Obituary

Wayman Tisdale, NBA Star & Smooth Jazz Artist Dies

Wayman Tisdale, NBA Star & Smooth Jazz Artist Dies

Source: All About Jazz

Wayman Tisdale, a three-time All-American at Oklahoma, who played 12 seasons in the NBA, died after a two-year battle with cancer. He was 44. Tisdale died Friday morning at St. John Medical Center in Tulsa, hospital spokeswoman Joy McGill said. Tisdale learned of a cancerous cyst below his right knee after breaking his leg in a fall at his home in Los Angeles on Feb. 8, 2007. His leg was amputated last August. He made several public appearances since, including ...

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Obituary

Bassist Wayman Tisdale Dies at 44

Bassist Wayman Tisdale Dies at 44

Source: All About Jazz

By Andrew Lienhard Smooth jazz bassist Wayman Tisdale lost his two-year battle to cancer early this morning at a hospital in Tulsa, Oklahoma. He was 44. The celebrated musician was also a well-known NBA Power Forward who played for the Phoenix Suns until his retirement in 1997. In his twelve-year NBA career, Tisdale scored more than 12,800 points and 5,000 rebounds. In 1984 Tisdale won a Olympic Gold Medal playing for the United States Basketball Team. But his off-court career ...

Reza Saleh
bass, electric

Photos

Music

Recordings: As Leader | As Sideperson

Rebound

Rendezvous Entertainment
2008

buy

Way Up!

Rendezvous
2006

buy

Hang Time

Rendezvous
2004

buy

Face To Face

Rendezvous Entertainment
2001

buy

Decisions

Rendezvous Entertainment
1998

buy

In The Zone

Rendezvous Entertainment
1996

buy

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