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Celebrating Art Tatum's 108th Birthday And His Toledo Roots

Art Tatum
Dr. Imelda Hunt

Today would have been the great pianist Art Tatum's 108th birthday.  WEMU celebrated his birth in 1909 with Dr. Imelda Hunt, author Does A Genius? - A Tribute To Art Tatum.  Dr. Hunt is a new faculty member of the Department of Africology and African Studies at Eastern Michigan University.  She brings a deep understanding of African-Americans in the midwest including her hometown of Toledo, Ohio -  also Art Tatum's hometown.  Dr. Hunt's research revealed Art Tatum's neighborhood, the legendary department stores, dance halls, and nightclubs where he performed and details about his loving and supportive family.   Dr. Hunt also shared how the experience of listening to Art Tatum's brilliant music inspired her to write many poems, two of which she shared in conversation.  Enjoy the genius of Art Tatum and a heartfelt appreciation from Dr. Imelda Hunt.

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Linda Yohn simply cannot remember a day in her life that was not filled with music. Her early life was full of changes as the daughter of a well-respected cancer research scientist who moved his family about, but one thing was constant: the love of music instilled by her mother. So, when it seemed life was too hard to bear, young Linda would listen to her radio, play her guitar, dance her heart out and sing at the top of her lungs. So, it isn’t so strange that “older” Linda still does all those things!