Tisdale tribute, fundraiser announced for Thursday

BY JENNIFER CHANCELLOR World Scene Writer
Wednesday, May 20, 2009
5/20/09 at 1:56 PM

Tribute to Tisdale: View the Tulsa World's archive of stories about Wayman Tisdale, watch slide shows and video, read others' memories of Wayman and share your own.

The Oklahoma Jazz Hall of Fame on Thursday will host a special music celebration honoring the life and music of jazz artist and sports great Wayman Tisdale.

Presented by the Jazz Hall and drummer Arthur Thompson, performing will be musicians and Tisdale friends Dave Koz, Marcus Miller, Kirk Whalum, Gerald Albright, Najee, Tom Braxton, Everette Harp, Kim Waters, Raphael Saadiq, Marvin Saap, Fred Hammonds, Mike Philips, Arlington Jones, Bernard Wright, Lenny White, Cornell Morell, Arthur Thompson and many more.

Emcee will be comedian Jonathan Slocum.

All proceeds will benefit the Wayman Tisdale Foundation, a nonprofit organization that provides support and resources to people in need, including individuals with cancer and amputees.

It starts at 7 p.m. Thursday. All tickets are $10 at the Jazz Depot, First Street and Cincinnati Avenue (upper level). On-site parking is available. The event is all ages.

More events will celebrate and honor the basketball and jazz great:

Today:

-- A public viewing 1-6 p.m. at Friendship Baptist Church, 1709 N. Madison Ave.

-- From 6-8 p.m. will be “A Time To Reflect,” a service allowing attendees to share experiences and memories of Tisdale.

Thursday:

-- At 8 a.m., doors open at the BOK Center, 200 S. Denver Ave., to welcome fans, friends and family of Tisdale.

-- At 10:30 a.m. Tisdale’s band will perform a tribute to the jazz legend.

-- At 11 a.m., Tisdale's funeral will begin with “Wayman Tisdale: Celebration of Life.” All events are free and open to the public.

-- At 7 p.m. is the Oklahoma Jazz Hall of Fame benefit concert at the Jazz Depot.

In lieu of flowers or gifts, the Tisdale family asks that contributions be made to the Wayman Tisdale Foundation. For more information call Paul Samuels at the Tulsa Morgan Stanley offices, 582-3211 or visit tulsaworld.com/TisdaleFoundation.

Associated Images:

In this 2004 file photo, Wayman Tisdale at the Earth, Wind and Fire "Grammy Jam" event held in Los Angeles. Tisdale, a three-time All-American at Oklahoma who played 12 seasons in the NBA, an a award-winning jazz musician, has died after a two-year battle with cancer. He was 44. PHIL McCARTEN/AP File Photo

In this 2008 file photo, Wayman Tisdale, former NBA basketball player, musician and amputee plays guitar and sings on stage at All Souls Unitarian church during a night of music and inspiration on Nov. 14, 2008. Tisdale played two songs about his faith, then had to leave, again amidst a standing ovation, to celebrate his wife's birthday. The Oklahoma Jazz Hall of Fame on Thursday will host a special music celebration honoring the life and music of the jazz artist and sports great. ADAM WISNESKI / Tulsa World File