James Mtume facts for kids

James Mtume (born James Forman) was a talented American musician. He was a jazz and R&B artist, a songwriter, and a record producer. He was also an activist and a radio personality.

He became well-known as a jazz musician, playing with the famous Miles Davis from 1971 to 1975. Later, he formed an R&B group, also named Mtume. They are famous for their 1983 hit song "Juicy Fruit". This song has been used in many other songs by different artists. Their song "You, Me, and He" was also a big R&B hit.

Early Life and Musical Journey

James Forman was born on January 3, 1946, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. His father was the jazz saxophonist Jimmy Heath. James was raised by his mother, Bertha Forman, and his stepfather, James "Hen Gates" Forman, who was a jazz pianist.

He grew up surrounded by music. Many jazz musicians often visited his parents' home. James learned to play the piano and percussion instruments. However, as a teenager, he focused on sports, especially swimming. He became the first Black Middle Atlantic AAU champion in the backstroke. In 1966, he even went to Pasadena City College on a swimming scholarship.

Joining the US Organization

In 1966, while studying at Pasadena City College, Mtume joined the US Organization. This group focused on Black empowerment and was started by Hakim Jamal and Maulana Karenga. Karenga gave members of the organization new names that matched their personalities. James received the name "Mtume," which means "messenger" in Swahili.

He was part of the group that celebrated the very first Kwanzaa in 1966. In 1967, he helped edit a book called The Quotable Karenga. This book shared Karenga's ideas. Mtume left the US Organisation in 1969.

Starting His Music Career

Mtume's first professional music appearance was on an album called Kawaida in 1969. This album was made by his uncle, Albert Heath. His first recording released under his own name was Alkebu-lan: Land of the Blacks. This album was recorded live at The East, a Black community arts center in Brooklyn.

Both of these early albums aimed to mix free jazz music with cultural identity. After returning from the West Coast, he moved to New York City. There, he started playing as a sideman (a supporting musician) for artists like McCoy Tyner, Freddie Hubbard, and Miles Davis. He eventually joined Miles Davis's group and played with them for several years.

Award-Winning Work

Mtume and his bandmate Reggie Lucas won a Grammy Award for Best R&B Song. They won for writing and producing Stephanie Mills's popular song "Never Knew Love Like This Before". Stephanie Mills also won a Grammy for her singing on that song.

In 1994, Mtume created music for a TV show called New York Undercover. He also helped other artists get chances to perform on the show.

Personal Life and Legacy

Mtume was a father to two music producers, Damu Mtume and Fa Mtume. He passed away in South Orange, New Jersey, on January 9, 2022, at the age of 76. His music continues to influence many artists today.

Discography

Albums as a Leader

• Alkebu-Lan: Land of the Blacks (Strata-East, 1972) - with Mtume Umoja Ensemble
• Rebirth Cycle (Third Street, 1977) - with Jean Carn, Stanley Cowell, Dee Dee Bridgewater, and others.
• Kiss This World Goodbye (Epic, 1978) - with Mtume
• In Search of the Rainbow Seekers (Epic, 1980) - with Mtume
• Juicy Fruit (Epic, 1983) - with Mtume
• You, Me and He (Epic, 1984) - with Mtume
• Theater of the Mind (Epic, 1986) - with Mtume

Albums as a Sideman

• With Miles Davis
  • On the Corner (Columbia, 1972)
  • In Concert: Live at Philharmonic Hall (Columbia, 1973)
  • Big Fun (Columbia, 1974)
  • Get Up with It (Columbia, 1974)
  • Dark Magus (Columbia, 1974)
  • Agharta (Columbia, 1975)
  • Pangaea (Columbia, 1975)
• With Gato Barbieri
  • Under Fire (Flying Dutchman, 1971)
  • Bolivia (Flying Dutchman, 1973)
• With Art Farmer
  • Homecoming (Mainstream, 1971)
• With Carlos Garnett
  • Black Love (Muse, 1974)
• With Albert Heath
  • Kawaida (1969)
• With Jimmy Heath
  • The Gap Sealer (Muse, 1973)
  • The Time and the Place (Landmark, 1974)
• With Eddie Henderson
  • Heritage (Blue Note, 1976)
  • Comin' Through (Capitol, 1977)
  • Mahal (Capitol, 1978)
• With Harold Land
  • A New Shade of Blue (Mainstream, 1971)
• With Azar Lawrence
  • Bridge into the New Age (Prestige, 1974)
• With Lonnie Liston Smith
  • Astral Traveling (Flying Dutchman, 1973)
• With James Spaulding
  • James Spaulding Plays the Legacy of Duke Ellington (Storyville, 1977)
• With McCoy Tyner
  • Asante (Blue Note, 1970)
  • Handscapes 2 (Strata-East, 1975)
• With Buddy Terry
  • Awareness (Mainstream, 1971)
  • Pure Dynamite (Mainstream, 1972)
• With Sonny Rollins
  • Nucleus (Milestone, 1975)

Songs as a Composer

• "The Closer I Get to You" (1977) written with Reggie Lucas. Performed by Roberta Flack and Donny Hathaway.
• "Back Together Again" (1980) written with Reggie Lucas. Performed by Roberta Flack and Donny Hathaway.

Albums Produced (with Reggie Lucas)

• Stephanie Mills – What Cha' Gonna Do with My Lovin' (20th Century, 1979)
• Phyllis Hyman – You Know How to Love Me (Arista, 1979)
• Rena Scott – Come On Inside (Buddah, 1979)
• Stephanie Mills – Sweet Sensation (20th Century, 1980)
• Gary Bartz – Bartz (Arista, 1980)
• Stephanie Mills – Stephanie (20th Century, 1981)
• Marc Sadane – One Way Love Affair (Warner Bros., 1981)
• Stephanie Mills – Tantalizingly Hot (Casablanca, 1982)
• Lou Rawls – Now Is the Time (Epic, 1982)
• The Spinners – Can't Shake This Feelin' (Atlantic, 1982)
• Marc Sadane – Exciting (Warner Bros., 1982)
• The Best of Mtume & Lucas (Expansion, 2004) – compilation

Albums Produced by James Mtume

• Roy Ayers - You Might Be Surprised (Columbia Records, 1985)
• LeVert – Bloodline (Atlantic Records, 1986)
• Tyrone Brunson - The Method (MCA, 1986)
• Tawatha Agee - Welcome to My Dream (Epic, 1987)
• Nu Romance Crew – Tonight (EMI America, 1987)
• Tease – Remember (Epic, 1988)
• Sue Ann Carwell - Blue Velvet (MCA, 1988)
• Kiara – To Change and/or Make a Difference (Arista, 1989)
• Freeze Factor - Chill (Epic, 1989)