Title
Also naming the 1500 block of Wharton street “James Mtume Way,” to honor the life and legacy of renowned musician, activist, and Philadelphia native James Mtume.
Body
WHEREAS, Philadelphia’s own James Forman, known as “James Mtume” for his entire adult life, was a visionary whose influence still resonates today; and
WHEREAS, Mtume was born on January 3, 1946. He was the biological son of legendary jazz saxophonist Jimmy Heath, but was raised by his mother and James "Hen Gates" Forman, who was a professional jazz pianist himself; and
WHEREAS, Mtume’s childhood was spent around musicians who frequented his childhood home, including Dizzy Gillespie, Thelonious Monk, Dinah Washington, and John Coltrane. His biological uncle, the jazz drummer Albert “Tootie” Heath, gave him his first conga drum; and
WHEREAS, Mtume grew up on the 1500 block of Wharton Street in South Philadelphia. He attended Overbrook High School, where he swam competitively. He eventually became the first Black backstroke champion in the Amateur Athletic Union’s Middle Atlantic District. In 1966, he entered Pasadena City College on a swimming scholarship; and
WHEREAS, In college, he joined the US Organization, a Black nationalist cultural group that introduced the holiday Kwanzaa, and he took an African last name: Mtume, Swahili for “messenger”; and
WHEREAS, While in California, he also delved more seriously into music and made two jazz albums thematically focused on Black cultural identity. The first, Kawaida, was made under his uncle’s name, and also featured his father along with jazz legends Herbie Hancock and Don Cherry. However, Mtume was a driving force behind the album, not only contributing percussion and vocals but also writing all of the songs; and
WHEREAS, During this time, Mtume developed a close relationship with renowned poet and activist Amiri Baraka, with whom he recorded a spoken word album. At Baraka’s request, Mtume moved back east to help elect Newark’s first Black mayor, Kenneth Gibson; and
WHEREAS, Once in New York, Mtume established himself among the jazz elite, ultimately joining Miles Davis’s band in 1971. He worked with Davis until 1975, touring and appearing on several albums, including On the Corner. Davis credited Mtume with influencing his turn towards Afrocentricity and even named a tune “Mtume” on the Get Up With It album; and
WHEREAS, In 1972, Mtume made his official recording debut as a bandleader with Alkebu-Lan: Land of the Blacks, credited to the Mtume Umoja Ensemble. It opened with a spoken manifesto that praised “the role of Black music as a functional organ in the struggle for national liberation”; and
WHEREAS, In 1978, Mtume and Reggie Lucas formed a band with Tawatha Agee called Mtume. The band distinguished itself for the sophistication, musicality, and sensuality of its music. After signing a major-label deal with Epic Records, the band had a number of hits, including “Juicy Fruit” and “You, Me, and He”; and
WHEREAS, Mtume also became a prominent songwriter and producer, working with artists including Donny Hathaway, Roberta Flack, Phyllis Hyman, Teddy Pendergrass, and Stephanie Mills. Mtume and Lucas co-wrote Mill’s 1980 hit “Never Knew Love Like This Before,” which won a Grammy Award for best R&B song; and
WHEREAS, As popular music evolved and hip hop became a major musical genre, Mtume made his mark there as well. Hip hop artists have since drawn upon Mtume’s work heavily, most notably “Juicy Fruit,” which has been sampled over 100 times, by artists including Notorious B.I.G., Alicia Keys, Warren G, Jennifer Lopez, Keyshia Cole, and Faith Evans. Mtume also found success making music for film and television, most notably the 1990s TV series New York Undercover; and
WHEREAS, In the mid 90s, Mtume began to work as an on-air radio personality, eventually co-hosting on the weekly show “Open Line,” where he discussed politics, activism, news, and culture. Mtume also recorded a TED Talk in 2018, “Our Common Ground in Music,” in which he discussed “the cross-pollination of culture, politics and art”; and
WHEREAS, James Mtume’s career had a profound influence on music and the industry. He shaped the sound of multiple generations of music. His influence extended past that of a musical innovator, but was also an influential advocate and activist for Black culture and history; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, BY THE COUNCIL OF CITY OF PHILADELPHIA, Also names the 1500 block of Wharton Street “James Mtume Way” to honor the life and legacy of James Mtume, renowned musician, activist and Philadelphia native.
FURTHER RESOLVED, That an Engrossed copy of this resolution be presented to the family of James Mtume as evidence of the admiration and respect of this body.
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