I am James Tatum and this is my bone-headed blog.
My interests and endeavors are varied: bad puns, building lego sets with my boys, darts, video games (anything Mario or Zelda), music composition, Java programming, theme park adventuring, out door adventuring, virtual adventuring, DIY home projects and much more. This blog will start with one of my longest running passions: brass instruments — trombone, trumpet, horn, baritone / euphonium and tuba.
I started playing trombone in the band at Acme-Delco Elementary School in Acme-Delco, North Carolina (named after the battery company I have heard). Mr. Mitchell needed a trombone player and Mr. Pendell (Papa Jack) from McFayden Music in Wilmington informed my mother that the trombone was a cheaper option to my first choice: the saxophone. The demonstration of a trombone glissando sealed the deal!
At first I was made to practice outside the house due to the excessive noise, but with time and practice I got better. I enjoyed the gymnatorium green room / band room (except for the time someone stuffed gum down my trombone lead-pipe). My playing improved through Middle School at Acme-Delco Jr.-Sr. and then our family moved and I attended Beulaville Elementary for a year. Now band was in the football field-house!
I was at East Duplin HS for one year (now in a real band room) before finishing my High School experience at Clinton HS in Clinton, NC and continuing to a Music Education Degree at East Carolina University in Greenville, NC.
Many adventures and life experiences later, I now reside in Raleigh, NC with my wife and two (energetic) boys. At the time I am writing this we have been seeing a lot more of each other due to the current pandemic. Anything we’ve done recently, just add the tag “…from home” and that about sums it up: Teaching brass instruments (from home), working (from home), schooling (from home), shopping (from home) etc….
I currently teach brass instrument instruction at home via Zoom, play regularly with a local dance band, Leon Jordan’s Continentals, at my church and freelance with various other bands, gigs and churches in the Triangle Area.