James Mtume

Born in Philadelphia to a musical family, master producer, songwriter, and musician James Mtume penned such classic hits as "Sweet Sensation", "Never Knew Love Like This Before", and "The Closer I Get To You".

The multi-platinum producer/songwriter has worked with such acclaimed R&B artists as Roberta Flack, Stephanie Mills, Lou Rawls, The Spinners, D'Angelo, and Mary J. Blige. As a musician, he is featured on percussion and keyboards on more than 80 jazz albums, including those of Keith Jarrett, Duke Ellington, McCoy Tyner, and his father Jimmy Heath. He also played with the great jazz bands of Sonny Rollins, Joe Henderson, and Herbie Hancock.

Pivotal to Mtume's musical development were the many years he played with the legendary Miles Davis, a time he fondly recalls as his "Ph.D. years."

In the early 80s, Mtume formed a production/songwriting team with Reggie Lucas, producing over a dozen gold and platinum records. Their band recorded five acclaimed albums including Juicy Fruit, and You, Me and He.

Mtume has composed and scored for television (New York Undercover), Broadway plays, and major films (Sarafina and Native Son). He has won both Grammy and American Music Awards, and has been honored with the keys to several cities, including Dallas, Chicago, and Washington.

Mtume's career has been marked by his ongoing social and political activism; he lectures frequently on university campuses, and today he is the host of New York's No. 1 Black political talk show, OPEN LINE.

Speaker Fee $ 5000