{image1}Bucks fans might remember Wayman Tisdale as a power forward for the Phoenix Suns, Indiana Pacers and Sacramento Kings.
He played at the old Milwaukee Arena and Bradley Center numerous times. He reached the 12,000 career point milestone, one of only 40 players in NBA history to do so.
Before playing in the NBA, Tisdale was a three-time All American at Oklahoma and played on the same 1984 U.S. Olympic team as Michael Jordan.
Well, Tisdale has made a rather remarkable career transition, from the basketball court to smooth jazz concert halls around the country as a topnotch bass guitarist.
He appeared as one of the friends in the Dave Koz and Friends tour stop at Uihlein Hall on Saturday, July 31. Also appearing were guitarist and vocalist Jonathon Butler, trumpet player Rick Braun and Koz, who is a great sax player.
Tisdale looks like he would have problems running the fast break these days, but he still displayed nimble fingers and feet as he moved his burly 6'9" frame around the stage with the other performers.
He was most impressive in a solo, "Ain't No Stoppin' Us Now," one of the featured songs on his new CD called "Hang Time." He also added a lot of fun with physical taunts of Koz and Butler, who barely stand taller than the instruments they play.
Tisdale's microphones were set higher than both his fellow performers. "That's a lot of man coming at you," joked Koz after Tisdale and he danced together in one song.
"When I grew a couple of feet taller in that time, everybody wanted me to play basketball," Tisdale told jazzreview.com writer Carl Cunningham. "It really took off in junior high. I didn't have as much time for music then, but I never left one for the other.
"I think I'm succeeding where others have not because music fans can hear my sincerity," said Tisdale. "It's me playing the songs, not somebody else. I've been given a talent from above and I try to reflect that in how I present myself."
Koz puts on an annual "Friends" tour and has consistently included Milwaukee as one of the stops.
Once again, Koz was outstanding in his sax playing and showmanship. Braun, considered one of the great smooth jazz trumpet players in the world, made his entrance through the crowd and later went back into the audience with Koz.
They collaborated well on a song, "TGIF," which they wrote together. Braun will return to Wisconsin in September for the Kettle Moraine Jazz Festival.
Butler, who is from South Africa, sang both up-tempo jazz songs and a couple slower love songs. He and Tisdale blended their guitar talents in several songs.
The four men and four additional backup musicians, genuinely seemed to enjoy playing together. Their enthusiasm bled over into the large crowd.
