Age, Biography and Wiki

James Mtume (James Forman) was born on 3 January, 1946 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S., is an American jazz and R&B musician (1946–2022). Discover James Mtume's Biography, Age, Height, Physical Stats, Dating/Affairs, Family and career updates. Learn How rich is he in this year and how he spends money? Also learn how he earned most of networth at the age of 76 years old?

Popular As James Forman
Occupation N/A
Age 76 years old
Zodiac Sign Capricorn
Born 3 January, 1946
Birthday 3 January
Birthplace Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.
Date of death 9 January, 2022
Died Place South Orange, New Jersey, U.S.
Nationality United States

We recommend you to check the complete list of Famous People born on 3 January. He is a member of famous musician with the age 76 years old group.

James Mtume Height, Weight & Measurements

At 76 years old, James Mtume height not available right now. We will update James Mtume's Height, weight, Body Measurements, Eye Color, Hair Color, Shoe & Dress size soon as possible.

Physical Status
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Dating & Relationship status

He is currently single. He is not dating anyone. We don't have much information about He's past relationship and any previous engaged. According to our Database, He has no children.

Family
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James Mtume Net Worth

His net worth has been growing significantly in 2023-2024. So, how much is James Mtume worth at the age of 76 years old? James Mtume’s income source is mostly from being a successful musician. He is from United States. We have estimated James Mtume's net worth, money, salary, income, and assets.

Net Worth in 2024 $1 Million - $5 Million
Salary in 2024 Under Review
Net Worth in 2023 Pending
Salary in 2023 Under Review
House Not Available
Cars Not Available
Source of Income musician

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Timeline

1946

James Forman (January 3, 1946 – January 9, 2022), known professionally as Mtume or James Mtume, was an American jazz and R&B musician, songwriter, record producer, activist, and radio personality.

Mtume was born James Forman on January 3, 1946, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

He was the son of jazz saxophonist Jimmy Heath, and was raised by his mother, Bertha Forman, and his stepfather, a Philadelphia local jazz pianist, James "Hen Gates" Forman.

He grew up in a musical environment with jazz musicians frequenting his parents' house.

1966

He learned to play piano and percussion; however, from his teenage years he was pursuing athletics as a swimmer, having achieved the title of the first black Middle Atlantic AAU champion in the backstroke, and in 1966 he entered Pasadena City College on a swimming scholarship.

In 1966, Mtume joined the US Organization, a Black empowerment group founded by Hakim Jamal and Maulana Karenga, while a student at Pasadena City College.

Mtume received his name, which means "messenger" in Swahili, from Karenga who gave members of the organization names to match their personality traits.

He was part of the group which celebrated the first Kwanzaa in 1966.

1967

In 1967 he co-edited The Quotable Karenga with Clyde Halisi, which has been called "the best expression of Karenga's ideas".

1969

Mtume left the US Organisation in 1969.

Mtume's professional debut was on Kawaida, a 1969 album by his uncle, Albert Heath.

His first recording released under his own name was Alkebu-lan: Land of the Blacks, recorded live at The East, a Black nationalist community arts and education center in Brooklyn, and released on Strata-East Records.

Both albums were intended to merge free jazz and cultural identity.

After his return from the West Coast he moved to New York City and had his first gigs as a sideman for McCoy Tyner (Asante album), Freddie Hubbard, and Miles Davis, whose group he wound up joining and playing in for the next few years.

With fellow Mtume band member Reggie Lucas, he won the Grammy Award for Best R&B Song for writing and producing Stephanie Mills' top-ten hit "Never Knew Love Like This Before", for which she also won a Grammy for Best Female R&B Vocal Performance.

1971

He came to prominence as a jazz musician, working with Miles Davis between 1971 and 1975.

1983

Mtume's R&B group, also called Mtume, is best known for the 1983 R&B hit song "Juicy Fruit", which has been repeatedly sampled.

Mtume the band also had a top-five R&B hit with the single "You, Me, and He".

1994

In 1994, Mtume created music for the show New York Undercover while also creating musical appearance opportunities for other artists on the show.

2018

In July 2018, Mtume filed a lawsuit against Sony Music/Epic Records, hoping to reclaim the rights for two albums and his hit single "Juicy Fruit".

Mtume claimed to hold the sole copyright of these recordings, while Sony insisted that the albums were made for hire.

Mtume was the father of music producers Damu Mtume and Fa Mtume.

He died in South Orange, New Jersey on January 9, 2022, at the age of 76.

His death occurred six days following his birthday.

With Gato Barbieri

With Miles Davis

With Art Farmer

with Harold Land

With McCoy Tyner

With Sonny Rollins