Tommy LiPuma: A Lasting Legacy Celebrated music producer nurtured artists, students

hroughout his life, producer Tommy LiPuma nurtured the the singers — Ella Fitzgerald, careers of artists like Miles Sarah Vaughan, Diana Krall — and Davis, Diana Krall, Leon appreciating the rich history of jazz." Russell, George Benson, Tri-C JazzFest Cleveland honored TBarbara Streisand … the list goes on and LiPuma in 2016 with a Big Birthday on. During more than 40 years in the Bash celebrating his 80th birthday. industry, he earned the title of “legend.” The star-studded concert featured But LiPuma also nurtured learning. performances by Krall, Russell, Al Following his $3 million legacy gift to Jarreau, Dr. John and the Clayton- Cuyahoga Community College, Tri-C Hamilton Jazz Orchestra. LiPuma had in 2012 christened its cutting-edge arts to stretch to cut the 5-foot-tall birthday center the Tommy LiPuma Center for cake, perched on a pedestal and Creative Arts. prepared by the College’s Hospitality “I’m quite excited to be involved Management Center. with Cuyahoga Community College In 2015, LiPuma managed the and to leave a legacy here for the Tommy LiPuma with Dominick Farinacci at a recording session in boards in his namesake arts center future,” LiPuma said at the ribbon 2015 at the Tommy LiPuma Center for Creative Arts at Tri-C. when trumpeter and former Tri-C Jazz Tommy LiPuma meeting with cutting. “I feel like I’m giving All-Star Dominick Farinacci recorded Tri-C students in 2012 something back to the community his album Short Stories, released in and the town I got my break in, that I The center that bears LiPuma’s LiPuma, winner of five Grammy 2016 by Mack Avenue Records. LiPuma started in the music business in. It’s a name features modern recording awards, frequently visited Tri-C to lead and Farinacci assembled their own all- Foundation. “When he first saw his Benson’s song “The Masquerade” from very satisfying thing.” studios, digital labs, dance studios, master classes with students and to star team for the sessions that included name on the Tommy LiPuma Center his album Breezin’, the Natalie Cole LiPuma died March 13. He was 80 the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and enjoy the friendships he shared with Jacob Collier, Steve Gadd, Larry for Creative Arts, with tears in his eyes album Unforgettable . . . with Love and years old. Museum’s library and archives, the members of the faculty and staff. Goldings, Jamey Haddad, Christian and a radiant smile on his face, he said, the Paul McCartney albums Kisses on “Cuyahoga Community College has JazzFest Legends Wall and more. "Students were in awe of Tommy,” McBride, Dean Parks and Al Schmitt. ‘I am so honored and humbled. I’m the Bottom and Live Kisses. His work been proud to call Mr. LiPuma a friend “Seeing Tommy’s eyes light up when said G. Paul Cox, dean of Creative The project allowed students an up- just a guy from Cleveland.’” has resulted in 75 million albums sold and supporter for many, many years,” he saw the naming of the building Arts at Tri-C. “He had this legendary close-and-personal look at the work of Born in Cleveland, LiPuma first and 33 Grammy nominations in all. said Alex Johnson, Tri-C president. in his honor was a magical moment reputation as a producer, so they professional musicians in the studio. entertained a career as a barber, but LiPuma worked for various labels “We were honored when he chose for me,” said Jerry Sue Thornton, hung on every word in his master “He was passionate about our after taking a job with a local music over his 40-year career, spending Tri-C to establish his legacy in Greater Tri-C president emeritus. “While the classes. He was also curious about students and faculty, and committed distributor, his future was set. He 1999 to 2011 as chairman of the Verve Cleveland. He chose Tri-C to leverage naming of a building tells only a part what students in the film and art his time and talents to provide would go on to become one of the Music Group. However, he was unable his musical genius and generosity to of the legacy that is Tommy LiPuma, programs were up to. But his heart opportunities for advancement,” most successful producers in the to keep himself from the studio. build and sustain the College’s music it is a symbolic way to showcase the was in jazz. Students will remember said Gloria Moosmann, former music industry. His last project was as producer for programs and preserve the legacy of its career of a man that created magic as a his high standards, the importance of vice president of development and LiPuma earned Grammys for his Diana Krall’s Turn Up The Quiet, to be annual JazzFest.” musician and producer.” listening to the great artists, especially the Cuyahoga Community College work on Krall’s album Live in Paris, released in May.

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