NBA's Wayman Tisdale hits jazz charts with debut album

Jet, August 14, 1995

Known better for his bruising inside play and deft shooting touch, Phoenix Suns standout forward Wayman Tisdale is climbing his way to the top as a jazz bass player.

With his debut album Power Forward on the MoJazz label, Tisdale was listed at No. 5 on Billboard's contemporary jazz charts and No. 53 in the rhythm and blues listings.

To his credit, when Motown President Steve McKeever heard his demo tape, he wanted Tisdale signed before he knew he was in the NBA.

Not bad for the 31-year-old, 11-year NBA veteran, who says if it wasn't for the NBA he would have pursued a career in music much sooner.

"Music was what I thought I was going to do. I wanted to be an artist even before I started thinking about basketball," Tisdale said.

The 6-foot-9 forward, who strikes an imposing figure on the court, had written songs for the groups SWV, the Winans and Philip Bailey prior to doing his own recording.

A self-taught bass player, Tisdale has some heavy-hitters on Power Forward, including a song written by Kenny "Babyface" Edmonds and another written and performed by Brian McKnight.

"I'm a born entertainer. When I'm on the court I'm having a ball--same with music," Tisdale added.