The Universal Messengers Of Music, known as TUMOM, is a three-year old community-based musical organization which is very active in the Washington
Metropolitan Area. Established on July 4, 1987 which the jazz ensemble refers to as
‘Louis Armstrong Day.” TUMOM has been a monthly feature at Washington’s historic
“Pavilion at the Old Post Office”, opened for Roy Ayers and the Persuasions at the “Fort Dupont Summer Theater Jazz Concert Series”, and performed for The D. C. Noon Day Summer Concerts, African Liberation Day Commemorations, The Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. National Holiday Commission, Malcolm X Day Celebrations, and many other community events.

TUMOM also has either organized with, performed for, or have been honored by many government agencies, universities, schools and community organizations including: The US Department Of Interior, The US National Park Service, the D.C. Commission on the Arts and Humanities, The Corcoran Gallery of Art, The Duke Ellington School of the Performing Arts, George Mason University, Howard University and Arlington Community Television.

Given the history of this great African-American classical idiom, it’s creativity, balance, spirituality, TUMOM believes that it is most appropriate that it’s first recording be dedicated to Congressman John Conyers, Jr. (D-Mich.) who’s bill (Resolution No. 57) was passed into law recognizing “Jazz As An American National Treasure.” This feat will keep jazz perched high on the mountain of human achievement. The only original composition on this recording pays tribute to the Lawmaker and his Congressional Staff, hence, “Black And Blue Blues (an ode to Congressman John Conyers, Jr.).” Congressman Conyers also authored the bill that led to Dr. King’s birthday becoming a national holiday. Furthermore, he is one of the co-founders of The Congressional Black Caucus.

TUMOM will debut “Jazz Is A National Treasure,” in San Remo, Italy on the Italian Rivera, as The D.C. 1990 International Ambassadors Of Culture, since selected by The D.C. Commission on the Arts and Humanities to perform there. TUMOM will be joined there by internationally acclaimed jazz artist including, Dizzy Gillespie and his Big Band, McCoy Tyner, and Freddie Hubbard during this 1990 Summer Jazz/Blues Festival.

Special thanks to internationally renowned artist Abdul Rahman for his cover art, entitled “Blue Note” illustrating how jazz is still a struggling art form even though a national treasure; to Jim Fox of Lion and Fox Recording Studio, Inc., for his extraordinary help on the recording; mixing and editing session for this recording; to Mindell Lee of The Variety Shop,” for her continued support, design and development of the TUMOM mail order system; to Coleman Productions LTD, for their undying faith, support and management; to DC. Art/Works and Parklands Community Center of Washington, D.C. for underwriting for The Youth Jazz Workshop;” conceived and conducted by TUMOM as a youth employment program.

Most of all, The Universal Messengers Of Music express their humble and sincere gratitude to GOD ALMIGHTY; for without HIS BLESSINGS, none of TUMOM’s efforts could have been possible.