Art Tatum was also an athlete.
Posted by G2020 - Monday, May 31st, 2010
Art Tatum attended and graduated from the Ohio State School for the Blind. He was in my father's (James O.Black) and mother;s (Dorothy Butts)graduating class at the Blind School in Columbus, Ohio. He and my Dad played on the School's high school age basketball team. Yes, the blind teenage athletes who had some sight played on the team, luckily both my Dad and Art had a little sight. They played against the State Blind School Teams from the surrounding States and the local Columbus Junior High teams. Art and my Dad also wrestled on the School Wrestling Team. Dad always said that Art was quite an athlete. Both he and Art were avid baseball fans and they really knew the professional team and player stats of the late 20's teams. I remember meeting Art at the Ohio State School for the Blind reunions a number of times in the 40's at the Blind School which stood on the NE corner of Parsons and Main Sts. I recall them talking about old times Dad said that Art always made it a point to leave his busy professional piano playing schedule to attend the reunions and talk to his old friends. I am very honored to have met and talkied with Art as a youth. My Dad died at age 43 in 1851 and art passed away just 5 year later at age 56.
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My father Tommy Thompson was a graduate of the Ohio State School for the Blind, Class of 1929. He graduated with Art Tatum and always talked positive about Art. He always said that Art was well liked, a good friend to many, especially with him and Jim Black, The three of them were good buddies. Jim, Artand my Dad played on the basketball team. They loved getting together at the Blind School reunions. My Dad was very proud of Art's success in the music world. At the reunions he was just Art and not the famous jazz piano player. Thanks for letting me make these comments-Bill Thompson