Wayman Tisdale was the second overall pick by the Indiana Pacers in the 1985 NBA draft. Courtesy Oklahoma Hall of Fame Archives. In 2001, his fourth album Face to in 2006, featured guest artists Bob James Face reached No. 1 on Billboard’s and George Duke, to name a few. contemporary jazz chart. Between 1995 Saxophonist Dave Koz, featured on the and 2010, he released nine jazz albums, album, stated, “the bass guitar typically four hit No. 1 on the jazz charts, and his isn’t a solo instrument, but Wayman was Wayman and Regina Tisdale on their wedding final album The Fonk Record was released able to not just make party music but to day—August 1, 1987. Courtesy Oklahoma posthumously. Tisdale earned honors as communicate amazing melodies and Hall of Fame Archives. the Bassist of the Year, National Smooth emotion. Music was the core of his soul.” Jazz Awards in 2002, the same year he Tisdale was inducted into the Oklahoma Miller had played bass for influential artists was inducted into the Oklahoma Sports Music Hall of Fame in 2011. His career such as Miles Davis and Herbie Hancock, Hall of Fame. In 2003 he released a pivot from athlete to musician inspired and was a successful composer, arranger, gospel album, followed a year later by Bernie Williams, a New York Yankee- and producer. Hang Time. His seventh record, Way Up! turned-jazz musician. “He was truly an It was difficult for Tisdale to be taken seriously as a musician, he was seen as Wayman Tisdale played for the Phoenix Suns from 1994 to 1997. Courtesy Oklahoma Hall of a basketball player who played music. Fame Archives. However, his mentor Miller saw great potential in him and when label executives at MoJazz heard his demo tapes, he was signed right away and his debut album Power Forward received positive reviews. The 1995 album reached No. 4 on the Billboard jazz chart. His second album In the Zone came out a year later. In 1997, he retired from the NBA to focus on his budding music career. That same year he became the first Oklahoma Player in any sport to have his jersey number retired, though in 2007 Blake Griffin asked Tisdale for permission to wear No. 23, which Tisdale granted. Two years after retiring from professional basketball he released Decisions. 53 35