The Clark Atlanta University Department of Music will celebrate the life, music and enduring legacy of Professor James H. Patterson (1935–2026) with A Musical Tribute on Tuesday, October 13, 2026, at 7:00 p.m. at Central United Methodist Church, 501 Martin Luther King Jr. Drive, SW, Atlanta, Georgia 30314.
Presented in observance of what would have been Professor Patterson’s 91st birthday, the evening will celebrate a life well lived and a musical legacy that continues to resonate through generations of students, educators, musicians, colleagues and friends.
For decades, Professor Patterson’s artistry and influence were woven into the musical fabric of Clark Atlanta University and the greater Atlanta community. A gifted musician, teacher, mentor and champion of what he proudly called African American Classical Music, Patterson’s impact extended far beyond the classroom and the bandstand. His was a life in rhythm, a legacy in music, and a sound that continues to live on.
The evening will feature performances by the Clark Atlanta University Jazz Orchestra and the James Hardy Patterson Preservation Orchestra (CAU Alumni Jazz Orchestra), bringing together current students and alumni in a musical tribute to the professor, mentor and musician whose influence helped shape generations of artists.
More than a memorial, the evening will celebrate the musical continuum Professor Patterson helped create—the music he performed, the knowledge he shared, the musicians he nurtured and the tradition entrusted to those who now carry it forward.
A Musical Tribute to James H. Patterson
Tuesday, October 13, 2026 | 7:00 p.m.
Central United Methodist Church
501 Martin Luther King Jr. Drive, SW
Atlanta, Georgia 30314
Admission is free and open to the public.
The Clark Atlanta University Department of Music invites former students, alumni, colleagues, musicians, friends, members of the University community and the greater Atlanta community to join together for this special evening of remembrance, celebration and music.
The Music Continues...