He's got the blues - and talent - at the young age of 8
Ever since he started playing guitar at 5 years old, he's been rockin' and walin' his way gradually into the public's eye. Capturing all of the heart and soul of blues music at such a young age, 8-year-old Tallan "The T-man" Latz and his guitar share a collective soul.
Latz, of Elkhorn, Wis., has been playing guitar for three years now earning him the privilege of playing with blues and rock legends like Walter Trout, Albert Cummings and Greg Koch.
The T-man's fingering abilities recently had him featured on WGN's TV Morning Show and playing at the House of Blues last week. This summer, he continues to have his schedule packed with events like Bloomin' Days June 7 in Kenosha, Milwaukee's Summerfest June 30, Peoria's Illinois Blues festival Aug. 30, the Paramount Blues festival in Grafton, Wis., Sept. 20, and he even scored a show at Milwaukee's Pabst Theater with the legendary guitarist, Les Paul June 21.
Right here in Lake County, you can see the T-man Sunday, when he and his band, "The T-man's Blues Project", will play at the Greenbelt Cultural Center in North Chicago. The show runs from 5 to 8 p.m. during the Sounds of Summer event. Tallen's band will perform from 6 to 6:45 p.m., and then from 7 to 8 p.m.
"Tallan will be playing songs like 'The Thrill is Gone' by BB King, 'The Sky is Crying' by Stevie Ray Vaughan and Red House and 'Voodoo Child' by Jimi Hendrix," said Carl Latz, Tallan's father. The T-man's Blue's Project members have over 100 years of combined experience.
"When I prepare to get on stage, I get two minutes before the show to warm up and get my fingers warm," Tallan said. "A half-hour before our show we do a sound check, then we do a little run through, and when we get out on stage we give it our all, 110 percent."
This Sunday at the Greenbelt Cultural Center, Latz says he's looking forward to "putting smiles on people's faces." He plans on going out into the audience to get people moving to his music.
"I love to be on stage,"said the T-Man. "Performing for people makes me happy."
The T-man's Blues Project will be playing in the center's 7,000 square-foot-cultural center building the day of the event. In honor of Father's Day, families can also bring home a family photo. A photographer will be available for a free family photo, said Sheryl Acunal, an employee at the Greenbelt Cultural Center.
Located at 1215 Green Bay Road in North Chicago, parking will be available on-site or off Dugdale Road with shuttle service. All ages are invited and admission is free.