Jazz, gospel singing and the church unite two families that share both love and loss. But… Jazz, gospel singing and the church unite two families that share both love and loss. But as a result of incest, drug addiction, race riots and murder, they are torn apart.

Nathan Davis, Pitt’s assistant professor of music and director of jazz studies, composed the music for the jazz opera “Just Above My Head,” based on a novel by James Baldwin.

On Thursday evening, Davis attended a press conference held to promote the opera in the William Pitt Union Ballroom.

Jonathan Eaton, the artistic director for the Opera Theater of Pittsburgh, described Davis as “one of Pittsburgh’s most celebrated artists.” He and Davis have worked together to bring the opera to life for about a year.

According to Davis, the most important thing in creating such a work is to “have fun – that comes first.”

Chancellor Mark Nordenberg, who spoke at the event, said he was not surprised that Davis composed an opera.

“Nathan [Davis] has always been one to reach out and attract new music lovers,” Nordenberg said. “[Davis] has left his musical mark wherever he and his work have traveled.”

Davis composed his opera in about two years, while touring Europe in the 1960s. He wrote a little in each country he visited, and he said the atmospheres of the different countries gave the opera an exciting touch.

When Davis became a member of Pitt’s faculty in 1969, he found himself inspired to compose an opera. This came partially as a result of realizing renowned opera singer Claudia Pinza was on staff at the University. He also soon discovered that the wife of then-chancellor Wesley Posvar, Mildred Miller Posvar, was also an opera singer.

Posvar spent a few hours on multiple occasions teaching Davis to compose his opera for singers. When Davis was finally done with his work, he ended up putting it aside for a number of years.

Former College of General Studies Dean and Davis’ friend, John Bolvin, eventually introduced Davis to Eaton. Bolvin described both men as “very fine artists.” Not long after, the two began collaborating to turn Davis’s work into a real live opera.

The Opera Theater of Pittsburgh will present the world premiere of Davis’s jazz opera June 9 to 13, 2004. It will be the inaugural performance in the new Pittsburgh High School for the Creative and Performing Arts Auditorium downtown. The opera will take place during the first National Performing Arts Convention, which will be held in Pittsburgh.

For ticket information call (412) 394-3353 or order online at www.proartstickets.org.