If you were at a performance by Memphis-based jazz band Jazmine, you would at once be drawn to their magnetic singer - the charismatic and elegant T.J. Graham. T.J.'s infectious style and stage presence might come as a surprise to those who only know her as Dr. Graham. Currently a college professor of Teacher Education, and high school principal, T.J. has been a leader in the Memphis education system for several years.

Born in Buffalo, New York, T.J. knew early on that jazz was her true passion. In an era when the pop sounds of musicians such as Michael Jackson, the Commodores, Jeffrey Osborne, etc. were the rage among her contemporaries, T.J. was drawn to such jazz greats as Betty Carter, Shirley Horn, Nancy Wilson, Sarah Vaughan, AI Jarreau, Mel Torme, Joe Williams, Johnny Hartman and Nat "King" Cole. While T.J. cites these and other jazz greats as her major influences, she credits Sheila Jordan and Jay Clayton as being her initial inspirations.

With five CD projects to her credit, T.J. has performed and/or sat in with many of Memphis' talented jazz artists such as, Gene Rush, Donald Brown, Rene Koopman, Herman Green, Calvin Newborn, Joyce Cobb, Mark "Dr. Scat" Weiss, and Irving Evans, to mention a few.

Currently, T.J. performs on a regular basis with Jazmine. As T.J. puts it, "We play a variety of music, which is interesting in itself and then there are the other lead singers and vocal harmonizing, which make Jazmine unique in the Memphis jazz scene."

“All the guys were born right here in Memphis and when we get together, I feel like I'm with the Marx Brothers one minute and then, we'll be playing a ballad that gives me goose bumps the next minute. We really have fun," says T.J. "It's like family when we get together," agrees bassist John Lightman.

T.J. considers the last recording that she worked on, "Small Day Tomorrow,” a masterpiece produced by Jazmine’s bassist, John Lightman, her best work to date. She feels very fortunate and honored to work closely with John Lightman, a musician she considers to be one of the finest song writers ever, and with other world class musicians. T.J. swears that the spirits of such writers as Jerome Kern, Hoagy Carmichael, Duke Ellington and his collaborator, Billy Strayhorn, Cole Porter, Rodgers and Hart, etc. are living today in John Lightman. In her words, “He’s that kind of a smart writer and I’m thrilled to be working with him in the group, Jazmine! His writing and the whole bands' musical skills will ensure that good music, especially good jazz music, will be heard for a long time to come."